Alcoholism Support Group

This totally against the AA teachings / 12 step program etc.
However I have a brother and a friend, same situation. Off alcohol for years, smokes pot.
They aren't on prozac or zanax(?) or whatever... it works for them. The issues that made them quit drinking are not issues that come through smoking pot, so? I can say, I would rather my brother be smoking than drinking. Just my opinion!

In AA we call this the "marijuana maintenance plan." I hear people talk of it and all the recovering alcoholics I have met at meetings say it never worked for them.
Sober is sober. Clean from all substances. If he is still smoking pot to numb himself from feeling the feelings that are hurting him he is not healing. If a person can use one substance I personally believe another is not far away. Under any substance your inhibitions are down.
Good luck.

The process of recovery is about learning how to deal with life without self-medicating or using crutches. When you become successful at this, it's a tremendous boost to your self-esteem, which, in turn, triggers a desire to continue living a clean and sober lifestyle. Therefore, I would be very concerned that your son is using marijuana while supposedly in recovery. That would seem to indicate--to me at least--that he is still in full-flight-from-reality mode, which, of course, isn't very healthy.

Is it causing problems in his life? Tearing up his relationships? If so, I hope he is able to get control of his life, you may need to meddle. Alcoholism and depression go hand in hand and seem to feed each other. If the pot is helping him through a few tough spots please do not make him feel bad or guilty about it. At least he is not drinking. Maybe your son needs to incorporate one thing at a time, into his one day at a time routine?

Speaking from personal experience, I would like to think my Father would not have come home and beat my Mother to a pulp if he had chosen to smoke pot instead of drink alcohol. In fact, my Father probably would have been happy and bought us ice cream instead of junk food at the bar. If only....

BE WELL.

i have to admit...when i don't drink, i do smoke weed. i don't know if i'm really an alcoholic, though...been called one by specialists, but i'm not physically dependant on it.

i mostly smoke weed to get me through my self injury urges, but it's really not a good excuse, i admit. i'm just using one problem to cover up another really, but i guess sometimes i would rather just get high than to cut myself to pieces. it seems like a good trade, but still...its a problem.

i hope your son will soon get to a place where he feels he doesn't need that to hold him together. does he take medication for the depression and social anxiety? if not, that might help him a great deal. i take medication, but it doesn't help much with the self injury urges, though it helps in other ways.

smoking pot or smoking ciggerets its all the same it's called addiction, they say don't try to stop all these at once and I belive that this is a myth, when you are ready to stop you well, drinking, smoking , pill popping or what ever blows up your your nose, all the same!
stop the behavior period.

NO!! recovering alcoholics do not smoke pot. if they do they are just substuiting pot for alcohol. He needs to deal with his feelings. See a therapist, go to meetings or something. If he has underlying issues he may need medication prescribed to him from a doctor. Self medicating is not recommended.

CLEAN AND SOBER MEANS JUST THAT, WE DO NOT DO THE POT OR ANY MIND CONTROLLING SUBSTANCE. PERIOD
WE GO TO MEETING
READ THE BIG BOOK
GET A SPONSOR
WORK THE STEPS
HELP THE SUFFERING ADDICT
BUT MOST OF ALL WE ARE KIND TO ONE OTHER.

I've heard so many views on this topic...seems to vary.

Personally, I see it as switching one medication with another, instead of getting to the core of why the need to medicate in the first place.

FACT: Alcohol is a wet drug, drugs are dry. The only difference is water.
In other words, a drug is a drug is a drug. (no difference ~ both mood altering). Your daughter's friends have no clean or dry time. In other words, they're not in recovery.
As for your son's depression, I highly suggest that he see a therapist who's in recovery. Why? He can't con a con & also depression makes it harder to stay clean & dry.
Please check my info out by calling your local Narcotic's Anonymous office & also your local Alcoholic's Anonymous office. They'll tell you what I just did.
The thing is, there are no other options than what I just stated.
I wish you, your son & everybody involved the very best of luck.
Alanon is the best way for you to learn how not to buy into any excuses. Please get their Step Book. You'll learn how NOT to keep enabling your son to continue drinking. It's not your fault. You're the mother who loves her son & wants what's best for him. You'll find that everything you've done to help has 'enabled' him to continue on his destructive behavior.
Please stay in touch ~ especially regarding things that don't make sense to you or that make you mad.
You're definitely in the right place & I highly commend you for reaching out.
Cathy