I'm curious. Were you a medicinal marijuana user before you quit drinking? If so, how long? If you were to quit smoking weed, do you think it would increase your likelihood of picking up a drink?

I'm not trying to be a jerk here, I really am just curious. To each their own.

I have used marijuana for the better part of the last 28 years. I'll be 40 in less than 2 months. I have birth defects that cause me severe pain in both arms, which are greatly utilized in daily life...so...pain is a constant for me.

If I am honest, yes, part of me fears that if I quit the MJ...I will start drinking again...but I don't think so...because alcohol does nothing to alleviate pain, and in my case, causes more. And besides...I know I am powerless over alcohol, and my life certainly became unmanageable because of it.

Thanks for the question though...

I know how much grief you give yourself over all of this.

Way to go on not having a drink for 30 months (well an alcoholic one haha) x

Good for you on the 30 months and keep going Maat! It is something to be really proud of!

I hope you aren't a MJ smoker, with a high at all times and enjoying that high. But, i do know marijuana does have medicinal effects. IF, you are only using it truely for your pain and medical reasons, you are doing really well!

Congrats again!

Medical pot is a touchy issue. It has legitimately been proven to help with many illnesses. I am just curious if you have discussed your alcoholism with your doctor with complete honesty. If so, and if that doctor has a firm knowledge of addiction, and he/she still prescribles MJ, then I would concentrate on the 30 months sober. I don't know your story, but its just so damn easy to get a medical MJ card these days,(at least in my area) it might be time for a frank disucussion with your doctor.
Best of luck and congrats on 30 months sober.

I don't think anyone should have to live in pain and if something helps that pain and doesn't cause more pain and a doctor prescribes it and it is taken as prescribed.....take it and don't worry about what others think! :) I don't want you to hurt....

I can understand you not wanting to broadcast it at your group because of how it is viewed by some, but 30 months is a huge achievement for an alcoholic girl and I'm damn proud of ya!! :) Yeeeehaw!!!!

You have been through a LOT that would make a non alki turn to the bottle but you did it without drinkin and that's awesome!

Love ya lady! Congrats!! :)

P.S. My step dad is almost 70 and had a disk shift in his back and was in constant pain for 6 weeks straight (and will never walk again). He is not a candidate for surgery so he has been put on daily doses of morphine. I don't consider him "not sober" or an "addict". He's not gorked out of his head and he's not hurting and is under a doctors care. Why should anyone hurt? I just don't get it!

Thats my problem too. Quit drinking for 5 months but smoked pot everyday, have for 12 years. The pot is harder to stop for me.

Thank you all for your support. I'm not sure if it's because it's words on a page, VS. face to face, or what, but I don't feel judged here...as I do in those rooms.

I am certainly a valid candidate for MM, but unfortunately, because it is still illegal federally, it's not my regular, awesome Dr. whom I am 100% honest with all all times that can prescribe it. In fact, at my last check up, she went down the list of over 10 different meds that I had tried over the years,(including morphine) and I was still only taking one, for allergies. And when she asked what I was using, I said "pot". She said, "ok". But she can't write the script or discuss dosage, for fear of the feds pulling her license.

I kind of get the feeling the MJ will be a non issue for me soon anyways (when I move to the UK where the laws are way different) so I'm not too worried about it...

I just want to make sure I do not go back to drinking...been there, done that, miraculously survived to tell the tale. And sometimes, we need a little pat on the back to keep going, without the disdain behind the fake smile, ya' know?

Namaste all

I totally know the controversy of MM..I currently don't have a 215 card (CA MM license), because I think it is BS the way it is run now. The dr. that gave..NO SOLD me, my 1st one (for $200) didn't look at any records, took my word that I had migraines and happened to notice my crooked elbows and ask if they bothered me. At the time, I was tolerating the pain OK.

My regular Dr., who can't do anything for me, as far as MM, is quietly commending me (through mutual friends) for not being hooked on morphine...

Again...thanks all.

Congrats Matt!

30 months without drinking is quite an accomplishment.

Sorry about the pain you are in, but glad to hear that medical marijuana helps you deal with it.

BTW -- Ramblin man -- anecdotal studies are showing that marijuana can help patients with some of the symptoms of certain types of IBF (such as cramping and inflammation) Also while a lot of people with IBF have a hard time tolerating milk products, that is NOT true for all. Your comment about butter is also off-base. Just sayin.

@ Ramblin- It's Ma'at...just FYI.