It's no commentary on my part either way as to medical marijuana's merits or as to AA, just on the topic of nightmares themselves. I went to my psychiatrist appointment again last week and we renewed my Prazosin prescription. It's the only PTSD med I'm allowed due to having only 40% kidney function left. Prazosin, though, is processed by the liver, so I'm safe. Anyway, I've been on it a year because of persistent PTSD nightmares I've had most of my life. Last night I had a good dream. This past year is the first year of not only having less nightmares, but good dreams because of Prazosin. Google it. It's helping me. It might help you, too.

Ranting is the best stress reliever I know of and I do double doses when I am carrying a stress load like that. Double doses? It takes what it takes. . . The only way I know of to over-do this particular medication is to do all my ranting at a single person. My journal and therapy support network are my personal favorite places to rant. Wherever you do your venting, it is important to vent. Holding in all those stress gases is hazardous to the entire system.

I know folks (a few of them are AA) who think using any type of drug/medication is . . . insert judgement of preference here. . . There is no shortage of opines --pro and/or con-- on the subject. Opinions enough to equal collective chaos for all. I, strictly just-a-patient personal, go with your closing statement on the subject. "To thine own self be true."

Continued support while you juggle the load, Mack. Vent freely. Vent often.

Between your stress and the triggers from the news I am not shocked you are having a hard time sleeping. I was having that problem until I started life changing progress in therapy. I sleep all the way through the night and that is a HUGE accomplishment from when I used to wake 4-6 times a night. Not sure I get the response above mine.

Stress relief is needed, I have never had joy from it. Do you have coping skills to relieve it? Meditation, eating well, dancing, exercise or verbally talking to someone who understands? I might have missed it, are you in therapy? Being here has helped a ton and led me to valuable ideas and resources and talk therapy with the right person has been so very important. You get that immediate feedback.

As for the pot and AA.. I am not big on the AA groups or 'counselors'. I have oodles of experience with it because my sister is a schizoeffective meth addict, my dad and his twin were alcoholics- the twin died from it at age 42. I butt heads with the system constantly. I do like a lot of the original works of the program and what the big book teaches but... I think that addiction comes from inward hurt or trauma and therapy is key. I do not believe smoking pot is bad unless you are craving it and if that is the case then there are deeper problems. Old habits return and hence the name 'dry' if ya get my drift. I would say the pot is being used to substitute the better suited coping tools.

You were not asking for advice, so just giving my moneys worth hehe