timlicit

There was another post related to the question of whether pot is addictive or not. My story I think relates well to the difference between pot and my old fav alcohol. I'll say right off that I am EXTREMELY against alcohol and it pisses me off that it is the drug this country(US) decides should be legal, for those over 21, ha ha as if you need to be 21 to get drunk!!
I went through rehab twice in high school and early college, did a degree in psychology and did 2 internships in rehabs since then. So I have lived and heard more than the lion's share of info on drugs, the brain, addiction, etc.
It was NOT pot that landed me in rehab, it was booze by far. I am a recovering alcoholic, though I don't do the AA thing really anymore. I have had a few years where I was clean and sober. Nothing but some coffee and cigs in those days.
But, I have smoked pot again and do, with several months off a year or so ago.
Anyway the difference between daily drinking and daily toking is so huge and not alike that I am big on pot being legal. Yeah I admit it sucks quitting when you don't want to, I get moody and don't sleep great for a day or two, but it beats the shakes, DT's, puking and near insanity from quitting drinking daily.
There were really good pieces of advice in the topic on addiction and pot, keeping busy and finding a way to get by seems to do it when stopping toking. I just know my life has not been in shambles with pot like with alcohol, I don't ruin people's days, nights, get in fights, etc like with alcohol. I will take the enjoyment of toking daily with the minor mental withdrawal over the booze any day now.

turbodude

after almost failing a pre-employment urine test; and a weird sore throat / cough that lasted about 2 months, i finally decided to go sober for a while, 8 weeks so far and not too bad. the first one or two weeks is the hardest. insomnia feeling like my skin was crawling? i had been drinking beer and or smoking pot at least once a week since i was 18 years old. i will be 47 next week. overall, i had many good experiences smoking pot, but after a while it was beginning to take it's toll on my lungs and mind. i switched to the more powerful pot to reduce the smoke, but after a while, my mind was getting worse: forgetting things, insomnia, etc. my theory on pot always seemed to be that the less i smoked, the more i enjoyed it. i suppose with my new job, i just felt i needed a clean sober mind. i also noticed that eliminating beer has reduced my blood pressure from moderate high to below average. i may be able to eliminate blood pressure medicine. alcohol causes high blood pressure which probably caused my kidney problem (neprhitis) about 4 months after i first started drinking. also wondering if the pot caused my gray hair (on the sides only)? anyway, i suppose it is a learning experience for all of us. i have many good memories from smoking pot, and will probably smoke again, but sober not too bad as i get older.