Depression, Anxiety, Panic, does marijuana cause this?

[--Danny--]

Does marijuana cause these problems? Or is it harmless? In some countries it's legal? Really confused?

[AGrace]

Hi Danny,

There's no hard evidence to suggest that marijuana contributes to depression/anxiety. There is also no evidence to suggest it helps. Its legal in some countries but usually places where the government is unable to patrol or control its use. Its also illegal in many countries, including Australia because we know that it can have other severe side effects. I know this for certain,  it wont take away your problems.

There are plenty of other therapies that can help. Id suggest you exhaust all of these first and steer clear of the green stuff.

I hope this helps with your confusion! 

AGrace

[--Danny--]

Hi AGrace, thanks for your help. The only thing wrong with just quitting cold turkey is the side effects. I smoke daily & have done for years. I'm over putting toxins in my body, alcohol & weed. I've flicked the drinking...at least for the last 20 odd days. Quitting weed, well that's another story. It seems like I won't ever quit the evil herb either. It's got a grip on me & wont let go. Anyone out there contemplating smoking weed, it will ruin your life if u become hooked. Has anyone out there on Beyond Blue  had experience with marijuana addiction? I'm convinced it's causing panic & anxiety attacks..not to mention depression aswell. Quitting this stuff seems impossible:(

Danny

[AGrace]

Hi Danny,

Are you seeing a Dr about quitting?  You dont have to go cold turkey on your own? There are plenty of clinics and outpatient programs on drug and alcohol addiction that you could try. A Dr may also be able to prescribe non addictive medication to help with the side effects. 

[--Danny--]

Hi AGrace, I tried taking to the doctor, he just says quit cold turkey & my anti-depressants should help? He is no help! The only way I can quit is like you said, in a drug rehab clinic...but doing this I will need 2 weeks off work, I'm not sure I can afford to take time off work? Another massive problem is weed has helped me quit alcohol..which was ruining my life..I'm scared of quitting weed & falling in the trap of drinking again...which I had done for 16 years..I guess what I'm trying to say is I'd prefer to smoke weed than drink alcohol..alcohol is bad news for me....AGrace, I need your honest opinion, I'm really caught between a rock & a hard place...

Danny

[Dan_ny]

I smoked weed constantly all day every day for years (10 to be precise). Believe me it ruined my life, I developed major depression, severe anxiety and bipolar disorder in this time.

Once I finally kicked the habit of smoking that stuff I unfortunately became an alcoholic. I drank everyday for 20 years.... I have now been sober for 18 months. It's a hard road but it can be done, just take it day by day and if you fall off the wagon jump straight back on it again and don't hold it against yourself.

best of luck

[--Danny--]

Hi Dan_ny, alcohol to me is poison. I would lose my family if I carried on binge drinking. On weed I behave myself & stay out of trouble..when I smoke, it's not all day. Just a couple in the early morning then a few at night...around 8:30pm..so there's a good 12 hours I'm not smoking a day..the weed hasn't affected my work yet alcohol causes sick days from hangovers. I get more anxiety/shame/depression/guilt the day after drinking...it caves my head in...I cant go back to drinking again...I will do whatever it takes to stay off it. what can you say to help me mate?

Danny

[AGrace]

Ok, the way I see it you havent had a drink in 21 days, I'd focus on building upon that achievement first. I think it can be too overwhelming to tackle too many things at once.

In a couple of months,  when you feel less reliant on the alcohol then go back to a Dr, definitely not the one you've been seeing, and get some assistance with weaning yourself off the marijuana. The rehab program you speak of, is that the only one available? Spend this time preparing for when the time comes.

I hope you find this honest enough;)

AGace

[geoff]

dear Danny, I'm not sure whether I have replied to you, but I have been following your posts.

I have never smoked weed, but I have to agree with Dan, in that I have known people who have stopped smoking it, but then turned to alcohol, but this doesn't have to mean that you will go back to it.

It takes great strength to give up alcohol which you have done, but now you will need help with this, so I would look for a drug and alcohol counsellor, as well as contacting Quit. Geoff.

[Dan_ny]

Hi again Dan, I think Grace and Geoff have given some great advice. It is much better to do one thing at a time. Now that you have been sober for 3 weeks that a great start, I know first hand that Alcohol is a demon drink, at least for me anyway.

Dont worry to much about the weed for a while get yourself feeling better from the detox of Alcohol first. Its a great feeling to wake up in the morning without being sick and hungover...I can tell you my home life is 1000 times better now. I missed out on a lot of things in my life from being drunk all the time, which includes my kids growing up..it's just a big blur to me.

So yer one step at a time mate is the way to go otherwise it's just two hard, u have made a good choice.

cheers