Cannabis and PTSD
Cannabis and PTSD
Good Morning Everyone. I hope all is well with you.
I’ve been meaning to talk more about how cannabis helps me, specifically with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). I’m compassionate about cannabis, because using cannabis medically to treat my condition has allowed me to change my life for the better. War is not pretty and I don’t know anyone that would disagree. I don’t blame my condition on anyone and if I could change anything in my past, it probably would be to go back for at least one more tour. Sounds crazy I bet, but what people don’t understand is the relationships and dedication the military nurtures. I’ve lost friends and I’ve had friend’s injured. Even when my life was in danger, I really never thought about myself, but more about those around me.
When I returned to the states, I was happy to be back home with loved ones and friends. Life seemed too good to be true. It wasn’t long before I quickly noticed something changed. Life slowed down and no one acted with any sense of urgency. I was overwhelmed with my thoughts constantly racing. PTSD was unbearable when there were no distractions around or nothing to do. I wouldn’t classified myself a big drinker before I left for Iraq. When I got back to California, that was a different story. I found myself enjoying the company of my fellow Marines and we partied like life depended on it. The stress was over! What I didn’t realize right away was my desire to mute my new reality. There were no missiles or mortar-fire reigning down on me, I wasn’t being shot at, but something was wrong. I was angry. I was overly aggressive. What was worse, I felt I was losing control of my surroundings and my mind. Life is precious and shouldn’t be wasted, but at times, I felt my life should have expired. I truly had a deathwish.
Back on the East Coast
It was a few months later, being informed of a buddy who died in Iraq, that I honestly realized my life had changed forever. I broke down. I was only sober during work hours and would do anything to keep myself awake and drinking. Sleep was not good option for me, I didn’t want to wake up to nightmares or worse. I tried to keep this regiment up for years, close to a decade. I had left the war, but the war was and will always be with me. It would take me another eight years to finally get my act together and finally accept that something was wrong that I couldn’t help keep at bay forever. I started seeking therapy and medication at the Veteran Affairs Hospital (VA).
The doctors naturally prescribed me a handful of pills. I found life harder to balance and enjoy the first couple of years on the pharma drugs . The pills kept me in a zombie state and there was no way I could take the medication during the day like the doctor requested. I quickly would have lost my job, if I listened to their initial plan. During therapy I was talking more to people, who I didn’t know, about my combat. They said it would make you feel better, but it definitely didn’t at first. Maybe, it was just me, but I felt weak and broken. A feeling I wish on NO ONE EVER.
You never know without trying
An old Marine buddy recommended I start medicating with cannabis. I didn’t like the idea of smoking at all at first, I was worried about being lazy and not putting my best foot forward. I didn’t realize that cannabis would help. Being in denial, I gave it a shot and promised myself I would smoke a little each day for 45 days. There is not a day that goes by, that I don’t thank god and my buddy for pushing me to try to help myself. Here we are five years later and cannabis has facilitated my desire to live my life the way I want. During the bad times, I could have easily ended it all. It was with cannabis, that I was able to be the father and husband I wanted to be. Finding the medicinal value of cannabis has changed my look on life for the best.
I understand that people can have PTSD from numerous situations and not just war. If you have PTSD, please do yourself a favor and try a cannabis regiment. What can you honestly loose? I can not say it enough… Cannabis can and will help you. Do yourself a favor, take back your life with the help of cannabis and therapy. If you’re a vet, don’t be too proud to talk and ask for help. I wish I did sooner. Do yourself and those around you a favor, get assistance and get back to living.
-Dad
