Local treatment center okaying marijuana???

[MyNameIsBetsy]

I had an odd conversation today with a new AA friend going through intensive outpatient treatment for alcoholism at a local treatment center. Her treatment plan tells her to abstain from alcohol, but that marijuana use is okay as long as it is no more than three times per week. Huh?

I've always considered that using marijuana is NOT sobriety. Any use of mind altering drugs is not my definition of being sober. We get sober and learn to deal with life, not medicate ourselves with marijuana.

Does anyone know if this is abnormal for outpatient treatment centers, or is this a current trend? It sounds counterproductive to getting/staying sober.

Any thoughts???

Betsy
an alcoholic

[avaneesh912]

I am sure it will be popular hangout for people. If not already i am sure it will soon become one. They are playing with it. Thats all I can say.

[Layne]

I would well imagine the original message underwent some changes and transformations before becoming the version that you heard from your new AA friend. Also was the okaying straight from the treatment center or from another participant in the outpatient treatment. Far too many variables and possible spin opportunities (whether intentional or not) for me to get too wrapped up in it...like a he said she said or like a game of telephone where the original message was "today is Wednesday" and the last person in line hears "the Giants won the pennant"

I also know this alcoholic, when still relatively new in recovery, had the uncanny ability to hear only what he wanted to hear...whether it was said or not!!!

[MyNameIsBetsy]

I've seen the written treatment plan - it clearly says, "PT will reduce marijuana use to no more than 3 times weekly." She shared the written plan with me because she thinks this is dangerous.

We discussed that she can hold herself more accountable than the treatment center holds her accountable. And we also discussed that she should ask her counselors about this. She is thinking she will give it a try for a short while and then make a decision as to whether to stay or find a different place.

I posted this because I don't know much about treatment centers, and hoped someone could let me know if this is usual or unusual. It doesn't fit with what I have learned about alcoholism during my own sobriety.

Betsy
an alcoholic

[PaigeB]

WOW - around here they do UA drops once a week and there is a no fail policy. We do however have "medical marijuana" so treatment okaying "3x a week" should cover that pee test. But you need a pot card. And the Marijuana Maintenance Program is frowned upon by most AA's. Still though, this is AA - nothing about pot in the Big Book.

AND POT IS MOSTLY ILLEGAL. How can they recommend ANY?

Here's a new one since I got sober: Beer flavored water! 100% alcohol free, made by Budweiser. I don't know if the treatment centers ok THAT, but it gives me the willies! I drink Pepsi's water: Bubly and Bubly Bounce (w caffeine). The ingredients say no calories and I believe it, but there is a very full & realistic flavor. Now, I am NOT considering trying the Bud Water (LOL see what I did there?) but I am curious about what people think of newcomers drinking beer flavored water...

[Layne]

I have absolutely no thoughts (okay I am lying about that) on what other people, newcomers, or etc should do when it comes to beer flavored water, I just know for certain, without any doubt, that it would be a bad idea for this alcoholic. I know exactly where it would windup and I get shakes just thinking about it. I would be back in hell. Ain't going back. Not for beer flavored water. Not for pot 3x a week. Not for treatment centers that were never the last house on the block and so don't understand. Not for any of those nor anything else. Not now. Not ever. Nope. No how. No way.

I make my decisions today...and I am going to keep it that way.

[MyNameIsBetsy]

Bud Water? No way.

Also, I don't do "non-alcoholic" beer, any of the kombuchas, or Nyquil. It just too risky, and I'm not going there.

Label watcher here. I spin bottles around and see what's really in them.

Betsy

[MacZa]

Perhaps the long-term plan is to wean the individual entirely off marijuana. Unless you are part of the team working with the individual, you may not be in a position to know the background to that treatment plan.

It does seem head scratching to me, though.

[PaigeB]

Perhaps the long-term plan is to wean the individual entirely off marijuana. Unless you are part of the team working with the individual, you may not be in a position to know the background to that treatment plan.

It does seem head scratching to me, though

Very true. And it is important to learn to follow the rules for treatment and society.

Still, I have chosen to not sponsor women through the Big Book until they are no longer in treatment. I do not want there to be any conflict of "suggestions" when it comes to working the Steps. The Steps in AA are always suggestions and are always dictated by the Heart in conjunction with a person's Higher Power. There are Other powers while a person is in treatment.

[Francis84]

I don't think marijuana is a good idea. Quite sure it would just be replacing one addiction with another.
But personally i see now harm in drinking 0,0% beer. I am now more than 4 years completely sober. My soulmate has 8 years on the counter. Sometimes we have an alcoholfree beer together. There never is any desire for a second one. No craving for beer with alcohol. We just enjoy the taste. In our case, it does not trigger any desire to get drunk again. I have been a very heavy smoker for a long time, and i still love the scent of tobacco. I am very convinced that i will never smoke again. And i am almost as convinced that i will not drink alcohol again. But if it happens, it will not be caused by having drunk a glass of beer without alcohol from time to time.