Should I be sent to rehab?

[Anonymous]

Im a 17 year old high school senior that still lives at home. I smoke weed 1-5 times a day, with occasional days off. I don't use any other substances and I don't plan to while I'm living in my parents house. I 've been smoking well over a year and have gotten many offers to try other drugs but I declined. I do want to experience other drugs at some point in my lifetime but not while I'm living with my parents. there have been times I've gone about a month without smoking. I know I'm not addicted and I don't see a reason to stop. It's not interfering with my life other than making my parents angry as hell. I have a 3.5 GPA, I'm passing all my classes and am on track to graduate. I'm planning to go to a community college in the fall and maybe transfer to a university in two years. My parents are so stubborn and choose to believe all the lies you hear about marijuana killing brain cells being highly addictive and a "gateway drug".

I am currently diagnosed with depression and anxiety and am taking the medicine (currently prozac) that my psychiatrist prescribes. I used to take Prozac a while ago but stopped and I was supposedly cured. Close to the beginning of school my mom made me start going back and I got put on Wellbutrin. Now I'm back to Prozac which I've been taking for about a week. It makes me feel like absolute shit but I take it because my parents force me. I know you're not supposed to smoke with it but taking wellbutrin alone for a month didn't help my depression and made me feel like I had the flu and turned my short term memory into absolute shit. It made me angry and honestly wasn't worth taking in my opinion. I stopped the antidepressants and I started smoking weed. Now I'm taking Prozac again not because it makes me feel good but because my parents shove it down my throat.

I dont know if you're going to be able to judge whether or not I need rehab from that story. If you have questions about anything feel free to ask.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you need rehab, but you should work with your psychiatrist to find the medicine or treatment for you.
Smoking weed that much is not good for you. Smoke is terrible for your lungs and weed can have a bad impact on your personality.

Work with your doctor and tell them your side effects. Find another Dr if they won't listen.

[Opinion Owner]

Weed IS a gateway drug (this is coming from someone who smokes it) you have to be careful how much you use it.

[Opinion Owner]

The reason I say it's a gateway is because people build a tolerance and look for harder stuff. It's actually happened to my roommate.

Weed is psychologically addicting, not physically. Be careful that you don't build a dependence on it to be happy.

[Asker]

I've told my doctor and parents how the medicine makes me feel but both sides choose not to listen. finding a new doctor could be a bit challenging. in my opinion you can't blame one drug for your use of another drug, you can only blame your mind. I know many people that make smoked only weed for years. I know people that tripped on acid before they ever considered sparking a joint. I know people that started with weed and have now tried too many drugs to list. its completely dependent on the individual.

[Opinion Owner]

I agree on that! it is up to the individual whether they want to move to a stronger high. But I'd rather not have myself in the position to even be tempted with a stronger high, and weed does that.

You're going to be 18 soon right? You won't be required to take it unless you want to.

[Asker]

Valid point and I'll be 18 in about 7 months which is a long time from now

[Opinion Owner]

Not as long as you think! Just be careful not to get caught, that's my main concern rn. Getting caught with weed can ruin your chances for some colleges (if that's what you're aiming to do) or jobs

[Opinion Owner]

Honestly you can't do much about your parents making you take the pills while you're underage.

But if it's recommended not to smoke and take the pills at the same time, make sure you don't. I'm pretty sure you stated that in your question so you already know.

[Asker]

It's not really a long time in the grand scheme of things, I just know it's gonna go by super slow with all my classes, a job and my parents stressing me the fuck out. I think I'll just have to suck it up and take the pills for a few months. I just hope I can graduate and get out of the house before they send me away to some ridiculous wilderness rehab camp halfway across the country.

[Opinion Owner]

Do you plan to go to college?

[Asker]

I plan on it but I'm not sure if it's what I want to do. id love to just travel the world and expirience life but that requires money and getting money requires a job which typically requires a college education.

[Opinion Owner]

I think you'll like college more than you think, and you can always leave after a semester if it's not for you.

The main reason I suggest it is it'll get you away from your parents and it's a reason to be away from them, so they don't bitch you out. Also it'll be a way for you to get out of your town and your parents might actually help fund it.

Also colleges have counselors on site who might be able to help you more than your current one. They'll work with you more then because you'll be an adult.

[Opinion Owner]

You could also get a job on campus or over the summer to help with your travel expenses. and it'll distract you from your feelings.

[Asker]

That is very helpful thank you. I think I'm definitely going to give college a chance.

[JenSCDC]

If Prozac has side effects for you, you should switch to a different med.

My guess is that you may be using pot to self medicate because your antidepressants aren't totally effective.

[NYkid27]

I don't think you have to go to rehab. You're most likely addicted to marijuana but it doesn't have any significant or dangerous withdrawal symptoms like heroin or other much more addictive drugs so you could stop it at anytime, if you want to

[Asker]

Not gonna lie to you I think I'm addicted as well. I could go a day without it but I would muchh rather smoke. In my eyes, rehab for it is so unnecessary.

[NYkid27]

Quitting or not is really just up to you. If you think your life will be better without smoking then I think you just have to do it on your own. Also, I don't recommend doing harder drugs because it doesn't take much time to get addicted and ruin your life. Also, the prison sentences are much harsher for cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and other hard drugs than for marijuana

[Asker]

I want to keep smoking but I don't want to go to rehab. Marijuana is a class 1 drug up there with heroin ecstasy and coke but it's legal in some places.

[Anonymous]

Smoking weed is probably ok once in awhile but do you really need Prozac? Sounds like you would only need rehab to get off Prozac which they are forcing you to take

[Asker]

I don't think I need prozac. weed makes me feel better than any antidepressant ever will.

[Opinion Owner]

Exactly what I was thinking

[AhGojira]

5 times a day? Damn...