Ask Lemmy

I hear you. I'm a little different these days, but can totally relate. I drink beer usually one night each weekend, and get nicely drunk (pretty wasted). I feel shit the next day and my working week starts grouchy and tired. Fucks up my sleep pattern as well as wrecking my "health goals" (ie being less fat). However, mid week I'm fine and come Friday I'm excited for it.

Rince and repeat for the last 15 years. Before that I was drunk 3-4 nights a week. So I guess that's progress...

lol "joy"

Alcohol AND weed

I smoked a lot of weed as a young adult. Looking back on that time I believe that I was escaping from the endless intrusive thoughts. Focusing my mind on any sort of work was difficult and I used all sorts of substances to get by. My typical usage profile is to find something appealing and use the shit out of it until it becomes a problem, spend time recovering and repeat with the next chemical. After recovering from heroin addiction it became obvious that it was not normal behaviour and I sought medical advice. They diagnosed ADHD and many of the past events started to make sense. I use routine to bring order to my life. I meditate to calm the mind. The medication allows me to focus and prioritise tasks. I think of my life in two starkly distinct chapters, pre and post diagnosis. I feel happy and the thought of taking substances seems like a strange thing to do.

I am in the same boat as you, but I agree with the other comments that say weed will make you ok with anything. Weed has always seemed like a good option for me due to (multiple sources of) chronic pain, but I can absolutely tell that it has affected me negatively over the years. I need a substantial lifestyle change at some point in the near future.. I need to reorganize my entire life, and also need to stop being a fat piece of shit.

LSD

You probably should take at least one year break from it. You will feel like shit for a time, but trust me when you stop using substances you will regain yourself, and your sense of balance slowly. Being sober is not your main problem..

Cravings and the feeling/thought of "just a little bit..", "it would help me.." will be present later, you have to learn your triggers and what makes you want to do it in the first place.. You have to research the topic.

I can tell that you aren't happy at all when you are high.. You might feel it, and belive it..

I won't tell you what to do or not, but as someone who came out alone from "addiction" mainly smoking weed, but used harder substances too..

Drugs fuk you up... No matter if you're using harmreduction practices, or just don't care..

Trust me there will be no need, even for a little bit of it, when you become sober and change your life truly..

You have to find your own way what works for you. Exercise is a good way to start.

It can be your source of strenght, and you can learn so much from yourself, your brain and substances..

It's better without it. It will get you nowhere good if you continue to smoke, you will never be satisfied if you think that weed makes you happy...

You need a comprehensive detox. Both those substances are depressants. When you’re off the drugs, you’re not so much sober as hung over. It takes a while for the effects to wear off. The hangover is a bad time but it takes a lot longer than a day for your body to fully recover.

“Dissociative drugs make me happy.” Perhaps you have anxiety, depression, etc. Yeah, life sucks right now too. But always being high isn’t really a solution. Therapy, antidepressants, friends, and family can help but I can’t begin to guess what your situation is.

Never liked alcohol much, and while getting a nice weed buzz every now and again is fun to chill out, I do that twice a year at most. For me it's all about finding something that is both interesting, entertaining and calming at the same time. I get that from woodworking or general DIY stuff, reading, and Yoga. But everybody is different.

By wearing myself out physically or behind engrossed in a project (s). Both seem to work. I also see a direct correlation of social media and feeling hopeless, even on the decentralized sites. I try to limit my use and try to have them focused on my personal interests and block\filter the doomers. I can always go find the daily shit-news when I feel like it.

I dont want to discourage you from getting clean and healthy, but you kind of can't feel the same joy from sobriety.

There are certain moments in life that will blow regular drugs out the water (cant speak for hard drugs/DMT), like getting married, seeing your kid get born, achieving a lifelong goal etc. The problem is they're just moments. Life is absolutely dull when sober, but once youre used to it its just fine.

You assume I feel joy with those things?

Hobbies. So many hobbies and interests. My kids, my fiancee. Sports. TV shows, video games. Lots of stuff brings me joy. Spending time in the woods and outdoors can also help a lot. Tree showers, or whatever they're called. Forest showers? Try that.

🎶spent 15 years getting loaded... 15 years till his liver exploded....now what's Bob gonna do now that he can't drink? 🎶

music, rediscover music

I mean, it's possible you're "treating" something with it, and you can switch to a pharmaceutical.

It's also possible you just need to quit smoking to get used to feeling sober and then that'll feel good as a baseline. You could even go back to smoking occasionally after a tolerance break.

Like, I get it seems like a general question, but the answer is very specific and there's no way anyone on here is going to be able to give you an informed answer.

But if you live in a place it's legal, and it's not causing any bad side effects, is it even a problem?

Weed gives me anxiety attacks and I'm allergic to alcohol.

Exercise releases endorphins, also it can take your mind off of troubles.

Do you exist solely to do drugs??

Maybe try being sober. Couldn't hurt your chances with women

Walking. Community involvement. Sitting in silence. Recognizing the task at hand and knowing I can find a way to get it done. A berry smoothie. A cup of tea.

I mean, I don't, but I didn't feel joy with them either.

I guess, sometimes there's a cat to pat.

I'm entirely the opposite. I don't know how you find the will to breathe after more than a beer. I swear statues are made of people that smoke weed. I still feel smoke in my system after 3 weeks and take nearly a month to feel 100% again without the dull lag. After just one beer I am done for the day and won't get anything productive done. Back when I raced, my legs felt like they were weighted with lead bricks for a couple of days after just a beer. However, Adderall is like my super power.

Maybe you’re self medicating

I rather enjoy alcohol and weed, but I find I enjoy them more the less I use them. I think once a week or biweekly is the sweet spot for me, though twice a week is ok. More than that and the fun diminishes and the negative effects are felt more. My main relaxing hobby is video games, and I like the idea of beers/weed and gaming, but it really sucks for anything that’s not really casual. I’ve been running through hollow knight this month and I’ve noticed when I do partake in either that it makes the platforming and bosses much harder

How do you feel joy while using depressants like alcohol and weed? Personally I hate the loss of control, I feel less like myself, but I know everyone's different. To answer your question:

I go for walks and see the sunlight through the leaves. I ride my bike and, to paraphrase the poet, sing a song of the muscles of the leg. I read poetry. I hug my loved ones. I go dancing. I challenge myself with puzzles. I read YA fiction as a grown-ass adult just because I want the good guys to win every now and then.

I feel joy when I play boardgames or tabletop RPGs. With a good table, lots of banter and shit talking happens and that's perfect.

Never had weed. When I drink, I get more talkative, but it's a fine line before I get sleepy and depressed

Sugar

Walks, bike rides, outdoors. I often procrastinate but when I’m out I always am happy I’m out there.