See, I actually don’t totally believe this. I’ve def heard “its potentially addictive, but only like literally anything else on this earth!” but...ok, for instance one guy I know has panic attacks that he regulates with pot, to the point where now he has to smoke every day whenever he feels even the slightest bit of…

Exactly. It’s one thing to have a recreational joint on the weekends - it’s another to not be present in your own life or in the lives of your loved ones. For some reason, some people see no problem waking up and immediately hitting the vaporizer...but would see a problem if their partner started doing breakfast…

There has been some interesting work looking at how Americans (and Canadians, second-highest per capita opioid intake, what what) view pain and how it is quite different from other parts of the world. For example, the aches and pains of getting older are just an accepted part of life in a lot of the world. In America…

Because these comments sections tend to devolve into a lot of bullshit on articles about opioids I’m offering, as someone who works in addictions research with, currently, a focus on opioids, to answer questions for folks that have questions.

Yes, pot can be problematic, for sure. I now microdose it which keeps my anxiety in check and ALSO keeps me from wanting to get rip-roaring blazed once I finish my responsibilities for the day. Before I just let the anxiety build and then I’d get super stoned to fix that. It seems more sensible now.

Canadian here. Near Vancouver. Call it 2.5m people in this area. We’re seeing four deaths per day locally on average, due to opiate overdoses. Police, paramedics, first responders of all kinds are issued naloxone kits to try and prevent some of these deaths, and they’re reporting that a lot of the time they need to…

As a recovering addict (15 years alcohol and powder cocaine, 3 years crack cocaine, clean for 5 years now)

I’m in the Bay Area and we have A LOT of marijuana addicts. So much so that my online dating profile says “I don’t care if you 420 as long as it isn’t 24/7.” It’s no fun to date someone who’s high all the time.

Thank you for saying marijuana can be addictive, and congrats on your recovery. I have acquaintances who literally can’t go a single day without blazing multiple times (and/or sneak-vaping at work) who angrily mock any concerns because “marijuana isn’t addictive.” It’s incredibly frustrating how pervasive this…

This is a very rampant problem in a local township.

I hope you’ll think twice about what you tell your goddaughter, Juben. Plenty of good, strong, kind people become addicts, for a lot of reasons, including family predisposition. I’m a recovering alcoholic and I’m a strong person, a good wife, a loving mother, and a responsible member of society. I’m sober now, but I…

Ah, another example of Christian love and tolerance. Per usual.

I was thinking that too. So many times families don’t want to come forward and admit that someone has died from drugs....maybe it’s because they don’t want their loved one to be seen as a “druggie”, or maybe they are embarrassed or sad because they think they didn’t do more to help....none of that matters. Drug…

This hurts to hear, but is important for me and presumable others to hear. I’ve commented before about being an addict. I held her up as being someone who was over it. I have to remind myself daily that addiction is never, ever over. Fuck, though, it breaks my heart and is pretty discouraging.

Whew!

I’m so sorry for your loss. i have learned there is nothing to say to make it better and I just get pissed when people throw around platitudes. He’s in a better place? Hell no. He wasn’t living in Dickensian London, and all his family is here.

Why do you even go? This is a serious question.

We’re heading (with kids aged 10 & 12) on an “Epic Road Trip” in a couple of weeks. Driving east from Alberta to Ontario, then down to see the relatives south of the border. Our route will head to Poukeepsie, Rhode Island, Delaware, DC, and Frederick, MD. Then back west more directly, via the stateside route.

There are so many smart and funny people around here. Really glad Jezebel exists.

Between end of cruddy season at work, and the continued stress of being a caregiver to a sick fiance, I’ve been looking into small things to make me feel less stressed. I got the big ones (puppy walks, yoga, cooking/baking, adult beverages and plant products). I’d like to try some beauty product like stuff, including…