Oddbean

I totally understand that…I always disagree…it’s actually the one thing that has helped me through some serious stuff, and then there’s the “pause”…it keeps me level enough to tolerate some folks. That and magic mushrooms…only in micro doses.

Yeah, I was a hardcore 12-stepper in the early years… which still has a place in my life. But it’s a problem that needs a holistic solution. I tell people about the Freedom Model as a path to moderation or abstinence. People need autonomy.

Wouldn’t it have been something if MKUltra had been used to correct these manipulations instead of planting them? Or The Program(ing) at youth “camps” had aligned with helping rather than hurting.

Maybe, but I’m not sure how much info they were getting…something to do with why SC was getting so many users, etc…but I don’t know how much of that was fluff or if it went deeper than that. @QW has PCR touched on it, I had not heard it mentioned…

Weed is a drug and that’s a fact. I didn’t say it didn’t help people. It does help some people and very few use it properly (right temp, balloon 🎈 etc) to get the benefit without the high. I am not someone who benefits from drugs. I do respect all paths of healing and recovery. ❤️‍🩹 For my recovery, I am 💯 abstinent from all mind-altering substances. It takes some work for pain management (I popped a rib out of place 2x this week). But it’s possible. Most people want the easier, softer way… Weed being legal in many states is complicated… and it uncomplicates things too. I’m a hard ass on recovery but also believe in harm reduction…and even psychedelics done right. (I find most use these as an excuse to go back out). Worked in the field of addiction for 4.5 years. I have seen so much. The fact is there is help for whatever someone needs to recover from—and there are more options than ever. It’s making the right choice that’s important. It’s life and death. I’m tired of burying people.

There’s a Pigeon Coop across from my building and a SAGE a few doors down from that. I’ve definitely witnessed all, from OD’s to mended families. I agree with the idea that as long as they are finding the help they need, that recovery comes in many forms. The human connection is so frayed right now with how to help and deal with addictions. I’m no angel, but I do have a hard time dealing with those that approach me on the street wanting or pushing. My judgments are often verbally spoken towards them because they have no regard for the children that may be present. Yet, I want better for them… 🫂

This is why I tired of working in the field and quit. I did detox, recovery center, jail, and intensive DUI probation. And it’s such a burnout field. The DUI stuff I did (KS Senate Bill 6) wore me down because most of my clients reoffended. Intensive probation doesn’t work. Research shows this. But 3rd and sub DUI offenders are so damn dangerous, something had to be done. I could go on…

I had a DUI in 2011 and had already slowed down my drinking a lot. But that was a wake up I never saw coming. No, I didn’t stop until I was more concerned about what alcohol did to the body as an instant poison. That stopped me and I never looked back. I know that’s not the case for many. But it was enough for me.

So many don’t have that off switch. I Never got a DUI but came close once—and I still didn’t calm down for another 12 years after that. I just got better at not driving. I would find 101 ways not to. And then having zero DUIs and no criminal record… wasn’t really relatable to my DUI clients. It was like, „why listen to her? She doesn’t KNOW what it’s like!”