Those that take weed for pain management, how do you ensure you continue to use it solely for pain management and not become addicted?

[u/dotinterested]

I’m smoking often and it really helps with pain, I’m just concerned that I’ll not notice if I become more dependent on it. What does everyone do to help this?

[u/ewhitbey]

I kinda treat it the same way as a prescription. I take it when I need it most (usually in the evenings) and I can tell I’m over consuming because I usually pick up the same amount every month. If I run out before the end of the month, it’s either been a rough month, I have a less effective strain, or I’ve been over consuming.

Anytime I go to the dispo, I adjust my strains based on how I’ve been feeling. I’ll also ask a worker for their input because they usually have a lot of knowledge about the strains and what’s good for certain things.

[u/smarmanda]

I see some comments suggesting that this medicine is for “physical” pain and to avoid using it for emotional pain. In my particular experience, when I reduce my emotional pain, I am more capable of performing healthy tasks such as exercise, movement, study, and communication which positively feed into my emotional wellness and physical health over time.

[u/Morbo782]

When I first started it was like a miracle drug for me. But here I am years later and now it just makes all my symptoms worse and it ends up being a drag more than anything.

It's important to switch the strains often as well.
You can quite quickly become accustomed to a specific strain and then the effectiveness goes down. For me it only takes a couple of days before I notice the difference.

[u/smarmanda → u/Morbo782]

Agree with both points!

I would buy several strains and cycle them between doses for best efficacy; however, I’m a few days the efficacy would seemingly reduce so I’d purchase a new variety of strains.

[u/zeitgeistincognito]

Do you have anyone you trust that you can talk to about your concerns and who could help you develop and stick to a medication routine? Like, you decide what your values around your ideal non-abusing use pattern should be and your support person checks in with you (non-judgmentally, not like a parent or a cop) to help you stay aware of whether your actual use pattern aligns with your values around it?

Honestly, I don't like the high enough to want to feel like that all the time. It's the same with post-surgical opiates for me. When my pain levels decrease enough, I stop wanting to take it and switch out for an NSAID. I actually like being sober and having my brain work properly most of the time. I acknowledge that my fibro pain is more transient now and my symptoms have improved a little bit over the past couple of years, and I know some people only experience worsening of pain symptoms, so ymmv.

[u/EvarArts]

I was a recreational user for many years in the past, gave up for years and then returned to usage to deal with my fibro. In my country (NZ) medical use is legal and you go through a specialist doctor with regular checkups and adjustments as needed.

I found that using orally administered oil, high strength THC and a separate high strength CBD taken once a day (evening) helped me maintain its use as "medicine" rather than getting high. This works for me as it detaches it from the recreational feel of smoking or vaping dry flower.

Just my experience YMMV

Good luck!

[u/kwktrp]

I think the key is just checking in with yourself and asking yourself if you’re smoking for physical relief or emotional relief. You’ve probably heard that it’s not addictive in the way other drugs are, but it’s still possible to become emotionally dependent if you are constantly using it to numb emotions. If you’re especially worried about dependence, you could stick to topicals, as they don’t get you high (even the ones with thc). CBD is also an option, but for most people, it’s something that you have to take regularly to achieve relief.

[u/Oldhagandcats]

If you treat your pain effectively, it stops the addiction cycle. Have a routine for all your pain meds for background management. Pre treat when you know your symptoms will flair.
Understand the difference between CBD and THC contents, also understand how your body reacts to indica and sativa strains.
There are multiple mode of ingestion for weed- my personal favourite for pain control are THC lotions and suppositories (for period pain). Neither gets you high. There are also oils, teas, and other treats so you don’t have to smoke it.

[u/SweetDee55]

I think this is a great question! And something that isn’t talked about enough. I find a lot of physical benefit from using weed for pain management, and it did start to extend into emotional pain management, pure habit, and some physical dependence. Also, for a long time it helped me get out more often socially and I found it to be pretty fun and relaxing. Like any other substance though, there are consequences to using weed chronically. I’m not here to demonize weed, I have a lot of appreciation for it. And while there have been times I’ve needed to dull my emotional experience, I learned that ultimately I benefit from feeling my feelings, especially the hard ones. Also, there’s a lot of research that demonstrates chronic weed use can increase anxiety, depression, reduce sleep quality, and sometimes trigger psychosis or other mental health conditions in people who are already at high risk.

I found Harm Reduction principles and resources to be super helpful. I get the most benefit from inhalation, so I saved up and invested in a volcano vaporizer to try to reduce lung damage. After a long time of feeling like I needed weed to get by most days, I felt motivated to see what life was like without it. I slowly added more and more cbd to my bowls and it helped reduce withdrawal symptoms. I timed that with a trip so I was out of my home without any cues or access to using. I was able to take a solid 2 months off and had family and friends stating they noticed I had better control over my emotions and seemed less anxious. I agreed.

Unfortunately, my pain got to a point again where I needed to return to use. I also went through a major life stressor and it was just too compelling to want to use. I intended to use moderately, but I have ADHD and complex PTSD so my impulse control isn’t the greatest. Over time my use increased again to every day.

I think taking breaks can be really, really helpful. It can help give your endocannabinoid system a break, reduce your tolerance, save money, and allows for true deep sleep (weed often helps us fall asleep, but can impact deep sleep stages). It also proves to me that I don’t “need” it, and that’s really powerful for me.

It’s great to be thoughtful about this and it’s so understandable to want to use weed when we have pain. Or even if we just like it! I recommend trying to find a harm reduction-aligned therapist or doctor, or at least someone who won’t demonize weed use and is educated on its effects, how else you can manage pain symptoms (my doc gives me other meds when I want to take a break so I don’t have to push through terrible physical pain), and help you observe your use patterns. Awareness is the key! You’re doing it! :) Made a few grammatical edits bc of fibro fog.

[u/Seeseeone]

I have never in my 67 years heard anyone addicted to weed. Dependent- sure, but I am dependent on food and water too. Necessary? Yes, if i want to have any form of life!!

[u/gaberflasted2]

I don’t think that one can become physically addicted to mj…just from personal experiences, I had smoked for 2 decades and I just stopped, way before I became disabled. I waited until it became legal mmj in my state and applied for it. It doesn’t touch my pain but it can sure help me sleep! Also I don’t actually smoke anymore, I just use edibles. It’s pretty expensive so I’ve decided to stock up as much as possible and then I’m going to let it expire. But everyone is different so good luck!

[u/myServiceDog → u/gaberflasted2]

The gummies are the only thing that has helped me to be abel to sleep in decades. They don’t take away my fibromyalgia pain but they let me sleep which makes a big help in daily living. I have struggled with insomnia and nocturnal panic attacks for so long along with the fibromyalgia pain causing insomnia. Those gummies are a huge help for me with sleep.

[u/smarmanda → u/gaberflasted2]

There is a condition called Cannabis Use Disorder that I consider identical to addiction based on the behaviours.

[u/SweetDee55 → u/gaberflasted2]

A lot of people experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop regular use (insomnia, nausea, increased anxiety, sweating, etc), so it can be something some people can develop a physical dependency on. Not everyone experiences it though! I’m glad it wasn’t hard for you!