[zlg_codes]

I want to thank you for sharing this story. I've struggled with my own THC addiction, using it as a crutch for trauma and anxiety, but your comment helped me realize that, like your roommate, the addiction has wrecked my ability to (responsibly and maturely) process negative situations. Enduring those situations is one thing, but seeing how they're connected to other parts of a more complete life is different.

Sometimes it helps to see it described by someone else before you really see what you, yourself are in.

Thanks again for helping a stranger connect some dots. You've given me more to think about in my approach to kick this habit.

[unfocused]

That's another element I can add, but didn't want to as it's not something I've experienced and know, but have friends in this area.

Regardless of the drug you use, many are used to alleviate whatever problem you have e.g. Stress, Anxiety, Disorders, and then it becomes part of you, and you no longer have the need to address the root cause of why you need the drug. Again, not a doctor, but I think the poster above put it best as a "crutch". It's ok for short term, but long term, you allow yourself to ignore the root cause, which has long term effects.

[gvedem]

check out /r/leaves for community and resources. you're not at all alone, I've been using weed as a crutch since I started during the pandemic and it became habitual--don't think I've quit for more than two weeks since.

it's great that people are discussing this, some people can definitely use weed responsibly and stop easily, but others really, really can't--and the sooner we recognize it as addiction the easier it is to get out.

[chefandy]

Rad! Glad I could help! He worked through a lot of stuff using CBT exercises developed with his therapist to build up his emotional processing skills.