When Bob got back from Vietnam
anyone who had problems was treated badly at the local VA where they were rude and dismissive. The diagnosis of PTSD did not exist. There was no treatment except valium, and he was told to take all he wanted since it was the new wonder drug. He also drank heavily. The students at UF introduced him to pot.
Bob survived BECAUSE he had these three drugs to use. Not because he got help at the VA. Not because I helped him. Because drinking, smoking pot and taking lots of valium just kept him down to WIRED. He could not sleep. Sleeping pills kept him awake. He was irritable and angry a lot, numb a lot, but whatever he was, the pot HELPED.
It helped him and it helped me because it calmed him down.
I think it should be available to every veteran.
What I wrote Ted Yoho, a supposedly pro-vet Congressman in Florida:
'I happen to live with a vet who has PTSD and
who has suffered a lot as a result. I have written a book called
Recovering From The War and have a website on recovering from PTSD,
which involves different things for different people. http://www.patiencepress.com/patien…/PTSD_Help-Gazettes.html
I believe that with so many veterans killing themselves or hurting
their families with outbursts of anger etc, they should be provided with
something which will help them NOW, not
after weeks of therapy, if they can even be seen in the VA or find a
therapist who understands. Medications may help, but if they have bad
side effects, most vets won't take them and won't say they are not. They
give up. Pot just makes them feel better and it should be available.
For years after Vietnam, it was the only thing that helped my husband
and I was glad he had it.
I know you won't agree, but I wanted to
let you know that you could have helped our veterans and you didn't.
It
is not an ideal solution, but it is something that has helped many. "
I wrote this when I signed a letter to Representative Yoho about the fact that VA doctors can't even talk to vets about pot, thanks to a recent vote. The letter came through the Drug Policy Alliance
http://www.drugpolicy.org/
Thanks! What you do does help and definitely makes a difference!
ReplyDeleteIt was one of the few times I felt myself. Especially if it was a warm rainy evening. I "regained" peripheral vision--although I now realize I just took a break from my intensive and obsessive thoughts. I could "handle things." I could even walk into a bar or crowded space and not feel everyone is aware I am there.
ReplyDeleteIt was intially my only decompression, alone, good smoke, night, and raining--usually in May or June ( lived in the Midwest), no anger, I could "think" again, was in control of the situation. Why? 40 years later my counselor and me worked it out. The reason I was "cool" because it was familiar to VN--after 40 years still like the rain and the night.
ReplyDelete