How Do Texas Doctors Handle Pot Smoking Patients? Carefully.
Brian woke up handcuffed to a hospital bed, his stomach muscles still aching from when he was forced to vomit up the pills he'd used to try to kill himself. He knew it was time to see a psychiatrist and get over his fear of how a doctor would react to the fact that he smoked weed.
For years, Brian, a Houston-area resident in his early twenties who asked that his last name be omitted, avoided seeking help for his depression and anxiety because he was afraid a doctor would either insist that Brian quit smoking pot or refuse to treat him entirely.
He had smoked to help keep his anxiety in check since he was a teenager, and the idea of having to choose between medical treatment that he was unsure would work and the pot that he knew at least helped him deal with the paralyzing fear that came at irregular, unpredictable intervals was so daunting that he couldn't convince himself to even make an appointment.
But during a bout of depression that jeopardized his relationship and left him unable to hold down a job, Brian tried to commit suicide with a huge quantity of pills, and got so violent that his boyfriend called EMS and the police.
Read more: http://www.houstonpress.com/news/texas-doctors-careful-to-discuss-marijuana-use-with-patients-9637634
= new reply since forum marked as read
I just returned from a 25 day hospital stay of my own. When the subject of other "medications" was broached, by 5 Doctors and countless nurses, My admission that I was a regular pot smoker was met with a nonchalance, but no admonitions. No discussion but also no show of disapproval.
The nurses were, in large part the same, but many made "just between you and me I say keep it up if it works, but we didn't discuss this if anyone asks". Or some variation.
Now I understand why.
Good timely article.
