I realize that this turned into a wall of text. See TLDR.

I made the decision to seek psychiatric care for what I believe to be ADHD. At my new patient appointment, after being drug tested at the door, we discussed my occasional use of marijuana. They made me agree to completely stop consuming weed and in no certain terms said they would drug test me in a month’s time to make sure I actually quit.

I understand that there is some concern that marijuana can worsen ADHD. I am not in a position to challenge my care provider on the science of the matter. What I don’t understand is why they are taking such overbearing measures to make sure I abstain from marijuana.

For example, when I had a colonoscopy performed a couple of years ago, I was advised by my doctor not to consume any food or liquids within a certain window before the procedure. I simply agreed to fast during that period and that was it. They trusted me to be an adult and follow their instructions. They didn’t check for food in my stomach when I arrived at the hospital.

I should note that this practice primarily practices substance abuse treatment. Could this be a side effect of some zero-tolerance policy? Or do they really believe that smoking marijuana is that detrimental to my well-being?

TLDR; Dr asked me to quit smoking weed in order to get access to treatment. And said they would drug test me.

  1. Did your Dr also mention marijuana?
  2. Did they drug test you?
  • ickplant@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    2 years ago

    I live in CO, which is a legal state, so things might be different. My psychiatrist didn’t drug test me and didn’t care that I use cannabis. Well, we absolutely had a conversation about usage, and how it can increase risk of psychosis for some people (I also have bipolar, so that’s relevant), but he trusted me to make my own choices after providing basic education.

    I’m also a therapist, and I know that in substance use treatment, the “old school” way is abstinence from all substances before you can access treatment. The “new school” way is about harm reduction, not abstinence. Sounds like your doctor could be old school? Are you in a legal state?

    • DudeBoy@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      1·
      2 years ago

      I live in Missouri. It was made legal recreationally last year. Perhaps not enough time for medical opinions to drift. Missouri is also a predominantly conservative state so that could have something to do with it.