[weirimpressed]

Im in college as well, and didnt really get into any really heavy shit since Ive been here. Definitely loving the acid/pot/shroom combinations though, gotta love that experimentation phase I guess. I guess I was lucky enough to have folks around me who werent into the heavy shit so I never got steered that way.

BuddhaG, I know what youre saying about the bud and jamming. if youre in that certain mind frame and ready to jam then take a toke, it will either take youre playing to different levels (that get crazy haha) or make you down/pissed at how you sound.

[groovemongrel]

Im in college as well, and didnt really get into any really heavy shit since Ive been here. Definitely loving the acid/pot/shroom combinations though, gotta love that experimentation phase I guess. I guess I was lucky enough to have folks around me who werent into the heavy shit so I never got steered that way.

BuddhaG, I know what youre saying about the bud and jamming. if youre in that certain mind frame and ready to jam then take a toke, it will either take youre playing to different levels (that get crazy haha) or make you down/pissed at how you sound.

I've heard recordings of myself playing my guitar stoned and straight. Funny thing is at the time I thought I played better stoned until I heard it. I had an impossible time controlling how much pot I smoked. If I had it, I'd smoke morning, noon and night. That was tougher to give up than alcohol cause I made up reasons to not quit. "It's a plant, God made it, I won't get a DUI, I'm passive when I'm stoned, blah, blah, blah."

[krzykat]

I can see where all of ya'll are coming from. I've done the H thing (thank goodness that period of my life s over) did the pill thing (seeing others binge drink and take 5 xanax bars stopped that.

I have gone through periods of sobriety (the longest lasting three years) then i started puffing again I rarely drink anymore, i just don't enjoy it anymore. but i am a psychedelic warrior (LOL) I focus on the spiritual aspect psychedelics. they can open doors and give you a glimpse of what you can attain. I then incorporate that into my yoga practice.

I do take breaks. Just finished a one year one. so basically i am agreeing with budda (for myself) that moderation is the key if you choose to use. know where that line is. if the substance stars running your life . . . its time to take a look!

just my 2 copper pieces

[groovemongrel]

I can see where all of ya'll are coming from. I've done the H thing (thank goodness that period of my life s over) did the pill thing (seeing others binge drink and take 5 xanax bars stopped that.

I have gone through periods of sobriety (the longest lasting three years) then i started puffing again I rarely drink anymore, i just don't enjoy it anymore. but i am a psychedelic warrior (LOL) I focus on the spiritual aspect psychedelics. they can open doors and give you a glimpse of what you can attain. I then incorporate that into my yoga practice.

I do take breaks. Just finished a one year one. so basically i am agreeing with budda (for myself) that moderation is the key if you choose to use. know where that line is. if the substance stars running your life . . . its time to take a look!

just my 2 copper pieces

Most addicts and alcoholics like to think they can take breaks and go back to "moderating" and fail at it only to be right back where they were or at a worse state. I know I went through that for a long time until I just quit fighting and gave all of it up.

[krzykat]

hey man i'm just saying what has worked for me for the past thirteen years. I am not saying that it works for everyone. All I can talk about is what i know first hand. I started out young 9 years old when i smoked my first hit, i've been there and done that. NOW i stick to my herb and my mind expansion. Every three years or so I take at least a break but thats just me. Like I said this doesn't work for everyone. I treat these substances as medicine and respect them and what they are capable of doing.

I no longer put crap up my nose, don't take pills, and alcahol is poison. When I was doing H i never used needles cuz i knew it would be the end (i liked it too much) but after Jerry died I looked at where I was and changed. So I say get to know yourself and look at who you are, then make the changes in your life that are the best for you.

Congrats to all who have overcome thier addictions and may your higher power guide you on your path

LOVE AND LIGHT

[groovemongrel]

hey man i'm just saying what has worked for me for the past thirteen years.

I'm not condemning you or anything, I'm just stating facts regarding addiction. Good job on smoking pot all this time doing still doing psychedelics. Glad it works out for you and you're happy. What I'm saying is Wharf Rats are about complete abstinence from substance abuse.

[BuddhaG]

I respect you both for firmly standing by your beliefs. I wondering if either of you are including cigarettes on your list of drugs. I had been addicted for almost 2 years with breaks of a month at most. I took a one week break from cigs when I got sick and then went back only to realize how bad they were for the last time. I have been done with cigarettes since Feb 5 except for 2 drunken occasions, one of which I don't even remember. I feel a hell of a lot better not having to think about when and how I'll be able to smoke my next cancer stick. Nicotine is a horrible drug... the only time I want a smoke is when I'm drunk... and that's not great either. Slowly realizing that booze is not for me either.

Psychedelics, on the other hand, I feel are part of my growth as a human being. Maybe that is naive thinking and I would be able to reach some higher level through maturation and meditation without drugs but there is something really humbling about having a good trip. My last trip I stayed up all night dancing with a few of my best friends and it was great. I was able to lose a lot of the negative thought patterns that I could not help but slip into before. I am now focusing on the positive and turning everything around into positives. Essentially, there is no value in seeing things in a negative light. Negative things should be seen as catalysts for change instead of reasons to get mad.

The only thing is that when the rest of the world is so angry, it becomes a little strange to feel unconditional happiness. Oh well, its not my fault everyone wants to kill each other... primal rage or something...

[groovemongrel]

Budda man, you know what is good and what is bad for you. Anything that controls you and had negative consequences is bad. That could be many different things besides illegal drugs and alcohol. There are people who abuse food. Each one of us are on our own journey and face decisions that effect our lives. We all make good ones and bad ones. Ideally, we'd like to think we only make good ones but nobody does that.

[krzykat]

Budda man, you know what is good and what is bad for you. Anything that controls you and had negative consequences is bad. That could be many different things besides illegal drugs and alcohol. There are people who abuse food. Each one of us are on our own journey and face decisions that effect our lives. We all make good ones and bad ones. Ideally, we'd like to think we only make good ones but nobody does that.

hell man there are people that abuse masterbation!

[jackr]

I wondering if either of you are including cigarettes on your list of drugs. I had been addicted for almost 2 years with breaks of a month at most. I took a one week break from cigs when I got sick and then went back only to realize how bad they were for the last time. I have been done with cigarettes since Feb 5 except for 2 drunken occasions, one of which I don't even remember. I feel a hell of a lot better not having to think about when and how I'll be able to smoke my next cancer stick. Nicotine is a horrible drug... the only time I want a smoke is when I'm drunk... and that's not great either.

Yes nicotine is a drug for sure, but it is not a mood or mind altering drug. So I usually recomend to people I sponsor not to bother dealing with giving up smoking until they have at least 2 or 3 years of sobriety. It is a giant battle all on its own and once someone has some good sobriety and knowledge of the 12 steps and a support team it can really be much easier to quit. ( i say much easier but no matter what it will still be tough) They already have the tools they need to end an obscession.

[st stephen]

perfect jackr.....congrats on 21 years. I really love hearing from fellow wharf rats. 92 days!!

[jackr]

perfect jackr.....congrats on 21 years. I really love hearing from fellow wharf rats. 92 days!!

Thanks but even bigger congrats to you for 92 days. For an addict one day is a huge accomplishment but those few months can be brutal.

[groovemongrel]

perfect jackr.....congrats on 21 years. I really love hearing from fellow wharf rats. 92 days!!

Congrats st! Nothing but encouragement here. 92 days is a great run. Keep it up bro. I'm only at 43 days but am grateful for it.

[st stephen]

i am sooo grateful as well...thanks for the encouragement, it means a lot coming from people on this board. keep it up boys, 1 day at a time.

I am going to thursday and friday to ratdog at the beacon and they wil be my first shows back....also so grateful to have the wharf rats

[groovemongrel]

i am sooo grateful as well...thanks for the encouragement, it means a lot coming from people on this board. keep it up boys, 1 day at a time.

I am going to thursday and friday to ratdog at the beacon and they wil be my first shows back....also so grateful to have the wharf rats

Good for you, brother. I have to pray before shows when I know I'm going to be tempted and I swear that's what keeps me sober.

Last Summer I was at a Ratdog show in Cleveland and the Wharf Rats had a table set up. I got me a "One Show At A Time" sticker and put it on my Strat case.