Post 1: Should You Smoke Cannabis to Treat PTSD? Weighing the Pros and Cons Explores the potential benefits and risks of using cannabis for PTSD, emphasizing the importance of doctor consultation and responsible use. Discusses the distinction between short-term symptom relief and long-term recovery, and advocates for non-smoking methods when possible. Addresses the personal experience with cannabis for various ailments and highlights that PTSD treatment requires careful consideration. Post 2: Crisis vs. Emergency: Understanding Addiction in the Context of Trauma Differentiates between a crisis and an emergency and how this relates to addiction. Explains the connection between substance use and isolation, helplessness, and lack of agency. Examines why individuals with PTSD may turn to substances, especially without other resources, and highlights the dangers of uncontrolled self-medication. Post 3: Cannabis and Cultural Views: Navigating Risks and Responsibilities Discusses differing cultural perspectives on psychoactive substances. Reinforces that cannabis is not a replacement for professional support (counseling, therapy, etc.). Acknowledges the risks of smoking, potential contaminants, and the increased risk of psychotic disorders in young adults. Addresses legal and social implications, including child welfare and driving under the influence, and advises caution and self-awareness. Post 4: Evidence-Based vs. Evidence-Informed Practice: Empowering Client Choice Explores the differences between evidence-based and evidence-informed practices in human services. Advocates for allowing research to guide decisions while ultimately empowering the client to make their own informed choices. Emphasizes the ethical code of promoting autonomy and decision-making. Post 5: Cannabis as a "Band-Aid": Masking Underlying Issues Reflects on how cannabis, like other substances, can be used to mask underlying issues rather than address them. Highlights the importance of viewing cannabis as a last resort rather than an initial treatment path for trauma-related symptoms. Post 6: Are You Using Cannabis in Unhealthy Ways to Cope with Traumatic Stress? A Self-Assessment Guide Discusses how cannabis can be both helpful and harmful for traumatic stress. Encourages taking breaks to evaluate recovery status. Presents questions for self-reflection to determine if cannabis use is healthy, focusing on effectiveness, prevention, assessment, description, prediction, risk, harm, and cost-benefit. Post 7: Reconsidering PTSD: "Traumatic Stress" and Broader Perspectives Explores the limitations of the term "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" and introduces the concept of "Traumatic Stress" for a broader understanding. Explains why "post" may not accurately reflect the ongoing experience of trauma. Discusses the evolution of the term and advocates for a simpler, more accessible framing. Post 8: Ethical Research on Cannabis and PTSD: Navigating Challenges Examines the complexities of conducting ethical research on cannabis and PTSD. Discusses challenges with randomized controlled studies, standardized substances, informed consent, participant screening, beneficence, placebo effects, and making research settings safe for trauma survivors. Highlights the need for considering diverse environments and potential triggers for participants. Post 9: Quantitative vs. Qualitative Data: Finding the Right Balance Discusses the importance of well-formed questions in research and how to collect both quantitative and qualitative responses. Explores the benefits and limitations of each approach, emphasizing the value of a smart combination. Provides a humorous anecdote about character limits in online forms. Post 10: Rethinking PTSD: Different Types and Understandings Addresses the need for a common understanding of PTSD and acknowledges that the DSM definition may not fully capture current knowledge. Explores different types of PTSD (c-PTSD, pre-PTSD) and the concept of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. Emphasizes the importance of accurate terminology and expanding understanding of trauma. Post 11: My Role as an Advocate: Supporting Informed Decision Making Introduces the role of an advocate in helping clients make informed decisions and get their needs met. Discusses Supported Decision Making and acknowledges the client as the expert on their own life. Emphasizes the importance of affirming client autonomy and self-determination in treatment choices, even with cannabis. Post 12: Legalize: A Case for Unrestricted Cannabis Use Presents a controversial viewpoint advocating for the full legalization and deregulation of cannabis. Argues for treating it like any other plant and emphasizes non-toxicity. Recommends parental and community education, the release of those incarcerated for cannabis offenses, and reparations. Acknowledges the potential for price destabilization. ** Also, I am referring to PTSD in the context of this course, as Traumatic Stress. There are a few reasons for this. Whether or not it is in the realm of a 'disorder' is not as important. Some of us can function very well while carrying Traumatic Stress, and it would not be seen as a disorder unless it impairs or debilitates us in some observable way. Some of us exist in Traumatic Stress each day, and there is no 'Post' or after. PTSD was defined as such after the Vietnam War, as a clinical reframing of what we called 'Shell-shock'. The term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was meant to be a descriptive condition name for the after effects of war from military veterans, who are out of the battle, but still largely affected by what they went through. By just calling it Traumatic Stress, it's a simpler and more accessible framing, especially for those who have never fought in a literal war, and are still living through that trauma. Crocq MA, Crocq L. From shell shock and war neurosis to posttraumatic stress disorder: a history of psychotraumatology. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2000 Mar;2(1):47-55. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2000.2.1/macrocq. PMID: 22033462; PMCID: PMC3181586.