I'm a Beiruit Vet who lived with undiagnosed/untreated Combat PTSD until 9/11 totally blew my world apart and and I had a PTSD driven nervous breakdown. Since October of 2001 I have been treated by both a civilian psychiatrist and the VA Health Care System with little or no improvement and a quality of life that was in the toilet.

A little over a year ago I rediscovered marijuana and found instant relief from the symptoms of PTSD and I'm beginning to like my life and who I am. I just wish I would have rediscovered it back in the 80's.

I doubt they will ever find a true cure for PTSD but there are treatments that work. Time to pass on what I have learned and what is working for me.

1) Don't self medicate with alcohol! As a recovering alcoholic I can attest that it MAKES THINGS WORSE! If you have a problem with alcohol.....Get help. The VA has some fair to good rehab programs.

2) Learn about and take part in EMDR therapy. You can do this at home (comes in handy after a nightmare or flashbacks) and it does work! I use a mechanical metronome myself.

3) Use anti-depressants/anti-psychotic medications only as a last resort. While they may be effective the side effects and withdrawal can be brutal. For me thet were not worth it and it wasn't until I was free of them that I started to get my life back.

4) Eat healthy! PTSD takes a toll on the mind and body. Help your body heal by eating properly. Avoid processed, junk and fast foods. Learn to cook healthy for yourself. PTSD releases enough toxins. Do you really need anymore?

5) Stay hydrated! Flush those toxins (and chemicals if you are going through medication withdrawal) out of your system.

6) Get regular exercise. You don't have to live at the gym but regular exercise bleeds off stress and the Endorphin buzz is a cheap natural high.

7) Talk to your doctor about an ADHD medication and Proprananol. The ADHD meds help you focus on stimuli instead of being overwhelmed by it. The Proprananol is a very effective Beta blocker and I have found it helps with the stress of "combat mode".

8) Use marijuana as part of an active and preventive therapy program. If you have a nightmare or a flashback.....Smoke! It helps. In time you will discover what your therapeutic dosage is and you can find a happy medium. (For me a half gram every hour or so when I'm having a bad day is a Godsend!)



I hope that passing on what I have learned the hard way will help Veterans afflicted with PTSD. Lord knows the VA Health Care system needs work.

Over the past year of medical marijuana use I have found that the nightmares are less frequent and less traumatic. While I still have flashbacks they too are reduced.
Boris99 Reviewed by Boris99 on . Combat PTSD I'm a Beiruit Vet who lived with undiagnosed/untreated Combat PTSD until 9/11 totally blew my world apart and and I had a PTSD driven nervous breakdown. Since October of 2001 I have been treated by both a civilian psychiatrist and the VA Health Care System with little or no improvement and a quality of life that was in the toilet. A little over a year ago I rediscovered marijuana and found instant relief from the symptoms of PTSD and I'm beginning to like my life and who I am. I just wish I Rating: 5