Alternatives to Total Sobriety

[Guest apostate79]

I was wondering if you might have some helpful advice or warnings for people such as myself, for whom 100% sobriety is not a present goal? From what I have read, it seems like one might have to stay completely away from all mind-altering substances, in order to undergo HRT safely. Keep in mind that as I have gotten older I have also slowed down considerably in my hard partying rock'n'roll lifestyle. I have been blessed by genetics with a higher than average alcohol tolerance, my grandfathers on both sides of my family had reputations for being heavy drinkers, and that became one of the overtly macho behaviours I would try to emulate when I was younger (my mother and father are both practising Mormons, and do not smoke or drink). Now, I mostly only drink on weekends, and on a Friday night I may enjoy two pitchers of beer, but that is a major improvement when you compare that to when I was 25-26, and it was a 2.6L bottle of rum a night.

In the past year it has become a regular habit for me to smoke a joint after work to help me unwind. I have read some conflicting reports on the effects of regular cannabis use- some of you say that it may interfere with hormones and reduce the effectiveness of hormone treatment, yet I have also read that prolonged usage has been known to drastically lower levels of testosterone. Keep in mind that pot smokers are not notorious for their violent or aggressive behaviour. I have also been involved with the local DJ and rave scene for some years now, where drugs are always present and readily available. I would be grateful for any information or advice regarding the safety of cocaine, ecstasy or MDMA while on HRT.

I have also read some of the dire warnings against smoking while on HRT, and I can certainly see that for cigarettes, but what if I want to smoke the occasional cigar?

[Guest Mia J]

One of the danger of heavy drinking (and yes two pictures of beer would be heavy drinking) is the potential damage to the liver. Like many medications, anti androgens and estrogen have the potential of being hard on the liver. Many recreational drugs have the same effect. So if your liver is already stressed the HRT may cause further damage. This is one reason why it is very important to have your blood tested at regular intervals while on HRT.

I don't know about smoking of tobacco or other things. The thing you really need to do is tell your HRT doctor what you are taking and doing and take their advise.

Mia

[VickySGV]

A particular problem I see is that they will not give you your hormones while you are in jail for sobering up purposes, and that can add to your pain.

Mia is dead right on the liver issue, and the items that you memtion are ALL heavy duty assault to good liver function. Yes, there are ways to take hormones UNDER A DOCTORS CARE that lessen the insult that they can do there. Each of the drugs you mention also carry other heavy effects that can severly shorten your time for enjoying the use of HRT. The positive effects of drug use you have heard about all have so many qualifications and such limited result that its as if they do not exist. They are more wishful thinking observations that are without solid experimental evidence of their validity. An obvious side effect of the beer, is the fact that Great Beer Bellies Are Made Not Born, and hormones make it much harder to lose the weight especially if it is E you are taking. If you are looking toward SRS, most of the surgeons do not want you to be obese. I have another 40 beer pounds to lose before I can get SRS.

Sobriety is totally your decision, if your substance (ab)use is not making your life unmanageable, then its your shot totally. If your life is losing its manageability, think real hard about getting into a recovery program, where total sobriety is the goal. Some people can deal with the stuff responsibly, but they are lucky and not necessarily smart.

[Guest apostate79]

About the weight issue, I've always had a pretty wiry figure, I don't think I could ever be mistaken for obese any time soon. If anything, my problem is probably that I don't eat enough.

[Michelle 2010]

I was wondering if you might have some helpful advice or warnings for people such as myself, for whom 100% sobriety is not a present goal? From what I have read, it seems like one might have to stay completely away from all mind-altering substances, in order to undergo HRT safely.Keep in mind that as I have gotten older I have also slowed down considerably in my hard partying rock'n'roll lifestyle. I have been blessed by genetics with a higher than average alcohol tolerance, my grandfathers on both sides of my family had reputations for being heavy drinkers, and that became one of the overtly macho behaviours I would try to emulate when I was younger (my mother and father are both practising Mormons, and do not smoke or drink). Now, I mostly only drink on weekends, and on a Friday night I may enjoy two pitchers of beer, but that is a major improvement when you compare that to when I was 25-26, and it was a 2.6L bottle of rum a night.

In the past year it has become a regular habit for me to smoke a joint after work to help me unwind. I have read some conflicting reports on the effects of regular cannabis use- some of you say that it may interfere with hormones and reduce the effectiveness of hormone treatment, yet I have also read that prolonged usage has been known to drastically lower levels of testosterone. Keep in mind that pot smokers are not notorious for their violent or aggressive behaviour. I have also been involved with the local DJ and rave scene for some years now, where drugs are always present and readily available. I would be grateful for any information or advice regarding the safety of cocaine, ecstasy or MDMA while on HRT.

I have also read some of the dire warnings against smoking while on HRT, and I can certainly see that for cigarettes, but what if I want to smoke the occasional cigar?

A fellow wiser than I told me one time that a normal person plans his recreational substances around his goals in life whereas a person with a problem plans his life goals around his recreational consumption... Not judgin' just may want to check yourself... I've been there...

Best wishes

Michelle

[Guest apostate79]

I know that two pitchers may sound like I a lot, but I would be willing to cut down further. Also, I exaggerated a bit about the 2.6L of rum, I meant to say a 26-ounce bottle. I also do not consider weed as a "real" drug.

[VickySGV]

Just make sure your M.D. does a lab panel of Hepatic Function tests on you about every 4 months then. But be up front with him on your actual use and consumption so he will do them. Enjoy it while you can.

[Guest Svenna]

I know that two pitchers may sound like I a lot, but I would be willing to cut down further. Also, I exaggerated a bit about the 2.6L of rum, I meant to say a 26-ounce bottle. I also do not consider weed as a "real" drug.

Apostate,

Please don't be offended when I say this, but my opinion is that you have a relationship with alcohol that runs deeper than you may want to admit. If I'm wrong, no problem, if I'm right, BIG problem...

You have waved several red flags that indicate an issue deeper than just 'partying'. If you want to make forward progress in you life journey, you may wish to dig deeper right here...

'Weed' can be a medicine under the right circumstances, but not in every case, and should be used with caution and circumspection, preferably with a prescription, if available..

But alcohol, especially in a family with alcohol-addiction histories, has sidetracked many a fine trans-person from reaching their real selves.

Look closely, please...you might just be an alcoholic in denial. I hope not, but better to know it now than find out in 20 years..

Love and every kindness, Svenna

[MackenzieB]

I don't know about smoking of tobacco or other things. The thing you really need to do is tell your HRT doctor what you are taking and doing and take their advise.

Mia

Smoking while on hrt increases the risk of DVT. I'm not sure what percentage off of the top of my head but it is a significant increase.