The Evolution Of Marijuana: Vape Pens, Edibles, And Dabs
Jasmine Bittar ❘
There are many new and potentially more dangerous and addictive methods of using marijuana, including vape pens, edibles, and dabs.
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by Olivia Pennelle | ❘
My Facebook feed today was a reminder of this time last year. I was boarding a plane to Australia to attend my brother’s funeral. At just 42 years old, he committed suicide. It broke our family’s hearts. In spite of the horrific event and the challenges it presented, I stayed sober.
There was no note. We don’t know why he took his life. He left the UK for Australia soon after becoming qualified as a doctor. For the most part, we thought he had a happy life there. We heard he was respected professionally, how successful he was, and was the life and soul of the party amongst his many friends. He wasn’t the best at communicating with family, but that was just Al. I just accepted that was who he was, and was the dutiful sister sending my wishes on birthdays and Christmas.
I could’ve done more. I wish I’d tried harder. I’m a terrible sister. These were the phrases I repeated over-and-over as I learned the news of his death.
Grief is a challenging beast. I remember writing about it the day after we buried him; I described it as a tsunami. The stages of grief come in waves: denial and shock, anger, guilt and acceptance, depression and moving on, and finally closure. It is incessant. Anyone who has experienced grief will tell you that this process is not experienced in a linear fashion—you oscillate between them. Just when you think you’ve finally accepted their passing, you’re hit with a wave of emotion.
I’ve remained relatively fortunate in having limited experience of grief. I’ve not lost any family members as an adult. For that, I’m grateful. I am also glad I had some years of sobriety under my belt because had I been in early recovery, I’m not sure I’d have coped.
I had never felt pain like this before. It was a formidable force.
As awful as this sounds, I didn’t really have time for grief—I was in the midst of a plan to move to the US, and I was two months out. I hadn’t anticipated being floored by such horrific news. I was struggling (at best) to cope with my move, never mind taking on something that would challenge my existence, sense of purpose, and relationships in life. I certainly didn’t have the mental or physical capacity to travel to Australia and back in 5 days.
If there was one time I wanted to escape myself in my five years sober, it was this. I wanted to run a mile from this reality. The pain felt piercing, like a hot poker as it seared my heart.
But I didn’t escape. I faced it. I was present for my family.
By having that strategy, I got through my travel to Australia and back in five days. I was able to attend the funeral, and I was present for it all. I didn’t need to use or drink—that would’ve only made matters worse.
It’s a year on today. The feelings—the loss, sense of tragedy, sadness—are still there, just a little less intense. I still cry.
Grief changes you. You question your mortality. Because of its finality, it is a stark wake-up call that this life isn’t a practice run—it’s for real. Make the changes to live the life you want. One thing it confirmed to me is that Al would’ve wanted me to move to the US and pursue my dreams—to live a life that was full and has purpose. Drinking or using has no purpose in my life today.
I miss you, Al.
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Olivia Pennelle
Writer and wellness advocate, Olivia Pennelle (Liv), is in long-term recovery. She passionately believes in a fluid and holistic approach to her sobriety. Her popular site Liv’s Recovery Kitchen is a resource for the journey toward health and wellness. You will find Liv featured amongst top recovery writers and bloggers, published on websites such as: Recovery.Org, The Fix, The Recovery Village, Workit Health, iExhale, Addiction Unscripted, Transformation is Real, and many more.