I agree 100% about the potential for habituation, but I think there's that risk with a number of things from psychiatric medications (although they call it "discontinuation syndrome" instead of "withdrawal" when you quit) to coffee to pain killers to food. Some people are self-mutilators or drunks, some are potheads.

I have some friends who literally smoke from the moment they wake until they go to sleep. They don't have cars, spend all their money on it, and don't even get HIGH anymore because it's all they do. I also have the typical stoner "friends" who only call when they wanna smoke, which hurts my feelings. Some people just can't handle mind-altering substances of ANY kind, which is unfortunate. "Moderation" is just not in their vocabulary, and that's okay as long as no harm is being done to the body or to others. Personally, weed just makes me groggy and a little headachy. I used to be a constant smoker, but now reserve it for the end of the day a couple times a week. I feel like it was having some negative effects on me, such as giving me a cough and taking a lot of $$$, but I'm glad it was pot I was overusing and not alcohol or hard drugs, which can cause actual physical damage.

As I see it, we (unwell) people have two options: seek help from an outside source, such as a doctor, counselor, psychiatrist, etc. or help ourselves. We usually try the former first, taking medications, sitting through lengthy counseling sessions, and doing what others recommend. We put a certain amount of faith in their suggestions and believe they will help us, and for some they do. For those of us who AREN'T helped or are even hurt by these methods, we're left with no option other than self-medication, research, and getting advice from non-professionals. We do what works. For me, I've found that the most depressing mental aspect of my life is the inability to enjoy social situations. The anxiety is overwhelming and the noise at parties and other gatherings is too intense for me. I feel self-conscious to the point of paranoia and always have in these settings. I tried every medication and suggestion given me by doctors/psychologists, etc. all to no avail. In my experimentation with recreational drugs, I found that taking 1/2 of a Lortab about 20 mins. before a social event not only reduces anxiety, but makes me able to maintain eye contact and even start conversations, which is no small feat as anyone with an autism spectrum disorder will tell you. I don't know why it works, but it does. Lortabs make some people sick, itchy, dizzy, or sad, but for me they are very effective. The potential for addiction is there, no doubt, but when I think of it as a treatment instead of an escape or recreational high, the urge to overuse fades away.