About Dr Becky
Hi! I’m Becky, the creator of Pharmed Wellness. I’m a tree hugger, a gardener, and now a Cannabis Educator & Coach. I’m also a Pharmacist, a wife & mom, and a recovering addict. I love creating and inspiring, growing things and learning, and generally being a nerd. It’s a gift. ;-). I also love Cannabis. We’ll get to that.
Rx for Recovery
First, I chose Pharmacy purely for the intellectual stimulation. I was in a pretty selfish phase until 24. Then, shortly before starting pharmacy school, I got sober in a 12-step program. Recovery became my entire lifestyle. I immersed myself in meetings, sponsorship, step work, and fellowship. I gained a whole new life (and met my awesome husband).
Pain & Depression
And life happened a little bit too. I injured my back at some point during grad school and tried every non-addictive treatment out there to keep my sobriety and treat the (especially nerve) pain, gaining no real relief. Then, I got licensed (woohoo, I’m a “doctor” on paper 🙂 ), got married, and had our first daughter, all within about a year. I endured terrible mental health struggles during pregnancy, and they did not improve after delivery.
I also had worsened nerve pain after my c-section and my lower back and nerve pain became unbearable. At the time, my options for treating it included opiate pain management and/or surgery. So, that’s what I did. Eventually, I had two surgeries (first fusion failed), two separate “rounds” of pain management, a miscarriage in between, and the many mental health challenges that any one of those presents. I struggled to escape the cycle of pain and depression. I was about 40 pounds overweight, rarely exercised, and didn’t practice much self-care.
I felt completely isolated, alone in my head (worrying, taking everything personally, feeling defensive constantly, etc.), and yet disconnected from myself, a spiritual life, and all the relationships I wanted to be having.
I felt stuck because I had pain, but the medicine that was available to me was making my life worse, not better.
It’s like the saying in recovery circles, “If nothing changes, nothing changes.” So, I made tons of changes. First, I got off those meds. This took months of pain, repeated withdrawal symptoms, and a continued fight for my sanity.
Time For Change
Over the following five years, we had another baby, moved out to the country, I changed jobs, and even changed career paths! Eating more whole foods, walking every day, and delving into self-development work once more, were a few of the changes I made. I started cooking, growing food, and I re-connected with my love for the environment and all things Nature.
Enter Cannabis
At the same time, I was re-educated (or educated in the first place, more accurately) about Cannabis. I learned that there is much more to this plant than I was ever taught (See some of the science here).
Safety
The biggest deal for me was learning that Cannabis isn’t a drug. For me, that’s what I needed. I felt safe using Cannabis when I couldn’t risk taking “those drugs,” that trigger addiction and mental health struggles.
This wonderful plant opened a whole new option for me and people like me. I can treat pain I still have (and so many other things) AND maintain my recovery program, my spiritual connection, relationships, and even happiness.
Cannabis doesn’t cause depression; it treats it. It helps me to relax and stress less, so I can be present and I enjoy even better relationships with my husband and girls!
So, NOW it’s about service. And what I can do for you.
