Comments By Tammy A.

Omg I'm almost 60 and I know Allll about pot and booze. When I was a kid I needed help been there done that. Those days are long gone. Pot, well not a lover of it never was but it's my vice right now. Easy to give up but forever? Not sure. If anything we're to happen on the road and I had it in my system that would be the end. Forever is a long time. Just deciding how much I want to drive. I'm not an addict never was I always just watch myself and I'm sure that's more then alot of you drivers do.

My email is in my profile. I have 11 years clean. I can point you to some resources that, should you choose to, could help. It's much than a matter of simply quitting.

Irrelevant of what you are doing, also some resources for codependency help. It's almost always bundled with addiction, and from the sounds of the issues you had with your son, some help is needed there.

A new career isn't possible until you fix the bigger issues, be it pot, booze, anything and everything. They are symptoms of a much bigger illness. Help is available.

Oh God I'll be back when I'm ready to go.

That's what I have to do soon if this is where I'm going

Tammy, why don’t you wait 6 to 9 months until you can pass a drug/hair follicle test and then let us know how you are doing. Unless you have reverted to alcohol use.

Nope still have both. Sure I started weed because of quitting drinking. It's alot healthier and yes I didn't take up running as a substitute. I can do anything I put my mind to. Just been thinking again about going on the road and if anyone asked me why I didn't do it B4 it's because I couldn't decide to quit weed plus I got a good job and put trucking on hold.

Hey everybody has some vice they don't like about themselves. Weed is such a miracle drug and too bad it gets a bad rap.

Sure everybody has vices. Mine is pleasurable, I kept it under control for over 15 years and it won't get anybody killed, especially in a big truck.

While you think you have your drinking under control, in reality you exchanged one bad habit for another. Most of the truck stops I go to aren't near any bars, however, some truck stops do sell beer. If you can't do business by walking into a truck stop and ignoring the beer, then you're in trouble and need to get into an alcohol program and learn how to deal with it. Yes, I know what I'm talking about. Of seven kids, five of us were alcoholics. Two of my brothers go to AA every week.

I don't consider marijuana to be a miracle drug otherwise it would be in the pharmaceutical meds where the FDA can make money off of it. Also, it may be legal in your state and many other states, but there are still States, including Idaho where I live, where it's illegal. At the federal level, marijuana is illegal and it will never be made legal.

Did you get your issues with your son and the older gentleman you were caretaking all settled? That was a big issue with you going driving also.

The whole reason why I'm not driving is because I need to make sure I'm ready. Once I quit that's it.

Anne do you have a facebook? Mine is Tammy akkim add me if you want.

Right now

Tammy, everybody may have some sort of vice, but yours disqualifies you from driving a truck. What makes you different?

Thanks Anne!! It's kind of the answer I was looking for. I drank since I was litterely 10 years old. Sure got into trouble as a kid but just was sick of being tired the next day so..pot..never liked it. But it helps me sleep and now it's legal. I know I can not drink but I'm afraid being at a truck stop laid over and usually a bar right there lol I would disappoint myself maybe. Oh well got to once again see how bad I want to do this. Thanks!!!

I was on here about six months ago and wanting to take the plunge. Truthfully I didn't because of weed. I know everyone is gonna say it's a choice but it helps me to not drink. I could get a million psyc meds but can't smoke weed. I smoke to sleep. I know I have to choose. I'm scared to not have that crutch. Please don't say negative comments. It is what it is. I just have to decide. I guess it comes down to how bad do I want this but I haven't drank in years and really don't want to start even if it's just here and there.

Hi, Tammy!!

I remember you. AND, I totally understand where you are coming from. Tom, (my husband/driver) doesn't smoke, but his brother, older by 10 years, could not live without it.

Dennis is retired from Kokosing (quite nicely) and was a paver, with a CDL. Back in the 'day' .. they could do 'both.' Sadly, not anymore.

I'll have to defer, sadly, that .. it's just a choice right now. There may be SOME type of 'driving' jobs (ie: pavers?) that don't test as strictly, but ... I'm not coming up with anything, within the CDL box.

I wish I had the answers. Have you tried St. John's Wort, and/or Melatonin??? There are so many herbal supplements that will help you with your ailments. My dude, Tom.. takes many.

I wish I had the answers, girl. I wish. It's about choices now, however. Sadly, but seriously.

Best to ya; HMU anytime~

~ Anne ~

Hey everybody has some vice they don't like about themselves. Weed is such a miracle drug and too bad it gets a bad rap.

Hi Tammy, I’m not trying to be negative, but just realistic. Get yourself employment other than driving and pursue help with your substance abuse.

I fret about those who want to drive despite substance abuse issues. Are they in the past? Perhaps, but what if they surface again if and when you are driving? You are one I would worry about. You can get a class B driving job and establish a track record. But with your weed usage, for whatever reason you claim, I doubt driving is a possibility for you.

I was on here about six months ago and wanting to take the plunge. Truthfully I didn't because of weed. I know everyone is gonna say it's a choice but it helps me to not drink. I could get a million psyc meds but can't smoke weed. I smoke to sleep. I know I have to choose. I'm scared to not have that crutch. Please don't say negative comments. It is what it is. I just have to decide. I guess it comes down to how bad do I want this but I haven't drank in years and really don't want to start even if it's just here and there.

Actually I called social workers and asked if there was any way Henry can go on respite for 2 months and when im done get him back. The answer is YES. The reason I say 2 months and get him back is if I dont get my cdl or something happens during training I will have a job to come back to. If I get my cdl well im going otr full force. SO a BIG duck in a row now.

Ok-- so one more question... and I think this one is the most important of them all.

I'm gonna start off by saying, I don't care much about company pay, etc. I figure the first year-- my main mission is just to learn the job and get as good as I can at what I'm doing-- the money comes with knowledge.

So having said that-- are there any company sponsored training programs that you experts here think are better compared to others? Any programs that a rookie with little to no experience in anything larger than a minivan should stay away from? (I've heard that Roehl is pretty ruthless with their quickness to cut rookies that aren't catching on fast).

Really-- with everything else I've been able to glean from relentlessly reading this board-- I think this is the last important question in me deciding which way to go.

Brandie, I can only speak about Schneider training. I believe that it was top notch. But when you are new, you are a beggar not a chooser. Get on with a big company with a training program. You are right, just take what you are offered and go with it.

There are two of you here. You and Tammy. Both of you have my respect, but I wonder about your ability to follow through. How about your children? When I was young, I didn't get any help from my parents because they were unable to provide any. Instead, I helped my parents financially until their deaths. How about your children? Are they able to help you pursue your dream?