Today is the day I decided to quit smoking marijuana

[bluck]

Let me preface this by saying, by making this thread in no way am I looking for any sympathies; however, if others have or are going through what I am perhaps you can offer some advice.

I've been smoking pot for about 5-6 years now. It started off recreationally with a few friends in university and it slowly has been getting worse and worse to the point where I am dependent on it. I'll wake up and smoke a joint, after work I'll smoke, after dinner I'll smoke again and then of course right before bed to help me sleep. Sometimes I'll even wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning, have a hit and go back to bed.

Well enough is enough. Today is the day I finally take back that control and get my life back. I'm tired of being reliant on a single substance that has been affecting my life for all these years. Marijuana has affected my personal life, my health, my mood and of course my interactions with others. I spend on average $200 a month, I'm constantly paranoid as to whether or not my eyes are red or if I smell, I have decreased memory, always feel lazy, avoid social situations, I'm constantly lying to my family and friends about my habit as well as always having to "clear" my throat thanks to all the build up from smoking to name a few symptoms.

I feel that with the support of CP and of course my friends that I will be able to break this habit before I'm 30 years old, single, alone and constantly thinking about when I can smoke next. It took a lot to admit to myself that I have a problem and no matter what anyone says you can get addicted to marijuana.

Hopefully this will be the stepping stone I need to rid myself of this disease and move on with my life. I know the next few months or going to be super hard but to quote a famous saying "What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger"

Cheers

[AcGold]

Good for you man, it definitely can be a huge negative for some people. It's best when used in moderation by someone with a stable life and not many worries. If you're single, stressed and paranoid it's smart to stop. I've seen some people consumed by it in a way that they are real antisocial and dopey all the time, it can become a burden where you aren't really enjoying it but you do it anyways. Good luck, if you relapse just remember you're only human and it's not the end of the world.

[Cheese]

MaryJane affects different people differently. Makes me dopey and lazy too, so I did as you suggested and dropped it in my mid twenties. Couldn't justify spending the money to sleep.
Have many friends who are opposite and get energized by it...they seem fine but I dont get into any deep discussions with them about their particular addictions.
I like a good whiskey with a nice Cuban cigar now and then.

[driveway]

Good luck. If you think it's hurting you then I'm glad you're making the change.

I used to smoke as much as you do, cut down when I realized I a) couldn't write while high and b) had trouble sleeping.

Had zero problems reducing my intake to almost nothing, I hope that you find the experience as easy as I did.

[Drury18]

Very smart of you to recognize that it is becoming a problem and affecting the way you want to live.

I think having this mindset rather then "I'm quitting because someone else told me to" should help you in doing so.

Find a new routine and things to get into a "habit" of doing to replace the times when you used to smoke. Even if it's something stupid like playing one of those mindless Candy Crush games on your phone, if you keep your hands and brain busy during the times when it would be used to smoking, it will probably help you out until it's no longer a routine or habit to you.

[chemgear]

Anything worth doing isn't easy. Good luck and encouragement to you!

[Street Pharmacist]

Good for you bluck. Call it addiction or anything you want, of a habit is affecting your life in a negative way is a good idea to cut it out. I don't have any specific marijuana advice, but the psychological cravings can be limited with some planning. Remember that the bad part of the cravings typically don't last long. Have a plan on place for the times you know well be worse. Eg. Right after you get home may be a bad time. Maybe that's when you have a quick snack and a short walk. At nighttime, watch a new show and drink warm milk. Try to use things that will keep you physically and/or mentally distracted at those times

[AcGold]

The good news is you caught it now, some people have had it ruin their lives into their 40's or 50's and they never get anything going. I enjoy it from time to time but won't spend money on it and if I had to choose between having a family and weed it wouldn't take 2 seconds to decide. It's when it becomes all consuming that it's an issue.

[nixon45]

Good for you man.

I was a once a day smoker for a long time. I would always come home and make excuses with my friends and family as to why I couldn't do something with/for them, so that I could go home and get baked. I would only smoke once a day after work since I couldn't function being high in public, but it still had a hugely negative impact on my life. I was a lazy #### and I wasn't holding in my end of the bargain with my beautiful girlfriend.

I quit cold turkey February 1st and haven't looked back once. The first two weeks will probably be the biggest test as you now may have to form new rituals etc. but it gets much easier after that. Every now and then I will be sitting around looking for something to do on a Friday night and think to myself "man you know what would be great right about now"... but there is no way I could ever go back.


Having the energy and a sharper memory is so much better than any joint ever was.

[Scrambler]

Last time I 'enjoyed' Marijauna was Apr 20, 2012 in Vancouver; Moved to Japan in early May 2012 and haven't since. Can't really get it over here and I didn't really mind that. So it's been nearly 3 years... never quit, just stopped

Well done Bluck, if you've strived to do this I hope you are 100% successful

[Yamer]

I hit 4 years on September 14, 2014. Hardest thing I ever did, but it absolutely changed my life. I'll now be completing my first degree in April.

All the strength and support in the world, my friend!

[Hemi-Cuda]

Drinking makes me relaxed and happy, smoking weed made me paranoid and jittery. Wasn't hard to stop one over the other. I'm still all for legalization and a person's right to use it if they wish, but it's just not worth it for some people. Hope you succeed and can look back on this thread with pride

[combustiblefuel]

All the power to you man. You have to do what's best for you. It is not for everyone , it can be just like drinking and smoking for some. I applaud you on realizing it has effected your life in a negative way.



I have some friends who can only smoke marijuana but can not drink , some friends who share your thoughts and others that do neither. I myself do smoke and eat for a variety of reasons medically ( legal medical cardholderand for non - life threatening ) for lifstyle quality reasons.

I can empathize with what your going through. I had to do down this road with booze. I haven't quit booze entirely tho, I only drink beer and in moderation.



Edit . When I bring this uo p I mean no offense. I know in recent history you have mentioned Some sevte recent health problems. Do you think it may be the mixed cocktail of the two medications reacting?

[Dion]

Rooting for ya man!

[indes]

I went with strictly drinking, at least that has consequences! Letting life pass you by while you're baked is all too easy

[JonDuke]

Best of luck to ya!

[DuffMan]

geez, I just started again a couple of months ago.

[Traditional_Ale]

I used to smoke like you. Now it's a one or two puffs once a week thing when out gigging and I haven't actually bought any in over a year. I didn't really quit, just got too poor to afford to pay for it. Lol.

Anyway, one thing I suggest is that you have extra bed-sheets and pillow cases on hand at all times. I got terrible night-sweats for a couple of weeks along with some crazy dreams. It goes away, but remember to drink lots of water as you will sweat like crazy and wake up really dehydrated. If you want make the dreams even crazier, eat some cheese (bedtime LSD) right before sleeping!

[-TC-]

Good on you man, well done.

I went through a similar thing with pretty much the same conclusion.

I have friends who can smoke and function, I'm not one of those, I become a recluse. It impacts my relationship with my daughter, my work, I stop working out or doing yoga...everything. I smoke weed and play video games in my basement. It's awful.

My life is so much more full without weed...and yet, I have to continue to remind myself of that fact all the time.

Ride out the first couple weeks, the night sweats will go away, your vitality will come back and everything will get better.

[bluck]

Thank you all for the support and advice. It really does mean a lot and I appreciate it. Last night was extremely hard for me. I had tremendous cravings to smoke especially during the Flames game and for SOA. I just revisited this thread and it definitely helped me avoid the temptation. Falling asleep was very difficult. I don't think I slept for more than a couple hours and even then I kept waking up extremely sweaty and had to change my clothes a few times as a poster mentioned. I'm assuming it's my body reacting to the lack of THC. I was able to power through it and successfully completed my first day of being smoke free. I think it's best to take it one day at a time but I've never been so determined to do this. Thank you all once again. Here comes day 2