For Some Users, Cannabis Can Be Fiercely Addictive.
(Note: more than 1200 comments below)
See Also:
Is Marijuana Addictive? (>143 posts)
Marijuana Withdrawal Revisited. (>108posts).
Feds Fund Study of Marijuana Withdrawal. (>39 posts)
For a minority of marijuana users, commonly estimated at 10 per cent, the use of pot can become uncontrollable, as with any other addictive drug. Addiction to marijuana is frequently submerged in the welter of polyaddictions common to active addicts. The withdrawal rigors of, say, alcohol or heroin tend to drown out the subtler, more psychological manifestations of cannabis withdrawal.
What has emerged in the past ten years is a profile of marijuana withdrawal, where none existed before. The syndrome is marked by irritability, restlessness, generalized anxiety, hostility, depression, difficulty sleeping, excessive sweating, loose stools, loss of appetite, and a general “blah” feeling. Many patients complain of feeling like they have a low-grade flu, and they describe a psychological state of existential uncertainty—“inner unrest,” as one researcher calls it.
The most common marijuana withdrawal symptom is low-grade anxiety. Anxiety of this sort has a firm biochemical substrate, produced by withdrawal, craving, and detoxification from almost all drugs of abuse. It is not the kind of anxiety that can be deflected by forcibly thinking “happy thoughts,” or staying busy all the time.
A peptide known as corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) is linked to this kind of anxiety. Neurologists at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, noting that anxiety is the universal keynote symptom of drug and alcohol withdrawal, started looking at the release of CRF in the amygdala. After documenting elevated CRF levels in rat brains during alcohol, heroin, and cocaine withdrawal, the researchers injected synthetic THC into 50 rats once a day for two weeks. (For better or worse, this is how many of the animal models simulate heavy, long-term pot use in humans). Then they gave the rats a THC agonist that bound to the THC receptors without activating them. The result: The rats exhibited withdrawal symptoms such as compulsive grooming and teeth chattering—the kinds of stress behaviors rats engage in when they are kicking the habit. In the end, when the scientists measured CRF levels in the amygdalas of the animals, they found three times as much CRF, compared to animal control groups.
While subtler and more drawn out, the process of kicking marijuana can now be demonstrated as a neurochemical fact. It appears that marijuana increases dopamine and serotonin levels through the intermediary activation of opiate and GABA receptors. Drugs like naloxone, which block heroin, might have a role to play in marijuana detoxification.
As Dr. DeChiara of the Italian research team suggested in Science, “this overlap in the effects of THC and opiates on the reward pathway may provide a biological basis for the controversial ‘gateway hypothesis,’ in which smoking marijuana is thought to cause some people to abuse harder drugs.” America's second favorite drug, De Chiara suggests, may prime the brain to seek substances like heroin. In rebuttal, marijuana experts Lester Grinspoon and James Bakalar of Harvard Medical school have protested this resumed interest in the gateway theory, pointing out that if substances that boost dopamine in the reward pathways are gateways to heroin use, than we had better add chocolate, sex, and alcohol to the list.
In the end, what surprised many observers was simply that the idea of treatment for marijuana dependence seemed to appeal to such a large number of people. The Addiction Research Foundation in Toronto has reported that even brief interventions, in the form of support group sessions, can be useful for addicted pot smokers.
In 2005, an article in the American Journal of Psychiatry concluded that, for patients recently out of rehab, “Postdischarge cannabis use substantially and significantly increased the hazard of first use of any substance and strongly reduced the likelihood of stable remission from use of any substance.”
A selected bibliography of science journal references can be found HERE.
See also:
Marijuana Withdrawal Rivals Nicotine
Marijuana Withdrawal Revisited
Feds Fund Study of Marijuana Withdrawal
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«Oldest ‹Older 1001 – 1200 of 1257 Newer› Newest»This is one of the best and most informative marijuana web-sites I have been to, Thank you.
I have been smoking pot heavily, anywhere from 2-5 times a day for almost 20 years. I am terrified of the withdrawl symtoms, as I have 3 children (ages 2, 4 & 10) so I need to stay sane and calm around them. I didn't realize that i was addicted to pot until I tried to fast from it a few times. I have not made any more attempts to quit, but I am going to see a therapist tonight to talk about quitting. I can NOT do it on my own, if I dont have weed everyone watch out...im so irratible and just basically a major bit@# to everyone. I cant see myself suffering from all of those symptoms, and then take care of 3 kids.....I smoke weed because of my stress, sometimes from having 3 kids....but I dont want to have to depend on weed anymore. I do not believe in taking AD's, as I refuse to take any "persciption drugs".
I am afraid of what life will be without marijuana...
I have been a heavy smoker for 15 years. I used to smoke a 1/4 to even a 1/2 oz a week. When my husband was deployed to Iraq for a year I developed a severe panic disorder for which I was prescribed Clonipin ( a benzodiazapine like Xanax or Valium) I formed an addiction to it that took me 4 years to kick. After I quit the Clonipin I developed a really uncomfortable reaction to weed. I would feel "too high" and miserable. I decided to quit since it wasn't enjoyable anymore. I got all of the withdrawl symtoms associated with that undertaking so I began to take just a couple of hits a day to hold the symptoms at bay. I still hated it. It sucked even worse to not be able to enjoy just smoking a tasty bowl. Being a one hit wonder stripped the fun of smoking, did not protect me from my adverse reactions, and all my hopes that it would serve as a stepping down process were pretty much dashed as I am now struggling through withdrawl again. I'm stunned to find that I could have so much pain quitting since my cosumtion is so low and my enjoyment is nonexistant. My next idea is to get my hands on some of the nastiest, weakist, dirt weed I can find and trying that. I quit cigerretes by switching to a nasty tasting brand and only smoking a couple drags when I really really hurt. I'm also dicouraged that I was able to quit perscripton drugs and cigerretes but not marajuana. Because I do have a dorment panic issue, I'm really careful about how anxious and worked up I let myself get. It would be unendurable to contemplate medication again after the process of getting clean so I would rather smoke if I didn't hate the way it makes me feel. I really appreciate everyone sharing their situations but it does seem like I'm unique in my lack of enjoyment of toking and still needing to. Any insite into what the deal is? Seems to point to physical addiction to me. By the way I have always been a vivid dreamer both before and during the smoking years, but now the nightmares are almost unbelievably dark and real. So real on fact that I have needed to mourn and cope with a couple of them for days. Deaths of loved ones, my husband cheating, myself being murdered and maimed. The reality of them makes them more like true memories than regular dreams that sortof start to fade away as soon as you wake up. I have heard that passion flower can help so I may try that too.
Thank you for bringing awareness to this subject. I had never given much thought to marajuana withdrawal. My boyfriend is in the midst of a 6 week hiatus due to work testing purposes. He had been a regular smoker for about 20 years. I occasionally will take a hit or two with him but it really doesn't interest me enough to do on a regular basis. Up until "quitting" he had been the kindest, most repectful, happy, outgoing , positive man I had ever known. However, since he stopped I hardly recognize him. At first I did not make the connection until I found your site. He snaps at me, says hurtful anger filled things,gets irritated by the smallest things,looks at me with cold indifferent eyes and talks about how sh*tty life is. He used to be very active and now just sits around. Ironic how lack of pot has made him lazy. He has no plans of permanently quitting, and I feel guilty for wishing he'd just light up a joint so I can have my old boyfriend back. I just wanted to vent. I don't know how to handle this behavior since I know what it is from, but I have a strong suspicion he would not believe in pot withdrawal. Thanks for listening.
"I feel guilty for wishing he'd just light up a joint so I can have my old boyfriend back."
That is so common. The same thing sometimes applies to alcoholics who quit drinking.Where's the funny guy with the lampshade on his head! We want him back!But I know what you mean--and kudos to you for understanding that his impatience and anger are not really about you--they are about feeling bad.
I've had to quit a couple to times because of impending drug testing. In my experience, by day 14 things are really bad. For me, after that the withdrawal symptoms being to subside. Everyone is different, so your experience maybe different but in time they go away. Tough it out. Conceptualize it as having the flu and that you will get better. If you are an addict, just don't pick up a j again. Don't do other drugs or drink. You can do it. I did.
Like so many others have stated, this website has given me an entirely better grasp on the feelings I've been having lately. My girlfriend of 8 years lost hope on my ability to quit which triggered the final decision to cut my ties to weed entirely. I smoked almost daily for about 3 years and am on day 11 of sobriety while feeling the full effects of depression and many symptoms described. I am 23 years old, nearly finished a university education (mostly completed high), I found a job in my field of study and have so many other things going for me that I couldn't understand why I was suddenly feeling so empty and worthless.
I know there's light at the end of the tunnel and great things lie ahead.
THINGS THAT HAVE REALLY HELPED ME DEAL WITH THE SYMPTOMS:
5-HTP (amino acid supplement): Is the precursor to seratonin, which is widely available and will have a noticeably positive effect on your mood.
NIACIN (vitamin B-3): Excellent for DETOX, has been shown to improve mood and in fact I read that 90% of schizophrenics diagnosed within 1-2 years have drastically reduced symptoms with a high enough dosage.
KEEPING BUSY: As hard as it can seem sometimes, it's always a better option than staying home with your own thoughts.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU!
I can't wait to recover and I thank everyone who has shared their story
OK guys, I am the same Anon who posted on June 2nd, it is now June 4th and I was going to post this yesterday but I wanted to make sure this feeling was going to last.
I believe I have reached total recovery!!!! My symptoms suddenly disappeared yesterday!
I woke up from 5 different lucid nightmares thinking I wanted to off myself in the morning. I had just started taking Niacin the day before which helped temporarily, but I really think it's been a key factor in my recovery. I ate a snack and had a Niacin flush then forced myself out of the apartment and went to exercise for about 2 hours at the gym for the first time in a long time. I left the gym feeling great! I went into my job feeling positive and spent the rest of my day poking around for other jobs to fill my free time. I'd also like to mention this is the first day in 2 weeks I was able to eat a regular sized meal.
I bought some organic raw cacao nibs as I heard it contained the Bliss chemical (anandamide) which I believe we also get from pot. They taste like crap but I forced down about 2 tablespoons. I also took Omega-3, Vitamin C, and 5-HTP supplements & shit tons of water.
This cocktail of supplements is based on lengthy research into natural detox and mood improvement and ever since I've done these steps I've felt more positive and energetic than the best high I ever had from smoking. I can't remember the last time I felt so alive!
All of this stuff combined will cost you some coin but it's all available at your pharmacy & local health food store and I can tell you it worked for me!
I was awake until 5 a.m because I wanted to hold on to the feeling for as long as I could, and I'm so happy to see I still feel it today! I laugh at things that are funny again, I've resumed my hobbies again in full effect, I see so much beauty in the clarity of thought and the positive outlook I haven't had since I was maybe 18.
IT GETS BETTER GUYS, STAY STRONG AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY, DON'T RELAPSE!
Thanks for all of your stories, because knowing this was just a withdrawal was another key factor in overcoming this. I'll keep checking back to see if you guys leave any questions or comments.
Cheers!!
Thank you Dirk, and all those who post their stories here. I've been visiting and reading these boards for about a year, and feel its time to add my thoughts.
I smoked for the first time at the age of 29. I specifically chose to open my life to this experience because I became aware of my uneducated bias against something I'd never tried.
Like many here, what started monthly, became every weekend, then when the shit hit the fan in my life, every day was a good day for smoking. I'm 39 now, and for the last 6 years I've mostly been a daily smoker, with a few sober periods lasting less than a month each.
For me, this plant is spiritual. By spiritual I mean emotional. When I smoke moderately, I feel strongly in tune with my emotional self, I slow down and become much more aware of the emotions of others, and I'm just plain nicer.
Before I started smoking, I didn't care what others thought or how they felt. Well okay, I still don't care much for WHAT others think (too many stupid people for that, sorry), but now I do care about HOW they feel. Smoking cannabis puts me square in the middle of my humanity.
But when I smoke heavily, all that good stuff gets more and more scarce until I'm just chasing the phantom.
When I think about my habit of smoking every single day, I don't like it. But when I think objectively about never smoking again, I don't like that either. When I'm not abusing cannabis, it is very good to me.
Because I had 30 years of living before I began smoking, I am not tempted to blame the direction of my life on it. I was plenty lazy before weed. Please, before you start questioning what kind of life you may have had without cannabis, be humble enough to acknowledge that whatever ways you may fall short of your own goals, it probably has less to do with weed, and more to do with your innate personality. You never were superman.
Anyway, over the last few months I have, with the support of my mate, locked up my stuff during the week, and smoked on the weekend only. It helps that he carries the key for me.
Come Friday, when I smoke with permission from myself, well, it's difficult to describe how good it is. But only if I don't oversmoke.
For me, there is only one way forward: don't give it up, but don't abuse it either.
Respect the plant!
JVessel
Sometimes, to respect the plant, some people find that they have to admit they're powerless over it. I'm happy for anyone who is happy with smoking in moderation, but I can't help wondering what would happen if you accidentally came across the key during the week. ;)
My parents are trying to convince me to quit because they think I am addicted. I smoke once or twice a month and have quit many times before to pass a drug test for a job. I did not noticeably feel any of those symptoms. I can say however that I was less happy during the months I quit but isn't that just because I knew in my mind that I wasn't allowed to do something that I enjoyed doing occasionally? Anyways, I've noticed that both this article and all the posts seem pretty biased. All the posts praise the article and none of them seem to say otherwise. Perhaps my case was just special but this seems very suspicious
I now see why the comments seem so biased. You just don't approve any negative comments. Way to help spread the ignorance rather than actually supply information to people who are trying to decide if marijuana is bad for them
Thank you Dirk,
I quit smoking weed 38 days ago and am still struggling with being sober all the time. It gets better everyday, but sometimes I feel totally weak helpless and feel like its never going to get better. Knowing and remembering the science of THC withdrawal has really restored confidence that I can one day feel "normal" again.
"Way to help spread the ignorance rather than actually supply information to people who are trying to decide if marijuana is bad for them."
Any other questions?
It's been a month since I quit smoking hashish (hopefully for good), basically beacause I had to study for exams. I am 36,married have a child 1 years old, been smoking pot for the last 5-6 years on a daily basis (2-3 jnts/day). There were some breaks all this time- from a week to a month- but been regular pot smoker otherwise. My symptoms so far (quiting on a very stressed period for me) : Bad or no sleep at start, vivid dreams, sweats especially during sleep, muscle spasms and sometimes associated parethesias on associated limb
( eg forehand),aural effects, periorbital sense of heating , sweaty palms and toes, general anxiety leading to panic attacks or feelings of depression, change in bowel habbits(loose stool), change in appetite-anorexia. Still smoking normal cigarettes(but went from less than 20/day to more than 30/day). Thanx to a psychiatrist friend of mind( and some little pharmacautical help-ancholytics), and started swimming its getting better every day. THC is a parasympathiticomimic drug, chronic use leads to the imbalance of autonomous nerve system with preodominant sympatheticotonia at start( sweats, isnomnia,heart arrythmias). I dont know how long it will get to be ok again, but I will do it. My advise for the youngs: 1 joint once a year is enough,be carefull and stay away from the chemical breeds of cannabis(Skunk etc..) Stay clean, enjoy life
I've been smoking billies for ten years, most mornings, arvos and on weekends all day and I live in Australia. I started after going through depression and decided I did not want to have a pill every day to make me feel good. For some reason smoking every day was much more justifiable.
I recently married an American girl who I love and dont want to disappoint and I want to move over there with her. I quit because I am applying for a Visa and have to have a medical. I assume I will be drug tested but am not sure what would constitute a fail. I dont know if I need to wait months until there is no trace or if a bit of weed in my system is okay. Does anyone know?
It is really hard and I am going through lots of anxiety but I don't have any choice as you cant lie in a drug test.
It varies. 30 days is the general rule of thumb.
In 2006, in the midst of depression caused by what I perceived to be a directionless life and six years after initially kicking an intense marijuana addiction, I figured, WTF, give me a hit. I can do this. So, like a complete idiot I did and like an old flame who had just come storming back in my life, I fell right back in love. And though by the title of the website you can guess the hell I currently find myself, I’d be disingenuous to not state the role marijuana played in helping me beat depression and helping me gain back my life. And heck, everybody who knew me preferred me on grass. I'm simply a nicer, more gentle person on stuff. You should see the women I picked up high, I’m one charming motherfucker when I’m dosed.
Unfortunately, like all addicts, my one hit turned into bumming off my buddies the next weekend, to buying bags the next, to smoking everyday. Hey, I’m an addict, it’s a typical story.
However, after I finished my PhD and entered into my chosen field in 2008, I realized I had to curb my consumption of marijuana. I did, experienced major withdrawal, and even months after the curbing my usage to weekends only, realized that like Pavlov's dogs, my craving were undeniable on friday afternoons. But I was able to keep it to the weekends.
Fast forward to 2011…Ah, 2011….you mother fucker. On January 1, 2011, I have a high profile and rewarding career, a great girlfriend, a good family, and a life that was going along pretty well by my standards. My usage was relegated to the weekends and I was in charge of my addiction. Then my father suddenly passed away and my entire world blew up. My mother (they were divorced) completely abandons me because I want to grieve my father and not bash him every chance I get. My brother does the same. And to be honest, I've had one nightmare situation after another since that day in January ( an old friend killed himself, 2 family members diagnosed with cancer, car accident, my own health issues, major car repair bill, dealing with my father’s estate, etc., etc.)
So guess what an addict does when the stress level rises? Therefore, since January, I have been smoking very high grade marijuana every day. Only when high do I feel the slightest bit normal. Only when high am I able to alleviate the intense feelings of loneliness. I can't even smile unless stoned. I’m the typical pothead, nothing is better sober. Sex, food, movies, TV. You name it, I’d rather be stoned doing it.
So, 5 days ago I get a call from a former colleague informing me that he is recommending me for a very lucrative and prestigious new position. Simply put, my dream job. The one catch for me, it will require a drug test.
Now, I have no idea when I will be called for the interview, but I cannot lose this opportunity due to my addiction. On Wednesday I quit and I have been absolutely miserable every since.
I have depression, nausea, headaches, weird dreams, terrible mood swings, outbursts of anger, a sense of doom in everything to do with my life, I'm questioning my relationship and I don't think I have had a positive thought or emotion in 5 days.
As I sit here right now, completely miserable, questioning whether life is even worth living like this, I wonder if this job is worth giving up marijuana.
Can I really live without it when I know I am a better human being on it? Well, to be honest, writing this out at least I got a break from some of the pain. Other than that, working out is the only time I feel good. Come the afternoon and I’m in hell. This is hell and I don’t know how it will get better.
" I figured, WTF, give me a hit. I can do this. So, like a complete idiot I did and like an old flame who had just come storming back in my life, I fell right back in love."
--------
Like furnaces with the pilot light burning quietly and steadily, addicts are always ready to ignite again at a moment’s notice. That's just the way it is.
And do you really think anybody here is going to argue with you about how fucking wonderful weed can be sometimes? I tend to revert to my 20+ years of cigarette smoking by way of analogy: Every single cigarette I ever smoked was sublime. Loved 'em all. Why did I quit, then?
You know why.
Thanks Dirk for the info. Going on my second week and I want to cry all the time. I have been smoking for years and my body just can't handle it anymore. I make my living as a vocalist and if I want to continue I absolutely have to quit. I never thought quitting would make me feel this miserable but have found some peace in your website. I am going to try exercising per your advice. Thanks for your dedication to this often misunderstood addiction.
Thanks so much for the info Dirk. I have been sober for two weeks and I am absolutely miserable. I feel like crying all the time and my skin has been going bananas, getting red and blotchy. I make my living as a vocalist and if I want to continue I absolutely have to quit. My body just can't take it anymore. I am going to take your advice and start exercising. Thank you for your dedication to this misunderstood addiction. Your website gives me some hope.
Im 26 and have been a heavy pot smoker for 3 to 4 years and before that I smoked at least a couple times a week since I was 16. I'm a recovering alcoholic so I know what withdrawl syptoms are like and I am definitly going threw withdrawl for marijuana. Its not as intense but all the same sensations are there which were accurately described by previous posts. Unfortunatly, when going through alcohol withdrawl the pot helped tremendously, but now I don't have that option. Good luck to all of you out there trying to kick the habit.
Good Blog, thanks!! I was a heavy user of Hydroponic weed for 17 years. I was smoking 14 grams a week mixed with 3 cigarettes through a water bong.
I stopped 3 weeks ago as i was suffering from numerous side affects such as chest infections, anger issues and night sweats. Yes night sweats!
I was convinced that the weed i was smoking was causing my night sweats. I stopped easily enough and got a full blood test, chest x-ray, urine test, sputim etc and my doctor tells me I'm in good health. The night sweats have continued though and I would like to hear whether you have seen any research into why this may be the case? Is it psychological? Or do you believe that marijuana withdrawals and years of excess are to blame? Like i said, the night sweats started some 2 months befor i decided to stop.
Thanks for your time.
Yes, I have heard of people getting night sweats from heavy pot use as well as from pot detox. Cannabis is obviously tied into the body's whole thermal regulation system.
I was put on probation two days ago and have to start dropping clean on urine analysis tests. I've smoked at least once a day since I was a freshman in high school and I'm now almost twenty two. So far it sucks just thinking about it, but other than that I have no symptoms other than a little trouble sleeping and a major loss in appetite. I think this post makes it seem a lot worse than it really is, but I'm sure it could be worse for some people. I plan on sticking it out though and then never going back to smoking again.
I just stopped vaporizing cannabis after 2 years of heavy use. I have a problem with neuropathic pain and I don't like being on any medication for very long so I have a tendency to switch around (with Dr. guidance, of course). Cannabis is useful for relief of that kind of pain. I certainly felt the restlessness, depression, much anxiety and malaise and some irritability. Mainly, I just didn't feel like myself and things that once brought me good feelings (my bed, a favorite video game, gardening, etc...) didn't for a while. It went on for about two months but I think I prolonged the symptoms by occasional use (once a week or less) during the first month.
There is withdrawal from most any medication though (not just marijuana). I had similar issues on a slow taper off from Neurontin, Lyrica, and a couple SSRIs (Zoloft, and Celexa) - not all at the same time, this has been over many years. I also quit smoking cigarettes over a decade ago (after 12 years of a half-a-pack-a-day habit) and that was probably the worst of all withdrawal symptoms I've ever felt.
I think it's also important to note that my wife stopped drinking coffee (caffeine) - she's never touched another drug, prescription or otherwise - and had withdrawal of equal intensity to my cannabis withdrawal. I've also had a friend stop drinking soda (sugar and caffeine - like 3 or 4 cans a day) and he had similar withdrawal symptoms with the emphasis more on irritability.
Your body adjusts to those things you ingest that change it and when you stop, it has to readjust. The adjustments are generally not very pleasant.
Stick it out, it doesn't last and your body will reset. The human body is an amazing, adaptable, and wondorous thing!
"Mainly, I just didn't feel like myself and things that once brought me good feelings (my bed, a favorite video game, gardening, etc...) didn't for a while."
------------
This to me is one of the most amazing and troubling side effects of all.
Update from my June 26, 2011 post. I'm now a little over two and a half weeks into quitting. The withdrawal effects, nausea, irritability, headaches are still around but not nearly as intense. However, the insomnia is killing me. I simply am not able to keep regular hours.
However, I really am starting to feel better. 30 minutes ago I took a piss test and after heavy everyday smoking, I guess it only took around 2 to 2.5 weeks to get it out of my system. I dropped clean and now am clear to interview and take my drug test.
This is good and bad, good for obvious reasons, bad because my cravings just went through the roof. Knowing I can get heavy use out of my system in less than 20 days is information I almost didn't want.
Sobriety is really going well. However, you want to know what I miss most? Stoned sex. But I really want to quit so I'm not going back.
Therefore, I'm going to stay off the stuff and see where this new style of life takes me. Like I said, the withdrawal is getting so much better and not having to be a closet pothead is actually kind of nice.
The last post really helped me, as has this entire website. Thanks Dirk
Heavy weed user for the past 6 1/2 years. I'm 29 years old. Made the decision to quit 3 days ago. Weed was a very big part of my life, i would smoke 5-6 times daily, mostly at night, but i also would often smoke during breaks at work during the daytime. Weekends i could smoke up to 8-10 blunts a day. I was a functioning user and could go to work high and get stuff done with no one noticing a thing. It was almost as if i smoked weed to feel normal, getting "high" is something that hasn't happened in years, I had built up such a resistance to it that the feeling that made me fall in love with weed in the first place was basically unattainable after years of heavy use.
My decision to quit mostly stemmed from the financial angle of it. Buying not only weed, but the expensive wraps to roll it in (I was never an EZ Wider joint guy, more of a blunt and dutch man), really adds up. I'd love to be able to scale back use to just weekends or certain occasions, but im honest enough with myself to know thats not possible. I have to completely leave weed behind.
So 3 days in, surprisingly im not in total hell, but im definitely going through withdrawal. I have not been able to sleep for more than 2-3 hours at a time, I have a general feeling of boredom and dullness, and stuff that i used to enjoy is not quite as enjoyable at this point because it has tied in with weed for so long. Watching TV? Gotta do it high. Eat a meal? Gotta do it high? Sex? Get high. Even before and during strenuous exercise workouts i would have to be high. Doing these things sober now is just plain old weird, but i'll get used to it. I enjoyed doing these things sober for the first 20 or so years of my life before weed, and im confident i can feel that way again. I think the key is keeping a positive attitude and keeping the knowledge that you are doing the right thing. I'm also fortunate enough to have a solid support system that has been encouraging.
The thing that has freaked me out the most is some of the dreams. Going from never having (or remembering) dreams to having 6-7 every night that i can vividly recall the next morning. And they aren't all nightmares either, I actually find this aspect of it to be enjoyable
Its only been 3 days and the worst has probably yet to come, but i feel good that i can do this
I just wanted to say thank you. Last night I thought I was going crazy, scared the shit outta my wife so bad she almost called 911. I couldn't figure out what was wrong, never thought pot had withdrawals. I had quit in the past for months with no ill effects before. It seems though, that my recent stint of four years of high grade shit everyday will not leave with a few final parting gifts. I'm glad to be done I know these symptoms will pass thanks to this blog. For anyone else I suggest 2 things recommended else where on here but good to repeat. Water and exercise. Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone.
You're welcome. It's just amazing to me that,in the year 2011, there are still so many folks that don't want to admit that marijuana has a downside for some people.
Im the same person who made the July 11, 2011, 8:54 post, a couple comments up on this thread. Im over a week now going without it, and i have to say, other than some bouts with insomnia im feeling GREAT! Best decision i have ever made in my life. Sobriety is a new high, its so weird, I can't quite put my finger on it. I have to say even though im happy to be off weed i wouldn't go back and change anything, I think going through that experience makes me appreciate life much more now than if i had never smoked. The first few days the cravings were tough, but they subsided, much to my surprise. Not to say i never get them, but they pass quickly. Im thinking more clearly, i have more energy, im more outgoing, im wide eyed, im saving money.
I just wish normal sleep patterns will resume at some point, lots of restless nights and no more than a few hours sleep at a time. But i expect this will pass shortly
Today (Sunday) is day 9. And i have no doubt whatsoever that this is permanent
Oh and one addition. I echo what everyone says about exercise. Ive always been someone who works out, but i've really stepped it up since quitting and its been a major help. Very vigorous, working up big sweats, and the sweat smells weird, but i view it as a positive in that it must be all that crap leaving my body. I forgot to mention issues with diahrrea, but i see others here have dealt/are dealing with that too. Sometimes my urine smells very strong too. The main thing is the cravings are manageable and getting more manageable by the day
I just want to add this blog has been tremendous and i want to thank Dirk as well as every person who has commented
Turned 32 yesterday and it was my first sober birthday for as far as I can remember. I've been addicted to smoking my whole life. In my late teens and early 20's, I was using cocaine, ecstasy and meth as my drugs of choice. By the time I was 22 and living in San Francisco, I knew that if I didn't stop smoking meth, I would die.
I ended up moving back to my hometown in Kansas and going through intensive therapy for addiction and family/relationship issues. I began smoking pot. I have experienced my fair share of trauma. I talked about this with my therapist and she said that she felt I had minor levels of ADD or ADHD. She said I could take prescribed medication or I could smoke pot. She preferred I take pills over smoking pot simply because of the damage to my lungs, but she implied that they accomplish the same goal.
After I finished therapy, I moved to Colorado in 2004 and my pot use stayed strong. In 2009, I was approved for Medical Marijuana by a doctor I visited once. I told her the truth: I've smoked pot regularly for several years because it helps me to concentrate and focus.
As soon as I had a card, my use ramped up. Instead of making a quarter of Mexican Brick weed last for a month, I was now smoking an 8th of high-grade pot every three days. While pot has helped me immensely with concentration and focus (I graduated from college with highest honors, summa cum laude), my use was also making me agoraphobic. I would only leave the house when I needed to. When I did leave the house, I felt nervous - not because I was high, but because I was out in public and would have to face lots of people.
Last April, I moved to Washington State because I wanted to make positive changes to my life. My move was not centered around pot use specifically, but more so I could find better work.
My first three weeks in Seattle were very difficult for me and I knew it was withdrawal problems. Within the second week, I was focusing much of my time trying to establish pot dealer connections because I could not qualify for a Medical Pot card in Washington State.
I ended up finally finding a dealer and that worked well for a few months. However, even though I had my pot, my agoraphobia was coming back and I was starting to feel like moving 1300 miles meant nothing for changing my life for the better. As I neared my 32nd birthday, I began seriously contemplating quitting weed for good.
It just so happened that three days before my birthday, the dealer I worked so hard to connect with just up and disappeared and stopped responding to my texts. I lost all access to the one drug that helped me functionally self-medicate.
I can't sleep at night. Terrible diarrhea. I have projects that I need to work on and I don't want to. I'm totally distracted, if you can't tell by simply reading this long and winding post. My dreams are intense and guilt-ridden. I snapped at my boyfriend last night and told him that I'm withdrawing.
I am not and I have never been in denial about my addiction to pot. I've always recognized that it was a transferral from more intense and self-destructive drugs like meth. However, I'm finally coming to a point where I want more than just a transferral.
I know that I will never be free, but I can make better choices as to what I am being addictive with. I don't want to transfer my addiction to food or a relationship or anything else, but I have to find a way to make this work. I still need to quit cigarettes (after 17 years of full-time smoking!).
It's overwhelming, but I know that I am in a much better place than I was when I was steeped in meth addiction. I know that I cannot enjoy pot to the extent that I have in previous years because I am well aware that it is not the ideal way to medicate myself. I'm disappointed with the overall situation at hand.
I'm a person of addiction and extremes and I struggle deeply to instill any type of moderation or temperance into my life. This is my life journey, my blessing and my curse.
Thanks for your comments. It's a legitimate dilemma--what starts out as self-medication evolves into addictive use. Everybody has to make the call for themselves, but your history of addictive use does make controlled use unlikely, as you know.
When i got pregnant with my son i obviously had to stop smoking pot along with a few other bad habits. One of the hardest parts for me was just figuring out how to change my routine. I had been smoking for almost ten years at least 5 times a day. It's hard to find things to do when all of your friends get together to smoke weed. Just find something that interests you and concentrate on that, think of all the time you waste sitting on your couch high and all the things that you always tell yourself you're going to do when you have time. NOW is the time. ive been sober for over 2 years and i feel so much better! I exercise and look better too!
Update of July 10 post. It's been over a month since I have smoked. I'm not going to BS anybody, this has been extremely difficult. The physical withdrawal symptoms are gone (headache, nausea) but insomnia is killing me. As I write this, it is 3:35am and this has pretty much become earliest bedtime. This is really damaging.
Also, I'm just depressed. It's been a tough year so I think marijuana was just masking some of my issues. Now, I'm dealing with them and it really has got me down. Without marijuana there isn't that time of the day where stuff just doesn't matter. At this point, I'm living it all out, all the time. There is no escape.
Unfortunately, it's really affecting my relationship. For this I feel extreme guilt because my long time girlfriend really hasn't known me sober. Of course, she is supportive of my healthy lifestyle change. However, I fear I'm not the same guy with whom she feel in love. I'm much more volitile, angry and serious. Is this withdrawal or just me? I really don't know at this point and that is scaring the crap out of me.
Anyway, still sober but to be honest, I think this is the toughest time yet. Fighting through the physical pain I knew would end was one thing. Dealing with all the stuff I have buried and the depression is alot more difficult.
As you asking, what is the point of this post. Well, I'm writing because it's 3:41am and my says, one hit and your asleep. Which is true. But I just can't do it. One hit, turns into 2 hitters tomorrow, etc, etc. I can't go back.
However, right now, neither "side" looks all that appealing. I know I can't keep smoking, but sobriety has really not been easy. This no escape, risking my relationship, not knowing who I really am stuff almost doesn't seem worth it. Almost.
Anyway, after years of being a stoner advocate for legalization, it's hard to promote something that I know personally can cause a lot of issues. However, despite my knowledge, I still think some people can use it responsibly. Who am I to tell another person what to put in their body? However, I would warn anybody that you are playing with fire if you choose to go down the same path I have wandered. As much as I'd like to deny this drug has adverse affect, I simply can't. And those that do, simply have an agenda
Thanks for listening.
Maybe that's progress--it used to be that those of us who tried to explain pot addiction were seen as the ones with a hidden evil agenda. Now the ones with the hidden agenda are legalization activists who don't want to face the truth about their favorite drug.
What is wrong with you week minded fools? If somebody won't say it I will MARIJUANA CAN ONLY BE A MENTAL ADDICTION!!! I have smoked pot for years and there has been weeks at a time that i never even cared i was dry. This Is propaganda and lies just like "it causes brain damage" "Its a gateway drug" "Its dangerous" ect. Stop supporting the lies and wise up. MODERATOR!!!! if you dont post my comment then i know you will be creating a bias in this article.
Well, commenter, now you're published. There is no useful distinction to be made any longer between mental and physical addiction. Scientists studying addiction don't use that old mind/body split for diagnostic purposes.
To answer the intense dream reasoning, DMT which is one of the most powerful hallucinogens in the world is natural produced in the brain. That's what make's dreams! The regulation of the amount of DMT produced depends on your stress levels, environment, etc. Now this is a theory in my opinion, but when heavy medicinal smokers toke, it might act as a blocking mechanism to your neurotransmitters and receptors, which intern might prevent DMT from entering the brain. Or at least not as much, which make's people who are quitting have much more intense dreams. Your not mind has been foreign to the chemical for so long for some, that it literally makes the next 4 or 5 weeks of sleeping the most intense dreaming period ever. It's amazing when chemical imbalance starts to kick in.. I hope this info has been interesting.
Been a heavy smoker for at least ten years.25 now. Recently made redundant which meant every waking hour was spent smoking strong strains. This completely ruined my sleeping pattern and started to make me feel ill, waking groggy and still obviously high. Sleeping all day up all night. Started to get anxiety and mayb panic attacks im just not sure. So decided not to smoke because i felt ill. Now im sleeping 10 hours a day easy. No hunger at all, the thought of food makes me feel ill. Had dodgy stomach.Sweats, more anxiety. I think its day 5 of not smoking. Im tired all the time. Have a constant stomach pain, sickness feeling. Every one seems to not be able to sleep but its the opposite for me i cant stop sleeping. Reading through the comments eased my mind smewhat so thought id post my experience. Cant wait till im weed free and back to my normal self, heavy smoking makes you very anti social and this only increases the anxiety and panic. Thoughts are with every one suffering at this moment yor not alone
A minority of abstinent tokers find themselves sleeping a lot. Call it "atypical," I guess, but no less real a symptom. And yes, contrary to common folklore, heavy pot smoking makes most people very antisocial.
Great article.
I'm 32,have been toking weed, hash, polm regularly/frequently since I was at high school. I am fed up with it but am finding it extremely difficult to quit for good. I was off it for over a year but kinda missed it and messed up and started up again.
What annoys/irritates me is the night sweats when I'm withdrawing, I wake up drenched head to foot in sweat(can actually feel it running down my body). I only need to have not had a joint in say 8-12 hours and I start getting these ridiculous sweats. I don't tend to get depressed when am without but I can be quite irritable.
Weaning off the green can uncomfortable for sure. For me it's mainly insomnia, muscle spasms, and irritability. When I take a break I'll try to drink lots of green and peppermint tea, exercise as much as I can, stretch daily, take lots of magnesium, and try to socialize as much as possible. I find this cuts back on the stress involved in cleaning out my system.
I have spent years being a slave to the constant nagging urge to be intoxicated. As substances go marijuana is pretty tops, the problem lies in how one uses it and I realize my relationship with it is far from healthy.
While subtler and more drawn out, the process of kicking marijuana can now be demonstrated as a neurochemical fact.
I’m glad to see that many people are experiencing the same thing I am with cannabis withdrawal. I just thought I would drop by and share my feelings even though I don’t have much to add to what’s already been said here.
I have been smoking at least twice a day for near 15 years now. In the morning and in the evening. I’m mentally ready to quit because there is just no place in my life for that thing anymore but I wasn’t expecting the physical symptoms of withdrawal to be so brutal.
Basically, I can’t sleep for more than 1 or 2 hours in a row and I always wakeup with crazy dreams. My digestive system is all screwed up and I can’t concentrate on my work anymore. What’s more, people ANNOY ME so much these days.
I work in computers in one of those crowded and noisy gray cubicles office and I can’t stand my neighbors anymore. I have to plug-in my ear phones all day long otherwise I think I might get up and slug in the face that coughing and sneezing dude next to me.
Right now I can’t solve the even the simplest of computer problems and I am afraid I might get into trouble with my boss.
Exercise doesn’t really help for me because I have been training regularly for years. Now with my bad sleep and messed-up digestive system, it’s a real struggle just to hit the gym for my regular training, there’s no way I can even think about stepping it up.
Anyways... I hope in a week or two things will start to get better. Just knowing that other people went through what I am going through now gives me some courage. Thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences.
Yeah,it's a cryin shame that withdrawal from an addictive drug makes you stupid for a little while. But I can't think of one offhand that doesn't have this short-term effect. Part of the get-worse-before-you-get-better syndrome, I guess.
Me again, the anonymous guy who posted a few hours ago...
I'm just dropping my thoughts here hoping it will help me.
During my 15 years of daily usage, I had a few smoke-free episodes mostly because I was required at a previous job to go out on business trips to foreign countries. Of course, that's the kind of situation where you want to stay out of trouble.
But it's easier when you know that a big bowl of weed awaits for you back home. Now what makes it more difficult this time is the idea that I'll never do it again, that I am not a pot smoker anymore. After a while, it becomes part of who you are, it defines your personality.
It's been a few days since I stopped and I still wonder what's more difficult to bear between the physical and psychological effects.
One day at a time, I guess... when I'll be through with it, I'll come back here to share some encouraging thoughts with the readers.
I can see that there is some kind of a debate about legalization going on here. If you allow me, I would just like add my two cents.
I used to be a strong advocate in favor of it. Now I'm kind of unsure about it.
I can't deny abusive usage of marijuana got me through hard times. But so can abusive use of alcohol or drugs freely available at your local drugstore. Besides, I think some of the "social" problems related to marijuana come from the very fact that it is illegal.
So in this respect, I am still in favor of legalization.
But one thing I am sure as hell about is that I would never recommend anyone to use it on a daily basis for 15 years.
Ok enough talking. Now let's build up that appetite with some push-ups. Give me 50! :)
I have been a marijuana user for over 14 years, at least once a day, but up to being high all day long. 10 weeks ago, I decided that I probably shouldn't be smoking anymore. Not because I wanted to quit, but because I should quit. It is still illegal in my state, and just could not justify smoking anymore. Its expensive, i can't lose weight, blah blah blah. Anyway, the only symptom I am experiencing is lack of sleep. My anxiety arrives right about the same time I get into my bed at night. It's extremely annoying. I thought that I would have a terrible time quitting, but I think I was ready, its been a long time. I visited my family doctor and he would not treat my sleeplessness, suggesting I see a psychiatrist. So, I tried my GYN (as he has prescribed me xanax in the past) and he also suggested a psychiatrist. I am not crazy! I just can't sleep! I am currently taking anything under the sun to sleep...benedryl, nyquil, excedrin PM, melatonin, an old clonodine script, grandmom gave me some Ambien. I feel like I should just go back to smoking weed. It would probably be better for me than all of these sleeping meds. As a last resort, I have finally called a psychiatrist in my network, but they have a 3 month waiting list. I am currently a Dean's list student, and have been in a loving relationship with my husband of 11 years. We have 2 awesome kids and 2 dogs. I feel like my doctor's think I'm nuts when all I need is some sleep. Why won't my brain shut off???
I feel better now after reading this because of its validation and finally understanding what I am going through..i thought i could quit and be fine but that is not the case...
I smoke a lot, like 10 to 15 times a day i have been blazing for a year since my wife left me so i decided to quit just for 4 days to clear my head out and i got a tiny bit of the shits and lots of sweating and a bit of irritablity the first day but it was nothing like the headaches from quitting coffee or the general body ache from quitting tobacco. i am 32 and have been using cannabis since i was 14 pretty much 5 to 7 days a week
Day 7. Loose stools. Night sweats. Depression. Lack of appetite. Same thing everyone else is experiencing. The one thing I don't have are cravings. I know it's a bit unorthodox, but I heard taking magic mushrooms can help with quitting drugs. So I purchased a half ounce last week, took them over three days and quit afterwards. I definitely had a mystical experience and did a lot of soul searching during those three days. It was like I was able to walk around my house as a different person and observe how i had been living. I organized everything, did laundry, paid bills that had been sitting around and prepared my place for sobriety. 8 days later I have all the withrawal symptoms, but I don't have the cravings. Maybe it's all in my head, but that's how I feel.
Hello
I'm starting my third or fourth week now, I actually stopped counting.
I'm feeling just fine. Lack of sleep and lost of appetite are mostly gone.
I am now going to bed earlier and read books to help me find sleep and I came to understand that maybe it was cannabis that made my appetite grow abnormal. Anyway, not losing weight right now so I guess it's fine as it is.
Just because you have a lousy day from time to time, you should not assume it's because you are not smoking pot anymore. Everybody have a bad day from time to time.
The only real problem left for me is that I am yet to find a positive change in my life since I stopped. It's the same as it was before but without weed.
On the negative side, I got back to smoking cigarette which I had quit few years ago. So what I save on weed I spend on tobacco...
But on the long term, I hope I will realize a was filling a void in my life by smoking weed and I will find something more productive to fill it from now on. I tricked myself for years into thinking that smoking weed alone at home was like "doing something".
Finally, I swear I won't turn into an anti-cannabis advocate but please, if you use it, be smarter than me. Use it only for recreation purposes and give yourself a break after a few consecutive days of using it.
When you have to smoke to feel normal, then you know you have been using it too much.
Cheers!
As a broad rule of thumb, I would say that if you have to smoke (drink snort chew swallow) drugs to feel normal, you are addicted.
Someone above is saying that quitting cannabis is not more difficult than quitting tobacco.
Having experienced both, I have to agree to that as far as physical symptoms goes.
However, it's a well established fact that quitting cigarette can be difficult. There are means to help you quit it ranging from online support groups to withdrawal drugs like Chantix.
To my knowledge, none of that exist for marijuana and it can be unexpected when you realize it's easier said than done.
Just coming across this place where people discuss their withdrawal symptoms was a big help during the first few days.
Also, let's not forget that while smoking cigarette is simply a bad habit, addiction to drugs can often hide some other issues in your life that you have to face when you quit.
For example, in my case it's the fact that I have no friggin social life since years and can't find motivation to improve those things that I don't like with my life.
When I'm high, I'm happy as I am but I finally came to understand it's not doing me any good to lie to myself like that anymore.
Unbearable withdrawal symptoms
Hello
I am a 52-year old female and have been a daily cannabis smoker for 33 years. My financial (unemployed since 2008) and private situation (I have been living for 3,5 years with a tyrant who bullies me daily and has also attacked me so I had him evicted by police last year but was too weak and let him back into my life) forces me to stop taking cannabis because I cannot afford it any more after splitting up with that cretin.
My gp has been prescribing me Valium (2mg tablets) for several years now as I have been suffering from severe depression for 3 years including suicide attempts and self-harming. I've asked her what remedy there was to combat these symptoms but the only thing she could come up with was a higher dosis of valium, saying there was no other medicine to ease the pain.
My ex-partner has alienated me from my friends and family and I feel totally empty and have lost the will to live .
I have thrown him out again today but am in a very bad state and in fear of his violent reactions when he tries to come back in tonight and the ONLY thing that REALLy eases the pain and anxiety is cannabis.
Can anybody help me with any advice, please? I wouldbe so grateful...
Anne
@Anne
That is very sad to read, and if i lived anywhere near you i would pay that guy a visit... Stay away from that guy, because i'm sure he is not making your depression any easier.. just adds more stress.
I hope that you have some family or close friends who can support you and keep you strong!
Take care of yourself and good luck
Im 19, nearly 20, have been smoking since i was 14/15, and every day for about 2 and a half years more or less maybe 3. I have been ‘lucky’ enough to pretty much only smoke the highest of grades (amsterdam quality or perhaps medicinal quality but i wouldn’t know about that!) and as a lot of my friends sell as have i from time to time, i have never really been out of supply. i have pretty much made sure that i always have a smoke before bed and when i get up as well as like maybe 2/3grams throughout day.
I am currently on day 5 of my withdrawal. to anyone who says that withdrawal from weed does not exist, they can suck a dick.
racing heartbeat is probably my most noticeable symptom, with nausea, extreme anxiety, on the verge of panic attacks, hot and cold sweats, insomnia and yes, the shits! i could swear coming off heroin is meant to be like this not skunk!! today i also noticed that ‘depression’ (feeling ridiculously sad like i could cry) has started to control a few hours of my day.
i am desperate to know when i will start to physically feel better. because i feel worse than when i was a copiously smoking! everyday tasks are hard to deal with because i’m constantly down in a hole! literally PHYSICALLY suffering so hard, if anyone else has experienced all this it would be so reassuring to hear it, or even more so to hear that i’m going to get better! i haven’t even had a single craving since i decided to go cold turkey on sunday, now being friday and i feel on deaths door.
please help me. i start university in just over a week and i am afraid of dealing with the stress of adjusting to a new environment as well as having to make new friends whilst being like this! ive gone from the life and soul of the party to the grandad in a chair in the corner. are these symptoms right? or am i dying?
I'm kind of posting here as a self therapy.
I'm quitting because I can't risk getting fired from an $80k/year job because I still fire up a couple times a week (used to smoke daily).
Day 2, and it sucks arse, but I'll make it.
Thanks for the commentary, everyone. It's good to know I'm not alone, this thing is a bitch to give up.
I have been and advocate and user of marijuana for about 5 years. In between that time I've had to take 3 weeks to a month off of smoking for drug tests or what have you and have never experienced any withdrawal symptoms at all. I believe it is how you come at the drug in the first place that determines how your body will respond after using it. My state of mind about it is... Marijuana is REALLY REALLY fun and I enjoy it with my friends... but on a grand scale I don't NEED it and it is nothing for me to quit a few months at a time with no negative side effects.
None of my pot head friends have ever suffered these symptoms and I'm having a very hard time believing that I or them will ever. It's just a leisurely activity that I partake in and it's not something that I need to "escape" or "break free from reality" because that's not the intention I have for smoking weed.
It's all how you come at it and what you're intentions are and it's one thing to WANT to smoke pot but if you NEED to smoke pot and have negative side effects when you don't have it... then I believe that your problem runs deeper than an addiction to marijuana...
Hope this doesn't offend but I just don't want to see a harmless AND fun drug seem harmful and scary when me and all of my friends have NEVER experienced these symptoms a day in our lives.
Do you believe in alcoholism, even though you have never experienced the DTs?
I just came across this article after days of googling marijuana withdrawal. I smoked heavily for a year, though I've been a smoker on and off for nearly ten. I'm now on day 3 of quitting, and you've nailed the withdrawal experience with your comparison to the flu: I feel lousy, and though I'm not "sick," I feel the same yuckiness (for lack of a better word) that one feels when sick. I also can't seem to see the light. I can't see my way out of this depression. But it's a great comfort to read others' stories. Thank you all for sharing.
One of the central presenting features of depression for many is the inability to see one's way out of it, or over it, or around it, or through it. Just one vast grey plain, stretching forever. Only it doesn't. Nothing lasts. The brain changes, but there's no foolproof way to predict how long that'll be, or what exactly it'll mean. Patience and humility are definitely virtues that addicts profit by working on.
This is my first time commenting. I am finally ready to admit that I am a marijuana addict. I'm 39 and have been smoking since I was 23. The last five years have been a fog. I smoked an 1/8 of high grade weed a week. Spending nearly $300 a month for it to all go up in a puff of smoke. I'm on my 3rd day without weed although for the last two I have been scraping every surface of my bowls to smoke the resin. Durng this time I thought I had a virus (muscle fatigue, watery stool and uncontrollable panic and crying) In retrospect, I realize that I was going through withdrawal. Last night I got 2 hours of sleep. This morning I finally told my husband that I am having withdrawal. I had been planning to quit for a while so I had been doing some research as to what I can do to manage my withdrawal symptoms, specifically my irritability and panic. I read that Theanine was very helpful for many sufferers so I bought it. Well, I took it this morning and I feel great, aside from the constant clearing of my throat from my lungs expelling the tar. I am keeping a positive attitude. I just keep focusing on the money I am saving and not feeling guilty every waking, stoned moment of my life. I am really trying to keep busy. I am on my second load of laundry and my house is clean. I keep looking around my home and feel grateful for all I have. I am lucky. I have a roof over my head. I have food in the fridge. I have a dog I can smooch on. I also have my strong will. I know who I want to be and being a pot head is no longer acceptable to me. I'm not naive. I know that a bad day may come and I will struggle. But that happens if you are on drugs or not. It's life. Hopefully I have a good 50 years left in this body and I want to be as genuine and clean as I can be. Stay positive, even when you want to throw a chair across the room! It's all good...peace, brothers and sisters.
What a great comment. Thanks.
Ok...day 5 and boy am I tired. Too bad I can't sleep but I'm not discouraged. Thanks to all these post I was anticipating insomnia. I refuse to freak out about it. I've been tired for 16 years because of weed so I'm not in unchartered territory. I'm so glad I have the Theanine to take in the morning because....damn...I'm a bit of a grump when I get up. 30 minutes after taking 200 mg of Theanine and I feel chill. I haven't had a craving, just boredom. I tried to take a little nap this afternoon and it just wasn't happening. I want a coffee but the last thing I need is a stimulant. One thing I am looking forward to is telling my hook-up that I will no longer be needing her services. It's going to be great because, honestly, I don't like her very much and I will be glad to be rid of her in my life. Another positive thing, my husband is falling in love with me all over again. He's so proud of me. I'm proud of myself. Yeah..:)
Being irritable in the morning is really common. Sometimes whoever appears in the gunsights first, gets drilled.
i've been smoking for about 15 years. both pot and tobacco.
about 3 weeks ago i decided it was time to quit. first, the cigarettes, with help of the patch. over the first 2 weeks i slowly decreased my pot smoking to just a few drags before bed. it's been about a week since i've smoked anything. and it is tough! i keep busy during the day, which is a huge help. but at night i miss having that relaxing buzz to help me get to sleep. that little burn in the lungs that signals relaxation is on its way.
i've resorted to having a drink or two before bed. and even tried some sleeping pills.. (i know what that sounds like, and i agree it's desperate.) and frankly, i don't feel it helps. it's just not the same. but i know what i'm doing is in my best interest. i remind myself of that. i remind myself that this is a choice i've made, and it's the right one. while it's not easy, i'm taking it minute by minute, and hour by hour. reading the comments on here have helped me for the last couple hours, and for that i thank you.
for those of you reading these comments and thinking "how can i do this?" i don't have an answer... but you're here, reading this, and that is a start. the time you spent reading this is time that you (hopefully) did not smoke. and that is a start. keep working on it.
as for me, i'm going to bed. :)
Hi great blog, glad I found it. I am on day 2 of my 6th attempt in my life to quit cannabis. The longest I have made it was 14 days. I have all of the symptoms that the other com mentors have. Irritability,confusion,depression,anger towards pretty much anything/anybody. It comes and goes in waves. I have massive pressure in my chest, some minor chest pains and rapid pounding heartbeat etc. I can handle all this during the day but the problems at night are what gets me. Now on my 6th try I have actually done some research and found a few safe products that help me through my withdrawal. One of them I will mention is Sleepytime tea with valerian. Having a cup before bed is awesome and sends me into dreamland, and when I say dreamland I mean 8 hours of nonstop intense dreams...glad I like them, I just watch a horror flick before bead and I spend my night running from villains lol(maybe thats why I got so sweaty lol). Also I go to bed early now and no matter how cold I get I leave the fan on me on high so I dont stick to my bed lol. I am quitting because I have been a chronic(never social) smoker for 17 years now and recently have grown my own very high grade strains. I got to the point where it was just uncomfortable to smoke or vape. I know I needed it though so I could function through the day, well I thought I needed it. I am so happy not to be high that it trumps any negative feelings I get. If i feel depressed I say "hey...your not high dumby...get over it" or.."If I can do this high I can do this sober" and it helps. It also helps to have a great support group around you. It can be done on your own but the company or supportive non smokers is a great tool. All my stoner buddies want me to do is to toke up..."im tired of seeing you this way..just have a hit". I have one more thing to say, this is to all the people who have posted on here saying this is propaganda or a lie etc. People with addictive personalities cannot and should not be compared to normal people. I can totally believe the fact that some people experience no side effects because I used to be one of them people when I had control. They have to understand when one looses control a substance can take over the mind and body, tricking you into thinking all is well. Well...all wasnt well and now it IS well since I quit. Cannabis is only for some people not all, like everything out there. Take care all and stay clean and serene!
I've smoked weed on and off for about 15 years. Only in the last 7 months or so did I begin to use more heavily. About 5-6 joints a day, only after work during the week and all day on weekends. Recently I started waking up earlier and earlier and started getting horrible diarrhea and vomiting, I had no idea what was going on. I went to the ER three times and even had my first ambulance ride after fainting in my kitchen due to dehydration and lack of food from not wanting to eat. They could find nothing wrong making me feel hopeless and that I was going crazy. My Dr diagnosed me with depression and anxiety which didn't seem right cause I felt really happy about my life . I had just married the love of my life and the only thing making me feel sad and anxious was me not knowing what the Hell was making me feel so Shitty. After about a month of me feeling like I was dying and not smoking I started to feel like me again. Getting good sleep and not the 3 hours a night I was previously getting . So I thought hmmm maybe I was depressed and my anti depressants were helping. So since I felt good I started smoking again . Heavily for about two weeks and then all my symptoms came back. Loss of appetite, nausea , diarrhea, Insomnia, anxiety, and its at its worst in the morning . Finally I put it together . I never knew weed could do that to a person. I'm on day four now and feeling the worst I have in my whole life . My husband also smokes and doesn't understand what's happening cause its never happened to him. He thinks I'm self diagnosing based on internet info. I know you might think it tough for me to quit with a spouse that smokes regulary but I quit drinking while he still drinks and it doesn't bother me at all. When something makes me feel this terrible its easy for me to quit doing it. Thank you for this site as I was feeling pretty hopeless and not wanting to live cause I didn't think this would go away. Now seeing that I'm not the only one out there who is suffering and knowing I will feel better again gives me hope. I've gone from 135 lbs to 120 lbs cause of this and I was small already. I hate it sooo much. Has anyone else out there had such a quick withdrawal? Like smoking the night before and then waking up feeling like shit? All the years prior it never affected me. But i also never smoked this much either. I hope this passes soon cause its torture. It really makes me feel for people that struggle with anxiety daily.
-sparky
You guys are going to absolutely love me for those two product names. They are: gabatrol and eden pm. The first is for day relief and the second is to help you finally get some sleep from the anxiety. Find them at the local health food store. Check them both out online.
Unbelievable!!! I was starting to freak out. I quit exactly a week ago, after smoking for over 1,000 days straight. 3-5 bong rips a day. I've been experiencing all these withdrawal signs. Thought something was wrong with me. Turns out, just like other drugs, its also tough to quit. Wish all of you the best, working out or a long walk helps a whole lot. Im actually feeling better just knowing this is normal and i just have to tough it out.
"just knowing this is normal and i just have to tough it out"
That's pretty much the reason for this blog.
"Turns out, just like other drugs, its also tough to quit."
For some people, very tough. Amazing how resistant people are to this rather straightforward notion.
It's been two weeks and one day for me. I can honestly say it's been 100% mental. I think about smoking grass, but I don't have any physical issues. I sleep fine, I eat fine, no headaches or anxiety.
But, I did quit smoking cigarettes years ago and that was much harder than this. I do think that quitting cigs gave me tools to deal with addiction, though.
I won't deny that I was/am addicted to pot, nor will I deny that it's difficult to quit.
But to make it easier, try the following!
- Work out more. Start early in the day with a walk, seems to take the edge off and helps with sleep.
- Have more sex; enjoy your new found testosterone (guys only) and increased drive! This also takes the anxiety away and helps with sleep.
- Get into your job or hobbies.
- Don't associate with pot heads.
I know this is no new advice, just sharing what's working for me so far...
This is super interesting. I am a chronic smoker, and it definitely has subsided recently because I work all day. I used to suffer from gnarly headaches as a kid and throughout high school until I started self medicating. WOW i felt relief I hardly ever suffered from headaches, except from hangovers and what not but those were cured with the ganja as well. Since my use has been limited I have actually been suffering from headaches and advil doesn't do it for me. I HATE IT! I don't have to quit, nor do i want to. I will suffer from these headaches my whole life, and if i stop smoking i have to replace it with a prescription migraine medicine. anyways when I graduated high school I applied for a job at the city and failed my first drug test. I used the detox incorrectly. I was given a second chance to take the test, due to the possibility of a false positive. This really woke me up, I was embarrassed beyond all belief. I passed the second test and didn't smoke for 8 months after that. It was not hard at all for me, but I feel like it wasn't hard because I was angry at myself for not passing the first one and it was almost like a punishment to myself by quitting.
I've been going through symptoms since I quit on September 15th. The thing is, I've always been struck with not knowing if it's actually marijuana withdrawal.
I smoked for about 3 years. I could say I was a moderate user, there were times that I went without for a month, although when I did give up I had been smoking it heavily.
At the start of giving up I had immense difficulties concentrating and focusing, and all I could think about was my symptoms, like a negative tape loop. Those symptoms have mostly gone, although I do think about the symptoms a hell of a lot. What I am still getting is anxiety and disassociation. I feel like something is wrong and get scared, moreso at night, and I just feel really dreamy and everything feels unreal. Both have decreased -- there are spells of anxiety which get shorter and less intense over time. The most scary feeling I get is where I feel a loss of sensation in my hands, which is mostly gone, but it's sort of happening in a much lesser way to other body parts. Apparently this is a symptom of both anxiety and dissociation, but I'm unsure. I'm scared shitless that it's something other than marijuana withdrawal, like psychosis.
It's been 6 and a half weeks and I'm still getting these symptoms of anxiety and disassociation, albeit at a lesser intensity. I want to know - is this normal? Is this to be expected? When should I start seeking medical advice?
No doctors here, so can't give you any medical advice, other than: When in doubt, see a doctor.
Great article ... thanks!
I have had insomnia for about ten years and had been taking two Tylenol PM every night to get some sleep. However, last year, I "just had a feeling" that the Tylenol was doing some serious damage to my body. Accordingly, I got a little bag of Purple Kush from a friend and tried smoking that just before bed instead of taking the PM. Well, it worked GREAT and I have been taking 4 or 5 hits (using a vape) every night before bed for a little over a year. I also got a prescription for it since I live in Cali. However, I am now in Mexico for a couple of weeks on vacation and wisely chose not to bring any with me thinking that everything would be fine. Well, it's not ...
I am on day 5 without vaping and insomnia is now kicking my butt, I have ZERO appetite, I'm sweating through the sheets and pillow every night, I have to crap every other hour, and am having full fledged panic attacks (also only at night), and am totally depressed. Luckily, I don't have anywhere to be all day so I can just lie in a hammock or jump in the ocean and "experience" these withdrawal symptoms. I can't imagine having to go through this back in the real world ...
Now that I am, in fact, experiencing these withdrawal symptoms, I have decided to give up my nightly ganja routine for good. I had no idea that I would have such an adverse reaction to quitting cold turkey (albeit that was not my intent). Anyway, I am done for good!
Some things that seem to help ... your mileage may very:
1. Deep breathing through the various phases of panic and depression. I'm not "new agey" or anything, but the standard meditation practices seem to help me get through the tougher moments. Use google to find various methods ...
2. Intense physical workouts ... I'm swimming about a mile each morning, running on the beach, and doing push ups until my arms fall off. The accompanying endorphin release also really seems to take the edge off and helps me not focus on my suffering.
3. Eat green veggies ... I have absolutely no appetite (unfortunately as the food here is AMAZING), but I am forcing myself to eat green veggies and drink bottles and bottles of water in an attempt to help my system flush out any residual THC.
4. I don't know if this is good to recommend, but I am drinking two glasses of red wine at lunch and two more at dinner ... REALLY seems to help take the edge off and I can actually feel happy for an hour or two until my buzz wears off.
5. Finally, I think that the intense heat down here is helping to sweat this crap out of my system at an accelerated pace. Maybe those of you back in the world could use a Sauna to quicken the process.
Now, none if what I said here may be correct and I am unaware of any scientific support for my propositions. However, it seems, at least for me, to help reduce my symptoms of withdrawal. And, if it helps even one other person who is going through this, then it was worth my time to post my experience here.
Thanks again for the blog Dirk ;-)
I have found Cod liver oil to be very effective at relieving some of the nervous symptoms related to withdrawal. I haven't smoked in two days and am pretty jittery but this seems to help. I also take this Emergen c vitamin c drink which contains a bunch of vitamins and minerals. II was smoking about 3/4 ounce of really strong homegrown a week for about 2 1/2 months since starting back in April ( I had quit last May 2010 after getting really paranoid). Back then a dr gave me atavan for two weeks but I would not recommend this drug in anything but tiny doses as needed as it is quickly habit forming. The things that helped me last time were eating healthy, exercise, vitamins and very importantly a good support system, in my case family and friends. I really like to smoke...have been smoking since Hs but this drug has many risks which sort of outweigh the potential benefits if you smoke too much. I have found this This forum also extremely informative and useful.
I stopped smoking slightly over 9 weeks ago. It's been a strange, drawn out, and mentally taxing process. I've smoked on a near daily basis (one week breaks here and there) since I was 16. I'm now 30. The way I see it almost half of my life has been spent high.
I was always the guy defending the drug, promoting it's use, totally unconcerned about it's long term effects, or what would happen when it came time to grow up and move on with my life.
Always been an outstanding student, top of my class, bachelors in finance, masters of business administration, good job, good salary, etc. But I started to wonder what I could have done (or can still do), if my judgment were not altered by weed.
First week I was extremely tired and lethargic but thought nothing of it and did not link it to withdrawl as I'd previously stopped for weeks (up to a month) at a time with no noticeable symptoms.
Second and third weeks were incredibly difficult. Felt like I was going to lose my mind and work while stuck at my desk. Anxiety became completely overwhelming. Anger, aggression, all the symptoms others have spoke of came to the surface.
Things seemed to get better in the following weeks through a combination of L Theanine, and exercise. The anxiety was certainly still there but it was more manageable than had been at it's peak.
The past few weeks (week 6, 7, 8) I've been constantly left wondering if I'm losing my god damn mind. Motivation has been non existent. I can't focus at work for the life of me, agitated to the point my wife thinks it's something SHE's done.
I've thought many times what would happen if I smoked again, would these problems temporarily vanish, at least for a brief period? I'm certain I'd regret it in the long term, but these are the fucked up thoughts we deal with as addicts. Short term reward for long term pain.
I'm hoping, and keep telling myself, that things will only get better from here. Hell I'm nine weeks in and it's far better than it was the first few weeks. But the duration of the brain re balancing has me wondering on a daily basis if (and when) this will end.
What I'm currently experiencing is a terrible way to live your life, but so watching it pass by in a cloud of smoke...
Most of the posts here seem to be from those who have recently decided to quit, understandably so. It'd be very interesting to hear from others who have stuck it out as long, or longer, than myself, how the symptoms progressed, and where are they are now in the process.
Been following this blog throughout the process and I must say it has helped immensely. Thank you.
In my own experience of long-term quitting,I had tough symptoms on and off through the first 3 months, and cravings on and off for 8 or 9 months.
I just returned from a conference on addiction where neuroscientists pointed out the increasing body of research saying that the younger you start up with your addictive drug of choice, the more problems you will have giving it up as an adult. Modern science says mother was right, don't be messin' with drugs and alcohol as an adolescent...
In my own experience of long-term quitting,I had tough symptoms on and off through the first 3 months, and cravings on and off for 8 or 9 months.
I just returned from a conference on addiction where neuroscientists pointed out the increasing body of research saying that the younger you start up with your addictive drug of choice, the more problems you will have giving it up as an adult. Modern science says mother was right, don't be messin' with drugs and alcohol as an adolescent...
i have been smoking for 3 years chronically everyday, and quit 4 days ago i have never felt anything like this in my life... i feel like a herroin addict! i feel so lost and all over the place, crying for no reason.. very short tempered the smallest of things make me go balistic! cant sleep at all. havnt eatin in 3 days.. my bowel movements are not normal. i love pot but that stuff is the devils creation... BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE DEATH WALKING :/
This seems like a good place to reiterate the fact that, for those who are susceptible to it, marijuana withdrawal is extremely debilitating in the early going, both physically and mentally. Not trivial for those prone to it.
i smoke 3-5 grams a day. i love weed. i often quit for a week or so just so i can enjoy it better and clean the pipes. i get sweats for a night or two but thats it. quitting smoking and not beating the shit out of people was a lot tougher.
i sarted smoking pot when i was 13 years old and now iám 41. i felt i just had enough . so i decided to quit. i been clean for 6 months now and nevered had any withdraws.. and i use to smoke sometimes 10 or more a day
I have been a daily smoker for the last 17 yrs. And recently quit by no choice of my own. Its week 3 now and I still experience insomnia, light headed spells and head aches. I see alot of people on her having the same issues. But not seeing to many people posting anything about what can help the effects of withdrawl.
I have always been a gym junkie and know about certain things that may some people a little. L Tyrosine in a non essential amino acid that will help increase dopamine which is natural and that your body produces. And SAM-e is and OTC product that will raise your serotonin levels.
Also exersize is a good way to relieve frustration and release your bodies own natural endorphines. It may also help the appitite some. I have also found taking digestive enzymes will help with settling the stomach and may help with appitite as well.
I could go on and on about what looks good on paper but I would rather pass on something that may help someone else .. And as for sleepin Im still taking excedrin pm or Benadryl. 5htp and St Jhons wart may also be benificial for some.
I am on my second day off now and I have started to see some of the symptoms mention in this article. Restlessness, anxiety, quick temper....I have been pretty much a daily smoker but only 2 hits a night and consistently for 7 years now. To me, marijuana is my therapy and inspiration. It relaxes me, mellows me out and helps me be patience. I am self employed and work as a professional photographer. I should be fine during the day because I rarely smoke during the day but after 7pm I know it will be tough. The only reason I am stopping for 2 months is because I have to take the drug test to clear my minor possession case. If I could ask a question it would be "are there any detox products out there that really work for beating the drug tests?" or are they all b.s? As long as I have smoked, I am quite naive to the whole scene. I guess push come to shove I'll just have to detox for 2 months then at the end, hopefully I can resume back to regular programming.
"are there any detox products out there that really work for beating the drug tests?" or are they all b.s?"
As far as I am aware, they are all b.s. The only shortcut is dilution, but if you drink too much water before the test, your urine will be rejected on grounds of dubious specific gravity or something like that.
Hey to every1 out there!I turn 21 a few days ago and had been smoking daily for around 5 yrs.I would hit around 6 to 7 bongs a day and became very unsocial losing some friends in the process...I have now quit for 7 days and feal like crap but this page has made me feal abit better knowning others out there are goin through the same thing.Can some1 tell me how long the withdrawl will last cause my job and family is being affected!!
Hi, can't tell you for certain how long withdrawals will last. Rough estimate, based on what people have said here, would be a couple of weeks up to a few months. Sometimes symptoms don't even start for several days after you quit cold, because of the high residual THC levels in tissue.
I am so glad I found this site and really need some advice. I know nothing about pot, have never been a smoker or drinker, ditto for my husband. However our 21 year old son is heavily addicted, claims he is not but he smokes min. 2-3 times a day, every now and then says he will quit and go for a few days without it but so far it has not lasted. The effects have been devastating, major anxiety, zero interest in socializing and has become very isolated, had to leave his prestigious college to barely srape local comm. college, holds a part time job fairly responsibly but every now and then won't go, has a lot of angry and is moody. He has also lost a lot of weight, just doens't look good and healthy. Doesnt' want to go to rehab because he claims he can quit. I dont' think he can.
It appears that contrary to what was first though pot IS in fact addicting, so the question is how easy is it for someone to do this on his own? How long do these symptoms stay with you more or less until you start feeling better/normal?
Is medication advised to counteract the feelings of anxiety during this period.
Any words of advice, it kills us to see our once very stable, on top of the world healthy 21 year old in this black hole and if things dont' change soon we feel we either have to kick him out unless he will go to rehab (which we will pay for)
Any words of advice, would be GREATLY appreciated.
Pot is addictive for a small slice of users, and some of them, as comments here make clear, can be pretty strongly hooked. I'm not a doctor but in general terms there aren't any well-documented medications for marijuana withdrawal. Like alcholism, most people either become involved with a self-help group, 12-Step or otherwise, or else get clean on their own.
Thanks for having this website!!! its about 1am here and of course, like everyone else seems to have said, I CANT SLEEP!!!! It is quite reassuring though, to read most of these comments and realize that I am definitely not crazy and this kind of stuff happens to other people who try to quit. Insomnia, falling out of a 20 story building dreams, the craps, you name it...it is real!!!!! I've smoked heavily for about 9 years and its cost me alot more than money. The time is NOW for all you guys that wanna quit!!!!
Thanks for the blog. Very informative and useful.
I'm 39. I've smoked on and off for about 10 years, normally with a bong - never grown any, just whatever is "available" at the time.
Because of that and also that I don't know anyone local who sells it, getting some involves a fair drive, and so my usage is not consistent, when it runs out it can be anywhere from a day to perhaps a month before I can get any more.
Can confirm the withdrawal symptoms which seem to have got worse over time (as I've got older, and as my tolerance has built).
Day 1 is normally fine.
Day 2 - I wont sleep at all and will have a hyper alert sensation. No appetite at all. Food makes me nauseous. Coffee gives me a headache (when stoned I drink a fair amount of it)
Day 3 - Shattered after no sleep, sensation of high body temperature and sweating. Will probably get a few hours sleep. Generalised itching probably caused by hyper-alertness and sweating. General confused feeling, unable to concentrate
Day 4,5 - Get to sleep OK, wake in the night dripping with sweat, the bed is literally soaking. Will wake several times.
Day 6 - Symptoms mostly gone, but a slighty numb, "shell shocked" sensation remains and persists for about another week
Around week 3 - my sweat smells strongly of weed (to the point where others could notice) for a few days. That seems to be the end of the withdrawal.
At some stage between days 1 and 10 - I'll wake from an horrendous nightmare, a really vivid dream (since I don't dream at all on weed, at least, I don't remember doing so) - I wonder if dreaming helps the brain "index" the day and put some perspective on it, and then clear it away prior to the next day starting - with weed, that doesn't happen.
On and off over the years - periods of depression for no apparent reason. Odd sense of "not being connected" with myself, frustration at finding things that ought to be easy, or would have been easy for me, really difficult. Problems that should take five minutes to solve take days.
Some say there are no withdrawal symptoms. The above is generally what I get when I go without - but, not always.
Sometimes there are few, of these symptoms or none at all.
This seems to depend on how much I had and over how many days or weeks prior to going without. It also seems to depend on the weed itself (whether Indica or Sativa) and the quality of it (like the way Stella Artois will always give me a stinking headache the next day without fail, but Budweiser does not).
I also think what's going on in life plays a part. For instance the symptoms don't notice if, for instance, I go on holiday because I'm kept "busy" with other things, and other changes have occured at the same time (e.g. where I am, what I'm up to each day) - the normal "keep busy", "change your routine" type advice would seem to work to some degree.
I would also suggest that personality plays a key part. I have the "addictive personality" and am prone to some anxiety issues. Clearly the weed helps with those when I have it, but then, that's not to say that I would have been anxious without it, nor is it to say that weed is a suitable long term treatment for anxiety. Sure, it treats that - while you have some, anyway - but nothing is being solved, just hidden. Same, I guess, with alcoholics or other addicts.
if you don't have the "addictive personality" then you'd be more inclined to take it or leave it (like my partner, who also smokes when I do and also enjoys it - but doesn't get as many withdrawal symptoms, doesn't get the sweating - about the only symptom is a headache on day two).
Most of the above is a repeat of whats been posted, but then, that does support the withdrawl assertions and research.
It does indeed. And your description of two weeks of withdrawal is, I would venture to say, probably about the average when it comes to people's described experience.
Socially, the tricky part of all this is the stigma attached to even the idea of pot addiction and withdrawal. One theory I toy with is that the reason nobody knew about marijuana withdrawal is because NOBODY TALKED ABOUT IT. A total conspiracy of silence.
I don't find the idea that marijuana can be addictive to be incredible or even surprising.
After all - so far as I know alcohol is not addictive either. But then alcoholics would beg to differ.
Given that some of withdrawal is psychological I'd guess that almost anything can be addictive.
That said (mine's the longer post a few back) I have experienced real physical symptoms from weed withdrawal. It is not *all* in the mind.
But then you have people who smoke on and off who categorically deny such symptoms ever occur. To them.
It does seem to be a drug whose effects really are quite specific to the individual. I did read once that thinner people tend to suffer more withdrawal symptoms than fatter ones based on one person's experience.
Beware, of course, of random internet postings, but then my partner is overweight (not much in the way of withdrawal) and I'm a little underweight.
Don't place that much store in that, but perhaps, general health also plays a role. Certainly you recover from drugs more quickly when you're younger (and usually more fit). Perhaps the weight thing has more to do with natural levels of metabolism which play a part in the severity and length of the withdrawal.
But I think more has to do with your response to the withdrawal. Consider: the effects are quite a lot like influenza.
If you had that, you simply suffer it until it goes away. You can't do anything about it, and you *know* you can't do anything about it. Not so with addictions like weed, where you *could* do something about it. You could go and get some more weed.
Now ask an addict - would you rather have flu for two weeks, or have no weed for two weeks - which would they choose?
I think that psychological aspect - the individual's "approach" - plays a significant part in the severity of the withdrawal as experienced, regardless of the real physical symptoms.
I don't find the idea that marijuana can be addictive to be incredible or even surprising.
After all - so far as I know alcohol is not addictive either. But then alcoholics would beg to differ.
Given that some of withdrawal is psychological I'd guess that almost anything can be addictive.
That said (mine's the longer post a few back) I have experienced real physical symptoms from weed withdrawal. It is not *all* in the mind.
But then you have people who smoke on and off who categorically deny such symptoms ever occur. To them.
It does seem to be a drug whose effects really are quite specific to the individual. I did read once that thinner people tend to suffer more withdrawal symptoms than fatter ones based on one person's experience.
Beware, of course, of random internet postings, but then my partner is overweight (not much in the way of withdrawal) and I'm a little underweight.
Don't place that much store in that, but perhaps, general health also plays a role. Certainly you recover from drugs more quickly when you're younger (and usually more fit). Perhaps the weight thing has more to do with natural levels of metabolism which play a part in the severity and length of the withdrawal.
But I think more has to do with your response to the withdrawal. Consider: the effects are quite a lot like influenza.
If you had that, you simply suffer it until it goes away. You can't do anything about it, and you *know* you can't do anything about it. Not so with addictions like weed, where you *could* do something about it. You could go and get some more weed.
Now ask an addict - would you rather have flu for two weeks, or have no weed for two weeks - which would they choose?
I think that psychological aspect - the individual's "approach" - plays a significant part in the severity of the withdrawal as experienced, regardless of the real physical symptoms.
There's no doubting the fact that a person can make symptoms worse--by staring at the ceiling and thinking about how crummy one feels, for example.
Respnding to Anon, November 14, 2011 9:51 AM
"I've thought many times what would happen if I smoked again, would these problems temporarily vanish, at least for a brief period?"
As someone who dips in and out of using it, and has the withdrawal symptoms - the first time you get stoned again you'll feel odd. Not quite like it used to be. You won't need much to get stoned, but you'll probably keep going at it.
You may experience paranoia, possibly quite bad. The fact you may feel you've let yourself down will prey on your mind (yes, even when stoned).
You'd need to keep at it for a few days to get back to the stoner mentality, e.g. "as you were". In other words, potentially become addicted again and also potentially restart the withdrawal when you stop again.
That might put you off. It's not written to do that. It's simply an honest answer.
My symptoms never last that long. Being cautious here, because the symptoms are within the reported periods (admittedly towards the longest ones) - certainly not suggesting it isn't withdrawal. After all that's what the blog is about and as I wrote above everyone is different. For instance, I started a lot later than you.
However I do have natural levels of anxiety which can come out as aggression and lack of concentration, nothing to do with weed. If you smoked since you were 16, and it's been such a big part of your entire adult life, maybe there's some natural "lifestyle" recalibration needed as opposed to continued straight withdrawal - for instance, I don't especially enjoy my job, and I notice that far more when sober than when stoned when I can just "get on with it".
Bit personal, hope you don't think that's intrusive. And congratulations.
For years I was against weed. I am a naturally anxious person. I began smoking two years ago because a boyfriend encouraged it. I tought cool this works. Smoked a gram a week.. then a gram every other day and so on and so on. Now two years later a gram may last a day. I smoke when I got up when I got home all night to help sleep-- oh yea sleep-- had insomnia before-- now worse.I quit two days ago. threw it all away done. We were struggling financially and i wasnt helping. I am a single mom and am determined to get it right for them, to provide better for them and myself.Oh I have my card- that just makes it easier for people to become more addicted. I can deal with all the withdrawals, But i am now having higher anxiety then before. I may be rattling on right now, but this is where I am at. I cry uncontrollably, paranoid, anxiety> I aM health care professional. I NEED to keep it together. This site has helped so much. I am so very scared, I am afraid to fail, because I am high strung I am snapping at the kids very irritable... please I dont know if I can do this...
i am 53 years old and have been smoking pot every day since high school. shit, thats 35 years of smoking. i just tried to quit cause my doctor says i have mild emphysema. i breath real hard just going from the bathroom to the couch. i now am suffering from severe depression, nausea and i scream at the smallest of things and i feel like i could easily hurt someone if they pissed me off. this is an extremely miserable thing to go thru. i want to go smoke so bad but i am trying so hard not to. thank you for this website. i had no idea things would be this hard or that so many people go thru this also. wish me luck. sincerely, bob.
I wish you the best. For longtime smokers, pot withdrawal is not exactly a fun discovery, that's for sure.
i am 53 years old and have smoked pot every day since high school. shit, thats 35 years. i was told by my doctor that i have mild emphysema now and i get winded just going from the bathroom to the couch. so i have decided to try to quit. i now am suffering from severe depression, nausea and i scream at the smallest of things and feel like i could easily hurt someone who might piss me off. i am crying all the time and my wife does not want to be in the same house as me. i can not believe that i am going thru this. i did not know that it would be this hard for me. i always considered myself a very strong person who could handle anything. boy, was i wrong. i want to smoke so bad right now, especially after reading all these comments. i had no idea that it would be like this for me and so many other people. i wish i never smoked pot in the first place. i am crying just typing this to you. thank you for the awesome website and letting me vent. i hope things get better for me. i dont know if i will be able to make it or not, but at least i am giving it a try to avoid getting full blown lung cancer. i am such a nice person when i am high, but now i feel like i hate the sight of everyone and i want to run people right off the road. my mind is racing in a thousand different directions and i want to tear my hair out. i hope this does get better before i truly snap. wish me luck, sincerely, big bob.
Hi 27/f moderate-heavy pot smoker everyday for 10 plus years. Trying to start to detox and terrified. My main question is: is it better to try and wean off or go cold turkey? And if I should try and taper off does anyone have any ideas on how?
Thanks so much!
Sar xo
As with cigarettes, tapering off dope doesn't seem to have any clear advantages over just stopping, for most people. There are always exceptions.
I am 37 and have been smoking weed since I was about 22. I have stopped for long intervals but always come back to the sweet embrace of Mary Jane. I recently quit cold turkey just as I had with Tobacco. I had no withdrawal from cigs, probably cause I was still smoking weed. But quitting weed has been rougher than I thought. Night sweats, sore muscles, zero appetite, irritable, emotive. I have trouble sleeping because that is what I smoked for, I'm always had a hard time falling asleep so a little MJ would always do the trick. On the emotional side, it's like I have lost a friend. Weed always made me feel less alone if that makes sense. Weed was like a friend that accompanied me on the journey through life. And now I am abruptly ending this relationship. Of all things, this seems to be giving me the most trouble. My answer to boredom and periodic loneliness actually made me more boring and lonely. The more I smoked the more comfortable I got with being alone and bored.I know there is nothing wrong with me, but I have a feeling of unknown despair. Like I have lost a part of me...this in my opinion is the most dangerous side effect of weed.The potential for schizophrenia. This feeling of loss for an individual who never existed.One day I was watching a YouTube clip and I caught myself talking to someone like they were beside me.I decided at that point my toking days were done.Since then I have gone through the classic withdrawal symptoms and feel very down and alone sometimes. However even in the first few days I noticed I was more attentive, involved in things going around me. Not just on the perimeter, hazily taking things in. I have more energy and urgency in the tasks I carry out. I am happier and more appreciative towards loved ones. I am starting to feel again, what I have not felt in a long time....myself. And it feels great. Thanks for letting me share my experience.
@Dirk
Are you deleting comments from this blog? I left a very long comment about how I'm experiencing withdrawal symptoms and how I would come back in a month or two to confirm if it was indeed withdrawal or some other health problem. I looked for my original post today and I don't see it. This was around a week ago. I'd just like to know if you deleted it because I feel I'm going crazy here since I'm absolutely sure I posted it. Someone responded to me and I don't see his comment either. Can you please let me know if you delete comments and why? This is starting to make me freak out because now I'm beginning to wonder if it is withdrawal and if I can trust the comments on here as being real people with real symptoms. Am I imagining it or did my post disappear?
Hi:
I truly don't know what to say, I almost never delete posts from here. It's always possible I punched the wrong button at this end, I suppose, and deleted it rather than published it. Why don't you repost it.
Anxiety. Dear people, as a poly addict in long term recovery, with a psych education, allow me to suggest that creeping anxiety is not merely a withdrawal symptom, but is very much part of our cognitive-emotional style which leads us to want to anaesthetise ourselves in the first place. Most well developed programs address concerns about pre-dispositions, strategies for coping with everyday life, stuff we need to learn once we decide to rejoin humanity :-))
So don't just ignore your anxiety and depression, blaming the drug, start reading and thinking about it, and really get well !!!
from one who made it
Strong marijuana strains cause anxiety even in people who were not anxious before, people who never had a panic attack and have some daily after quit skunk. People are blaming the drug because the drug is responsible. If you were anxious before begin smoking, you gonna have the anxiety before smking plus the anxiety created and elevated by drugs like cannabis. Strong cannabis is a BOMB. Week cannabis is just a bear.
I've been through HEAVY withdrawals from just about every opiate(heroin,oc,dilaudid), and I can tell you marijuana withdrawal is still very uncomfortable. There is a definite psychological battle with pot WD. The most important thing I can tell people is to be accepting of the reality of the situation. You flooded your brain's receptors with chemicals and now your body needs to readjust. THAT'S LIFE! Take the consequences and move on. I wish everyone that posted and everyone reading good luck with their specific situations.
I am an interesting case. First of all I have a family history of psychological problems and I am naturally highly sensitive/anxiety/depression even before I started smoking weed in college. I used to have anxiety so bad as a child that I would leave class in 6th grade to cry in the bathroom until I relaxed. That went on almost daily for the whole year. The anxiety only got worse in middle school when I was forced to socialize with more kids. I never dealt with those issues, so when I got to college and smoked up for the first time it was like my new best friend. The other problem I have is extremely bad allergies. I have seasonal, year round, pollen, cats, dogs, you name it, so my addiction to marijuana over the years, the one thing that brought me relaxation and joy might have also given me asthma. Now, after smoking HEAVY for the past 10 years I got really sick. I mean worried I might die throat beat red cancer type sick. It scared me straight. I had quit last January and I lasted until July 4th. All it takes is one day where you're bored, and WHAM you're back on the weed. I hate to be a downer for all you addicts, but the feeling of wanting to smoke up will never go away...ever. You will just learn different ways to minimize it. I wish I had never picked the stuff up and dealt with my psychological problems with medications at an earlier age. I also am getting tested soon for borderline personality disorder. Yeah, I'm a head case that needs serious meds anyway, and withdrawl just makes it worse.
Okay I have read many of these comments. I am facing a similar problem but I am on the outside, as a girlfriend, watching. He has smoked pot for 15yrs.
He quite for six months and has now started again. I wasn't around to experience the side effects during that time but now that he's back on it, he has the worst mood swings, he's irritable, curses nonstop, he's so defensive(especially about pot) and mainly, he can't COMMIT to anything.
I love him so dearly but as a person who is so motivated to live life to it's fullest, it is hard to watch a man sit his life away in a haze. I honestly can say I'd rather be his friend and single my whole life than be with someone who smokes pot and lives his life like this. It is so troubling on the heart who can see the menacing negative, life-taking effects it can have on a beautiful energy such as my partner.
I say this so I can share the importance of the energy component in using and abusing marijuana. It's not just about the "withdrawals" It's about not seeing what it actually does to your life!
You will see the end come to your withdrawals, but if you keep using you will see your life fly by you, including everything you love.
Well, as a MJ smoker for over 40 years i can tell you that this is some weak minded stuff here. When you get off the MJ you are feeling the illnesses that the MJ is keeping @ bey , this is a Medical Herb that has been used for over 5000 years and the understanding of how it works has been hidden from us, follow the $$$ and you will see Big Pharma stealing your very life's away.For the true understanding of this herb click link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0cSg5CW6PQ&feature=mr_meh&list=PLE0264CBB0F999ED5&lf=mh_lolz&playnext=0
I quit both weed & cigarettes 3 days ago. It's hard to decipher which is creating the most anxiety or if it's a synergistic effect. Bad anxiety, insomnia, anger & lack of concentration accompany nightmares/sweats & constipation. Good news is that I am starting to feel again. Reading these posts has been helpful & illuminating. Going to throw away my pipes & paraphenalia now. Thank you all & to those reading this stay strong.
I'm 23 and I have been smoking on and off for 10 years. I could easily smoke an 8th in a day or to. Just decided to quit or "take a break" from weed again. I frequent this site when i try and quit which has been like 6 times now.
I just want to say to everyone to stay strong and don't relapse like i did because you will just have to repeat the painful withdrawal stages like I am right now again.
Thank you for this site!
It's helped me knowing others are going through the same and I am not alone
I decided to quit because weed was becoming a destructive part of my life (lost friends, gained weight, depression)
I've been smoking weed for 4 years (habitually for 2) and though I wasn't smoking high grade stuff, I was smoking out of some expensive equipment.
I've tried to quit many times but this time I was determind
The first couple times I went about it all wrong and it was MENTAL HELL. I was still eating fast food daily and was not exercising. I was also bored out of my mind Doing nothing for most of the day..
DONT DO THIS.
I took a different aproach this time. I stayed away from home as much as i could to avoid being boredI've been at the gym everyday running and playing bball, lifting weights also helps your metabolism. Eating lean meats and fruits lowers The symptoms. For those extreme anxious moments, I took kava and it worked like a charm.(use cautiously). If the first time I tried quitting was a 10 In uncomfortableness, Id say this time is like a 3 or 4. For the insomnia, I bought this drink called "nuerosleep", which makes you drowsy enough to fall asleep. Keep in mind, you cant completely avoid the withdrawals you just something that your gonna have to go through with.
But I found that if your honest with yourself on why your quitting, it just makes life a lot more easier.
"there is no problems only solutions"
People who worry about smoking , try this go outside at night and just look at the stars with an open mind and think if that is possible anythink is mind over matter. Be free
Don't worry be happy
I totally agree. I am not a pot smoker. Someone I recently met is a longtime user. Thats why I was reading up on it. But as far as antidepressants go, they saved my life. I am bipolar and without mediction I cant function normally. I am more sane and balanced mentally on the right medication. But as for this guy I recently have been dating somethings a little off. He was high on our first date. I could tell something was different about his behavior. I asked him if he smoked pot. He said yes. Come to find out he has been smoking daily for over 20 yrs. There was one incident when I was at his house and he was high and he got so mad at me over nothing. He looked at me like I was someone else and and kept saying you irritate me so much all the time. I was like are you talking to me? I wasnt even doing anything. It was strange. Like he was delusional or something.
You are an idiot.
As a veteran of marijuana withdrawal (Ive quit many times) I think I can help. Currently, I am quitting again. However, my symptoms vary significantly from the last time I gave sobriety a try (That was june 2011. Stayed sober until September, smoked once a week and of course, found myself a daily smoker in a matter of three months).
This go around I am in much better physical condition. I am down 20 lbs (198 to 177) from last time I quit and my diet is so much better than when I gave up weed last summer.
One big positive, my withdrawal symptoms are so much less noticeable this time. I think a healthy diet is key to managing symptoms. I'd say exercise plays a part but I was exercising daily last summer also. The only variable that has changed is my weight and diet.
Therefore, my best advice for those thinking about quitting would be to cut out fried foods, quit eating red meat, drink alot of water and eat alot of fruit and vegetables. (I felt better with this diet even when still smoking...significantly better to be honest).
Anyway, that's my advice. To be honest, my symptoms are still around, I am more irritable but not as bad as last summer. The nausea and headaches are not there like they were last time and there are no changes in my sleep (though I have had some crazy dreams).
You know what I fear most in quitting? The diminished quality of sex. I have used grass as a sex enhancer for so long that it really is the only positive I can identify from the drug. Though they say weed lowers testosterone. Maybe I'll see a jump in my drive and performance? Who knows.
Anyway,I'm looking forward to another stint off the grass since my mental health seems to improve sober. I think this time I will keep a journal just to document my moods. Thank Dirk for providing the website.
I'm trying to quit after daily use for more years than I can count. This tough. I seem to have most of the symptoms listed. I'm in my fourth day and have felt it easing a bit. What I'm really worried about is after the symptoms leave, because it seems to me that the longer I go, and the better I feel, the less I'll remember why I want to quit so much in the first place. I think the danger of relapse is forgetting all the things that prompt me to quit.
This is so completely true for any addiction. People are baffled when relapsed alcoholics say that, for just a moment, they FORGOT why they couldn't have a drink. It sounds loony but it happens.
The comments here have really helped me out alot. I have been a heavy smoker for the last 4 years and just recently quit. I've been feeling extreme anxiety and I had been attributing to the break up of a friendship in my life recently but now I realize I've been going through withdrawal. Ive been experiencing all of the symptoms listed here...night sweats, loss of appetite and the feeling that something is really wrong and so on. It's been 2 weeks and I can definitely say that my sleep has improved a lot. I get the vivid dreams but I like them because before I started smoking I used to get very vivid dreams so it makes me feel like things are going back to normal. I've been taking St. Johns Wort for my anxiety and it's been helping. My appetite is still shot though but in going to keep at it. I don't think I'll cut weed out of my life completely I would just like to reserve it for certain occasions like a party or camping trip instead of rocking up everyday and not even feeling the high anymore.
Only you can decide whether to smoke, and how much.
I've been smoking pot since I was 8 (youngest of an addictive family). I find quiting makes me awefull. Can't eat, can't sleep, hate everyone, depressed, anxious, grump, etc. This is all very very real. I have tried to stop 3x in the last 15 years. Each time, I'm truly suicidal by day 3-5, then by day 7 I'm more ok. HOWEVER, its tenacious. IT sneaks back on you. I'm trying to quit now. I'm in the thick of it, and I want to grab my money and chase in the worst way. I'm seriously considering NA, where I know they'll think I'm a bubblegummer, cause I just never like the other drugs, just pot. I hate this.
I feel shut out of help. ITs too mild to worry anyone, but me, I know I'm a bad parent, a bad wife, a lier to my job, and I hate it. I also love to be high, feel no pain, have no dreams.... I mean literally (little REM sleep- unless I'm 2 days clean) and no dreams, don't care what I do about my life. I'm a wasted genius, all cause I got started on weed. Just don't start, ya'll.
wow, some of these comments are terrifying
I'm 16 and I've been smoking for about a year and a half, and I started smoking daily in December
it's been three days since my last smoke (not quitting, just saving up for an ounce) and I've been feeling some withdrawal symptoms (mainly loss of appetite and nausea), but they're already starting to ebb away
I do work out three times a week so that's probably helped a decent amount
right now my biggest problem is just boredom, since it's summer and I have no friends that I do anything with, so instead of being a loser who stays home and smokes pot, I'm currently just a loser who stays home
I've also been formally diagnosed with ADD and depression, and marijuana helps greatly with both of those (especially depression, but surprisingly I'm able to pay better attention while high)
I guess I'm just scared that I'm going to turn into some of the people who've commented (no offense meant to any of you) since I have no plans on quitting while I can get away with smoking all the time
Not trying to terrify anybody, especially teenagers. ;-) Most people can smoke pot casually; for some it has medicinal value. Kinda like alcohol, eh? But for a minority of users, it can turn into a very sticky addiction. The trick is, you can't know ahead of time.
I have quit pot after 16 years of very heavy usage (smoking about 3-4 grams on a week night and around 6-7 grams on weekend days) and at first I wasn't able but after seeing a doctor I was prescribed a small quantity (10 pills) of anxiolytic drugs. At first I would take one at night before going to sleep, and half in the morning, reducing every day. It has helped me tremendously as I was able to sleep and eat, and I haven't smoked in more than a month now. I'm not saying it's the only way, since other people have done it without pills, but for those who keep trying and failing (like me) it can surely help. Be aware that anxiolytic drugs are addictive so make sure to taper out quickly. Out of the 10 pills I was prescribed, I still have 3 and a quarter left and feel no need to take them. Hope this helps! Posting anonymously because of my job.
A short course of anti-anxiety meds is common in cases of doctors with alcoholic patients trying to quit.
Hello, my name is Ryan and I am addicted to Marijuana. I live in the CANNABIS CAPITAL of the world....Orange County Ca. We literally have over 300+ Marijuana dispensaries within 20 miles of my house. I have been a "medical marijuana" user and advocate for 18 years. I started out as a "patient" self medicating to cover depression and self esteem issues, and I now have gone into a full blown addict. When I was 20, I started consuming an 1/8 per week of the top shelf nug, usually between 18%-23% THC .....Then I moved to a 1/4 a week, so on and so on. Now I am consuming at least a 1/4 to a 1/2 ounce a week, and smoking waxes or butters (those not familiar with waxes and butters-they are marijuana concentrates usually ranging between 75%-90% THC). I have battled depression, and self esteem issues for years and used the cannabis to mask or coverup my inner problems. Well, about a week ago, I was smoking some wax and flower, when I started noticing my mood becoming more down and out when I was high. I couldnt figure out why this was happening so, I decided to stop, for the first time in 15+ years.....And I am going through the toughest mental anguish I have ever experienced. I feel horrible, anxiety, depression, chills, sweats, insomnia, loss of appetite, and feeling like im in a rain cloud mentally. Now, I clearly understand that I am dealing with a couple demons here…..my depression and self esteem issues from the past that I used to cover with weed, was now coming back into my life because I was smoking way too F’ing much….well, top that with the new emotions of cutting weed out, and I am having a really tough time functioning. I am on day 3 of full withdrawl, and it’s HELL! I am finally going to see someone, that can maybe help with my depression and esteem issues, but I did the weed things to myself. So, the only advice I can give, is to not abuse marijuana because the modern day ganja isn’t the ish our parents were smoking at Woodstock…..It’ is some ubber powerful stuff that will put you into a mental tailspin if you let it.
Wow, I'm surprised that this post is still open after such a long time.
I was a believer that marijuana was not addictive. And in some cases I certainly think that the biology of certain individuals can contribute to the varying effects of withdrawal from this drug. I didn't realize, though, that I had been using it to "fix" anxiety and depression that I dealt with since I was a teen. In this case, withdrawing can certainly have its challenges and I am definitely no exception to that.
After I had stopped smoking I experienced the usual side effects. Excessive sweating, lack of appetite, lethargy, restlessness, lack of sleep, no motivation, unable to concentrate. After a certain amount of time, probably two or three weeks, it got FREAKY. The deep depression set in and the anxiety was overwhelming. I experienced extreme panic, racing heart, racing thoughts, depersonalization, and I thought I was going mad. When I would walk around, everything seemed to float around me, my vision was all distorted, everything in my line of vision was bouncing with every step, the floor would look like it would be moving. I became completely glued to my couch, I could not do the simplest of tasks, could not care for myself, take a shower, fix dinner. Super paranoid. Since I had experienced anxiety and depression for years, I can say this new set of symptoms was worse than I've ever experienced in the past. It was the most awful, terrifying, helpless feeling I ever had in my life.
I ended up checking myself into a psychiatric hospital, where I was stabilized with antidepressants and antianxiety medication. It was the last thing I wanted to do, because I had successfully tapered from them in the past. By the recommendation of my psychiatrist, I also checked into a 30 day rehab facility that specializes in mood disorders, ie Depression, anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety ALONG with substance abuse. It is so very common to quell our feelings and emotions with substance abuse. I now realize that was the worst thing I could've ever done and I think to this day I am still suffering the consequences, although I am feeling better.
I have respect for all sides of the story. I know that it affects different people in many, many different ways. But for those who say toughen up, it's all in your head, you are weak, etc. you haven't lived through what I went through when I withdrew from marijuana. And the sheer amount of posts on this blog entry seem to point to the fact that indeed, withdrawal from marijuana exists. I would never hope on my worst enemy the ordeal that I had to endure. It was extremely painful, I was off on disability from work for three months, my family went through hell, and they still struggle with my mood swings, depression, lack of motivation. My brain and chemical imbalances will level themselves out to the point where I can live my life the way I did some years ago before I used drugs and alcohol to mask the problems.
I am now learning to live my life free of weed and booze. With weed, I never knew what I was getting, who knows what was in those bags, all I cared about was the high. I'm not seeking an antidepressant high. I'm seeking to regulate a very f'ed up brain, and in my case the SSRI is helping greatly in conjunction with therapy, meditation, diet, vitamins, yoga... It's a journey well worth it. Now I know better.
Thanks for letting me ramble and share my story.
Indeed, this post is still active. Which does tell you something. I would have to be one crazed DEA shill to sit around forging all these comments, but that's what I have been accused of doing from time to time. Who has the energy. ;)
I just want to pass on that I have been listening to Rick Collingwood's hynosis cd called Quitting Marijuana and I have found it an excellent help. I listen to it in bed each night right now. I can buy it from I Tunes for $10 - it's definitely helping me. Just thought I pass this along.
My wife and I have been smoking together pretty consistently throughout our 14 year marriage. We generally smoke 1-3 times daily on average, and not a large quantity, but high quality. She took two extended breaks during pregnancy, but I continued to smoke. Our children are increasingly aware of our actions so we have made several attempts to break free. One of us (usually me) will relent and we will buy 'one more time.'. It's a familiar pattern.
As of this writing, we have 10 days clear, and the insomnia and anxiety is pretty relentless. Emotions are raw, and old stuff having nothing to do with smoking has surfaced. Less than a week after our 14th anniversary we are considering divorce. We both have deep psychological issues, which years of weed smoking obscured. Buried in plain sight.
This is not merely a marajuana addiction issue, obviously, but it is uncanny timing nonetheless. This time quitting is for real, as I need to stand up and be a better father, and person in general. I believe marajuana smoking has left me emotionally stunted, and I have to face the realities of life head on without a crutch, however painful this may be.
This article, and the many posts, have provided some timely comfort. I appreciate the objective science of the article, and can relate to many of the posters stories. Thank you.
Well, here's something positive: I've discovered that it gets easier the more times you try to quit (at least, for me). And, the more knowledge you have on the subject the easier it is as well.
I originally came across Dirk's blog here back in June 2010. It's interesting how i came across the blog. I had quit smoking pot (because my source dried up and for the first time I couldn't find another) and immediately started to have all sorts of problems. It didn't occur to me that it was withdrawal. What I originally thought was that I had an anxiety disorder and the reason it had never affected me before was because I was treating it with marijuana without knowing it. So, one night (after I had found another source and resumed smoking) I was searching my symptoms on Google, in anticipation of finding sites about anxiety disorders with advice and treatment information. One of the first matches in Google was this blog. Once I landed on this page, I was stunned to see every symptom I had, A to Z. Sorry if this is gross; I even discovered the diarrhea I was having the past 2 days was listed. I wasn't even including that in my searches; I didn't think it was related to anything. It made me decide I wanted to quit. That night, I smoked a bowl and told myself it was my last. The next day, I started to kind of leave a daily diary on here each day, giving updates on my progress (I did this for the next 7 days. I just went back and found my posts, if you're curious look for the post by Matt on June 3, 2010 10:49 PM; that was my first one). That, and reading experiences of others helped me more that I can describe. At the time this blog was at about 800 or so posts, and I shit you not I read them all up until that point. After about 20-25 days things finally started to get better, and the symptoms started to subside.
Ultimately though, I failed. About 2 months later I started smoking again. Don't know why, think i just kind of missed it. I originally set a limit to myself, with the determination i would limit myself to one bowl every 2 weeks. This seemed to go okay at first, but after a couple months of this, I then started to increase the frequency. Another month goes by, and I was once again smoking all day, every day.
6 days ago, after 2 more years of heavy smoking, I quit again. It's definitely easier this time. I have all the same symptoms I did before, but this time about half the magnitude. I think about this differences this time around: I had been through it before, and I now know a lot more about the subject. I knew exactly what to expect this time. To tell the truth, I was actually scared shitless to try again because of how awful it was last time. But, I finally got the balls to grit my teeth and do it again.
This time around, I can actually control my anger and anxiety. Oh don't get me wrong, I'm suffering but I'm actually controlling it this time so far. Last time, my life did nothing but get worse while i was going through it. This time, it's getting better while i go through it. Kind of have reservations about thinking this way though; it might result in me letting my guard down. On the other hand it feels good to allow myself to feel some relief that it's easier than last time. Will this finally be the time I kick weed for good? Don't know... I've learned to stop promising myself that because I just end up disappointing myself each time. But, I can say every time I get stronger.
This blog is amazing. Dirk, I have no doubt you realize you help people, but I seriously think this blog is unique and offers something other programs can't. I remember in 2010 thinking how remarkable it was how old this blog was and how strong it was still going.
Now, 2 years later It's STILL going strong. I don't think I've ever seen that before from a blog after 5+ years. I can definitely tell you that most of the success I've had (if it can be considered I had any success considering I still haven't kicked it 100%) is thanks to this blog. NA didn't do shit for me, nor did a rehab center when i was younger. Also, thank you so much for everybody that posts on here. Your stories give me strength. I hope I'm returning that by giving you strength by my words. I have a feeling that over the next few days I'm going to end up reading the remaining 400 or so posts I haven't read yet that from the past 2 years.
Hey Matt, thanks for the kind thoughts. When I started this discussion thread all those years ago, I certainly had no idea it would turn into a marijuana withdrawal support board and reference center. But I'm glad it did, since it gives people like you a chance to connect their symptoms to something they might not expect to be the cause.
Ive been an every day smoker since I was 20. I am 34 now. I made the decision to start cutting back a few months ago when weed started giving me a lot of paranoia whenever I would smoke.
It eventually became a double edged sword for me. When I would puff, I would feel horrible. However, the less that I was puffing, the more horrible I would feel when I was sober.
I had been dealing with a lot of personal issues and life changes at this time and I really began to think that this sudden onset of serious anxiety was due to that, never realizing that it could be because my body was having difficulty functioning without the herb.
Anyways, I had horrible bowel problems and nausea for the first two weeks that I had really cut back. I went to the doctor twice, thinking that I was dealing with some sort of illness. About this same time, i began dealing with intense anxiety that I thought was being brought on by school stress, a nasty breakup, and a wonderful new woman in my life.
Ive been dealing with intense anxiety, some associated minor depression, some light dizzy spells when walking outside, and a great deal of difficulty concentrating. I havent had any problems sleeping, but I have been having the wildest, most vivid dreams. Football fans might find it interesting to hear that I had the most realistic dream about smoking a blunt with Donald Driver (at a minor league baseball game nonetheless) the other night.
Anyways, just wanted to say thanks to the sites creator. If I hadnt had access to this information in addition to a few other things Ive been reading online I think I would be about ready to lose it.
Im seriously looking forward to a long, happy, and healthy life of pursuing my career, the new love in my life, and reengaging with the important things that I have been ignoring the past 14 years. Good luck to all, the herb was my best friend for years but I dont think Ill ever touch it again.
I made the 9-24-12 post about my issues with coming off of years of smoking and I wanted to share something....
After reading quite a few entries on this site, I decided to give that
5-htp supplement a try yesterday. Prior to this, I have been taking multiple B vitamins, a normal multi vitamin, and fish oil for several months.
I had been suffering from severe anxiety and some depression for almost 6 weeks now after most staying away from smoking. Literally, within an hour of taking a 50 mg dose of the 5-htp supplement things totally turned around. I have felt the best in the past two days that I have felt in months. The anxiety is mostly gone, I have been able to concentrate better than I have in awhile (Im in a doc program), and my mood has totally lifted.
I just wanted to share this as it sounds like many people have dealt with the same shit that I have. I would suggest reading up on this supplement to see if it is for you, there are some concerns about its use, but those mostly seem based on some contaminants that were added to the supplement in years past. Im going to give this a shot for a few weeks and eventually ween myself off.
Just wanted to share, this has had an AMAZING effect on me. Good luck to you all.
Just a quick comment for anyone having a lot of trouble with sleeping...try melatonin. This has helped me a lot with the sleep problems I've been having from quitting.
And the other symptoms are so much easier to deal with when you actually have some sleep...you probably won't get 8 hours, but it's something when otherwise you'd be getting no sleep at all.
Just be careful not to overdo your dose, stay safe.
There's no evidence of any physical withdrawal from quitting pot. It's not like crystal meth or coce or actual hard drugs not to mention CRACK n heroin. Think about it. Pot's a completely harmless plant and whoever claims they get withdrawal from pot are just a bunch of fuckin retarded PUSSSIES!!
I think this is a wonderfully informative forum, so well done to all the posters and especially to Dirk. I have spent the last few hours reading posts which I empathise with and relate to. My one concern is the lack of post-success follow-ups. Despite the hundreds of posts I have read, conspicuous by their absence are the success stories. I have read plenty of posts from people 14/30/45/60 even 90 days into their 'sobriety', but all from struggling people still suffering adverse effects and it's begining to make me think that smoking in moderation could be the answer as opposed to complete abstinence which, by the accounts I have read so far, lead to long-term and ongoing difficulties - particularly, a feeling of flatness and loss of engagement in life. I appreciate Dirk's reluctance to acknowlege other peoples advice who advocate moderation againsty complete abstinence, but where is his empirical evidence for this stance; not from this forum, from what I have read. Can Dirk respond to this objectively, and can some of the winners (if any) who have been through the mill and come out of it successfully with a positively changed existence please recount some of their success stories. Lack of such posts has left me feeling somewhat skeptical that absolute abstinence can be almost as counter productive as continued use.
For some people, abstinence turns out to be the only successful approach.
It's not surprising that long-term success stories are in shorter supply here than near-term distress. When people get better, they tend to move on. They don't always come back and report on their situation.
Hi.....I'm not a habitual smoker....I did date one though and left him (thank God). My case is I had the flu and it left me with a terrible cough which I NEEDED to get rid of. Now when they say that you never know how good you had it till you're in a worse situation, they knew what they were talking about. A friend of mine innocently gave me some weed to help with the cough and I put a small amount in food. Needless to say, the drug literally woke me up with a crazy ASS dream and if it wasn't for the buddhism that I practice I don't even want to think of what would've happened, well maybe nothing would've happened but it was a HORRIBLE feeling to say the least..panic....INTENSE anxiety...night sweats...EVERYTHING you guys mentioned. I'm in my 4th week after that reaction and the anxiety comes on strong with tinglings in my legs particularly...horrible...and yes the feeling of losing control...completely unpleasant. There is help though. Guanabana leaves or tea made with soursop leaves helps or garlic in food or in tea or chamomile tea. DO NOT I cannot reiterate enough DO NOT take sleeping pills or painkillers or cold medicine. Those make it better at first but worse real quick. ABSOLUTELY 100% NO ALCOHOL!! I found this out the hard way. But this forum and others help tremendously in knowing that I'm not alone. Thanks so much you guys. Continue to help others to get OFF that HORRID drug!
Hi.....I'm not a habitual smoker....I did date one though and left him (thank God). My case is I had the flu and it left me with a terrible cough which I NEEDED to get rid of. Now when they say that you never know how good you had it till you're in a worse situation, they knew what they were talking about. A friend of mine innocently gave me some weed to help with the cough and I put a small amount in food. Needless to say, the drug literally woke me up with a crazy ASS dream and if it wasn't for the buddhism that I practice I don't even want to think of what would've happened, well maybe nothing would've happened but it was a HORRIBLE feeling to say the least..panic....INTENSE anxiety...night sweats...EVERYTHING you guys mentioned. I'm in my 4th week after that reaction and the anxiety comes on strong with tinglings in my legs particularly...horrible...and yes the feeling of losing control...completely unpleasant. There is help though. Guanabana leaves or tea made with soursop leaves helps or garlic in food or in tea or chamomile tea. DO NOT I cannot reiterate enough DO NOT take sleeping pills or painkillers or cold medicine. Those make it better at first but worse real quick. ABSOLUTELY 100% NO ALCOHOL!! I found this out the hard way. But this forum and others help tremendously in knowing that I'm not alone. Thanks so much you guys. Continue to help others to get OFF that HORRID drug!
First of all, blogs and sources like these are the real gems of the internet. I could relate to so many stories, feel supported and strong over a web of ideas and people. The first comment was written 4 years ago, i came upon reading most of them and hoping to see the post still going so i can share so of my experiment with abusing marijuana meaning chronic usage. Knowing that my comment will stay here for many other to come across and read truly drives me to give some advice to, especially to young fellas, when the time is young.
Being a person who has many friends and relatives smoking, i had a great chance to observe this people and myself which is the most important. You must REALIZE that you are not normal and have a drug addiction problem unless you have very exigent circumstances to do so (cancer, psychological disorder). Dependency will change your brain chemistry and how neurotransmitters work. They will take time to get back to normal, varying on time substance was abused, amount and frequency. You must be able to take charge in your life and quit. Marijuana might increase your senses of excitement and creativity when high but it will damage it in long term, causing dependency.
I am 25 years old, a chronic smoker for 2 years, everyday. I was 17 when i first tried it and kept smoking occasionally until i met my ex-wife, i was badly in love, everything seemed different, i just stopped and haven't smoked again for 3 years until we broke up and divorced. First it was everyday, then midday, then wake and bake, then building your life on top of your pot habits, you know the drill, pathetic. I quit yesterday, i'm not feeling that bad yet but i smoked and quit cigarettes and experienced mj withdrawal symptoms even from occasional (3 times a week) usage so i am prepared. You character and perseverance will determine how succesfull you are and you have the key to success. Do WHATEVER it takes but don't do it. Come back to reality. I had good time on weed, wrote great term papers, got honors twice, made great public speeches and the sex, girls would just love how much work and concentration i would put into it :) Made me smarter and more practical but somehow over this 2 year period i thought my brain these things as a habit, i can still do these things, i don't need to be high. I also run track and do weight training for years now, you have no idea how much weed has limited my potential and capacity. I just can't live this miserable life anymore plus i love lucid dreams! Good luck to all you people. There is no better drug.
Stay strong, keep your mind clear!
Well, here I am again, quitting again. I have posts from June 2011 (began using again) and June 2012 (began using again).
I am simply a marijuana addict. The drug is so alluring to me that even as I enter day 7 of quitting and am starting to feel good, I thinking when I can resume smoking (on a limited basis of course...yeah right!!)
I will tell you this from my experience, Marijuana distances me from life. Every time I get back into it my relationship with my fiance suffers. I feel less connected to her and we develop problems. I withdraw from activities, family, friends and work. However, it happens so slowly that it is hard to recognize. It's not like my buddy's heroin addict brother who starts shooting after cycling and is in county in a few weeks. The adverse effects of marijuana creep up on me, it is a sneaky drug that way.
And how do I know I'm an addict? Because it always starts out the same. I tell myself I will only smoke on weekends, then I somehow justify a third day, and so on until I am smoking multiple hitters a day, every day.
This time it was the thanksgiving holiday that woke me up. Let me put it to you this way, I was high for 5 straight days (I had been trying to limit my use to one hitter a day, didn't work). Not good.
Oh well, I'm experiencing all the same withdrawals (headache, nausea, trouble sleeping, reduced appetite, irritability). However, having quit so many times I am actually feeling good about being sober. Therefore, the anxiety and depression aren't AS prevalent. I look forward to getting back to my life and having a better connection with my girl. I actually miss these things when I get to into my addiction. However, as I stated, the drug is sneaky and I usually don't quit until those issues have been plaguing me for quite some time.
Thanks Dirk for the blog. It's a great support for me. And folks, marijuana is not a life enhancer. Yes, maybe for those who can use very sparingly, but for people like me, the use follows all the patterns of a junkie. I have to document this so when I return (and let's be honest, statistics say I will), I can remind myself why I am again quitting. It's day 7 and I'm starting to feel better, more connected, more motivated, more positive about, well, everything. Though I miss the high, it really is not worth it.
You're most welcome. The bottom line is that yes, there are a lot of behaviors and emotions and thought patterns that are similar across different addictive drugs. Junkie thinking, like you say. When the idea of going without becomes unimaginable...
By the way, I am so pleased that this comment-section-turned-health-support board continues to attract new posts and new people and returning veterans. Little did I know what would come of that initial post. Thanks to all for your participation.
Drik :
i would like to thank you for time you take to maintain this blog.i smoked constantly since 15 and now am 26. 3-5 x per day , as much as i could. I am only my 8th day smoke freee and and this blog has really allowed me to open my eyes and see that there is hope. This last week i have been completely helpless it seemed,sick, anxeity, depression , everything. I never realized the physical withdrawal symptons i could experience. Its quite scary.I would have my ups and downs , and seem only normal after going to an NA meeting. I felt as if i was the only going through these crazy symptons. i didnt know what to do or who to turn to. More and more each day im beginning to realize i created this mess personally, and stumbling upon this blog , i feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted off my shoulders. i have wanted to do nothin more than smoke over these last couple days but i know how that story ends. My decision to quit was personal. I came to the realization that even thought i enjoyed being high , it had a negative affect on my family and most importanly fiancee. I was being selfish , i know that after reading this its not magic and i know im going to have rough days ahead , but the idea that im not alone is something that is really starting to put me at ease. I guess im writing this in hopes that other people will have the same experience i have reading this. And again Dirk thanks for helping out with this, it really helps.
Very glad you found it useful
Dirk and Fellow Addicts:
I would like to write everyone and let you know how the progression has been going. I am currently on day 14 and am very thankful to report MOST of the withdrawal have dwindled and are much more manageable now. The first week was complete torture and im sure some are still suffering now , but goal is to let everyone know there is HOPE. You will begin to Function normally , appreciate not being constantly high , and realize what an accomplishment you have made. 1 month ago i would argue that MJ is not addictive and i would smoke for the rest of life, boy was i wrong. The anxiety is something im learning to deal with, esp after ive been to 3 heart doctors absolutley convinced i had something wrong. Reading from a few other posts i realized i wasnt the only one who thought like that, and am glad to report that i am A OK, with 1 doctor even telling me i had to strongest to heart that ever walked into his office. So again i just want to let everyone still sick and struggling , you can do this and it WILL get better. I was a heavy HEAVY smoker for ten years and am already starting to feel the my body and lungs feeling great. Everyone has to understand polluting your body with chemicals over a long period of time will take adjustment, but you will get better. i will keep you guys updated as progression continues seeing it seems not to many do , but again Dirk and fellow addicts thanks for everything this blog has provided me. Hope every has a Merry Christmas!!!!
Great news, good info. Merry Christmas!
Everyday smoker for the past 18 years, with just an 8 month break and maybe a couple more weeks-months here and there.
Other than that, i am talking about some HEAVY use, at least 6 grams per day and some times up to 10, started off with tobacco-weed joints, went on to pure blunts, and finally ended up on HEAVY Vaporizer use... and i'm talking about more than 15 HUGE volcano bags of dense vapor per day!
Result? I am now running towards the end of my 4th week(after cold turkey) with extreme anxiety (increases during the night), abnormal heart pulpitations,Extremely vivid dreams-nightmares-wet dreams (all kinds almost every night), loose stools, insomnia, mood swings, anger, feelings of hate,(broke up with my 8 year relationship), rage, depression, dry eyes, EXTREME thirst (i drink 10 liters per day), bloody gums (didnt bother washing teeth properly cos i was too stoned all the time), disorientation, nausea and dizzy spells some times, feeling of difficulty in breathing (i think its stress related), impossible to concentrate, tired in the mornings,(difficult waking up), frequent urination 20 times per day (as i said 10 liters water per day,lol) ...irritability, extreme memory loss, feeling really high every now and then, as if i had consumed a space cake or something... things get a bit better when i go cycling all day long, extremely weak muscles and soft to the point where my knees started hurting from the bones not being supported by muscles anymore(!) i even started loosing small amounts of pee after urination, due to extreme relaxation... i'm shure i can find more stuff if i think about them, but its night right now, and as i said, anxiety kicks in, so i just wanted to encourage others who are in the same path....but yeah, the worse side effect for me since i m trying to be an artist, was the extreme lack of creativity, mainly due to the foggy mind and lazyness....i am never going back to this state, i might have a spiritual vapor but that will be just once and not very soon since as i see it, i have a loooong way ahead of me.....the one and only time i stopped for 8 months, i felt every month as a totally new me to discover....this shit takes time to detoxify, mainly the mental state it gets you in. Had some wild times tho, i have to admit it, but now its time to wake up.....sober world seems so intoxicating right now....it's more magical and interesting than the Maryjane trip....i was always a advocate of reaching the extremes in whatever you do, so yeah, i guess i might get some kind of a reward for it, in the sense that, i now have a full blown trip to deal with, SOBRIETY.
Happy new year everyone just wanted to check in and give some updates. Friday jan 4 will be 30 days smoke free and I couldn't feel better. The anxiety and depression have subsided dramatically and I am starting to feel like myself again which us a high in it self. Unfortunately I had a tragic experience recently when I lost my brother in law on Christmas due to a drug overdose , It really hit me hard, but more importantly it has shown me even more how precious life really is and even further motivation to break my drug addiction. Drugs are just a terrible terrible thinG. But fellow smokers again there is hope in breaking the vicious cycle of smoking , and just to let everyone know don't leave 5 minutes before the magic happens. Life is better without drugs , keep pushing the fight , I will give updates as I continue on my journey with self recognition and a drug free life. Again dirk thanks this blog your doing a great job!!!!!!!
Thanks for your post, ive been smoking pot for about 12 years consistently and been off now for 5 days. The last two nights I drenched my bed sheets and last night I found myself having night terrors. I dreamt that my I'll aunty died as well as my best friend, I've never had such a vivid dream. I woke up crying and saturated, my partner wasn't happy do I moved to the spare room and the same thing happened. Not so much on the anxiety or depression at this stage but reading this article had given me both determination to get off it and peace of mind to expect what's coming!
Fxck you weed, thought you were my comfort with no side effects or physical addictive ness...
This should be common knowledge as I learned in school that weed wasn't physically addictive'
you are fine dont quit. nixon said is bad doesnt mean you have a problem. God gave it to us to have, learn to control and use less quantities. dont feel like you have a problem because you want it or miss it, you dont. you do need it, its medicine for our minds. Dont let people make you feel like a junkie because youre not.
"This should be common knowledge as I learned in school that weed wasn't physically addictive"
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We all did. And for most people (just like with alcohol) it's true. For the unlucky few, it doesn't work that way. If it makes you feel any better, well into the 1980s, cocaine was considered by many scientists to be a nonaddictive drug. ;)
I came across this site because I'm planning to quit smoking weed in a couple of days when i run out. I started smoking when i was 16 and started to smoke daily from 17 to now, almost 24. The longest i've quit for was two weeks and i experienced all the things other people have described. The heaviest i smoked was around 15 bongs a day down to 4 or 5 on average, now 1 or 2 bongs a day for the past 2 weeks.
For me the reasons I smoke/ed are escapism, bordom,temporary relief of anxiety and adhd. I think what intensified my habit was trying to escape the pain of losing my dad to a terminal illness when i was 16, and the anxiety that developed out of watching him slowly get worse and worse, knowing that i was going to lose him soon. I also later used hallucinogens alot for a year or two, lsd, mushrooms and dmt for the same reasons but managed to quit all that 2 years ago. For this whole time I was a functional addict, I was always either studying or employed full time, but my social life was poor. The reason im finally quitting is i've had enough of my addiction controlling me and holding me back.
It's comforting to read other peoples comments about going through the same thing and succeeding.
I'm dreading the withdrawls but after reading through here I've got a few ideas how to make it less shit. I've used valerian, passiflora incarnata, and erythrina mulungu to assist with sleep before. I'm going to get some b vitamins and omega 3's. I sometimes take L-theanine when I drink coffee to take away the jittery anxious feeling, so i'll try that but i think i shouldnt drink coffee either while im trying to kick it. Also going to start exercising again.
Wish me luck.
It sounds like a tired cliche, but lots of people swear by regular exercise during withdrawal.
Hello fellow recovering marijuanna abusers. I'm just checking in topmost my progress as I said I would to help anyone who is still suffering. I'm very proud to say that on Sunday I will be celebrating my 60 days drug free and am extremely excited about this. The road hasn't been easy and I continue to struggle but I can see the tide turn more and more everyday. It's funny to think that we can abuse drugs for multiple years and than expect instant recovery once we decide to stop. I've learned first hand that isn't the case. Most of my symptoms have subsided dramatically and each day seems to be exciting because I feel I learn something new about the REAL me. I would be lying if I I didn't tell you I still struggle with anxiety on a daily basis, but not nearly as much as the first two weeks. So anyone dealing with that now please understand it will get better , give it time. I learning how to feel , not live in a constant state of fuzz which is why I believe I'm feeling these things I've never felt before. During my research into marijuanna absue I discover that although marijuanna may seem fairly safe , it is also know to bring some psychological issues to the surfaces that might have been suppressed had I not began my drug use. Well ladies and gents , every action has consequences and this is what I'm facing. I know I can beat it tho and I have faith that everyone on here can too. Exercise has playe da major difference in giving me a boost , try it , it won't kill ya lol. Fruits , vegetables , and clean eating will also give you an advantage to feeling strong And healthy. Both physically and mentally . Talk to people , find someone you are comfortable with and don't be shy to chew their ear off. I'm very blessed and fortunate to have a wonderful fiancée who is helping me through such a challenging time. Get out and do things you never wanted to do high. This is your new life , learn to enjoy it. For me it's simple , my family and girl mean more to me than any high a strain of bud can give me. Find what works and motivates you and stick to it. All these things I've said have been constantly repeated on this site , And i believe it was a stroke of fate that I stumbled upon this forum, and can't thank Dirk enough for creating this. I just wanted to keep you guys updated take the advice many have given to me , keep the fight up , we don't have to be a slave to a drug. Will check back soon to provide update!!!!!! Thanks dirk
"It's funny to think that we can abuse drugs for multiple years and than expect instant recovery once we decide to stop."
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Great comments. And thanks for the kind words.
Last had weed on New Years Eve, so around 37 days into withdrawal - I tend to binge use it when I have it, and then stop, so I've experienced all the symptoms before.
There are a couple I wanted to ask about, though..
At around days 21 to 30 my digestive system began making noises you could hear from feet away - loud creaking sounds accompanied by, er, flatulence.
That went away for a week or so and has now returned.
Seems I'm getting "air locks" in my intestines (?) which varies from mild amusement (we're British, as a nation we find that funny for some reason) to moderate discomfort.
This is often accompanied by a dry mouth and I'm assuming it's still related to the weed. I'm fascinated to know what's causing this, though, can anyone shed any light?
The other one: itching. I have a house dust mite allergy and I had always assumed that to be the cause of this itching phenomenon. It comes and goes.
Lie down to sleep. Feel tired. No particular worries or stresses. Just on the verge of falling asleep and start itching randomly. A few minutes later I'm so wide awake that I won't sleep. That in itself then makes me feel tense and irritated.
However this never, ever occured when stoned. The question "is marijuana a natural antihistamine" has been asked on forums and the generally held view is "No", perhaps the drug simply "overpowers" the allergy.
Or, is this itching actually part of the withdrawal, can anyone relate to that?
Thanks.
I'm curious to know whether anyone else has experienced itching problems.
I just wanted to note that recent encounters I've had with drug policy officials leads me to believe that we are making progress on increasing public understanding of marijuana as an addictive substance for some of its users. More and more scientists and users are saying the same thing, and it's basically what we've been saying here in this comment thread for several years. So congratulions, you all have helped move the debate forward, I am convinced.
I only smoked MJ for 4-6 months once a week - maybe twice a couple times on the weekend as a recreation thing. Most was vaped at 220 degrees and shared with another, breathed deeply probably 10-12 times each time. It was a very smelly and potent type for someone as novice as me in hindsight.
After ending up in the emergency room on mid-Dec. with tachycardia (140bpm), I decided to quit. I made the mistake of taking one puff in early Jan. and ended up in the emergency room the next day after work with what I now know was a panic attack. My heart is good, EKG normal, stress test negative, haven't heard about a 24 hr heart monitor yet, but no family history of bad hearts.
After that I had palpitations which faded over the next days with a return to normality but after starting exercise and dieting in early March, I was struck by a feeling of an over-active nervous system followed by palpitations the following 3 days during work and then anxiety leading to a panic attack over a week ago and another visit to the ER.
Now 51 days after last touching pot, I have been fighting horrible insomnia the past week, which makes everything worse. I am scheduled to see a shrink on Monday, but am at a real low.
I was told by someone who went through this that THC or its metabolites are in my fat and I must exercise and use a sauna to get them out quicker than the body would normally do and/or eat a rigid diet from a fat standpoint of the same amount to slow down the THC/metabolite fat burn to an acceptable level as it affects you when released into the blood in too high a concentration.
I must say after my first half mile run in forever last week and a 20 minutes in the gym sauna, I felt normal that evening, even great.
Having done exercise/sauna again today, I still feel some symptoms of nervous anxiety in the gut area and my head not feeling right. The insomnia is really bad for me as my overacting nervous system just seems to hum more when I try to sleep and when I try to doze off, I get jolts that wake me.
Would be helpful if anyone had solid information on what might help with the insomnia and anxiety/overactive nerves or any suggestions.
Been smoking weed heavily for around 8 years. Smoking mostly blunts, bong and some vape in my younger days. I would range from 2-15 blunts a day and just quit. (smoking about a 1/8 a day) withdrawals have been everything mentioned in this post but i believe since I'm withdrawing from the tobacco from the blunts it has increased my withdrawal symptoms. Body aches, fever was around 103 with a total case of insomnia. Been taking sleeping pills to go to sleep at night. Lack of appetite in morning mostly and usually eat first meal in the afternoon. Having loose stools from time-time and biggest problem has prob. been irritability and the feeling basically that taking a bong rip will make all these symptoms go away:P I'm 22yr and the fact that i had the feeling of having to get high to enjoy certain things or to get through others isn't a promising one. Stopped smoking for 6 months and got more done in that 6 months than the rest of the other 7.5 years combined.
I first posted on the 27th of January, last smoked on the 20th of Feb. So far 24 days of being weed free and I feel ALOT better. The first two weeks were very tough, I was extremely irratible at everything and everyone, hardly ate anything, had loose stools,and my lungs felt sore and itchy and was feeling pretty depressed.
I started taking SAMe 400mg in the morning soon after I quit and I feel it made a difference in not feeling so depressed, although I can't say for sure. Aswell as L-Theanine to reduce anxiety. After I felt that my brain chemistry had somewhat normalised after 2 weeks I stopped taking them.
One of the worst withdrawl affects I had was the nightmares. Which were very violent and disturbing although reduced in severity as time went on, and I don't get them anymore, just sort of normal dreams now. But at first they were very vivid and real, and I would somtimes wake up in the middle of the night in relief I wasn't dead/killed someone/going to jail/ being extorted only to fall asleep again and pick right up where i left off. What helped me was thinking that all this was just my body detoxing and brain reaching chemical equilibrium.
Time also moves slower and there is more of it in a day when your not high. My memory has improved and I have greater clarity of thought. I also no longer eat junk food because it was something I'd eat alot of when high, I don't see the point anymore and only associate it with being high. Which is a good thing seeing as I have lost 5 kilos without trying. You also save money be not being hungry all the time.
So after smoking weed everyday for the last 8 years, if I can quit then so can anyone else. Not that its easy, but that its possible.
I am on day 9 and it is hell .thank god for your posts and your strength in this battle. You have inspired me to keep plodding on. Same problems as every one here. I hear weed clings to fat cells. I'm sure the brain itself is made mostly of pure fat. Or so I've heared . This is serious detox wish my brain could actually sweat this devil out lol but it's gonna be hard. Yeah just detox with added dream chemicals and other chemicals. Carry on chaps doing great
Marijuana addiction is very real and very powerful. I have used all sorts of drugs in my time, from pot to cocaine. The thing is that I have never been addicted to any of them except for pot.
I know this is a terrible addiction because I have been able to beat it before. It took literally months of restlessness and awful withdrawal symptoms but finally they went away. What didn't go away is the craving. When confronted with the opportunity to smoke again I took it up full force like I never quit.
So long story short, here I am again going through all sorts of withdrawal. I can't focus on work and I imagine this message will be disjointed as my concentration is almost nothing and my fingers are trembling. The anxiety that I feel has only been rivaled by the first time I came off it.
I seems like few people can understand what some of us are going through. I imagine those that are saying this is all in the mind are people that either haven't stopped smoking or simply haven't been doing it long or often enough. I started smoking when I was 17 and I am now 34 if you had asked me if I was addicted while my addiction was in full swing I would have told you I wasn't.
Denial is part of gaining dependency on a substance. Society in general seems to be in denial about the dependency that pot can form. Therefore there is very little support out there for those of us who have fallen victim to it.
I want to beat this so badly and become clean again. I don't know why I'm writing this other than to put it in writing and maybe someone will read it and relate.
Best of luck to anyone who has found this blog and is making an HONEST effort to see their habit for what it is.
This is probably the best conversation about cannabis withdrawal syndrome on the Internet.
I won't tell a long story; it is very much the same as many on here, only I honestly don't feel huge cravings, I just want to get some decent sleep! I usually go through a little over 3 months of pretty brutal insomnia before I can sleep normally again.
It's perhaps my 5th or 6th time quitting, after smoking nightly some relatively mild pot for a few years now. And by years I mean decades. The nightly use hasn't really jived with my lifestyle for a long while now, so not smoking is more of a mental relief than anything else.
Anyway, I have no panacea, but I do want to describe what has helped me.
I noticed one time when I had a cold while quitting, that cold medication helped me get to sleep faster. I'm talking Neo Citran (here in Canada), which contains pheniramine maleate (20mg) and phenylephrine hydrochloride (10mg). Gravol also works (dimenhydrinate) - it's related to phenylephrine I believe, which is why I started taking Gravol (a 1/2 tablet, twice per night, usually).
Either one doesn't help prolong sleep by any great extent, but it does help a bit. I usually find when I am taking one or the other, I am still waking up at about 4am, take another half-tablet, wait for it to take affect, and fall asleep again. But my sleep is still sporadic at best, the nightmares I have I think I'll remember for the rest of my life, and it feels like my sleep deprivation is cumulative -- unlike regular insomnia, I do find relief by taking more time to sleep, staying in bed longer (when I can), etc.
But, I can really get a bit crazy after all the sleeplessness, can't make decisions, very emotional, and let me put it this way, I have a better understanding of my bipolar friends in that I truly feel manic if I let it go on too long.
Anyway, I've tried a few pharmaceuticals (under Dr.'s care), some of which have helped, most of which haven't. I've spent a lot of time over the years researching medical journals and it's been frustrating to find that each time I've done the searches, nothing pops up that seems to have a truly good effect (which is strange, I mean, there are good drugs for alcohol, cocaine and even meth withdrawal... why not cannabis?).
One thing that has helped me, I found in a journal article last year that actually did show some promising results -- gabapentin.
I'm taking it now, and I have to say it does help, especially with the nightmares and waking up in a sweat. I don't have nightmares (i have regular dreams, which is amazing on its own, as I don't ever really dream when I smoke), I don't wake up many times over the course of a night with a start/panic much anymore, either.
I actually sleep rather solidly. Problem is, it's only about 5 hours of solid sleep, not the 7 or 8 I really need to keep the craziness at bay.
So, gabapentin has worked for me to an extent, and I'm pretty happy it has. At least, it's something, where before, aside from the Neo Citran or Gravol, there was nothing.
I'm really working a lot these days, and that helps. Judging by what's been talked about here, I really should take up a fair amount of exercise (in the past quits though, getting exercise at night really made trying to get to sleep worse, as I was really wound up for hours afterward).
Good thing it's spring, I guess.
Oh, and if someone wants to reply to what I've written, saying that what I say I go through is BS, etc., that I just want pot to stay illegal, I have news... I am very much in support of legalization and regulation (like alcohol), and also, you can kiss my a**. You really have no idea what you're talking about.
Thanks for your comments, and I'm happy to hear that gabapentin was useful for you. People say it again and again: They've had withdrawals when they quit before, but THIS TIME they're just gonna sail right thru it. Usually wishful thinking.
Hi, I have a coment to make about inflammatory bowel disease and cannabis.
I am 38 and was a regular cannabis user for over 20 years and struggled with cycles of addiciton and withdrawal the entire time. My symptoms of withdrawal mirrors those on this list, as do many of my pot smoking peers.
Now I stopped smoking about a year ago and soon afterward developed inflammatory bowel disease, either Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. The onset of the disease was unusually rapid and severe and I was hopsitalised for a long time and was lucky to avoid surgery.
Now there has been a lot of research in the last decade about the effects of cannabis as an anti-inflammatory in the gut and the presence of cannabnoid receptors in the gut. I can't help but wonder if the cessation of my cannabis use preciptated the disease. It is unusual for Crohn's to have an onset at my age. Maybe it was always there but held at bay by cannabis. Maybe the final withdrawal led to intestinal inflammation that kick started disease. Or maybe just a coincidence.
But it is worth thinking about. If cannabis can control gut inflammation, perhaps cannabis withdrawal can cause gut inflammation in susceptible indiviuals.
wow. 1100 honest posts reflecting my own dilemmas. I have apathetically watched many years of my life go by in a haze of alcoholic thc induced blur. There's no denying that the drug has effects; I think it makes us live in a bit of a dream reality, where we can manifest our thoughts, but don't have the motivation to capitalise on them? I think this is where the dream re-calibration comes in for the first few weeks. I feel like i've spent my life researching cannabis, but there isn't a trophy, except for the awesome joints I can roll now. I'm quitting whilst I still have some life left to live in an unadulterated waking state. Rather than seeing it as missing out, i'm hoping some of the enlightening properties will stay with me. vini vedi vici.
Yes, we are all cannabis research experts here. :)
Like you say, no real trophy awarded for that in life's sweepstakes...
90 days...
Well I made it to the 3 month mark yesterday and it feels good and is so worth it. There were a lot of ups and downs during that time. I had been smoking for many years and was using weed for depression but it ends up causing more problems than helping. I am now feeling so much better so don't get discouraged especially in the first week/month. I read on this message board that we lost the freedom to abstain, and I've kept that in mind. This isn't the first time I've tried to quit, but hopefully it's the last.
A few tips for others would be:
1) Be good to yourself and stay busy with other activities.
2) You need to get used to not smoking. I read one author say it takes about 4-6 weeks for that, about the same time THC leaves the body.
3) Exercise cannot be emphasized enough during this time. Six days a week for me, 3 days long walks, 3 days bike rides (regular or stationary).
4) Chamomile-Peppermint tea. 2 tea bags of chamomile and 1 of peppermint. The chamomile will help you sleep and the peppermint is good for flavor.
5) To help you sleep, use an audiobook or a good dvd. Sleep will return to normal in time, so don't get frustrated over insomnia. Dreams will return when you withdraw and will be vivid. This is your brain rewiring itself. This will return to normal in time as well.
6) Eat healthy, more fruits and vegetables and good stuff and less junk food.
7) Enjoy the journey.
Brad
Trying to quit once again after failing more times than I wish to count. On day three and dealing with the cold sweats and sleepless nights. This has happened each time I have stopped using.
I have the other symptoms described here and they are purely physical.
This time I hope to never smoke this awful plant again. I've given 17 years of my life to it and don't want to give up any more.
I know. Every time you think, "it's not gonna be that bad," and every time, it is. You just have to push through the "get worse-get better" part of it.
Returning veteran here. I have about four post over the past three years to document my usage. Well, I'm the guy who spent Thanksgiving weekend completely stoned if that gives you reference to my posts.
Anyway, predictably I got back into smoking. However, I did really keep it to a minimum this time. For example since the beginning of the new year I have only purchased two 1/8ths.
However, no matter how little I smoke, when I decide to completely cease smoking, my body and mind start to feel it. Mood swings, agitation, headaches, nausea, etc..We know withdrawal by now.
Notably, I was only smoking on weekends starting Thursdays. I started to notice I did not crave weed Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesdays. Interesting huh? But when I would try and not to smoke on Thursday night, I would feel all the withdrawal symptoms I reported in the past.
Now I was smoking only one hitter on the days I was smoking. Yet when I did not smoke on my scheduled days the feelings physical and psychological withdrawal would almost as intense as when I tried to quit as an every day, an 1/8th a week smoker. I find this to be a pretty strong anecdotal evidence for the psychologically addictive properties of this substance. I noticed the preoccupation to smoke was consumed my thinking during the scheduled days. However, I also had the physical withdrawals.
Bottom line, I had literally scheduled myself to receive the drug at specific times. Thursday through Sunday my brain would figuratively salivate for the drug. Not unlike Pavlov's dogs. When deprived of the substance I had all the physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms. Even at such a small dosing.
Therefore, I don't believe it is possible for the psychological vs. physical addiction to remain relevant. Seems they are one in the same for a person like me.
And after almost 20 years of smoking and stopping, I'm not even going to entertain the idea the drug is not addictive.
Just thought I would share. Thanks again for the blogspot Dirk. It's been a real help.
I was just talking with a group of marijuana abstainers, who all agreed that their major emotional problem during early withdrawal was loads and loads of irrational anger. At children, even. So be prepared for that.
I have posted on here before about my intentions of giving this drug up but they were far too optimistic.
I just can't seem to do it no matter what I tell myself. I'm back at square one again after yet another failed attempt to quit. These are honest attempts full of all sorts of nasty symptoms that have all been discussed here already. For some reason if I have the chance I will always choose to smoke.
I even moved cities and thought that would cut ties with my dealers. This doesn't work, it turns out that I will find it if I want it.
I quit smoking cigarettes years ago and didn't miss them at all. The addiction to pot is completely different and at least a million times more powerful to me.
As with any other addiction to one's drug of choice, it can take many attempts at quitting before you manage to get clear of it. Interesting that you found quitting cigarettes a cinch compared to weed...
Hey thats exactly how i feel (i know the post is old)
This is coming for a person who started smoking in1966 before the summer of love in south texas.( we could walk down street smoking and nobody knew what we were doing) I quit smoking 2010 when the Houston police ask me to,when I got off probation at 1200 I was high at 1215 Now I'm quitting on my own Here's my advice,drink plenty of coconut water,take 3mg. of melatonin (irritability and itching)during the day.If you can get trazadone from a doctor you"ll sleep like a baby( still have the vivid dreams though)Just remember you will get through this without strangling your dog and think of all the money you will save. GOOD LUCK
I posted about a year ago or so, after I decided to quit and experienced similar symptoms, primarily ones impacting the GI tract and night sweats/difficulty falling asleep.
Well, as most also experienced, I 'relapsed' and got back on the daily usage train, and it just spiraled from there (thinking I would just do it weekends, and then perhaps just evenings, which snowballed into days). A evil cycle indeed.
I really do believe Marijuana has a strong impact on the GI tract, for some, in a positive light, and while for others, not necessarily the case.
Interestingly enough, it was a day that I decided enough is enough and it was time to quit again (just no longer enjoyable, more habitual than satisfying) that I came down with a bout of gastroenteritis. Combining the physical effects of the stomach flu with those of MJ 'withdrawl' was a real treat. I can state that the stomach flu is a very similar experience to those of 'detoxifying' from MJ. I am also sure that the compounding effect of both situations did not help matters.
It is day 3 now of recovering from this stomach flu, as well as stopping all use of MJ, I feel fine, but the GI system still has some healing to do. I talked to a family member who is a GI and he suggested potentially taking some probiotics, but I will wait to see how things go in the next few days before coming to any conclusions.
I often tell people that MJ is physically addictive and all they do is laugh and tell me I am an idiot. 10 years ago I probably would have done the same, but no more.
I am not sure I can function with this plant in a casual relationship, as it quickly gets hold of you and the spiral is fast and steep.
I want to say that I am done with this plant for good, but who knows how that will pan out in the future.
The biggest irony of it all is I am a med patient (used it for IBS originally) and low and behold, it appears to be having adverse long term effects.
"I am not sure I can function with this plant in a casual relationship"
That's the crux of it. I remember the first time a guy told me that he'd quit smoking dope. I asked why, and he said, "I find it too habit- forming." I thought he was nuts.
"That's the crux of it. I remember the first time a guy told me that he'd quit smoking dope. I asked why, and he said, "I find it too habit- forming." I thought he was nuts. "
So true.
And what is even more scary is how brainwashed people are (to the extent they will argue and even get angry) that MJ is completely harmless (not to say it is on the level of say, Heroin, but it is not an innocent little plant)
Dirk, your work and attention to this site is admirable and commendable, 6 years later this is still going strong - I cant thank you enough for the work you have put into this. I would love to talk to you further and get some more thoughts from you on this topic.
I am curious - do you still smoke MJ?
JB:
I'm 62 years old, and have been on and off weed over the years. I found it sometimes too strong a trigger for someone who is also a non-practicing alcoholic and former chain smoker. Like morphine, there are medical conditions for which it is sometimes indicated, but with both drugs, if you have addictive propensities, forewarned is forearmed, and legit medication can turn into rampant self-medication very quickly.
As to your specific question. Since I write about drugs, addiction, neuroscience, and marijuana policy as a professional journalist, it's a wife beater kind of question with no good answer. If I say I don't smoke, then legalizers will look at my written work and claim I'm a paid shill for the DEA, Big Pharma, and the gathering forces of darkness. If I say I smoke occasionally, or responsibly, or recreationally, then serious scientists and academic researchers will lump me in with the patchouli crowd in parachute pants, and people attending MA and trying to quit will discount my comments. I can assure you I am THOROUGHLY familiar, through personal experience, with marijuana withdrawal and detox.
hey Dirk,and you potheads out there,Howie from texas here, quick question. My brother's 2yr. old kid is a little slow,his wife quit smoking when she was pg but can you have the dreaded thc in your sperm? Its been a month now and im still zipping along,havent killed my dog but my wife swears if i ever start smoking again she's gonna kill me.I got $600 in my pot can so far and Im going to take her on a vacation when the jones are over,How dida like my quick question
Thanks for all the good input, here s my complaint,my dealer was getting his hydro from the kids who were growing it in their basement then he started getting it from Ca.Well,for about a week I was getting a awful pain in my kidneys and was about to see a dr. when a poker buddy call and had the same problem.The next day, i didnt do my usual wake&bake and when i finish mowing the yard,i did the usual reward thing and hit the pipe boy my kidneys went into overdrive.Now that its a business and not the kids who are proud of having good bud, the art is gone and the cutting corners is there. THEY ARE NOT RINSING IT THE LAST WEEK.If the so called latent hippies in northern Ca. think they doing us any favors their wrong. Whos to say that the chems are adding to our withdraws. Just a another reason to quit.Well, off to terrorize the neighborhood with my excessive talking(lucky im funny)Go everybody,go. from reefer reye in texas, (thanks Dirk cool name)
No disrespect or doubt meant, Dirk - your motives are admirable and what you have done here is amazing.
Was just curious as to your own experiences.
Many thanks again - 5 days 'clean' and going strong.
Howard:
No evidence I know of that pot is teratogenic, causing defects in the womb. If it were true, we would be a nation of really feeble-minded young adults born to hippies. Oh, wait... ;-)
JB:
No problem, didn't mean to sound abrupt or anything, I have been sort of looking for a chance to declare my "no comment" status on pot personally. I thought about this back when I published "The Chemical Carousel." It's a legitimate question. Suffice to say, I decided to go public with the "public" drugs I was addicted to: alcohol and cigarettes. As for the illegal drugs, well, they're illegal, aren't they? I gotta right to take the 5th.... ;-)
Your a funnyman,Dirk,Howie
Its howie from texas(boy us texans are full of it,like you care whereim from)anyways
got some new stuff.You notice that most of these post are a mile long written at 3in the morning but thats how we roll(my wifes gonna killme if i keep saying that but the man is such a ass hole)0, he should of smooked pot instead of texting) Im leaving my spelling mistakes cuz my friends think their funny thas how i roll ( sorry,luv but i cant help it)anyways, found that when people look at youlike your a complete idot when looking for phone and its next to your ear that i tell them that im going throgh the PTWs,they say i thought you got that way when you smoked pot little do they know.anyways,rolling along (cant help it) that saying that God helps those who helpis them self are tue im a cabinetemaker and things are alittle slow down here in the swamps(houston), The other day iwas eating in my favorie bbq telling the owner abouy the evil PTWand he said great now you can come look at my greek restruant to give me a bid on a barthat you promise 6mons ago and i went huh as we were buzzyover there to look at the bar got a call from a old realtoer friend shae said i hear your PTWing and iz whant you to manage my 45 properties(used to be a superintent but with my excessive talking (potted out) i was more tired then when i was when banging nails. excuse me but went looking for amy lighter that in my pocket,well calls these bfs (brain farts) anyways kiddos everything thing coming coming my way(westside story) last time i quick (rememerber when the houston pd asked me to) went to a shrink to get my trazadone and when i call his secitary to get my refrills she put me on hold(her names maria)and i was singing "Maria maria i hope i get my pillscuz i feel like shit Maria" well gottogo im down at the rv park (our little hideway,boy theres some weird people downhere, like im not buys iz apothead theirs come natural)ad the sqeekers are eating me up I have micigan accent (parents) but when i crooss the brazos river i move all litle slowier with my hick accent ( raise in san antonio icall it m&m military and mexicans.) my redneck oiltrash neigerbor just left give me a dirty look like what the f hes never seen me before cuz i used to sleep till2.im out cuz gueenys sleeping a nd shell wake up and say oh no hes on the computer. My advice tonite or morning should say Dont till a redneck you got the PTWs.... Till later kiddos reffer how here my friends think i should write abook without the spell ck. aliitle hunter thompson meets kinky friendman whtsa you think.Bye and just think of the $ your saving and when its all over with throw a big party with it for allyour friends who didnt kill you
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