Also, quitting weed and cigarrettes at the same time is a good idea, but IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT TASK. Your best bet is one at a time.

I quit weed first successfully a few times but as of recent it hasn't worked too well that way. Before, I would quit smoking weed and then shortly thereafter I would get tired of cigarrettes and throw them out. Nowadays, I would quit weed and then SMOKING SOOOOO MANY CIGARRETTES would serve me no good but to give me severe headaches and make me want to smoke weed again. You may have to experiment with quitting to make it work for you.

All in all, a task for anyone who wants to quit...... PRAY FOR IT!!!!!!!!! I don't care if your an atheist (you liar, who do you shout to when things are F'd up? thought so). If you request this from existance (the universe, or God [the beginning and the end], it's all the same) for long enough, it/he will give it to you. YOU WILL HAVE IT! Just keep an open ear. He who has an ear, let him hear! You will know when it is time, it will be whispered in your ear. If you take that opportunity and don't pass it up, YOU WILL SUCCEED!

Weed isn't necessarily killing you, but it does hinder your performance. If you feel that there is something missing, in your heart of hearts you know what it is. TAKE WHAT IS YOURS! Your true potential is just around that bend.

When you make your move it will seem as if it is all under control. It is.... for now. Soon enough you will question your own decision. You will ask, "Was that really the right choice? Was I better off using the smokables?" Just remember, you were of sound mind when you made that decision.... just remember.... speed bumps. They are there, they are part of the journey.... they are NO BIG DEAL. PLEASE BELIEVE ME! If you don't believe me, you are lying to yourself. DON'T BE FOOLED! Your kingdom is at hand.

Now get out there and MAKE $#! HAPPEN! Let the world know that IT IS YOUR TURN TO LIVE!

I wish you the best,

Matt

P.S.


I was a pothead for years and could outsmart just about anyone. In all reality, potheads are actually just lazyasses (yup, I was too). If they were idiots, no one would ever quit. Any pothead reading this would just get offended and leave and would also write you off as "high and mighty". Comments like these are very discouraging. Please be supportive of your fellow participants in this game we call life and we will all bear more fruit. (ugh, hope you don't take "game" seriously)

Hi, one thimg you must know is that weed can stay in your brain for several months. The fact that oyu don't feel well might be because you stopped other hard drugs. Weed alon ecan lead you to anxiaty and beeing paranoid for weeks. What you are feeling now is not beeing a different person but beeing yourself again so just keep up the good work annd don't stay home for God sake!!! I don't know: Walk the dog, play Baseball, Soccer, try photos or try to find a girl..... But don't stay home because that is the worst solution. Why not try to find a 25 hours a week job? That's going to give you some money to invite a girl to a nice meal.....
With love from France
Arnaud

You will get through this. This is the only bad part about stopping any street drug or any drug for that matter. Withdrawl really stinks but, once you have passed that stage, it is over and you will start feeling better. But whatever you do, don't light up! The miserable days you've already gone through will be a waste of you time.

Carrie

Yeah.... really.
Smoking pot doesn't make you an fool.
People can be idiots on their own!!!!

Hello! I joined this forum back in late August. I gave a little history at the time. I smoked 24/7/365 for 23 years, then I did 15 years completely sober (it was cocaine that I thought brought me to my knees, but in fact it was alcohol and pot as well). I started smoking herb and drinking wine 2 years ago and told myself I was fine because I didn't drink hard liquor or go back to cocaine. I was not fine. I only made it a couple of days after I joined the list. I'd planted some seeds, and ended up with three sweet little plants, and of course I had to smoke that up. Now I'm entering into a new internship in the mental health field, and I cannot legally or ethically smoke. So, Sunday night (11/25) I smoked my last GT and disassembled my gravity bong and sipped my last glass of Zinfandel.

What I'm observing is that my thought processes and emotional processes are returning to what they were during the 15 years of abstinence. This is uncomfortable, because herb had slowed them down so much. Yeah, I got a lot done, but it was like pushing against a HUGE obstacle to do anything. The herb was so good that I found myself in an empty-headed zone be the end of the day. I was avoiding life. I felt detached from myself. Day one I felt anxious and disorganized and disoriented. I practiced thought-stopping and made myself do something, anything (but call the dealer, my home-grown was all gone) to keep occupied. Sleep sucked, but it is evening out. My lungs are better already (no longer have to use Albuterol to open up the air passages). I slept though the night last night.

I am working a program too, meaning that I am connecting with friends from NA/AA (I'd always been in touch, I just didn't share that I was smoking again) and sharing what I'm going through. Phone calls and emails are enough for me. My friends have been very accepting. I'm finding I must be vigilant so that the thoughts don't resurface and end up with my calling the grower. If I get to that point I am lost, so I am very careful not to let an urge develop. I also use this forum, and it helps to read everyone else's stories. It is immaterial to me if herb is addictive or not, either physically or psychologically or emotionally. It became a problem for me again, and now I am back in the abstinence mode. I feel certain that it will get easier every day to stay here, but I fear the first week or so, because I could get blind-sided. I am also usiing my spiritual program, so I express my gratitude every day to the Mystery of which I am a part.

One more comment, the moment I made the commitment, my life began to change, my career began to pick up, my financial situation improved, and my friends came back into my life.

I've smoked virtually every day for the past 25 years. There IS mj physical addiction and withdrawal, it's just not nearly on a par with heroin and the like. But, it is real. Nausea, loss of appetite, chills, and insomnia are the most common side effects of withdrawal. The times I've been w/o weed for one reason or another, all of these have shown their ugly head. But, they all go away, always within a week. If you know what to expect, it's no big deal. Definitely not bad enough to give it up!

i hav'nt read all the posts here because im at work, i quit weed after smoking everyday for 2 years and had to quit because i moved to the channel islands where i knew no dealers - however from that time ive gone from weed everyday to being an alcoholic, well if you can call drinking everyday and im now getting to the point where its effecting my health quite a bit so i knw i should stop.

I didnt have any problems at all when i stoped the weed but i am not sure if that was becuase of the alcoholic or not. I do not feel every confident about stoping though.

even though i stop smoking weed 6 months ago i do crave it most days, is that a sideeffect ?

i don't understand how people get addicted on weed...i smoked weed for years and quit without no problems whatsoever.
And i use to smoke a lot..What's the deal with the so called" addicts"???

Try to see heroin addiction then call yourself an addict

I have only smoked 3 times and it was the last time that really [removed] me up. I am having all these symptoms (upset stomach, no sleep, anxiety, some shaking the other day)

Any help for me? I want to have a nice Christmas!!

I made a bet with my old room mates that I could quit smoking marijuana for 7 days. I did it,But I felt awful after the first full day of not smoking,I had sweaty palms,hot flashes,irritability,no apatite whatsoever,head ache,And not feeling like myself at all,I do want to quit due to health issues,such has waking up gasping for breath and it hurting so bad that I have to get up. The breathing issues started when I started smoking cigarettes a month or so ago. Obviously has something to do with it.

yeah it could last a while 4 yrs is a long time its not overnight bud. Sweat it out at the gym, its stored in your fat cells.

Stored in the fat cells. Good info.

I'm 56 and have been a daily smoker since I was 12. I usually do a half oz a week. I quit a few times in my life for a month here and a month there, but mostly its been a wake and bake life. Now, after two days without I'm irritable as hell.

Mental withdrawal symptoms mostly, though listlessness and sore muscles have reared their ugly heads.

I had a severe addiction to percodans 25 years ago [15 - 20 a day]. Went cold turkey and spent 2 weeks in bed with physical withdrawal, but no mental stuff. Strange that mj is just the opposite.

Guess its time to hit the exercise equipment.

Thanks for the good info.

i have been smokin 24/7 for about seven yrs and i have not smoked now for 5 days and i really feel like caca and to go ontop of all the withdrawals my nan passed away yesterday and im really trying to find the strength within myself not to pick up a bong and smoke it and it so hard smoking pot was always my hideaway everytimke i have been happy sad angry or i have felt anything i have always had a bong to go with it so trying to deal with depression of my nan and not just getting stoned and forgetting about it is hard i have always just got stoned and missed things forgot about things that where going on and now i have nothin to turn to i feel like i have lost my best friend i have lost a part of me i just eel so lost i dont know where to go what to do all i know is get stoned i have stopped talking to my my friends cause they all smoke so i just feel like my world is just crashing down around me.
But i know im doing the rite thing smoking pot is one of the worst things i have done in my life i have always put it first i have missed so many oppurtunitys and done so many stupid things cause i just dont think rite just read the caca im writing i have no idea what im on about people say everyday gets easier but it just seems to be getting harder the pains are worse my head is getting more and more scattred i cant handle any noise it just stresses me out i feel like i should just be isolated cause the anger im feeling no-one needs to put up with it i just so confused im quitting to be a better person but at the moment i feel ten times worse of a person when i was smokin and never got angry now im just an angry crazy sour cow

Hang in there. Losing your nan is a huge loss. Maybe you can gain a different perspective if you think of quitting mj in honor of her memory.

I quit smoking cigarettes about 25 years ago and the only method I found that worked was to think of quitting only one cig at a time. Don't think of going the rest of your life without mj - just think of not smoking that next bong. The urge will pass within 30 minutes or so - less if you distract yourself. Can you quit for 30 minutes? YOU BET!

I'm now on day 6. Yesterday was half good, half bad. Its the afternoons that get to me. Also, any kind of disappointment or forced deviation from my own plans get me frustrated.

To top my situation off my wife is quitting with me. I wouldn't be able to do it if she didn't stop too. We counter support each other now after years of being co-dependent users.

I know what you mean about having to change friends. Those old friends will laugh at you and suggest that mj is better than beer, better than cigs, better than any other vice. But remember - it is still a vice and a seriously addictive one. We have left all our mj friends behind - just stopped seeing them as they always want to hit the pipe as a social activity. Yes, we do feel somewhat isolated, but we're taking steps to build new friendships. We have begun to actively seek out 'straight' people and get to know them, ask them over for dinner, etc.

I was reading the other day that detox takes only a few days but withdrawl can last a lot longer. I've found that avoiding hunger, and drinking lots and lots of water help. There is a psychological 'hole' that mj used to fill in my life. Now I try to look for other activities to fill that void - like chatting on this board with others who are in the same boat I am.

I'd be happy to have regular posts back and forth with you to help both of us manage our symptoms and to cross-support one another.

Gary

I have been smoking for 13 years. for the past 5 I now smoke 2 grams a day. I buy a 1/2 ounce a week and smoke it by myself. I even bought a scale so I can measure a gram in the day; and a gram at night for myself. Now Iam trying to quit. I started by first smoking only at night. I felt Awesome during the day for one week. I was so positive I could do kick the habit. Then I tried to stop at night and that is where the panic attacks started. Nasty tremors, my jaw trembles, my palms sweat---I feel like tearing my skin off-----Even when I smoke. I smoke only .6 a day now just to some what quell this but it wont stop. I couldnt even go 36hours without smoking before this stuff started and now smoking isnt making it stop. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ME!!!!!!! Do I need Professional Help??? Was I really self medicating myself for social anxiety?? At least though I have cut down from 2 grams to .6 but I want to stop. This is Personal. I Am Going To Beat This. I just need some help

If tapering off works for you maybe you should go back to 1g a day for a week to relieve your symptoms, then halve that, etc. I know that when I quit I ground stems for the last few days as part of tapering off. I found it a lot easier than going cold turkey.

I'm now on day 8 and no longer want mj all the time and have no more attitude problems or physical discomfort. I do have my moments of desire but if I can resist those moments one-by-one I'll have it beat for good. I'll have to watch for the signs of relapse for a few years I think as I smoked for 44 years.

Once you drop it completely DO NOT go back as you will return to square one and have to go thru it all again.

I found this site when Scroogling (scroogle.org) "pot withdrawal". I have been a daily (four or more times/day) smoker for about 3 years. I smoke at least a quarter a week; basically what I can afford. The financial end, along with the legal end to a certain extent have become factors in my decision to try quitting. I don't like depending on anything. I find myself driving to pick up a bag when I can't afford it, don't have the time, or have reached the point (again) where I just can't really get HIGH. Smoking 4 bowls of dank should make one stumble around a bit, feel the center of their head rising--but it makes me feel lethargic and takes away my concentration, rather than enchancing my perception like it used to. Oh, sure, I still get 'high' to a certain extent, but nothing like I do if I take so much as a day off (which is so hard for me to do I can't tell ya).

As someone who digs Knowledge, I found myself reading up on every drug there was before I was probably 13 or so. This is because I made a deliberate, premeditated choice to experience certain substances, at a young age, and years before I followed through. I did not grow up around drugs. I had experienced at that point an 'out-of-body' experience that changed my perspective on existence; on reality.

When I was 16, my ex-boyfriend (who I had dumped 3 days before) told a teacher of mine I had pot (less than a gram) on me. He was in the same class, and must have really been able to smell it. I was kicked out of school (had not even gotten detention at that point) and began a tumultous journey through the legal system. The courts threatened my parents into having me "voluntarily" sign myself into Youth Drug Court, though at that point, I had literally smoked pot less than 10 times. At the time they said that I would be put into juvenile prison until I was 18, and my parents being the trusting, upstanding citizens they are, did not think it was necessary to hire a lawyer. I was told at that time it would take 9-12 mos. to complete Drug Court.

It took 4 years, and I never completed it. They put me in two different group homes, drug treatment(!) for THIRTEEN MONTHS, etc. I have spent so much time in jail I honestly don't know how many times I have been in. Also, because I had not "successfully completed" the Program by the time I was 18, they extended my case until my 25th birthday (state of Montana), then kicked me out of Drug Court (just as they do with MORE THAN HALF of all kids who enter) but kept me in Youth Court. A few months ago, I ran into one of the ladies who had been on the "Drug Court Team". She had quit specifically because of what they were doing to kids. She gave me a statistic I have written down somewhere that shows the rate of IMPRISONMENT (juveniles growing up in the system, then turning 18 and being put in adult prison) to be OVER THREE TIMES the rate of imprisonment for juveniles growing up in the system, but on regular probation rather that Drug Court.

You can make your own judgments about the blanks I'm not filling in, but let me say very clearly that, while I did "mess up" while in Drug Court (so much as being late to school resulted in jail; a late fine or missed urine test did the same), I never used a single drug besides mushies and pot. Never got caught with mushies, or charged with any felonies.

Long story short (maybe a little late), I am now 21. I have not been on formal or informal probation since last year, or drug tested since I was 19.

I need to point out, that during all my years dealing with this crap, I made it my goal to learn about and actively protest the "War on Drugs". I was adamant for years that pot is not physically addictive. While it may not exhibit many of the same traits as opiates or crazy prescriptions, the body adapts, and in time 'expects' a certain level of cannabinols in the blood. Call this whatever you want, but people who take a crap at the same time everyday find themselves needing to at that time everyday (gross example). Besides becoming accustomed to the high, the body makes certain concessions to adapt to the 'negative' effects of the herb (like increased heart rate). From direct experience, the couple of times I have taken a break in the last couple of years have always resulted in uniform symptoms. Cold sweats, insomnia, nausea, and decreased appetite are what I tend to go through.

I don't think it's appropriate to make blanket statements regarding, uh, much of anything. Especially this.

As if this post, which may very well be my only one, weren't long enough, I just realized I should respond to Gabi13. I am not your typical idea of a smoker either, as I am a knowledge junky who has been a bookseller for 3 years as well. My peers tend to be older than I. I spend most of my time when I'm not at my job doing foreign news research (not as boring as it sounds).

Oh, yeah, it should also be noted, that as a hypoglycemic, pot takes away the nausea I experience basically daily, after my blood sugar reaches a certain point. Pot was actually recommended to me by my doctor as treatment. I eat 2500 calories/day, but still weigh just over 100 lbs (5'4''). I initially was Recommended pot (at 1 because I had gone in to find out why I was underweight. This fact contributes heavily to how hard it is to be without it, at least initially. I find that even if my stomach is growling and I try to put some food in my mouth, the amount of effort it takes simply to swallow the damn bite gets a little scary. The longest I have gone without in the last 3 years was one week. Once. I lost 5 pounds that week alone.

Blah, blah, blah. Drugs are complex, yo. I'll sum this up by blaming the system. Wish me luck.

Hi All,

Brand new to this forum - but already its been helpful. I turned 43 yesterday and just coincidentally - had to quit pot for the day before.

My supplier/brother-in-law was busted and at 43 and living a bland suburban life - I don't exactly have alternative resources. So - my husband and I decided now's a good a time as any to quit!

I have been very edgy and last night couldn't sleep and sweated all night - even though the thermostat was at 60 F. I was so relieved to read that the sweats are part of the quitting deal!

This morning I made the stupid mistake of drinking 3 big cups of coffee (instead of my usual 1 cup and a joint to start my day). Now I feel super crappy! No appetite, my stomach is doing flips and I would KILL for a smoke!

I've been smoking steadily for about 15 years - about 5-6 j's a day for the past couple of years. I was toying with the idea of quitting but with a steady supply - it wasn't really a necessity. In a way, I guess I'm relieved - but then again, I have to wonder if the medicinal properties of pot have been keeping me healthy all these years. Before I started smoking, I suffered from awful depression and probably had some kind of eating disorder. (Can you say - self-medication?)

Anyway, I have found a lot of useful advice (amidst the naiive judgementalism) in this forum.

Thanks, all! And if anyone has further advice for sleeping and increasing my appetite, please share.

I was a daily pot user for 6 years. I'm 22 yrs. old now. I originally began smoking to relax...near the end, it was having the opposite effect. It would make my blood pressure rise and I would feel paranoid. Once when mixed with tequilla and some anxiety, I had severe heart palpitations. I believe I used marijuana for many years because it released serotonin in my brain which helped with my predisposition towards anxiety...possibly depression. For whatever reason, it no longer had the same desired effect that it once had...in fact, quite the opposite. I have been basically very uncomfortable when high, so about a week and a half ago I quit the weed along with a severe nicotine habit. I believe I have experienced some nasty withdraw symptoms.

To start with, I have had some high blood pressure lately (high being 140-150/75-90 ). This has been marked by ringing in my ears. I began running last week and after several days seemed to have the pressure beat back (115-125/65-75). Then had a few days where I didn't exercise, drank a bit, and didn't eat very well. The high pressure came back...I'm currently back on track having run the last 4 out of 5 days and eating well although, thus far the pressure has yet to drop again. I'm not sure how or if the BP is tied into to withdraw. I also have a generally low resting heart rate of between 45 and 55 which would indicate a healthy ticker...although the higher pressure kind of contradicts. I've always been an athlete so I don't think the low heart rate is anything to worry about, in fact I think its good. I'm wondering if these BP problems aren't related to anxiety as I no longer have the weed as a crutch for that. Could just be that I was out of shape as I had been on a 4 month fast food / NO WORKOUT binge. Prior to that I had been in good shape. If anyone has an opinion or experience regarding this...please let me know.

There are some things I do relate pretty strongly and definitely to the weed deprivation. The first is muscle twitching. My muscles twitch rather randomly...the strongest being under my right eye. It seems to be going away very slowly. I've had some mild problems sleeping, although not horrible. Had some bad headaches that come and go...and some problems with vision; not necessarily blurry, but kind of disconnected and not feeling like I'm not seeing very straight. I also don't feel my concentration is up to par. I'm having trouble sitting through class and sometimes feel very anxious while in public. The anxiety seems to especially be a problem...I think because I have GAD to start with. My digestion has also been a little off...I think I have had some mild reflux and times where I didn't feel well after I ate. Also LOTS of BURPING lol.

I have confidence these things will get better for me in time. I turn my faith toward Jesus Christ in my times of need...something I wish I would have adhered to earlier on in life. I can't advocate enough the benefits of exercise and proper nutrition. Drink lots of juice to help detoxify your body! To all those going through this struggle, you are not alone and since finding this site I am dedicated to praying for you when I am reminded of my own pain in this situation. I never used to think THC was addictive...which was foolish. It's a chemical you put into your body...because your body likes the effect. Taking this away from your body is going to have its consequences!