My quitting cannabis story

[chaz]

I found this site yesterday and I think its GOLD!


I tried quitting "Cold Turkey" and noticed I would have HIGH anxiety and be very agitated. So I slowly weened my way off and went from $30/week to $5/week (im good at making it last). I would smoke all day every day 10+ times a day. Yesterday I officially ran out and was really debating to get more today but decided against it so I decided to join this site and fight my cravings instead. I've been smoking for years and always smoked before I ate, before I went out, before I slept, before going to class, before studying, before i did pretty much anything and always noticed I was low on energy and never wanted to go out. I also tried substituting non-nicotine e-cigarettes but returned it and decided that it was a bad idea trying to replace one habit with another.



Ever sense I cut back and now quit, I feel great and a lot more alert and overall enjoying life more. The only down side is I sleep like shit and wake up with headaches every morning. I'm happy about making this decision in my life, and feel like I can finally accomplish many things now without being low on energy, low on money, and having to drive across town to go pick up (and being very paranoid driving with it or being set up).

But my question is, when will the cravings stop and how long until i start sleeping better? Also, I'm going on spring break soon and a few of my buddies who are going moderately smoke, what should I do when they break it out? I don't want to give in if its around.


Lastly, this is a great forum and I'm glad I found it.. I really think I can quit now that I found this.

[BFB]

Hi Chaz and welcome to the forum.

I am so glad you like the forum, hearing feedback like that makes running this place all the more worthwhile. The anxiety, insomnia and headaches you have experienced can be a perfectly normal withdrawal symptom of quitting, many people experience them but they do pass, I am glad to hear that you are now feeling a bit better, it terms of how long it will take for your symptoms to subside completely, to be honest I am not entirely sure, I have read a few different reports on the subject many of which I think said that most people feel back to their old selves within a month, I have however read reports that for some people it can take months, sometimes up to six, I even have read reports of it taking even longer than that but I wouldn’t imagine that is the norm, I think it can different for everyone depending on how heavy and for how long they have been using, as well as what’s going on within the chemistry of their brain as an individual, I have read so many different experiences on this forum alone that to be honest I wouldn’t really like to predict but if you want to read some of our other threads including ones like this:

http://www.forummatters.com/forums/s...-symptoms-last
http://www.forummatters.com/forums/s...ymptoms-lasted

It may give you a better idea of the kind of experiences people can have, sorry I can’t be of much more help there. To be honest been in a situation where others are smoking is probably quite risky at the stage, but as to how risky may depend on how addicted you are.

Anyway it’s great to hear that you have decided not to buy any more dope and join the rest of us quitters, we are very glad to have you and look forward to being a part of your journey, remember you really are not alone, we are with you every step of the way.

All the best and speak soon.

[SilverMaze]

chaz, i always find myself giving this advice, start working out, sports release pleasure hormones and your body will need more sleep when worn out. go to a gym or swimming or go walking and running, the key is to wear yourself out, you will sleep like a baby. you might still encounter very vivid dreams that wake you up but because you're tired, you will go back to sleep quickly. these symptoms will pass quicker when you work out, you will clean your body faster. as for your spring break, it's better to try stay away from smokers for some time, anyway, by that time you might already be feeling much more at ease to just not smoke with them when they are. good luck, keep us posted on your progress, cheers

[BFB]

I think the working out thing is great advice, it will really help to get those feel good chemicals going through natural means.

[abiogenesis]

Hi Chaz,

This forum is indeed a great place for someone who has an intention to quit weed. First of all, when we see that many story's which are very similar to ours, we start to feel less alone. And seeing that the things we experience are the symptoms of a common disorder, we then can begin to objectify our situation and could try to solve it in a more rational basis. Because the thing we live, is literally a neurrological disorder caused by our prolonged weed use and our perception matters a lot.

Thanks for posting and please keep us posted on how it goes,

All the best,