How long do marijuana withdrawal symptoms last

[Annunaki]

I have been withdrawing for 3 days, i never thought it would be this hard. i feel so sad and anxious. not to mention that i haven't been able to keep anything down (not even water) for the past 3 days. I can't sleep or eat but the worst part is the anxiety. i'd love some support from anyone out there who knows what im going through..

Hey, I'm on day 20 and giving up MJ was the BEST thing that I have ever done. I cant even explain to you how fresh I feel and how my mind is now interpreting everyday thing like time keeping, chores, SOCIALISING and lifestyle. I capitalised socialising because well for the past 10 years or so I've not socialised with anyone I'd be that looser kermit who never comes out, who never takes part in activities, who never had anything to say. I can gladly say that I am not that person any more and as each day goes by I am becoming a much stronger and happier person.

My relationship with my Girlfriend was at breaking point! To the point where we never spoke, Well thats just not the case anymore. We go out for meals with the money I save not buying MJ, We do things that "Normal" people do and its all starting to come naturally. My Girlfriend is now pregnant! Oh boy quitting MJ was the best thing I have done. I am 1000000x fold happier within my self and if your happy in your self everything else seems to fall snug into place.

All I can say to you is read back on my previous comments because I posted a few techniques when I was in the first days of withdrawing that helped me so much and I know they will help you too, Be strong for your self keep thinking posative thinks no matter how hard it may seem because one day you WILL start to feel your normal self I promise you, As you can see by reading this thread you are not alone.

[drdog]

Thank you to everyone that has posted on this site. Your comments have inspired me to commit to quitting. I am 23 years old. I have been smoking weed since i was 14. In the last 3 years i've been smoking very heavily, upwards of 2 grams a day. So far its been a few days and I havent really experienced much withdrawal. I just feel like i normally do when i dont have weed, a little on the edge and a little crappy. I am afraid now of the impending withdrawal that you all speak of. Is it possible that i wont go through that? or do you think the worst is definitely yet to come?

[BFB]

Hi Drdog,

As far as I know yes it is quite possible, yes you have been using fairly heavily for the last few years but like I say as far as I know that doesn’t automatically mean you will be addicted, there are many people and they could even be the majority who don’t experience these sort of experiences at all, although I don’t really feel able to speculate what the percentages are, but as you can imagine we are a support group for people who are finding marijuana to be habit forming so on the whole it’s only people in this position who feel the need to use us and therefore we don’t claim to be any reflection of the situation in general just like AA isn’t the story of every drinker, just because many people do experience this it doesn’t mean you necessarily will, some people have a different genetic predisposition for addiction and there are also other factors that may come into play depending on the individual, check out my signature of you want to read more on this.

All the best,

[Unregistered]

You and I are in similar situations my friend. I am 35 and have been smoking every day, all day since 17. I too feel as if life has passed me by. You are the first person besides myself to describe it as almost being a time traveler. No one can understand it when I tell them, but without the MJ in my head, its what it feels like. One day I was 17, full of hope, dreams, ambitious, and ZOOM, now I am 35 and basically a loser. I slowly let MJ become everything to me, and it has destroyed my career, relationships, and ambitions. I have had anxiety and slight depression since childhood, and when I first found Cannabis it was amazing. It made me happy! But after so many years the effects became much different. I no longer got the giggles, or wanted to socialize with friends to smoke. No, I only smoked by myself, in my room, like a loser. For someone with the abilities that I have, I am incredibly unsuccesful. I decided last week that it was enough, and it's been 8 days. I quit once two years ago for two months, but relapsed because I still hung out with smokers. I no longer do, and feel that I will beat this addiction once and for all. I already know what life consumed by MJ is like, now I want to see what I am actually capable of becoming. The MJ has been telling me for a long time that I cant do things, that I KNOW I can. It becomes a negative force in your life when you abuse it for so long. I just need to fill my life now with things that make me happy. Due to the MJ and my seclusion, I have to dig myself out from quite a deep hole. I'll get there.. I hope you're holding up brother.

I am a marijuana success story. Like both of you I have been smoking since 17 one to three times a day (I am now 34). I have kids, a happy mariage, degrees, and a good job with money. People around me know I smoke but not really to the extent that I really do. I hate everything about this success story because it made me believe I was above the addiction, I am not.

I quit last year for a while and went through all the hideous withdraw symptoms described here. My worst being generalized anxiety. After feeling "normal" I though I would try and moderate my usage (I loved it so much) however a year later guess where I am? Same place, quitting again because I am so overwhelmed by it. Weed is what makes me me. For better or worse it is responsible for getting me through school and making me a success in life (I should say an apparent success). The second time I realize what an idiot I really am in thinking that weed has helped me. I wish I could be a moderate user like I am with alcohol (I have a few drinks a month at most) but I can't. I am an addict and I need to quit forever. These are the words I repeat to myself over and over (often through tears).

It is hard to move on from this, its like losing a loved one or your eyesight, its indescribable. I had gone 4 days sober and then last night my anxiety was so horrible I thought I would smoke to abate it. Don't ever do that! Worst idea ever as I spent the next few hours trying to keep myself from falling apart. I keep anti-anxiety medicine and anti-depressant medication in the house but honestly I have only used it twice in the last year, its more of a comfort knowing its there but I need to figure out how to do this on my own, I need to figure out why (besides addiction) that I felt I needed to smoke weed all the time. Its that no knowing, the why questions that kill me and further my anxiety and depression. Perhaps it is circular and weed helped stopped something I am prone to do and have never learned to cope with.

Whatever is going on in my head it helps to know there are people like you getting better, understanding themselves, and spending too much time on toilet

I love you all and myself. I just wanted people to know that you are not losers, you are winner just by being here and reading these posts. Don't regress, try your best to stay clean, find people to talk to and let your loved ones know what is going on. You are never alone.

[Boltonman]

I have smoked mj for nearly 16 years. I quit 5 days ago & seem to be having severe mood swings from being chilled to suddenly very angry. I am currently lay in bed and i am finding this is the worst time for me as for the last 10 mins ive been having quite violent thoughts to the point were i sit up in bed and feel like i want to punch someones head in. Reading posts on here have helped as im realising this must be some kind of withdrawal symptom. I am usually really chilled but i swear i cud punch a wall at times. I also keep thinking of times were people have wronged me but im coming to the conclusion that these senarios in my head could be anxiety induced & its my brains way of dealing with it??? Thanks to everyone whos posted X

[Unregistered]

I was lied to and told that MJ is not addictive. Maybe it isn't for some people but it sure is for me. As someone said earlier if MJ was so non addictive why are there so many daily users?

These are the NEGATIVE physical symptoms I experience :

Irritability
Restlessness
Loss of Appetite
Insomnia (This one lingers and lingers)

POSITIVE

Return of dreaming (Although some are nightmares)
Return to working

I am only on day 2. But I feel if I didn't make the phone call to my so called buddy yet I can resist for years. I love getting high except it has taken over. Last year December I did 7 months off. And then I had a personal problem and I wanted to forget it for an evening. I bought some weed. I thought it was temporary.

I just quit again yesterday. There is no way I am going to get back into it. The habit got out of control. Because instead of planning when I would get high. I actually plan when I will be sober to get things done. It's time I realize the MJ is holding me back.

[ridextreme]

I am on day 35... and I am back to panic/anxiety attacks???

My story in brief for anyone interested is I have been smoking for about 10 years, I took a two year break from 2006 to 2009 and smoked non stop (Very high quality weed) for the past 3+ years straight. At the end of Dec. I came home really tired, and for some reason decided not to smoke that night, just went to bed. well I woke up in the middle of the night with a major panic attack. I was convinced my body was not getting any oxygen and I went to the ER. you know the stroy, I left with a script for Xanax. I smoked the next day, then took another break and it happened again. long stroy short I thought it was just "bad weed" so I stopped until I can get a different one. Well that's when I read up on these symptoms. I really suffered so bad that I wanted to die so bad. It hurt so much. my last day smoking was 12/29/2011.

The first 10 days were the worst days of my life - forcing food down, walking around pacing with panic/anxiety, going to numerous doctors, spending thousands on lab results, etc. I took a few xanax but at first they didn't help (which was probably good for me) but during the next couple weeks, they started to help but I was so affraid I would go thru this all over again from xanax addiction.

After 10 days, it started to get better. I read up that it usually takes about 10 days so I thought it was over. My 3rd week, it came back again, although not as bad. Then it got a little better. I just went a week without that xanax (i only took like 12 of them total in the past month at 0.5mg).

So here I am - last night, i had two different nightmares. I don' tknow if they were nightmares, one of them I was like in charge of a lot of money, and left the safe open, and someone stole it. so in my dream, I was feeling the anxiety!!!! then I had a different dream right after it, where I was laying in my bed and people (who I work with lol) noticed I stopped breathing. I woke up with another panic attack. omg its 35 days what is happening???? Yeah I had trouble sleeping but I found melatonin works for me, keeps me in a light sleep, only waking up a few times a night.

This has realy scared me, now I am affraid to go to bed. I get the worst panic while I am laying down that I have to get up. it got really bad last night. I commute to nyc for work and I kept myself up, got on the bus for work and I started to feel another one coming on. I have my xanax on me and I was ready to take one, but I thought let me get to work see how I fee.

here I am at work lol its getting a little better, so I will take one tonite if i need it. If anyone can please tell me or help me man I will really really greatly appreciate it. I am so scared to go home tonite and go to bed because of another nightmare (if that is what i had?) that turns into panic attacks. i would not wish this on my worst enemy.

[monoclecat]

Hello all,

I have been sober for 4 days and I am at my wits end. I am having extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I am constantly worried about blood pressure and having a heart attack or stroke. It is like I cant think rationally anymore. Reading this forum makes it a little better but as soon as I start to think I get really anxious. I don't have feeling of cravings I assume because of the great distress this is causing me. I really don't know what to do. I am trying to concentrate on work to take my mind of this but it doesn't help. I am an avid exerciser I bike, I lift weights so I try and rationalize that my hearts is healthy but it is a big fear. I have never had these fears before. I am starting to think that maybe there is something wrong with my heart. It is maddening. I had the sweats during sleep maybe the first two days but those are gone. sleeping is becoming hard. I try and take a warm shower and listen to some soothing sounds to fall asleep. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. When I wake up in the middle of the night I have high anxiety and I start to think crazy scary stuff. i'm scared.

[Hopeful]

In many ways, this forum was an eye opener. Until recently I was sure of the myths being true. MJ does not lead to addiction, harder drugs, is much better than alcohol ... Your stories have put mine in perspective and helped me understand that I was hooked, am fighting to go off and it will last some time to get clean. When I read some the stories of guys smoking for 18, 20 years, I was like - wow that's a long time. But then again, when did I start? Oops, I'm 33 - first time around 18 years ... there we go - 15 years of gradually progressive use. Compared to some I was a recreational smoker. Estimation is that I was smoking less than half of those days in 15 years. But even that's not normal or little.
I smoked in the evening mostly, weekends (which started stretching from thursday to sunday - oops 4/7 days per week). Smoking meant one joint per night, two on weekends at home = 1g of skunk per week + senseless smoking at my friends place. Many times I should have hung out with my wife but went to the friends' place. If I had MJ at home I had to smoke, couldn't just have it stored - so I could have smoked the whole week. I decided to buy on Fridays, share and finish the last one on Sundays. Monday was a hangover day at work also due to drinking a litre (or more) wine on sunday. Having kids made me think I can't go on like this forever. What's bothering me. I don't want them to have a drunk pothead dad and watch them become the same.
I found out that the first joint makes a hit, second much less so I smoked only one before a movie. I've almost never smoked during the day (also due to kids), which is my luck I guess. Another thing is that I've had constant periods of withdrawal – at least 3 days per week and if I went to a conference, or abroad, or vacations ... It was a good combo I thought, since conferencing meant little sleep a lot of talk and drinking. When I didn't smoke I went to bed early and woke up early. Sometimes I'd be at work at 5 am. So this part of withdrawal I didn't mind.
If I decided to quit (several times) I would smoke the stash – one last one - (not just throw it away) and throw away the papers and the cigarettes. Then I felt emptiness. Weed filled the day, even when I did nothing. A great way of wasting time. Each time I felt, how boring my life is, didn't pick up any hobbies, didn't do sport. By weekend I'd buy new round of stash papers and cigs. The worst days were, when I could get none and craved.
But it's left a mark, I was not as happy, I was not as active, ambitious I've started gaining weight and this summer came to over 230 lbs, taking it (gr)easy. Kind of taking the edge of in the evening, which takes more than just an edge in life.
So ... in the summer I said - lose weight by sport. Sport solves so many things: stress relief, anxiety. When I read about how some of you get xanax and other drugs - don't do it. Basketball, soccer, bycicling, sex, dancing, do that ... Socialise … I started doing sport almost 7 days per week, biking to work (5 miles each way), bball, pingpong, hiking and was losing weight very nicely, felt happy, felt fit. I smoked on the weekends. When I was off work I'd smoke each evening.
In december I got sick with angina, got some antibiotics. didn't smoke for two weeks. Nothing special - usual symptoms – some less sleep. I bought some stash for the new year vacations (10 days = 3 g). 31.12. would finish the stash and then I'd wait for a week. 2. january I fell ill, lying in bed – feverish and useless. No sports for a week - no smoking as well. I remember thinking: Am i sick because I stopped smoking? But I never smoked when sick (another luck I guess).
Next week I had shivers and cold again. Third week in january, i fell ill again for five days. This week again, got some stomach cramps – yesterday i drank some magnesium and could finally end constipation.
Anyways, I knew for a long time I'd stop smoking, but the thing is that after two or three weeks off, I started thinking I should stop for good. The funny thing is that I just discovered this forum by googling about this thing – marijuana withdrawal syndrome two days ago ... The thing is that I didn't even think it exists (the withdrawal). Just thought it's less sleeping for two weeks. I was actually sweating a lot at night, but just thought it has to do with the density of my hair or pillow. So I cut the hair and bought a new pillow, two weeks ago, but still I'm sweating.
But I guess the old brain is sending me signals »get me high« and plays with me. Right now the brain is just like it used to be a few hours after the buzz or the day after. A bit stoned, slow and craving. I guess it's soaking up the last reserves.
I believe that in my situation is a combination of weight loss, immune system weakened and ending of MJ use. I have had delayed withdrawal syndrome, because for a while the brain might be like … weekend is soon coming – I'll wait it out. But when I started thinking of quitting for good, then it's throwing out punches – currently in the belly.
The fight is on, but now it's almost won. I've always suspected the brain to be selfish addict and that it's not the real me. It wants to prevent me from winning control over, it by not drinking or smoking.
I know that if i want to succeed I must not smoke another and awoid triggers.
Wish me luck, as I wish to the rest of you. It's been a great experience to share your stories. Stay tough and sober!

[Nomoremj]

Hey I know exactly what You are going through and trust me
It's not easy the panic Attacks and anxiety for me were out of control the
Scariest stuff in life if you ready previous you'll see my symptoms and yours are almost identical just when I though I was getting better bam ! It would hit me again. It tooke a good 8-9 weeks for that to stop the being afraid of falling asleep
Was also a major concern for me I was so afraid tonclose my eyes fearing I wod stop breAthing in my asleep the insomnia was the worst cause it made my anxiety worst. The nightmares like you Also caused panic attacks I hated it I'm almost 3 months and I'm behind to feel better everyday but I'm also taking a low dose of zoft which had been helping me but I eventually want to get off of it Aswell I have some klonopin for any major panick attacks although I havnt had one in over 7 weeks and the fear is subsiding I never ever want to smoke weed again but hang in there it will get better it's just going to take time

I am on day 35... and I am back to panic/anxiety attacks???

My story in brief for anyone interested is I have been smoking for about 10 years, I took a two year break from 2006 to 2009 and smoked non stop (Very high quality weed) for the past 3+ years straight. At the end of Dec. I came home really tired, and for some reason decided not to smoke that night, just went to bed. well I woke up in the middle of the night with a major panic attack. I was convinced my body was not getting any oxygen and I went to the ER. you know the stroy, I left with a script for Xanax. I smoked the next day, then took another break and it happened again. long stroy short I thought it was just "bad weed" so I stopped until I can get a different one. Well that's when I read up on these symptoms. I really suffered so bad that I wanted to die so bad. It hurt so much. my last day smoking was 12/29/2011.

The first 10 days were the worst days of my life - forcing food down, walking around pacing with panic/anxiety, going to numerous doctors, spending thousands on lab results, etc. I took a few xanax but at first they didn't help (which was probably good for me) but during the next couple weeks, they started to help but I was so affraid I would go thru this all over again from xanax addiction.

After 10 days, it started to get better. I read up that it usually takes about 10 days so I thought it was over. My 3rd week, it came back again, although not as bad. Then it got a little better. I just went a week without that xanax (i only took like 12 of them total in the past month at 0.5mg).

So here I am - last night, i had two different nightmares. I don' tknow if they were nightmares, one of them I was like in charge of a lot of money, and left the safe open, and someone stole it. so in my dream, I was feeling the anxiety!!!! then I had a different dream right after it, where I was laying in my bed and people (who I work with lol) noticed I stopped breathing. I woke up with another panic attack. omg its 35 days what is happening???? Yeah I had trouble sleeping but I found melatonin works for me, keeps me in a light sleep, only waking up a few times a night.

This has realy scared me, now I am affraid to go to bed. I get the worst panic while I am laying down that I have to get up. it got really bad last night. I commute to nyc for work and I kept myself up, got on the bus for work and I started to feel another one coming on. I have my xanax on me and I was ready to take one, but I thought let me get to work see how I fee.

here I am at work lol its getting a little better, so I will take one tonite if i need it. If anyone can please tell me or help me man I will really really greatly appreciate it. I am so scared to go home tonite and go to bed because of another nightmare (if that is what i had?) that turns into panic attacks. i would not wish this on my worst enemy.