If you have used marijuana extensively for a long period of time, you are going to experience some withdrawal symptoms. For some individuals the withdrawals are more severe than for others. It depends on body chemistry, degree of abuse, and other factors like whether you were using the drug to cover up some other problem.
For people that use marijuana to make themselves more comfortable in social situations, they may experience extreme discomfort and anxiety coming off the drug. Similarly individuals that used it for other reasons like appetite boost or to help with insomnia generally will experience some sort of a crash while their physiology changes to adapt to life without the drug.
Factors that influence marijuana withdrawal include:
1. Time Span
Did you smoke marijuana for a week? A few months? A year? 5 years? 10 years?
2. Frequency
How often did you smoke marijuana? Was it daily? Twice a day? Thrice a day? All day everyday?
If you smoked marijuana heavily for the past decade and used it at a high frequency (i.e. 3x per day), chances are that your withdrawal symptoms are going to be more severe than someone who has only used this substance for a few months a couple times per week. In fact the person who only used the drug a couple times a week may not experience any withdrawal whatsoever, while the individual that was addicted for 10 years may not be able to cope without the drug.
Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms:
- Anxiety – You may feel more anxious in social situations and develop some sort of generalized anxiety. This is the exact opposite of how relaxed you felt while using the drug – your brain is trying to compensate for the chemicals it received while you used marijuana.
- Appetite changes – If marijuana helped boost your appetite, you may not feel hungry at all while coming off of the drug. In some cases, people actually feel hungrier coming off marijuana – it totally depends on the case.
- Cramps – Some people notice stomach cramps and digestion problems. Others may feel achy.
- Cravings (for marijuana) – At some point in time, most people will experience a craving to use marijuana again. This is because you stimulated your brains pleasure center and kept feeding it chemicals to make you feel good. It wants its fix, and knows marijuana makes you feel good, so you will likely crave the drug.
- Depersonalization – You may feel like you are not the same person or are going crazy. This is usually a result of intense anxiety. You may have never felt this way before; your brain chemistry has been thrown out of whack.
- Depression – Many people experience some sort of depressive symptoms when coming off of the drug. You may feel sad and as though you have lost all zest for life.
- Dizziness – Some individuals report feeling dizzy. Try not to lose your cool if this is happening, just accept it as a symptom.
- Headaches – Another common withdrawal symptom is that of headaches.
- Insomnia – Not being able to sleep at night is a problem, but one that you need to tackle head on. Try learning some relaxation techniques or getting more exercise during the day to help tire yourself out at night.
- Irritability – You may experience anger or frustration with the world when coming off of the drug. No one wants to get mad at little things, but this will eventually pass with enough time.
- Mood swings – Some people experience extreme changes in mood when trying to quit this drug. You may feel alright one minute and then raging mad or depressed the next.
- Nausea – Feeling nauseated, especially before, during, or after eating is common.
- Sleep disturbances – You may experience crazy vivid dreams or have disrupted sleep where you wake up in the middle of the night.
- Sweating – Some people end up sweating more than they normally would during withdrawal.
Note: It is known that marijuana stays in your system along with cannabinoid metabolites for between 4 to 21 days after your final ingestion. Some speculate that once the THC and cannabinoids are fully excreted, discontinuation symptoms become more prominent.
When will the marijuana withdrawal symptoms subside?
Depending on the length of time and frequency that you used marijuana, time period for withdrawal varies from person to person. Most people will notice that they are completely symptom free after 90 days. It also depends if you tapered off slowly or just quit one day randomly in “cold turkey” fashion. I think cold turkey is the best way to quit, but probably the toughest for your body and brain to re-adjust to normalcy.
Don’t freak out if you don’t return to normal after 3 months of withdrawal. Keep pushing forward and accept all of the symptoms that you experience without freaking out. Engaging in healthy activities like socializing, exercising, eating healthy foods, and staying busy will help you make it through this difficult time.
Fortunately marijuana withdrawal is easier than many other drugs – so consider yourself lucky. If you aren’t able to withdraw on your own or deal with symptoms, you should consider consulting a professional. If symptoms are still too extreme to manage, you may want to look into a rehab facility. Most people can quit with the help of family and a good social network.
I smoked weed for just over a year, about 2 grams a day shared with a friend sometimes and I have been feeling withdrawal symptoms from anxiety, depression to getting random outbursts of sadness and anger. It’s been about 2 months since I have stopped and most withdrawal symptoms are starting to calm down, but I still don’t feel 100%. I feel like I will never feel normal again, my anxiety is still pretty bad, I always think something is seriously wrong with my health if I have a headache or a random upset stomach. I just want to know when this will all end and I can feel normal again?
It’s still ongoing for me – almost a year going into 2. I was on pot every single day for almost a year. I eventually stopped, not intending to quit, I just couldn’t afford to since my lifestyle changed – new job, etc. Since then I almost never do it. On the rare occasion that I do smoke (social pressure) I’d get paranoid and even more anxious. I know what you’re going through. Totally feels like superman under a red sun. Powers gone!
Sh*t! I’m just glad I came here and now know that it’s a withdrawal. I was afraid this would be forever.
I’ve smoked for 6 years all day everyday and the reason I started was to treat my depression. All I can say about my 3rd week going cold turkey is that my depression is starting to come back. In my humble opinion, marijuana withdrawals do not create new symptoms in ones body, but instead unchain symptoms held dormant in ones body that they may or may not have prior knowledge about. Hope this helps someone. PS: I’m smoking again because life is better with than without.
I am a mother of a 25 year old man who severely abused weed. Started when he was 17, then the last year he used to do 40 to 50 bongs a day. He has ended up in a mental hospital. Believe me since watching my son telling me he’s Jesus and there’s snipers on the roof / the governments out to kill him, totally losing all type of reality – don’t ever tell me weed is OK. It’s the saddest thing – he is diagnosed with psychosis and I don’t know if we will ever get our son back. Will his brain get better? Is there anyone out there who has also suffered this and recovered?
Sounds like he was smoking salvia. Google it
Dear Sue, hearing this is terrible. Step one I recommend to you is to pray. Sorry if offended but from my personal experience it is a big help. The good news is that his brain can get better. There have been many reports of near fully or fully recovered psychosis patients. Step two is exercise, eating healthy (fruits and vegetables)and trying to get proper sleep. Step 3 is not abusing drugs such as hard drugs, weed, and especially alcohol. the only drugs he should be taking are those prescribed that may help. Recovery is possible and very real though. Although it may take weeks, months, or years in this case concerning the abuse done. but things can get better in time. God bless you and your Son and there is always hope.
I have been partying everyday 3 times a day for 18 years. I tried the vaporizer (not the same high), bowl, and brownie recipe to help my lungs out. I only stopped when I left the country, but still found some. I am a proud father of two and have to either buy my daughter her tenth b-day present or an ounce… I work 12 hours a day making fifty bucks an hour and am still in debt from wedding 5 years ago.
Wife says we could be only owing 20k instead of 22k if I didn’t buy a QP a year for 4 years. The cost is minimal (I could grow), but the mental and health effects are enormous. I notice my teeth are hollowed out from a dry mouth (beer didn’t help), my central nervous system is wrecked, dark circles under my eyes, and mood swings until I get my fix. So easy to spend $50 a month and my dealer is just a click away. Only thing stopping me is my wife and my conscience. I need to invest that $50 a month for my child’s future, wedding, house, etc. Nobody tells you pot ruins your teeth and makes you look ten years older until it is too late.
Stopped 7 months ago after 28 yrs smoking half oz a week – I am so ill now. The sleeping probs only lasted 3/4 months but I have breathing problems, heart suddenly beats so loudly and you can see it jump in my chest. I have nausea, feel so fatigued, and have an awful taste and smell coming up into my mouth… mouth ulcers? I also have a weird left sided brain feeling a bit like someone dribbled an egg down part of your brain before heart kicks off. Serious episodes of confusion like who am I? Where am I?
They only last for seconds but scary when your in your own home but don’t know it. Had month long halter ECG machine, head MRI and various tests but all negative apart from COPD/emphysema (mild 80% fever) which is the reason I stopped cold turkey on 18th march this year…the breathing wasn’t bad when smoking but since stopping I have days when I really struggle to breathe. A few steps does me in and I have to sit down. Has anyone else had these symptoms? and for this length of time? Or was the pot hiding something?
Let’s face it we ignore/deny everything we can so we can keep smoking. I am happy I stopped – I finally enjoy things in life again and didn’t think I would lol. I’m no longer bored or scared that I don’t know who I am without it. I gained an extra income just by stopping smoking… most people have to get a 2nd job to do that! Anyone else had long withdrawal symptoms? Or know what might be wrong with me? Good luck to everyone you can do it.
I quit 3 days ago and the withdrawal symptoms are massive. To be honest, it has ruined a lot of parts in my life. I only had stoner friends, lost a good gf, lost my personality, a lot of things basically. It’s hard, really hard when you don’t have a good set of friends, like me, cause you have to rely on yourself. I sincerely wish I had someone to connect with. This forum has helped a lil’ being able to read others’ comments. Please pray for me, cause I never wanna fall back into that ditch ever again.
Hey I’m Matty, I was smoking every day since I was about 17-18 I’m now 31. Before I could not imagine life without that comfort and routine of smoking buds. I quit cold turkey about 3 weeks ago… the first week I had bad mood swings and self-harm thoughts. Now I’m very happy and finally realize I have a bright future beyond being toasted every day. But I keep sweating basically non stop every day… it’s intense and very annoying, but I just keep thinking I’ve come this far, why turn back?
If the sweats would just go way, I’d be home free. I do miss the escape and comfort of being high, but there’s so many devices in the world to experience why just hide behind one because its easy and comfy? Life goes on, change is always a good thing. Just stay strong, each day opens your world beyond smoking, it’s really worth it, gotta be in it to win it.
The feeling of hollow hovers over my every waking moment, the anxiety eats me alive at night. I haven’t slept for four f*cking days. It’s good to know the road to sobriety is not paved alone. Best luck to all of you, and remember when it gets tough, just hold on a little bit longer and it’ll all be alright, everything will be alright.
Well my husband has been pot free for 2 weeks. Last night he told me he didn’t like me and that NO one liked me. He claims that quitting has been easy for him and that I am still not happy even though he quit. He has smoked pot for over 20 years. He has been with me for 14 years and has spent about 400 per month on it. I thought this would be a positive thing but I feel now he is so resentful towards me and now becoming hateful. I am tired!!
400 per month for 20 years is almost a hundred thousand dollars!!
Wow agreed… I haven’t been on cannabis for 10+ years but I have been for 2-3 years and the pain is so severe I can’t even tell you… Anxiety attacks with just chest constantly hurting you swear as if your heart is falling apart… As if your life is falling apart… I wish someone told me about the effects of weed… Cause people out here think they aren’t real
Hi all. I just wanted to share my recent experience with everyone on here, I was a long term user of cannabis (about 10-15 cones a day) sometimes more, I started smoking at the age of 14 and am now 23. I recently decided to quit smoking as I kept getting sick. I couldn’t stop vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, severe dehydration, my kidney started to fail. I presented to Emergency with these symptoms and was diagnosed with Cannsbinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. It’s rare, but it’s real. Very real.
The condition affects the way your immune system releases the “cannabinoids” and ultimately they build up and cannot be released from your body like most normal smokers. This condition affected me so badly, I went through 2 and a half weeks of hot showers and living in my bath tub to ease the pain. This condition not only can affect you if you are withdrawing from pot, but if you smoke too much also. The only known cure for this is to quit. I was so dehydrated from these symptoms and vomiting that my kidney started to fail.
Some people think marijuana withdrawals are “nothing” compared to other drugs, but unless you’ve felt this, you have no idea. The only thing that got me through this tough time was my doctor prescribed me Valium and Maxalon to keep the nausea away. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is bloody awful. It does pass, but with time and you MUST stop using immediately. Using in-between only prolongs the Agony. Which it truly was.
So I just wanted to share my experience and make people aware of this syndrome which is absolutely diagnosable. My advice to anyone who is suffering from these symptoms is cut down and quit if you know what’s best for you. Also Drinking small amounts of Hydralyte (available at most pharmacies) and powerade, Gatorade, icy poles and watermelon really helped hydrate me in the end. I hope no one has to suffer these horrible symptoms I’ve suffered many times.
Very proud NON smoker now. Cheers for reading. :) And good luck all you stoners!!
I have been dabbing for 10 months smoking pretty heavy I quit almost a month ago. I took a hit last week thinking it would help my anxiety, but it made it way worse. I don’t feel normal anymore and I was wondering if being around the smoke affects me because I’m tying to get it out of my system but my bf and his friends are always smoking in the house does that affect me?
Second hand pot smoke can be harmful but most studies show active THC ingredient does not last long in exhaled smoke… brbrose57
I am 31 years old and live in Scandinavia. I started smoking when I was 18. In the beginning not so much but without thinking about it really, I turned out to be smoking every day. My previous boyfriend and I smoked together which made it even harder to quit. And I was never fully determined that I should quit either. My studies went great, I even studied double courses and never had a problem coping with everyday life.
When I started working I also managed to do a good job. (My boyfriend though, couldn’t. He failed all attempts of working and studying and mainly sat at home playing computer games..) Weed was my way to on one hand focus and not stress out, on the other hand to get away from anxiety. In the end both me and my ex kind of lost the zest of life and just smoked because that’s what we’d always done. Smoking weed also covered up the fact that I didn’t feel any love for him anymore. I was just stuck in a pattern and wanted to smoke to not feel and not having to deal with the difficulties of breaking up.
After 10 years of a relationship with everyday smoking I decided to leave that relationship and also quit smoking for about 6 months. I thought I would never start again but one day I just started and I thought I could do it wisely and not in the same everyday-smoking-style. Well, I ended up smoking everyday again and now finally, a year later, I have finally realised this is an addiction to me, both physically and mentally. I always believed what people say about marijuana not being addictive, but now I don’t anymore. Yes, it can open up your mind, and yes, it can relieve pain, but it sure is a poison to your body.
I’ve quit a few times before, but this time is the first time I felt physical symptoms and believe me, it’s been tough! I quit 3 weeks ago and in the beginning I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, dreaming terrible nightmares. I have also had, and still have, bad headaches, a sore throat and get cold sweats. I can sleep at night but usually wake up in the middle of the night feeling frightened because of my dreams. I also had stomach cramps and diarrhea in the beginning but it quit after about 10 days.
I never want to go through this again, especially since I do it all on my own, coping with a tough job, and noone knows I’m going through this kind of rehab at the same time. So I am determined to stay clean. I started in therapy and I’ve decided to leave urine to get tested that I’m clean because I don’t trust my weed-loving mind. I blocked all numbers to dealers and have told people I sometimes smoked with that I am off it for real now.
I still feel a bit apathic and I cant wait to get my zest of life back, the will to meet new people, meeting a partner or whatever. Right now I’m just focused on coping with all the feelings that I earlier could escape from with the help of my drug-of-choice…
From a 25 year smoker who was heavy user (Snoop Dogg levels) let me tell you i quit cold turkey 25 days ago and i still feel f#cked. Bad Headaches everyday for over 3 weeks, terrible sleeps, insomnia, crazy technicolor dreams, head feels like its swimming and getting squeezed in a vice grip, I am dizzy everyday, really dizzy. I was thinking of going back to very light use at some point but i am questioning that because this detox has been so rough and I really don’t ever want to feel this shitty for this long again.
This cleanse is kicking my ass big time, the upside is I’m not overeating and have overhauled my diet big time and have lost 20 lbs. I still think cannabis is a great tool if you use it wisely and don’t abuse it. The oil helped cure some skin cancer on my back. It’s no gateway drug or any of that rah rah but the detox is no joke. I’m 42 year old man 6″1 207 lbs now. I smoked for arthritis pain and sleep and still think its a helpful medication but careful that you don’t abuse it like I did. Cheers
Hey All,
Only a casual smoker on and off for the past 4 years, more so in the last two, but I am definitely experiencing withdrawals. Stopped smoking mostly about 3 months ago (only a few times a month), but the anxiety/sweats/irritability/nausea/insomnia/mood swings hit me like a freight train a week or so ago. They have since subsided, but I had one very rough week with a panic attack and all symptoms at once for a few days. Now it’s just a little apathy/mild depression that will hopefully get better and better with a healthy, active lifestyle.
I am extremely sensitive to anything I put in my body and am not surprised it has affected me in this way even though I was a very light user of the drug compared to most (smoked maybe 20 days out of the month at my most frequent usage). I never intended to stop smoking, just was tapering off naturally due to life changes and less interest in it, but now have decided to stop completely after this ordeal. Choose sober, guys, it’s more fun :)
I smoked daily for three years. I tried quitting a few times but hung on to my weed, just in case. I failed every time because I had access to it. This time I threw away my weed, pipes and grinder. Today is day 18 and my anxiety is out of control. I start a new job next month and pre-employment drug screening is a requirement, every three months another test, and randoms are always a possibility. If I had weed here I wouldn’t be typing, I’d be blazin. WEED IS ADDICTIVE, don’t let anyone tell you differently. Great article, it gave me some hope. Thanks.
Iv smoked cannabis for just over 15 years everyday and when iv tried stopping I just get the sweats and I’m very moody, still never been able to quit the habit I’m now on day 2 and having same affects, but what I’m going to say now is very strange but when I go on holiday I’m fine no symptoms! Maybe its knowing you can get your hands on it when your at home and its always at back of your mind maybe that doesn’t help? But everyone is different that’s just something I noticed when I go away. And Negative people YES! my spelling and grammar is terrible feel free to point it out and blame it on how much weed Iv smoked PS GOOD LUCK EVERYONE
I can accept that everyone has different biology, and so not everyone will feel every symptom. I can also accept that all of these are possible symptoms. But do we have any corroborated claims as to just how likely someone is to show any of these symptoms? Seems all the comments discuss that people react differently without ever considering what ratio of people react what ways.
I suppose it makes sense, given that intakes are so drastically different, but I am still curious. I only can attest for myself and those comments here that have given their situation. I had always heard that a withdrawal from caffeine was harder to cope with than one from marijuana.
Withdrawal from any drug that affects the central nervous system is hard to cope with, and, yes, that does include caffeine and nicotine. As far as corroboration goes, that’s the whole point of this forum. You can see that many, many people are reporting the identical marijuana-withdrawal symptoms. When you accumulate this many reports, the case for marijuana being addictive goes beyond being merely anecdotal.
As I say in my July 23 post, I’m sort of ambivalent about pot being legalized. I chose to stop using it, for my own reasons, and I suffered the withdrawal symptoms, in spades, that so many others here have experienced. My beef is with the mindless proponents of legalization, who claim that marijuana is problem-free and is practically a smokeable God and that anyone who thinks otherwise is a cross between a Mayflower Puritan and a Nazi. But I suppose that shouldn’t surprise me, since one of the things that marijuana robbed me of, when I was smoking, was the ability to think critically.
To answer Ricky and Daniel’s questions respectively:
I have been a daily user for 10 years. I vaporized 3-4 times a day for the past five years and have been using concentrates and hash oil for the past 2 years straight. I am currently 98 days clean of all things cannabis. I can tell you with certainty that the withdrawal process can be hell. Of course it depends on usage, potency, length of time, etc. but I am still not feeling 100% like my normal happy form.
Ricky: You are experiencing anxiety/panic attacks as your brain and amygdala balance out to normal. Without THC, your chemical balance of neurotransmitters is all out of whack. The only thing that will heal you is time. Trust me I went through it all; the severe anxiety, shakes, floating body feeling, severe surges of anger. It is all part of the withdrawal process so hang in there. The tramadol may have something to do with it too, but I was on nothing but weed before I quit and went through hell getting through the first month of withdrawals.
Daniel: I too had strange vision during the first 4 to 6 weeks of being clean of cannabis. It is a stress response from your body. Without THC, your system is in shock and is sending out stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones cause many physiological changes some of which are vision issues. I had floaters like you mentioned and also a serous retinopathy, which is an accumulation of fluid behind the retina of your eye. It appeared as a big dark circle in my vision that almost looked like I was looking through 3D glasses. Thankfully that cleared up as well as the floaters. It is all part of the withdrawal process and will eventually clear with time. It is a very slow process though, so don’t be discouraged if it hasn’t gotten better in a few weeks. Like I said, I’m 98 days in and I know that I’ve gotten much better and healthier, but I also know that I’m not completely back to my normal self. Good luck to you all!!
I’ve been smoking for 20 years and have up 4 days ago. Ive got headaches, sweats, nothing to numb anything, I don’t think I can do it, I hate myself
Ive quit cannabis for 2 weeks now and now my eye sight has gone like static and getting lots of floaters also i keep getting headaches has any 1 else experinced static vision n floaters after quitting?
So been a weed smoker 12 years, since i was 15 apart from a period of a year between 16 and 17. Started smoking again at 17 and cant really remember going more than 14 days with it, but when i have felt great! I might add I’ve taken other drugs on fridays and Saturdays like cocaine, mdma, speed, mushrooms once, and alcohol in copious amounts. But all partying or trying new experience not through dependency mon-fri normal working man. Knocked most of that on the head 4 years ago when my first child came along.
Anyway last 3 years smoked heavily right up to an operation 4 weeks ago for two slipped discs, I know at 27! Was prescribed tramadol as a painkiller smoked weed pretty much daily whilst on a constant 400mg a day although first two day my misses was accidentally giving me 800mg a day which we rectified (felt awesome I might add). 6 days ago ran out of weed, did not buy any more did not feel like it 4 days ago stopped taking tramadol.
Last two days I’ve had brief moments of extreme anxiety when I say brief 2 mins max but my god those two mins feel like a life time, feels like someone is temporarily getting in my head and having a mess around at my expense. Weird ‘surging’ feelings and at those times extreme irritability anger and a feeling of being freaked out by all of this like my rational mind is unraveling. Normally have a strong constitution but this is weird, and as you can tell from the more psycoactive drugs I’ve took before mentally I’m strong enough to deal with it, but this feels different, has anyone experienced this?
Is it the tramadol comedown or the weed or both, like I say weed is never been a problem b4. I’m just a little concerned.
I have been smoking dope for 49 yrs, 17 when I first started, am now 65, oh dear! Have occasionally given it up but always back on it as I find life is full of the stuff that is on the website. so many people with so much feeling, both negative and positive and I have to live in a world of people. life is hard and full of do’s and don’t’s. gave up recently again and forgot I had given up and woke up one Monday morning feeling like I have never felt before. all I wanted to do was fall on my head and stop this awful feeling – and it is not mental it is emotional.
Why do we persist in calling psychological feelings mental. Tis how we feel that is – the thinking comes after. the world is run by men trying to make money and control others – with guns often. our souls are in need not our mental abilities. Tis hard to be alive as a human being. reality is essentially chaotic and incomprehensible and humans seem to attempt to see patterns that would explain what it is all about. How puny and unimportant we are. The Chinese have a mixture of herbs used for opiate withdrawal which I forgot I had used last time but I am going to get some cos I am old and wearing out and need to sustain myself without dope – well that’s how I feel now! good luck to all!
I can tell anyone trying to quit (from first-hand experience), that:
1) It will seem quite sad to quit, and this is the hardest part for me. Weed is like a good friend, like someone who has always been there for you– and it will seem sad to not smoke it. And it’s true– it’s always been there for you, which will make it all the harder to let it go. You’ll remember all of the great times you had with it. I personally have ‘quit’ several times now. the past few times I made it 4 or 5 months and then thought “I’ll just smoke a bowl for old time sake, and remember the feeling”.. then it’s right back into the cycle. This time around, I’m at 4 months clean, and feeling good. I’ve had a few moments of weakness (I’d be a hypocrite if I said I didn’t), but doing ok. In fact, the few times I have smoked, I’ve remembered exactly why I’ve wanted to let it go.
2) The first week is fine– deceivingly so, in fact. You’ll think, oh this isn’t too bad. The second week is hell, and that will last for a good 2 weeks. For me, that includes a complete lack of energy, depression and overall dull feeling. Really bad diarrhea (from what I hear, this is rare, but for me it is terrible, and lasts 4 or 5 days) But once you’ve made it 3 weeks, you will be on the up-and-up. I still remember the feeling of my real sense of humor starting to come through, and thinking what a good feeling it is to really laugh, or really make a good joke that is purely yourself, and not the weed.
3) You may need to destroy your bowl, and burn your weed. Seriously, it may be the only way to resist the temptation.
Good luck to anyone in the same boat. You owe it to yourself to give it a few months. From there, who knows? I know that I personally will always battle the urge to go back to daily smoking, and it will not be easy. All it takes is a rough day, or a bad feeling to have a strong desire to smoke. I just always try to remind myself of all the times I’ve felt like the weed was controlling me, and the feeling of freeing myself from it.
Hi Guys,
Thank you for your information. Been smoking everyday straight for the past 5 years. Its really hard to come off it cause I love weed. The feeling of wake and bake + knowing your just chilled x 10 no f*cks given.
Its been the second day of cold turkey & my cravings to punch a FAT MOUNTAIN is slowly increasing. But I also keep myself busy so the cravings go away. Other than that, I like to think I’m doing well for the second day.
Mr S
Started smoking casually in high school at about 15. Could control it fine and bought into all the “Marijuana is not habit forming” BS. I even smoked while studying for our final exams, ended up coming 14th in our year (of +120 students), confirming my idea that marijuana is not harmful.
When I was 17 I left for uni. Didn’t smoke for a while as I hadn’t met anyone who smoked and felt like that part of my life was over. After a few months had made a few casual smoker friends and was back to smoking every now and then. Before I knew it, we were all smoking daily. Stopped attending lectures, would stay up all night and only wake up at about 3pm. Marks dropped. Went home at the end of the year and stopped smoking cold turkey and was fine, although I had serious cravings every now and then.
I decided I wouldn’t smoke again when back at varsity, first day back was bonging it up with my friends. Instead of taking 2-3 months for a habit to form, I was back to my same old ways instantly. Failed a course and scraped through with the rest. Have basically smoked at least 3 times a day since. Got tired of basically not being able to function and stopped smoking 2 days ago.
Have experienced excessive sweating, bad insomnia, stomach aches, reduced appetite and vivid dreams (most of which are about smoking). Obviously these are all pale symptoms in comparison to hard-drug withdrawals but are symptoms none-the-less. I regret allowing myself to get to the point where marijuana was affecting my studies and life but don’t regret starting smoking in a way as it has had some positive benefits on my life.
I suffer from depression and the weed helped me through some bad times. I feel as if it has definitely given me increased insight. However, I come from a family of numerous addicts (from cigarettes to booze to crack cocaine and heroin) and probably shouldn’t have meddled with any mind altering substances.
I hope I am able to maintain my sobriety but will miss the positive effects of weed.
It is so remarkable that most of the remarks here are based upon peoples feelings of what they think is withdrawal. It would be no different if you stopped anything you have done for so long. You would miss it but true withdrawal- I dont think so. Everyone is different is what I keep hearing, but thats funny as real withdrawal affects everyone not some for instance, heroin, its true withdrawal, noone says ohh its different for everyone. This whole post and comment section is the reason people Lose Brain Cells. Sorry but you guys are pathetic….
So, what’s the real definition of “withdrawal,” doc? I’ve known two smack addicts, in my life, who’ve gotten off the shit. One went cold turkey, and it was so bad that he went into cardiac arrest and has spent the years since in heavy therapy. The other went cold turkey, too, and just threw up a few times and sweated a lot. People lose brain cells when they let cobwebs form over their ability to think critically (and spell simple words such as “unbelievable”), which seems to be what you’ve done, and that, cowboy, is truly pathetic.
To a degree, you’re right. Anything can be used as a crutch-chewing gum, tapping your fingers, grinding your teeth, weed, alchohol, soda, candy-it’s called an addictive personality. I have a buddy whose brother was killed by a drunk driver and his dad was an alcoholic. He’s never touched drugs or booze in his life but goes to regular AA meetings because he figures he’s got the genes to be an addict and never wants to start. He’s so adamant about it, get this, that it’s an ADDICTION for him NOT to be an addict to anything.
Kind of funny, but at least he’s not coughing up chunks of rubber cement or making his liver into a river rock and running over schoolyards full of children without even knowing it til he gets home and finds the blood dripping off his bumpers. Your post sounds like you’re defending something you know down deep isn’t great for you, but maybe it’s not become a huge problem thus far in your life. Lucky you, hope it stays that way! But being a d*ck to everyone else is a symptom too and your lack of empathy or tolerance of other people’s problems, crutches, excuses etc. is kind of interesting.
I’d ask one question: How’d you get here? What made you find this forum? Think about it. Best wishes to you always no matter what you think of me/us here on this site. I have the same opinion in a few cases with a few posts, like “gawd, you’re f’ed up from the bone marrow, the stuff you’re writing here is just a symptom, not the disease”. But you know what? I could be wrong. So could you.
Good luck people, I have made it totally drug free. I’m a new person after having that poison for over 10 years, my taste buds have come back and most of all I ain’t dependant on drugs. Drugs don’t control my life anymore. If I can do it u can it’s all about will power keep on fighting and stay adamant to quit. You can do it.
If you have used cannabis to cover up other things like depression of course it’s going to be harder to quit. Nobody can tell how another person feels inside by reading these comments. Plus why would they lie? Bud may not kill brain cells but has clearly killed murdered some empathy, good luck quitting all who need it. Smash the bong and stay strong.
First of all I just want to say thanks to everyone for posting their real struggles with quitting Mary Jane (Well except for the blow holes that “don’t have withdraws or issues from weed”). Like the 95% here, I too have found it extremely difficult to quit smoking/eating herb. I’m on day 6 of my sobriety and well it’s been down right hell. I’ve been a relativity active, healthy and happy 31 year old with a recreational habit of smoking pot and eating pot treats.
I’ve been consuming pot non stop since the age of 19. The reason I decided to quit was for the simple fact I wanted out of a job that’s been dead end since I was hired. P.S. It’s very easy to say, “Why should I quit? I’m making a living and I’m comfortable”. But that’s just it. It was easy to say with the joint in hand but when you remove the THC tented glasses, life really isn’t as great as it seemed to be. The $300-$600 a month going up in smoke (quality over quantity). For what to enjoy my life, I think not. The problem was I wasn’t thinking I was hiding from the struggles of life.
That all changed 24hours into my sobriety I couldn’t eat, sleep or think. I lost a total of 12 lbs in 48 hours from not eating and being dehydrated. I felt like I had the flu sweating like a pig, nausea, head aches, irritability, and shaking to name a few. Then the anxiety set in, I tried my best to stay in control of my mental state but working in a high stress job. Not good when going through withdraws, I ended up flying of the handle at work and quit my job for no particular reason other than the normal daily stress of the job.
I felt completely out of control both at work and at home. Not only did the boss get what for so did my spouse. I do have to say I’m feeling more in control now that I understand pot is additive and there truly are withdraws. Having all this free time now to think clearer and being more active has helped me see the potential in myself to become a greater person. So to those that are struggling like me, we can make it if we don’t give in/up. Thanks again and God bless
Reading all your comments and I agree 100% i’m feeling most of the symptoms mentioned, been smoking pretty much daily for 15+ years n I’m feeling SH*T, been bout 2 weeks without the erb n yeah struggling to be my positive outgoing self… I’m thinking though its gotta get better I did expect some sought of battle, always new the day would come when all the GOOD times would end and I would pay (in a sense) its cool though I’m a fighter and these down times won’t last forever, I’m excited to experience life without weed, apologies if I’m dribbling just glad I ain’t the only person freaking out alone. Oh n for all the comments about feeling no different on or off the erb blah blah blah, BS in a big way this sh*t is real but not impossible to get through, I got my reasons for change find yours and push on through you all got the ability prove to yourselves you got the strength. Hope n good things to all.
I’ve smoked daily for at least five years. Today I am 5 days off of pot. I’m experiencing same symptoms as when I stopped using opiates. I’ve been off pills for 8 months. Sweating and cold. Dizzy and light headed. Upset stomach and the sh*ts. Sore throat. Body aches. Can’t sleep. Not hungry. Major headache. My body is so heavy. I feel like I’m going to puke. I don’t know how I even functioned at work today. A cold is going around and I hope that’s what I have, but I know I’m withdrawing.
Hi all. I am a chronic, daily user (upwards of 4 grams) of marijuana. I smoke through a water pipe. I have smoked at relatively the same consistency since I was 20. At 25, my habit has developed and changed over the years. So I have been a heavy user for over 5 years, at times smoking up to a quarter ounce per day.
In these times, I usually ran out of money very quickly- and smoking 7 grams of weed in the day, left me very demotivated- for everything including work. So you can see, in these times, the quarter day use couldn’t last very long. Financially and mentally. My mental health through these 5 years has affected my desire and need to consume marijuana. I am addicted to it, however, I always increased usage and my dependence felt far more real, in times of mental hardship. I lose my mind when faced with a night of no marijuana. I have not spent more than 24 hours off of this drug in over a year.
I am one of the unlucky individuals who has Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome. It has affected me three times in 3 years since introducing marijuana in to my life. The intense sickness, is not enough to stop my habit. I am at a point where I have no idea who I really am anymore. My emotions are not mine. My feelings are a mess. I want a life free of addiction. I do not want to want marijuana. I already don’t want to be smoking it. But now I find, I do not want to want it.
Withdrawal has been difficult in the past when I have decided to quit. Between 20-23 I saw my addiction as very very negative and I hated myself for smoking. I attempted to withdraw and detox myself, completely alone, 11 times in 18 months. The most time I achieved without relapse was 21 days. I have not done this, since October 2012. I would just find that after a couple of weeks, I forgot how much pain I was in from smoking. I forgot how much I hated it and I forgot that I wanted to be free of it.
Currently, and for the last few days, I have only been smoking 1-2 grams, and only at night before I go to sleep. I have long been one to wake during the night multiple times, and smoke more to fall back to sleep. I experience extreme general anxiety, pretty much every day, regardless of whether I smoke or not. I would conclusively say, with confidence, that my addiction to marijuana has exacerbated any existing illness I had of the mind, and absolutely bred eternal fear and panic within myself as an adult.
I am not sure if this can be completely corrected, but I know in my heart that it will not be too much longer that I am trapped behind this glass wall- observing the world and how it works- wondering in confusion why it doesn’t feel like that for me. Weed has saved my life many times, but it is destroying me.
I am very open to chatting to people who are in similar situations or who just want to talk to someone. My email is s underscore e underscore millard at Hotmail dot com.
Cheers,
S
First I just wanna say that this post is the best I’ve ever read about hash and weed withdrawal difficulties (especially the comments). Now I feel really comfortable that there are people who are experiencing what I’m experiencing as a recent quitter. Although I smoked for only 3 years now, I’m experiencing really tough withdrawal symptoms; I lost my appetite, I feel sad, angry, lost and lonely most of the time, and I just lost the will to do fun or productive activities.
I’m completely aware that it’s all a part of the withdrawal process, however, I wish I’d never gone through this. I’m not saying that I’m giving up or anything, but all of this could have been preventable through moderate consumption, so if you can’t control how much weed you smoke, you’d be better off without it. Finally, I believe that the process of withdrawal is a genuine exercise in self control and an opportunity to build a strong personality, that’s how I see it anyway and I guess that’s what helping me coping with this harsh transition.
I wish good luck to anyone trying to quit, and I’m grateful to everyone here for sharing their experiences, it’s really helpful to people in the same situation just like myself.
It’s interesting how ppl blame others everytime..If it’s hard to quit.It’s hard bc you smoked in the first place.Your choice. Don’t insult ppl that don’t smoke. And don’t be envious on ppl that can smoke when they want and can quit when they want.
I must say, I pretty much have dibs on a little bit of each individual posts here. I’ve smoked for 15 years. Pretty much every minute of the day and/or night. I was always lighting up, regardless if I was driving 15min or 3 hrs. I’ve used tincture, tried everything regardless of cost to see light at the end if the tunnel, brownies at family functions to be discreet. I’ve quit many times but it never lasted long before I started again. I’ve spent a readily of $300-$1000 per month for supplies. When the good grade wasn’t available I’d settle for bunk weed but I always had a stash.
I would even get depress or smoke more when i know I’m about to run out. I was chronicly ill. My body was dying. Little did I understand at the time..grief had taken over me and I was literally so depressed that I made my body sick. I was nautious every min of the day so my doctor had me on phenergan for 8 years to buy me time until they could figure out what’s wrong and how to treat me. I turned to weed for relief in so many ways to cope with life. Everytime i came I to the medical field setting then they would suggest i quit. So i do but things would get worst. I was always trying to kill myself.
I vomited everything I ate and anything I didn’t eat. I saw no point in living when my body is a wreck. I was vomiting air when I had nothing left in my stomach. I was rushed to the hospital countless times to be ressessatated. I exhausted my finance to seek medical help for my illness but it was all hopeless. I had so many doctors and multiple 2nd opinions it was a living nightmare. I wanted to die every sec of the day. I never slept. I couldn’t eat. My stomach wouldn’t hold anything. It was a vicious cycle that just kept repeating. I almost on several occasion drove myself to a state that I can legally end my life. Where do I begin.
I was abused so much started with childhood on top of everything, rape, child molested, beaten beaten beaten..my doctor said my body just braced as much as it could..the aftermath was a living horror..I didn’t know how to live with myself, the grief tore me up. My depression from losing a baby took over me. That was the turning point. The doctor telling me if I bear child I could die, they could lose me. A life with no children was pointless to me. To me children are the future..without them there’s nothing. I must have lost my mind and sat in the same chair for weeks not knowing my own name… Just tears rolling down my cheeks ..that’s a I had.
My mother just got hit by a drunk driver and she’s in ICU ..not knowing if she’ ll make it. I knew weed was wrong, but to survive myself and stay alive I’d say fuck it and light away. I got a cat in hopes it will help lift my spirit. Then a dog. Hopeless. On worst days I’d feel so guilty and want to quit weed but suicidal was worst at the other end for me. My doctor would tell me how I’m still alive up to this day is a miracle. He tells me if I think suicidal is not fatal don’t kid myself.. That I’m worst than a loaded weapon. Everytime I saw him he would tell me this. Most of the time It meant nothing to me. The void it in supersedes everything.
I drowned myself. Weed was the only thing that kept me alive for another day of torment. I was less than 70#’s. Basicly skin and bones. Malnourished in every way. I’d even throw up water. Desperate to gain weight I resorted to weed to get any appetite to eat. I’ve crossed path with many medical staff..some was absolute that I quite..some said fuck it if it keeps u alive don’t feel guilty about it..live to survive another day. After I smoke I would ramble on nonstop as if my body is trying to shed stress. Unfortunately, I just stopped eating period. When I tried to eat and i’d throw up. When I don’t eat I throw up. Desperate to numb the pain I turned to weed.
I balled up everyday. Hide in corners of the house ..idk why. My esophagus was fucked up. My intestines were fucked up. Family death after famy death didn’t make it any better. Everyday I just wanted to die. My therapist taught me tools to help me survive..but she was against weed..I’d skip seeing her bc I know she’ll push for no weed and I’d be downing a bottle of pills and slit my wrist. She taught me to Call my worst enemy even if I had to in order to survive my suicidal attempts…. I even ran out of ppl to call. I had less friends everyday that went by. Shame guilt all tormented me. I’d smoke. I’d smoke to sleep, eat, cope with anxiety and fears..smoke to stop shaking.
I was never sober longer than a minute. One day I met my current doctor … He saved me. He finally was the first physician who could help me. I asked him about antidepressants and told him my experience with meds and depression. He adjusted dosage to my ideal weight so I don’t get poisoned like the previous attempts by other 2nd opinions. Now I take remeron. It’s the only thing that shuts me down to sleep and the only thing that gets me to eat. Of course I still smoked weed. I just could eat if I didn’t smoke to catch the munchies. The meds took a while to kick saturate and kick in. Without weed I couldn’t eat. Yet, I was too ashamed to tell him.
I was afraid he’ll tell me to quit or pass judgement that I’m a junkie or/and then I have nothing to save me from myself when I’m in that dark place. I tend to forget to take my meds…antidepressant or I’d stop taking my meds on certain days whether I felt a bit better or I was afraid to be dependent on it. Or afraid I can’t wake up. The thing is, the medicine had it’s side effects. It’s like a state of induce coma. Sometimes I can hear my surroundings but I can’t move. And when I take it I would be knocked out for 24 hrs or longer. I couldn’t make it to work. I’d wake up fainting at times bc my body is so fatigue. Constant blackouts. I’ve fallen pretty bad depending on what position I’m in or where I’m at when I blackout, during which I also had fainting on top of the vomiting and nausea.
Sometimes I would just drop and I’d wake up not knowing what’s going on. Yes..a nightmare I’m just skimming the top when I mentioned vomiting. I also did have chronic diahrea. Like I said my body was dying. I needed a family or someone to take care of me bc I would even go on myself in bed bc I blackout woke up so fatigue I can’t move a muscle. Close family thought I was faking it. I withdrew deeper in my depression. More shame and guilt. I smoke away to numb it all. No one understood what it’s like to drink an antidepressant that was like a induced coma. I learned to stack food beside my bed b4 I went to sleep. If wake up starving and eat like an animal as I shake. And try to eat as much as I can without vomiting. I slowly learned to cope ..my thoughts aren’t cohesive when I write..I ramble too.
I’d shake so bad when I awake ..at times I’m literally crawling like an animal trying to get to food and water when I awake. Most days i don’t make it to the kitchen. I cope using weed for every pain in had in g.i., anxiety, fear, uncontrollable cryin or screaming in terror.. When I did have any wits to turn to it. I’m so addicted to weed but it’s the lesser poison as my option. It wasn’t until about 10 years went by that I met my doctor who even began to give me some relief from the chronic internal pain to all the nausea vomiting diahrea constipation ibs depression. He cried. He said he wish there was more he could do for me. I thank him.. I was in tears..I was so greatful to have found him.. He’s the only physician out of countless physicians I’ve seen that made any progress with me to give me any relief.
Most of the other doctors tried but instead made me more sick. My G. I. Doctor could only put me on nexium as a bandage to try to buy me some time. His hands were tied. I was greatful that he at least tried. He was very compassionate. 10 years of constant vomiting diagreah ….the list went on. He also found that another doctor was sued for malpractice and he had also seen me once but dismissed my illness and declare I was faking it. He sought to try to cure me more realizing i was already in that very same clinic and yet I’m back again for another 2nd opinion.
The one day I had strength to get outta bed and drag myself to make it in the hospital without shitting on myself but yet that other doctor didn’t try to help me but dismissed me bc he claim he didn’t find anything wrong with me. At 70# it kinda hard to miss how under weight I was…My g.i. Dr. did 2 scopes on me..one for each end . The 2nd one they had so much trouble trying to wake me from anesthesia. After that he said he will never put me under again. I hurt my family bc they had to endure me going through all this.. Killing myself over and over again bc I didn’t want to go on living like that and all that mess.. I really couldn’t even stop from my sufferings to even think about them.
Today, 15 years later, I still battle it.. But I’ve made progress. I continued to smoke to cope and I can now eat without weed. I’m at a heathy weight. My blackouts, fatigue, ibs, diahrea anxiety, fear, depression… To name a few..has been as low as 1% occurance. I’ve been eating without weed. My anxiety is very low. I’ve quit cold turkey..though I’m not sure if it’s safe for me to quit this time for my safety..so far I’ve been clean for 5 weeks. My mind is stronger this time around. I don’t want it. I experience withdrawal symptoms but I’m pushing through. I do get the odd dreams that Daniel mention where I can go in and out of it.
I don’t pay much attention to it bc one of my other symptoms during my battle was I would relive my rape, beatings and molestation in my vivid dreams…to the point that when I awaken thrashing …I couldn’t tell the difference between what was real and what was a dream bc it was so real to me. Shamefully, I had several incidents of it during the worst days of my battle, the worst one was I was hitting punching kicking my husband thinking he’s my abuser. I couldn’t tell the difference. He was very hurt, but not bc of what I did, but bc for a moment he realized how bad I had it and I was not faking it. It means a lot when ur family can actually be there for you.
As painful as it was, I was lucky he didn’t leave me. He didn’t give up. He was against me smoking at first but eventually he understood what benefits I could receive from it and if I can get through it I can deal with the addiction later. So yes, he became my enabler to smoke. Some days he would tell me no matter how horrible u feel, just don’t think.. Just smoke. Quitting right now is hard. But it’s my strong Mind that keeps me focus. You have to want it enough and stick to ur guns. Prepare yourself mentally. I’ve tried quiting many times, so that has made each attempt a bit more ease than the prior but this time I think I truely can safely quit and not worry about my safety.
My depression is in check. I’m in control. I’m experiencing pretty severe withdrawals. Weed has made me hormonally imbalance.. I’m breaking out along the jawline and neck hairline. My menstrals are heavy, painful, and lasted 12 days, severe cramps for 3 days. I have mood swings. Happy a moment and agitated the next. I had the cold sweats during the first week, entire body. Breakouts with cystic acne on all facial zones. Fever blisters inside my mouth and even on my tongue. The peculiar dreams I can live with even with restless sleep patterns. Only bc at least I can tell what’s real and what’s a dream. I’m not trapped in EMDR sessions with my abuser.
I few upset stomach and difficult bowls. I have a hemeroid. Surprisingly, after 5 weeks of quitting I realized these are my withdrawal symptoms from quitting cold turkey. I have no idea what else I’ll experience. But so far I don’t have the urge to smoke. I do however consider slow weening so I’ve been researching info. I wonder if I should smoke to give my body a bit relief. I’m leaning towards sticking to cold turkey. I’m waiting for a call from my doctor to see if he wants to treat me for the viral infection I have from the stress of quiting weed is tolling on my body. I hope this helps someone out there. Sorry I put such a long comment. It feels kinda good bc I’ve never even remotely told my story. Ty for putting up with me rambling.
hi there V, would you be interested in private chatting? Im intrigued by your post and have some things to possibly talk to you about that may help you. It sounds very much like you have experienced many bouts of CHS. The mental deterioration can definitely be caused by CHS and not knowing what it is doing to your body.
Unfortunately my opinion at the moment, is that weed is causing you to feel all of what you are feeling and if you were to cease completely- in time, so would the negativity and pain you are experiencing. I do not know this conclusively, but you sound so so similar to myself.
Anyway, if you would like to chat, let me know!
cheers,
sarah
My boyfriend is trying to stop smoking. He has used basically all day everyday for 10 years. His withdrawls are awful. Is it better for him to quit cold turkey like he is trying to do, or gradually? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I think its as hard for me to watch him go through this as it is for him to do it.
Amy,
I am in a similar situation to your boyfriend’s. I have used daily for about 10 years, and I have been a user over all for 20 years. I am exactly 70 days without cannabis after quitting cold turkey. I must say the withdrawals I went through were horrifying. I am just starting to feel half-way normal after 10 weeks! your boyfriend may be different as far as recovery time. I personally would recommend cold turkey quitting. It is harsh, but once he is through the suffering of withdrawal, he never has to look back. If he attempts to quit gradually there is more likely a chance of relapse or him not quitting at all.
Again, everybody’s situation is different, but I was a heavy, daily user for ten years and am just starting to feel half way normal after 10 weeks. I have read many accounts of people taking months and even up to a year before their withdrawal symptoms were completely gone. Not to sound alarming, but as I’m sure you can already tell with what he is going through, cannabis withdrawal is the pits.
Hang in there, and reassure him that the symptoms do go away, slowly, and in time. The last thing he should do is go back to smoking if he has quit. It will only set his progress back or even make things worse. Good luck to you both!
Hi, looking for some advice a friend of mine has just quit after smoking quite heavily for about 6 weeks she was smoking around 2.5-3 grams per day she had also been a heavy pot smoker for about a 6 month period last year she then quit only but took the habit back up she is now quitting again as i wasn’t around last time she went through withdrawal just wondering what are the likely withdrawal symptoms she’ll go through?. As i notice alot of other posts are from people who have been smoking for years just wondering if it’s different for someone whose only been smoking for a short period of time?.
John,
Though her daily use is heavy, 6 months is not that long. Everyone is different. If she smoked tobacco too, things may be different. She may very well experience some withdrawal from both, but I would doubt she will experience severe cannabis withdrawal symptoms. Sleeplessness, irritability, anxiety, and depression may be some of the things she experiences for a while. From what I’ve seen, most of the painful, long-lasting physical symptoms come with heavy use over many years to decades. Good luck to you both.
I started using Mj back in high school; back then it was a bag of shake for $20 & much much lighter stuff than what’s out there today years later. I have gone years at a time without using…then used again..then stopped again because I couldn’t find access or life got too busy to use.
Now, summer 2014, after 5 years of using top grade best medical marijuana bud..I have realized how deeply Mj has impacted my life…bounced my emotions…from glorious highs to deep desperate weeping isolated bottomless pit lows punctuated with nausea & wretching. All this complicated by the chronic pain of old injuries that were at least temporarily relieved by Mj. Further complicated by my own emotional complexities & tendencies to rebel.
I have been slowly reducing my usage..weaning down & using the lighter THC levels of Mj to avoid the horrid symptoms of abrupt withdrawal. Still I experience fluctuations in mood…easily frustrated & agitated. I couldn’t bring myself to deal with the business of managing my life…so there have been considerable losses. I’ve experienced sweating at the slightest activities, headaches and significant stomach cramps & frequent loose stools…it has not been fun. I’m just blundering my way thru this…two steps forward..one step back…but I KNOW I can get my life back on track.
I’ve had real issues with deep depression but I’m not willing to give up…I’m trying to make this as easy on my system as possible..things don’t look as bleak as they once did…I have renewed strength & hope. I ‘d say one of the biggest things that helps is having supportive people around you who will listen patiently and without judgement or any harshness. Avoid controlling negative people, avoid partyiers at all costs and get medical and psychological help to get yourself on an even keel.
I also avoid righteous people with overly religious ways…those folks can really toy with your head…find what balances you and make it you refuge. As days go bye I am less and less drawn to use and it is so nice not to feel compelled to use & actually know it will make you feel worse if you do..not better. Watch you don’t substitute Mj with another addictions…weather it be sex, shopping & spending, others drugs or alcohol….over eating..over doing anything..work towards balance & health on all levels…emotional, spiritual and physical.
I was in mental depression when I started marijuana smoking. And continued with it for 2.3 years now and finally I decided to give it a break and not quit at all. Soon after I smoked my last joint from very next morning I went to exercise and did jogging for around 45 min with gaps at 3 minute intervals. My stamina is completely lost now and on same day after few hours I felt severe chest cramps and hearth beat raised.
I got tripped up and thought I was gonna die today and soon consulted a doctor. Today it’s the 3rd day after I quit smoking and feeling very intense. Chest cramps still persist but not of that level at very first day of quitting and exercising. At night, before sleeping my heart pumps at enormous rate but it soon comes to normal. Shivering a bit is also seen.
Mood swings are common at times. I am also a tobacco chewer. I didn’t consulted doctor for chest checkup and still waiting until this effects wipe off, but if it does not, I’m surely gonna consult specialist. I used to smoked on daily basis approx. 3 joints a day. Not facing any chest pains but feel like itching and cramps near my left chest lower part below heart. Looking forward to some good advice.
I hope you can stop chewing tobacco…causes mouth cancer. Wishing you hope and recovery. Also one of the many reasons I quitting Mj is my concern for respiratory health…have to wonder what it’s doing to my throat & lungs after years of use.
I have been smoking for about 15 years daily. I have had times where I have quit using pot. The only time I didn’t have many withdrawal symptoms was when I first stopped smoking. But then I was much healthier and exercised more than the average Joe. This time the withdrawals are pretty intense to say the least.
I am exercising to help cope, and it helps a great deal, but i’m not a 18 year old kid with a lean body anymore. I have had most symptoms but no nausea or dizziness. I am about a month and a week clean and am still going through some withdrawals. Withdrawals can last up to 3 months for some people. All I can say is push through it and accept the consequences of smoking too much weed.
For those of you who think pot has no withdrawal symptoms I think it is time you took a few bio chem classes. It really makes you look like a ill informed idiot to make such claims. Good luck to all of you :)
i have smoked weed everyday ……for the past 15 years…..max in this duration i left smoking for maybe 2-3 months…..and that too when my whole group left…..this addiction is so bad that i can hardly withdraw…today is my third day of not smoking and i cant take it….i am fighting with almost everyone i know for no reason…..my vision is different…..i feel hot and then cold….my dreams are scary and i cant sleep much as i get up in max hour or two….i feel sleepy the whole day….can’t finish my meals…… all those who are suffering the same…..i pray for them too…. god make us strong so we get through this tough time. all the best.
Hi everyone, I am 19 years old, I smoked weed everyday or near enough everyday for about 2 and a half years from about the age of 16. (I am 20 in December). It got to the point where I was smoking a 20s plus a day and felt like I needed a daily dosing every night because that was just my routine everyday. It effected me at college as I dropped out but luckily got a full time job. The weed effected me at work, I couldn’t concentrate and was consistently late. I am not exactly stupid but I got in with the wrong croud probably and all they do is smoke weed. These people who I thought were my friends, really weren’t and they were in it for one reason and that was the weed.
I lost good school friends through weed and effected my relationship with my family.last Monday (11th August 20) I smoked my last ever bag and it got to the point where my parents found out everything, obviously they were really upset (I never thought I would see the day but I had my dad in tears when he found out the extent of how much I was smoking up) I have gone completely cold turkey since then and it is a week later. I have experiencing the problems from the article above, I am sweating a lot more and am really struggling to get to sleep at night. It feels as if I am completely empty and although the cravings were a lot worse in the first 2-4 days I am still craving it now but not as much.
I feel depressed and sad but have been doing lots of things to keep my mind off it. I have managed to be in contact with my old friends which is really good but my old weed smoking friends I have completely cut off and they don’t really want to know since I told them I have quit smoking weed. It is tough but I am moving on and I wish I didn’t waste 2 years of my life smoking weed and regret picking up that first joint not knowing it would lead to something to big. I just feel a bit lost without weed but I would also recommend getting e-cig with a flavour. I have a strawberry one and whenever I am craving I just smoke that and also normal rollies.
I am just looking forward to saving my money and buying back the things I sold for weed like my TV, Xbox, iPad which I spent my hard earned money on in the first place. If someone would like to talk me I would encourage it as I don’t really have anyone I can talk to about this. [email protected]. Thank you and the above article was a good read and helped me.
I have been using cannabis since I was 17 yrs old. I am now 37 and have been using daily for the past 10 years. For the past 5 years I have only vaporized high grade medical cannabis. For the past 2 years I have added hash chips to about 1 in every 3 bowls. My consumption has been about 3-4 vapor bowls per day at about 7-10 hits per bowl. I will also add that vaporizing, for me, is a much more dangerous way to get high as it is main-lining THC straight into the blood with little to no burn off. Plus, you can take 10 hits of smooth vapors without feeling anything, until ‘BAM!’ you realize you have gone too far and are roasted to a quivering vegetable. At least smoking, you can tell almost immediately that you are good and can stop. Anyway, I digress.
So I have been without cannabis for 56 days exactly. And I must say I haven’t had one craving. What happened to me the last time I had gotten high was so traumatizing that I never want to feel that again, and have been struggling for the past two months just to feel half like my normal self.
To make a long story short, vaporizing the past 6 months or so, had left me many times numb in the body and limbs, while quivering and shaking with anxiety. No longer was I getting an enjoyable high from my use. I was a puppet to the routine of it and really didn’t even feel that good overall anymore. I was on edge, over anxious, out of shape, and unmotivated. Well, one fateful morning 56 days ago, I had the worst experience of my life. I packed up a vapor of about 3 varieties of cannabis with some hash chips sprinkled on top. I took my usual 7 heavy drags and turned off the vaporizer. About 10 minutes later, while washing my hands, I blacked out. My vision went white, I fainted, and I fell to my knees. I came to consciousness about 15 seconds later and felt my heart beating so hard I thought I was dying. My entire body went numb from head to toe and I was curled up in the fetal position writhing In agony. My spirit was no longer connected to my body and I thought this was the end for me. I crawled around on the ground for about 3 hours trying to find relief but none came. It took about 6 hours before I was finally able to settle down. I decided from that point on it was time to give up cannabis.
So I went 2 days without and thought, ” this isn’t going to be so bad”. Well, on day 3 I woke up in a severe panic. I couldn’t feel my arms and legs, I had severe dizziness and could barely move my body. This was the beginning of my withdrawal hell. For the next 2 weeks, I was stricken with severe anxiety, no appetite, and the worst dizziness ever. My dreams were demonic and so vivid that I could not leave them even after I had awaken. I also had a heck of a time trying to get out of bed most mornings as I was extremely groggy and spaced out. Weeks 3-4 of withdrawal did not get much better. Extreme dizziness, numbness and tingling in my limbs that would come and go, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and waking in the middle of the night in a panic to name a few symptoms. I also would get severe head and neck aches about 3 times a week that would make me have to lie down. My mood was in the dumps and I felt that I was dying from some disease. As I did more research I finally put 2 & 2 together and realized I was withdrawing from cannabis. I had been to the ER twice in one 24 hr period; once for atrial fibrillation and once because of a panic attack so severe I thought I was having cardiac arrest. I was also to my primary care doc 3 times and they didn’t seem to have an answer but to give me Ativan for anxiety, which I’ve used only for some of the most extreme panic attacks as I do not want to get hooked on anything else.
So, I have now gone through 8 full weeks of abstinence and I still do not feel close to normal. The past week was actually half way decent compared to the rest of my struggles, but today was horrible. I am beginning to feel severe depression and emptiness. I woke this morning with extreme grogginess and dizziness and that out of body feeling that I though I shook 2 weeks ago. From what I’ve read, recovery is an up and down roller coaster of a process. This has been a roller coaster from the depths of despair as far as I’m concerned.
I have almost come to the end of my rope so many times with all of it. I have researched to the ends of the internet everything about cannabis withdrawal and realize that the symptoms are very real, not only psychologically, but also physically and spiritually. Plus, the duration of withdrawal can last much longer than the typical ’30 days to get the THC from your system’. I am at 56 days and still am wondering if something else is seriously wrong with me, or if I’ll ever feel normal again.
My prayers go out to anyone having to go through the nightmares of withdrawal be it a long or short journey. If I would have know this would be the outcome of my usage, I would have never started, or would have made it a point to practice extreme moderation in my consumption. I hope that the adage ‘time heals all wounds’ applies to this, because this has been the worst 56 days of my life and I hope that with each passing day, I am healing back to my normal, happy self. Good luck to us all!
My thought go out to you and I hope you will be alright. I’m sure with more and more time you will start to feel more and more normal. I smoked it everyday for 2 and a half years and I feel dreadful so I can only imagine what you are feeling like. I didn’t use vapours however but used to often hit a dozen bongs a night and I have only gone cold turkey since last Monday! Good luck to you and fair play for realising you have to quit. Matt
Hello all. I’ve been smoking for the past 20 years, and regularly smoking very high-grade for the past 17, about a quarter a week. Today is day 6 of sobriety for me, and the last five days have been awful. Not so awful that I needed to check myself into rehab, but not far off. The worst part by far has been the cravings, but the rest is no picnic.
Other symptoms which I’ve been struggling with have been headaches, digestion issues and insomnia. The insomnia has been pretty rough because I watch my one-year-old daughter full time. I’ve been sweating like a stuck pig and I’m showering like twice a day. I’m running to the bathroom all night long. There’s been some depression, but honestly I’m used to that (lifelong issue). And through it all my brain just kept on craving that sweet sweet reefer.
Well I must say I woke up today and all that has diminished. I doubt I’m out of the woods but for the first time I don’t want to smoke up. The concept of riding out the detox actually seems more appealing to me than getting high, which has definitely not been the case all week. Last night the cravings were at their worst, and today they’re barely there. Physically, I feel like I’m getting over a bad case of flu – like it’s the day after the fever broke. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but since forums like this have helped me get to this point I figure I’ll try to return the favor in some small way.
These things have helped me: 1) Constantly watching movies. The more engrossed I am in a film, the less I’m dwelling on what I’m going through. Without my TV I don’t think I’d have made it this far, it really is a temporary vacation for my brain. 2) Nyquil. Lots of Nyquil. Lots of Immodium, antacids, and ibuprofen. So far I have not needed any medication today (knocking on wood). 3) Detoxifying agents. I’m chugging cranberry juice and every so often drinking 2 tbsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with 8 oz. of water and a splash of honey. Also constantly drinking water. 4) Pushups. When a really bad craving hits (and that is often) 20 pushups will usually take care of it until the next one comes along. Last night I must have done 200. 5) I’ve read countless forum postings about withdrawal. The internet can be a wonderful thing, and in this case it’s like a worldwide AA meeting, but for stoners. 6) Eyes on the prize. I just keep on repeating the mantra that “this too shall pass”.
And that’s pretty much it. I’m hoping that it just gets better from here, but it’s hard to predict – seems like everyone’s detox experience is a bit different. Good luck, God bless, and thank you to everyone who shared.
Hello People.
stopped cold turkey and i had a couple cones with a friends 4 days ago (so had done 33 days clean) and OMG all the anxiety comes rushing back irritation, insomnia, dizzispells, sweats all of it. i am so lucky to have a amazing partner who treats me well and doesn’t just say oh well that’s your fault. people weed is a drug i smoked for 10 years everyday and i used to fiend a hit to the point i would scrape the bong and hit the resin this i am not proud of but it is in my past and that’s a place i don’t want to revisit. i take my hat off to anyone that is trying to stop smoking weed, its not easy but very rewarding. i am also 300 pound so getting it out of my system will take a while because THC is stored in fat cells but the point i am trying to get across is don’t give up keep going on because once the with drawls stop everything will be good as long as u keep active once you have stopped therefore tiring your body out to the point of wanting to sleep, and also sweating out THC by going to the gym.
good luck to any one trying to stop or stopping cold turkey i wish you all the best.
cheers
So glad i found this sight! I am 33 years old, and have smoked pot everyday 5-6 times a day since I was 12. I have quit Cold Turkey 30 days ago. It has been HELL!!! I feel lightheaded/Dizzy everyday, I am tired after I eat, my digestive system is so out of whack, I have the disturbed sleep and vivid dreams as others have mentioned. I have severe anxiety and had to go to ER due to believing I was having Heart Attack. I have been to my PCP 6 times in the last 30 days trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I have completely ignored this could all be just from quitting marijuana. So far the symptoms have not stopped or slowed down. This sight has given me some peace of mind. Will I ever feel normal again! Since I have relied on Weed for so long, do I even know what normal is? You all are in my prayers, please keep me in yours.
I am two days in of quitting after smoking multiple times a day for 6 years. I quit during that time while I was pregnant, but started back up as soon as I could. I suffer from anxiety and weed has been my security blanket since college.
I’m thankful I found this site and read all of your comments. It is nice to not feel so alone. I feel horrible. Physically and mentally. I have been holding back tears all day and I have lost my cool and raised my voice at my son. I feel like a horrible mother but I keep trying to tell myself it will be worth it in the long run.
If I could go back I would have never started smoking pot. Unfortunately I can’t go back, but I’m moving forward. One sweaty hour at a time.
Keep going Amanda you can do it! I am in this with you and I can’t sleep and when I do get to sleep I have weird dreams and when I wake up I feel completely empty and dead!!!
Started smoking at age 18 when I moved out – I smoke the equivalent of 3 bowls + a few joints of potent BC bud, usually sativa, daily. I’m almost 28 now and I wake and bake with a bowl, smoke on lunch break at work, and always have a J rolled for the walk/drive home, then smoke myself useless once I get home. Weekends are typically a hazy write off where grocery shopping and laundry fall by the wayside quite often.
Absolutely no self control – if there is weed around and I am coherent enough to roll/pack, I smoke.
My addiction has never interfered with work, but it has interfered with my personal life – I am stopping now because I lack motivation; weed only increases my latent antisocial and lazy tendencies. Sick of getting so stupidly high that I lie in bed motionless in bed for 2 hours after midnight staring at the ceiling contemplating whether I can muster the will to walk 5 feet and brush my teeth tonight or not. Sick of not going out, cancelling on friends to stay home and smoke alone, and even if I do go out, being too high to function acceptably. Sick of not having the self control not to get high before, during, and after EVERY occasion, no matter how mundane. Watching life pass me by through smoke tinted goggles.
Consumption has been non-stop over the past decade, save 1 month to clear my head after a break-up about 2 years ago. I unknowingly experienced withdrawal during that time, but attributed it to depression related to the break-up. I’ve had intermittent (short, week long max) forced breaks due to travel, or events, but never had issues with withdrawal if I knew I would be able to get high again in the near future. I was usually preoccupied with whatever I was doing in those cases anyway.
I am currently on day 3 of cold turkey after full, regular use, and am in pretty rough shape; same symptoms as everyone else:
– non stop tremors in hands and arms
– hot and cold, flushed one moment and shivering the next
– insomnia
– irritable
– extremely vivid dreams (indistinguishable from reality) whereas I never dreamed while smoking
– blurred vision, trouble focusing visually, teary itchy eyes at night
– crushing feeling, feels like lungs are limited in capacity, beleaguered breath
Vindicating to see I’m not the only one – I probably should have weened myself off like everyone suggested – instead I ramped up my intake right before stopping. Bad move in retrospect…
I actually plan to make this only a temporary break, I’ll start back up again in a month or so, with the ultimatum that I either moderate or quit for good if I can’t control myself.
This page was very illuminating – thanks for everyone’s posts that preceded mine, some if for nothing more than a laugh! :P hopefully my two cents benefits someone….
This is Day Nine, and I keep returning to this article to remind myself I’m not alone. I’ve smoked pretty much constantly for the last five years, and sporadically before that. I’m incredibly physically ill right now. Vomiting, diarrhea, night sweats so bad I’m changing the sheets constantly, not to mention the emotional irritation! First two days I had a HUGE headache. From then on I’ve had mostly gastrointestinal symptoms, which makes sense with my medical history. I’m missing important events because I can’t go 1/2 hour without something coming out top or bottom. The insomnia sucks, especially when the two hours you do sleep leave your bedding so damp you can’t use your pillows. Everyone’s body and history of use is different, but I want to punch some people in the face for telling me I’m not in withdrawal, I must really have some other problem or drug habit. Nope. Just the pot. I’m grateful that the symptoms are not nearly as bad as opiate withdrawal, because I’ve gone through that three times. I have a chronic pain condition, and I HATE the side effects of opiates. Right now I’m planning on using again, but I’m second-guessing that. I hate drinking all this Gatorade!
I know this post is old but it resonated with me. The pot part. Did you ever get over the drenching sweats? This is so bad for me that I cannot go 1/2 hour without one and it’s so debilitating I have to lie down each time. I’m homebound. Please tell me you got over this.