how's this going? i think herb in general is pretty addictive if you're susceptible to it, some people can handle weekend warrioring but others can't buy a bag without feeling compelled to toke every day til it's gone and by then there's stronger desire to re-up and keep the cycle going.
Hi thujone
Thanks for your interest, I am in fact still going strong
As with the first 3 days, it has certainly not been easy, however the urge to smoke weed has certainly now died down, and although I don't necessarily feel better in some aspects of my life, I feel a great sense of joy that I can overcome something that seemed impossible, and I do feel as though I'm going in the right direction mental health wise.
Before this, I only ever had 1 day break from weed in 4 years - I booked a hotel for 2 nights 100+ miles away (Cardiff) just to try and get away from it, and found it extremely difficult what with the night sweats and general low mood. I also had 2 cans of beer which probably helped eventually drift off to sleep. Woke up feeling awful (probably dehydrated if anything), spent about 2 hours in Cardiff and decided I was gonna go home. And smoke.
Personally it's been a matter of willpower this time, rather than taking myself away from it, that has helped me overcome the urge to constantly smoke. I was around my friends smoking NYE, even offered a spliff a few times but turned it down. And several times since I have been with them whilst they are smoking - of course it's tempting, but I reassure myself that it's just going to make me feel crap, I'm sure it will; both the failure, and the negative effects I feel were down to abusing.
Appetite - after the 3 days has increased massively, I now eat good whole foods, have no urge to eat crap like I was before (not had a single sweet or chocolate), and I'm eating regularly too - with a goal to get healthy and put some weight on (I'm a bit underweight). I no longer feel like puking at the thought of eating in the morning, I'm now starting to get hungry as I wake up (always used to skip breakfast).
Mood - Tough one. I'm proud of myself so far - but I am experiencing mood swings often - could be down to underlying illnesses - or I might still be coming out of the withdrawel stage. However I feel my mood swings are starting to improve recently.
Sleep - ARRRRGH - this one's hard - I've turned to 5mg doses of valis some nights, wine other nights, and trying to sleep sober is still very difficult - I'm back at work now (I have to get out of bed 5:30am) - I'm hoping I will soon get into a routine of sleeping properly though. The first night before work I'm pretty certain I just lay the rolling around all night (sober). Funnily enough, the day of writing my first post - I suffered 3 sleep paralysis attacks with hallucinations, scary at the time, although now in retrospect it's interesting and I'm kind of hoping for it to happen again lol (easy portal into lucid dreaming, apparently) - but had none since.
Dreams - WOAH. So vivid, I remember most of them. Some good, some bad, some weird as hell. I'm finding I'm waking after each dream, but drifting back off quite easily.
Anxiety & panic attacks - Anxiety I feel has decreased (but still there), and I'm not experiencing regular panic attacks as I used to - I've had 2 minor head freakouts, but to be honest I would put this down to when I'm not rested enough (that's when they seem to occur). So I would note this as a definite positive from quitting.
Above are the most common withdrawal effects I believe people feel - And I have been 100% honest with the above.
THE POSITIVES!!! Okay, so I feel a hell of a lot sharper, memory has improved, math ability and such have come back! I don't feel awkward talking to people anymore, relatives, friends, shopkeepers - I feel able to now hold down a decent conversation that I would previously have avoided. The money I've saved!!! The feel to do productive things with my time (found a great book, exercising, cooking and trying to take care of my health). I feel more ambitious. I feel more confident (find me a lady and I'm sure I'll be able to talk to her!). There are more, but I think my reply is getting long enough.
TL:DR - I'm very happy with what I've achieved, and although it seemed impossible, my message to you is that it's not. Not at all. It gets easier - I stand-by my message that if you feel as I did, you simply HAVE to give it a try. Every person is different, what works for one might not work for others, but if that voice in your head is nagging you to quit, and you feel smoking is detrimental to your health - toss the joint, don't give in.
I'm not out of the water yet and I know it - I expect the exit of weed from my life & the accompanying symptoms to be very gradual, as the taking up of smoking was - But I'm happy that I'm trying, and I'm so far happy with the results.
If anyone has any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer
