Depression long after quitting marijuana

[dylan843]

So I have been smoking pot for a long time probably like 9 years (im 21) with the last 3 being 3-5+ times a day use, it stopped being a thing I just did with my friends for fun and more just to cope with life cause it was so easy to just smoke and feel better, this whole time I grew away from my friends and just became pretty introverted, I still did things with friends every now and again but seldom, I just started to not like being with people, thinking about the bad things that could come just consumed my thoughts, but i always felt okay and not like depressed or anything, anyway so that's a background of the situation.

So now im just about 4 months abstained from it or any other drug (besides the occasional beer, kratom once every 3 or 4 days) and the first month I felt pretty good depression wise about quitting and then since the second month or so ive just been really depressed, like i can never feel good, even when good things happen its just like blah, i have trouble concentrating, don't have much interest in anything, stuff like that. Idk if this will make sense but it doesn't feel like im actually depressed, but like the chemicals in my brain are out of whack causing my to feel depressed.

So im just wondering you know how long i can expect this to last and etc. any things i can do to help, will anti depressants help and should i wait any period of time before i start taking them to idk let my mind heal on its own?

i also quit to get a job as a trucker which i will be starting in about a week, so im hoping when i start hitting the road it will help me feel better also as its something ive wanted to do for a while now, but with that being said i have to stay away from any illegal drugs or anything banned by the DOT (Xanax, adderal, etc) anti depressants are not banned but i would have to ask the company if they would be okay with me taking them after getting approval from a doctor.

but im mostly looking for advice on how long this will last on its own and ways to help it without any drugs. sorry if this is all over im a bit scatterbrained, ask me anything if you need clarification i appreciate all responses.

 

[RiseAgain]

I wouldn't expect you to feel better just 4 months in. I think the biggest problem is you grew up using weed to cope with life, so now you're probably going to have a long road ahead of you learning to cope without it. IME that's always the biggest obstacle to recovery from drug abuse, and the fact that you've never even been sober for any time in your life is going to make it a lot harder.

I've always found that quitting smoking weed can make everything seem dull and boring for a while. It's like weed turns the volume up on everything and makes everything more fun and then when you take that away it can take a while to adjust. But you'll get used to it eventually. One of the most important things is making lifestyle changes, which you already seem to be doing so it's looking good so far .

I've never used kratom before but I have plenty of experience with opiates which are supposedly very similar. All those depression like symptoms you're experiencing are pretty much what opiates do to everyone, even when only used once or twice a week. That's how addiction to opiates usually starts and progresses, they just suck the life out of everything. I wouldn't be surprised if the kratom is the cause of that.

IMO anti-depressants would only make things worse, they're supposed to treat depression not drug dependence.

Anti-depressants often make depression worse, especially in the long term. They also have the potential to cause severe physical dependence and they usually have really bad side effects (some of which can be permanent), one of the most common side effects is sexual dysfunction. And that's when they're being used to treat depression, using them to treat drug dependence is a recipe for disaster.

You should start feeling better when you get your life back on track. Abstaining from all drug use (including alcohol) should make your recovery quicker, but I think it helps to have a break every now and then. I think the most important thing is getting your life back on track and eating healthy, exercising etc. I would recommend you stop using kratom and just stick to the occasional drink for now. I know the general consensus is that to recover you have to abstain from drugs completely, but that's not always possible and it can even make things more difficult and make you more likely to relapse. Just take it one step at a time and as long as you continue in the right direction you'll be fine.

I hope that helps.

 

[dylan843]

I wouldn't expect you to feel better just 4 months in. I think the biggest problem is you grew up using weed to cope with life, so now you're probably going to have a long road ahead of you learning to cope without it. IME that's always the biggest obstacle to recovery from drug abuse, and the fact that you've never even been sober for any time in your life is going to make it a lot harder.

I've always found that quitting smoking weed can make everything seem dull and boring for a while. It's like weed turns the volume up on everything and makes everything more fun and then when you take that away it can take a while to adjust. But you'll get used to it eventually. One of the most important things is making lifestyle changes, which you already seem to be doing so it's looking good so far .

I've never used kratom before but I have plenty of experience with opiates which are supposedly very similar. All those depression like symptoms you're experiencing are pretty much what opiates do to everyone, even when only used once or twice a week. That's how addiction to opiates usually starts and progresses, they just suck the life out of everything. I wouldn't be surprised if the kratom is the cause of that.

IMO anti-depressants would only make things worse, they're supposed to treat depression not drug dependence.

Anti-depressants often make depression worse, especially in the long term. They also have the potential to cause severe physical dependence and they usually have really bad side effects (some of which can be permanent), one of the most common side effects is sexual dysfunction. And that's when they're being used to treat depression, using them to treat drug dependence is a recipe for disaster.

You should start feeling better when you get your life back on track. Abstaining from all drug use (including alcohol) should make your recovery quicker, but I think it helps to have a break every now and then. I think the most important thing is getting your life back on track and eating healthy, exercising etc. I would recommend you stop using kratom and just stick to the occasional drink for now. I know the general consensus is that to recover you have to abstain from drugs completely, but that's not always possible and it can even make things more difficult and make you more likely to relapse. Just take it one step at a time and as long as you continue in the right direction you'll be fine.

I hope that helps.

well actually a lot of my beginning years smoking pot were like on weekends and such probably up till like 16, then 16-18 it was like a once a day (or every other day thing) then 18-21 a daily thing. and also I quit for 4 1/2 months in feburary then started smoking again for about 1.5-2 months then quit again. So I don't believe im starting from ground zero im sure my brain made at least a little progress in this time. from some research this can take 6-12 months before you brain starts rewiring so just gotta hang in there.

as for the kratom yes I can see it being a factor now, although I never used it in a painkiller way, its really only has opiate properties when used in higher doses but when smaller doses its just more of an anti anxiety, mood enhancing type of thing, I usually take about 1-1.5grams each time, but im considering easing off of it as it could very well be hindering progress.

good advice on the AD's I think I will stay away from them at least until I can be sure its no longer the recovery and its depression, say in 8 months from now, but im fairly sure its nothing more than recovery.

anyway thanks for your post it helped.

 

[herbavore]

I agree wholeheartedly with much of what RiseAgain wrote but especially with this part: if you basically grew to adulthood stoned you missed out on some normal emotional development that is supposed to take place in adolescence--by that I mean strategies on how to deal naturally with things like depression, boredom, angst and lots of other inevitable discomforts of being human. It's always a rocky road for everyone no matter what it looks like from the outside. It's a normal time to experiment with altering consciousness but when the alteration is a daily crutch to avoid the intensity of life's difficulties it just means you kicked the can down the road. Now here you are with that can but the good news is that there is no real timetable for emotional development. We just keep on courageously pushing forth our whole lives.

Depression can be dangerous if it is severe and constant. But a lot of times it is simply an experience we must go through in order to grow. I see age related or situational depression as being akin to fever. Fever is the body's natural defense against infection and left alone it can burn out bacteria and virus that are not too severe. When we medicate every minor fever away we deprive our bodies of their own capacity to heal. But if the infection or disease is too strong the fever itself becomes detrimental on top of the underlying disease and so stronger measures (medications) must be considered. It is not only natural to feel some depression on the brink of adulthood, it is normal. The world is full of problems and suddenly we are confronted with our own part in those--how do we fit into the larger picture of humanity? As kids we don't even consider this. Our own heads are full of new adult pressures that we may find overwhelming. Depression is a signal to say that our own thinking is getting the best of us and not in a good way. Are you turning things in on yourself? Are you comparing yourself to an unrealistic perception of others? Are you comparing yourself to your own ideals but lacking faith that you can achieve your goals? All of this is thought related and thoughts can be changed, once they are understood. But again, if you medicate those thoughts away before you have been able to honestly observe and understand them, you rob yourself of the opportunity to grow. Feeling that we should be in a state of near perfection at any given time in our adult lives is not only unrealistic, it is unattainable and detrimental.

You've done some very good things for yourself so far. Keep pushing ahead. Be uncomfortable and open your eyes as to why you are. Then gather the data and put it to use. We all seek connection--whether it is through romantic love, friendship, family, pets, meaningful work or (ideally) most of those, life is just one big, but short opportunity to create those connections.

 

[KratomDemon]

Good idea keeping the kratom at such low doses if you decide to keep using it. Having just 2 weeks clean from a 45-50 gram a day habit for several years, the shit can sneak up on you and take over your life. Best of luck!!

 

[dylan843]

I do not feel like I missed out on any adolescent emotional growth up until around 18 it was only an occasional thing and it wasn't done to feel better about my feelings or whatever it was just a fun thing to do every now and again recreationally. im not a naturally depressed person, an axious person sure but I was never really depressed, this whole depression like stuff only started after quitting, after a few years of heavy use.

what I think it is, is that parts of my brain that control these kinda things, have been smothered in recent years by MJ. So now they are rewiring to not function around THC.

Im just wondering if anyone has been through this process before and can share their expierence with it, ive seen a few places that people who are claiming similar stuff say 6-12 months depending on the person for you brain to rewire. also there was something about how this increases alpha brain waves which can cause agitation.

 

[dylan843]

Good idea keeping the kratom at such low doses if you decide to keep using it. Having just 2 weeks clean from a 45-50 gram a day habit for several years, the shit can sneak up on you and take over your life. Best of luck!!

how long and how bad were the physical withdrawals? emotional/psychological? ive heard its not that bad compared to most things.

 

[KratomDemon]

how long and how bad were the physical withdrawals? emotional/psychological? ive heard its not that bad compared to most things.

Physical withdraws were bad for about 4 days and gone after a week. Cold sweats, upset stomach, RLS, anxiety and depression made it impossible to lay or sit still.

Emotional and psychological are hit or miss. I am so determined to be done with this shit and in a good place mentally that I won't let myself get down or depressed. I know how to occupy my mind and stay positive. Cravings are still in full effect 2+ weeks later but honestly everything is much easier and better after that first week of hell

 

[Londonscouser]

Im in the same boat dude...quit like nearly 4 months ago after smoking everyday for years, and im 21 now as well.

I can't enjoy life anymore. I never laugh and i can't even cry wtf? im like emotionally numb
I got slight anxiety in social situations because i can never think of anything interesting to say anymore, but a few years ago i was so good at socializing....

 

[Foreigner]

Not sure that I agree your development has been hijacked by smoking pot early on, per se. Anti-depressants mess up development too, but a lot of adolescents end up using pot for depression relief without knowing it. I question if these people would be better off with no chemical aid, whether it's pot or an anti-depressant RX.

It may just be that your behavioral psychology has become habituated to the presence of pot as part of your day to day, and now that you're living without it, it's requiring a bigger adjustment than someone who might've used it shorter term. All this means is that you're going to have to come up with new coping strategies -- and to that I say, it's never too late to learn.