• HEALTH & RECOVERY
    Welcome Guest
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules Thread Directory 1 Thread Directory 2
    Mindfulness Links Addiction & Mind
    Sober Living Partner Program (SLiPP)
  • H&R Moderators: VerbalTruist

Recovery For Those Of You Who Quit Weed

Have you ever talked to you doctor about the issues you have had with bupropion? I mean, sleep disturbances are not uncommon, but you need you rest more than ever right now if your brain is going to heal. Alcohol does not lend itself to getting the kind of quality rest you need to get your mood back in balance and under control. In terms of OTC sleep aids, have you tried melatonin? I find it has the least amount of side effects compared to other OTC sleep aids like the antihistamines.

But more so, you really should consider trying a different antidepressant. Is there a specific reason you're trying bupropion again? Are you on a high dose, and if so have you considered just taking like 150mg/day? And why not think about trying something different that isn't so stimulating, like Lexapro?

Perhaps even more importantly, talk with your doctor about a sleep aid. You have a lot of options that aren't problematic in terms of dependency. There is trazadone, doxepin, mirtazapine and amitriptyline to name a few. And you can generally combine melatonin with them for extra support without causing any real issues. I'd look into trazadone or doxepin first. These kinds of meds will work infinitely better than booze in terms of helping you get the rest you are in such dire need or right now.
 
I don't respond well to SSRIs. They make me have total numbness of feeling which in itself makes me super anxious. Wellbutrin gives me a lift but the drawback is the insomnia.

Will I ever get my life back? I'm starting to really feel like I'm a lost cause
 
Nope, you will definitely get your life back. All you need is time, and a little helping of patience. It's only a matter of making it from point A to B without letting yourself go too far off the rails. I strongly you look into a more appropriate sleep aid than simply what is found over the counter. Getting the necessary rest will help to increase you mood more than you could imagine.
 
Miserable day, one of the worst in a long time. Then about 30 min ago, my mood lifted and now feeling great. No rhyme, sense or reason. Suddenly feel so much better. I was forcing myself to go to the gym and now all of a sudden I can't wait to go.

And this is why I wanted to document my recovery. The roller coaster ride that it is. It's enough to break down the strongest person. The mood swings are unpredictable and are miserable.

You literally don't know what the morning brings.
 
I think it's good you are recording it. Even though I said above it might be underlying conditions that you have been self medicating through (not solely on its own THC withdrawal), I think your posts definitely help normalize what people are going through who may be discouraged because cannabis is so stigmatized as a soft drug...especially on a forum like this with people going through opiate withdrawal.

I applaud your self awareness of what is going on...I can relate. Personally I have smoked only one time in the past 3 weeks and my symptoms have not been nearly as severe though I can feel a huge difference in my brain chemistry. Maybe it would be different for me if I was completely cold turkey and as deep in as you are. However at the beginning when I first quit, your symptoms were very similar to mine (severe depression, anxiety, hopelessness, regret) .

However I've been more concerned that it is underlying mental health issues and I am going to seek treatment. Personally what quitting has done for me is made me more aware of these symptoms and given me the ability to cope with them in a more healthy way, which seems to be building on itself. Compared to when I was drugged all the time, I felt like I always fell back to square 1 no matter how far I went.

I've been exercising, mediating, and socializing as much as I can. Creating and keeping myself busy with school and friends. Try your medication and see how that helps you! I know people who suffer through hell and medication is a life saver for them, complete 180 in outlook. It's not something I would personally pursue at this time as I have certain beliefs about it for my personal reasons, but up and down is no way to live your life and you deserve to find a solution and many people find medication helps. If it works for you it works and I think it'd be great for you to try.

Super inspired by your post. Keep going at it, there's a better life ahead of you :)
 
As I approach 2 months, things are definitely heating up.

Yesterday I had no less than 4 shifts of mood. Woke up happy, then became depressed, then numb then happy again after I hit the gym.

My dreams are starting to get really vivid and crazy. For example, I had one where meteors were crashing into neighboring houses, blazing up the night .... Very intense stuff, woke up terrified.

The good news is that I've come to one sure and predictable thing that I can do to lift my mood - Exercise. It's amazing what it does. Literally quashes both the anxiety and depression. I try to go in once a day but am now considering doing it twice. Morning and evening.

That's the latest
 
Nice work LL! It's pretty awesome that you are noticing how your mood shifts throughout the day, and is affected by the activities you are engaging yourself with.

Outstanding work!
 
I have decided to dedicate my body mind and soul to get over this messed up time in my life. A testament to that is my refusal to take antidepressants or Benzos. I know that all that it will take is to be strong and in 3-4 months I'm gonna be a whole lot better. Been there done that. I know that I will have many bad days but in the end I do believe that I'll be ok. In my darkest days I question if I will ever be the same, but when I have better days I have no doubt.

It's amazing how our brains work.
 
This gives me hope reading this, even though I am also dealing with opiate withdrawal and recovery from invega sustenna. I know the fact that I have quit smoking weed is also adding to the negative effects I am experiencing. I am glad to hear you are doing better. You have inspired me.
 
Hi LawyerLife, First of all lots of strength and lots of courage for your undertaking because quitting weed it's not for the faint-hearted, you'll have to be persistent and persevere despite the withdrawals you'll be confronted every day during the first months of cold-turkeying, unfortunately there's not an easy way out ..BUT in the end your efforts will be rewarded big time.

To answer your Q if I ever went back to my old self = YES but it didn't happen overnight though, first it took at least 6-8 months for the foggy mind to become more clear, short term memory is still not the same although it did improve a lot, I think there's some permanent damage there I'll have to live with. I have consciously decided to go weed/alcohol/drug-free 24/7 for the rest of my life, I've had it with drugs, now I enjoy to experience life without any additives: "as is" and I'm enjoying it immensely! I'm now 15 months 100% weed-free, not even a single puff since my last joint, the first 2-3 months were hell but thankfully it didn't last forever.

You're still in the beginning where withdrawals manifest themselves in full power, the mind will be pulling every possible trick out of the sleeve trying to convince you to stop the suffering and relapse. The first 2-3 months will be hell but are very crucial you stay 100% weed-free and don't relapse, if you survive things will become a bit easier, eventually your self esteem and your morale will get a great boost to keep going, you'll have to keep always your guard though because relapse will be always lurking around the corner. https://youtu.be/FmjjxdDwOIc

Tips: Try to have a steady daily life timetable, eat well and take good care of yourself, try foods that can help the body detox-even going to sauna can help, exercise (yoga and meditation are even better) on a daily basis is great, brisk walks, trekking, nature. Avoid places where's easy to score weed, unfortunately you'll have to avoid people too who're still using because temptation will be strong. Read books, go to museums, join book clubs, start your old hobbies again, in other words make yourself busy so there's no room for weed.

Avoid any other drugs to mask the withdrawals, you want to experience the whole surgery without anesthetic as it really is, going through hell now you'll think twice before you light up, now at least you know quitting weed is not like a stroll in the park. The net is full with articles about withdrawals, dependence etc., not a bad idea to search and read so to get a better understanding why you feel like this and how long is going to last.
http://mentalhealthdaily.com/2013/03/02/marijuana-withdrawal-symptoms-what-you-may-experience/

Keep a diary, mark every weed-free day on your wall calendar to remind yourself your very precious progress, every single day weed-free especially during the first days-weeks-months is a milestone in itself conquered by blood, sweat and tears. Keep going, don't give up even if you stay up all night, every night. It sounds hard? IT IS but ..One day it will be all over and you'll feel better than ever because you deserve it. Be good to yourself!

If you still feel quitting weed is impossible don't hesitate to ask for help, talking about it with people who understand what you're going through will be a great relief and might help you find the best way for you to break free. https://youtu.be/zV6zKmt7S5E

You're not alone, we're all fighting the same battle, the battle to be free, to be happy and to enjoy life in its purest form.


Good Luck :)


Will I ever be a recovered addict?
Well... no, not really. I hate to be gloomy, but that feeling remains. Drugs make you feel great and there really is no substitute for the feeling you get. And you remember that feeling the weed gave you. And when you remember that great feeling and combine it with the knowledge that there isn't a comparable substitute, it's normal for you to think about it and want to have that feeling again. Especially during times of stress or boredom or just a general bad mood. I'm guessing you used to take weed, in part, to deal with stress and that it worked. So now when you're stressed, it makes perfect sense to think about something that used to be a solution to that problem.
Click to expand...


first-step-is-always-hardest-health-insurance-quotes-for-kids.jpg
 
Last edited:
ski-r said:
Will I ever be a recovered addict?
Well... no, not really. I hate to be gloomy, but that feeling remains. Drugs make you feel great and there really is no substitute for the feeling you get.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but this is absolutely B.S.

Melancholy and malaise is normal in early recovery, but it definitely goes away with time. Of course, if one doesn't put in the effort, it is possible to be abstinence yet miserably in life. I hardly consider that sober myself. In truth sobriety is about so much more than just abstinence, it is living a worthwhile, meaningful life.
 
Quitting weed for good is hard but you must keep staying away from it! IMO you should do the same for caffeine (it may cause or exacerbate anxiety) and alcohol (it may cause or exacerbate depression).

Meds may help in the short term but they can cause much more harm than good, especially if you rely solely on it to get better. Clinical studies demonstrate they are barely more effective than placebo…talk therapies are way more effective.

Going to the gym regularly is a must, especially if you practice an aerobic demanding sport like swimming. Yoga and breathing exercise would do wonder, enroll in a weekly class and practice every day before going to bed at home.

I think you should also pay close attention to your work. I don’t know what’s your situation, but consider seriously a position with less responsibilities, working for another company or even a change of career. Also, try to get rid of toxic relationships and make new friends.

Taking a few weeks or even a month off and going on vacation by yourself would allow you to see thing in a different perspective and make a fresh start.

These are proven effective ways for curing depression and mood disorders. You must be in charge of your own life. Have written goals and a plan to achieve them, read every morning.

You are not alone, keep in touch with us dude. You are on the good way, you’ll get out of this and find happiness again.
 
toothpaste maybe is BS for you but not for the addict who's using exactly because it feels great (the majority at least).. I think is a great quote, it tells about the conditioning of the mind and the reasons one associates stress relief with lighting up a joint.
 
I mean, I do agree with most of the content of what you're saying, but I the idea what one can never be a "recovered addict" implies addicts can never move beyond addiction in life, a statement I have a big issue with. Perhaps you didn't mean that, you were trying to express something else?
 
Wow, great comments!!!

Today is 2 MONTHS. Had tons of sleep, woke up feeling great. No anxiety, no depression, feeling very good. Looking forward to going to the gym and meeting up with friends later.

Thank you all for the great comments and support. I'm in this for the long haul.
 
@toothpaste> Unfortunately when the mind has tasted the euphoria of drugs it's an experience it won't easy forget. I just found the quote somewhere and it hit home, the labeling "recovered addict" didn't bother me much because it's not about the correct wording but about the essence of the conditioning of the addict mind, once you've tasted the surge of pleasure you get from drugs it will follow you for a long time especially when doing "boring" tasks like peeling potatoes or washing dishes etc. I see it on myself too, although being sober for a long period without any visible cravings I'm still scared to come near weed, I know even an innocent hit will turn into relapse big time, it will take me years-if ever-to regain the lost ground and come back to where I'm now.

@Lawyer> 2 months clean is a milestone, congrats! Keep it up, exercise, detox, stay healthy and keep the mind busy with positive thoughts. Fighting addiction is serious business, a journey of self discovery too but don't lose your guard though because it takes just a puff to bring it all down.

@Llewellyn> Great advice, I think it sums it all up, leaving addiction behind is the beginning of a new life. New friends, new vibes, new environment, there's nothing better than a fresh new start.

“If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.”
Click to expand...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Been here already, can't wait for the symptoms to subside ....

Marijuana may not be as hardcore as heroin, cocaine, meth, speed and etc, but it sure does rewire your mind.

I made the mistake of thinking I could start up and smoke casually, but went into full mode almost daily smoking the last time I quit. This time around it's gonna be a different story.

My bday is in June, and it's gonna be 6 months at that point. I can't wait to throw a nice bday party. Until then, there's gonna be war.

PS - After a nice morning and early afternoon, I'm back to feeling miserable. Head is spinning and I'm dizzy, anxiety is in full swing as is total lack of motivation
 
13 plus years sober from weed and everything else!

I must have spent 3 or 4 years of my life failing at being an occasional potsmoker before I got sober. When I was smoking daily, I was able stop for good reasons, such as pending legal issues or other threats of drug screens. After the insanity that occurred in NYC post 9/11, I became subject to random drug screening without any logical cause or reason. I would have failed the first screen quite badly, leading to deep shit professionally, but I talked my way out of it without issue. So, I ended up becoming a very angry mostly sober pothead. But over the same time, smoking just got me anxious. My other substance use, mostly psychedelics stopped working. My friends in overeaters anonymous were getting annoyed my complaining about missing my weed. So, I was pushed into AA, figured out after a year that I had issues with alcohol, went to lots of AA and OA meetings and remained sober. Found marijuana anonymous when about 6 years sober. There is nothing better for your weed sobriety than being in a room with 15 or 20 sober potheads of varying ages! Marijuana anonymous meetings are not everywhere, but there is a good online presence.

Getting sober from weed and other stuff is quite a pain and weed withdrawl is quite real. Also, good mental health care, which for me requires multiple medications, helps to get and stay sober.

I am still going to concerts and fests quite regularly and get offered joints, beer and other drugs. I just say NO I"M SOBER! Many times I get asked my story or get told why they are not sober yet.
No longer have to walk or run away from concert security or police (usually!) and I remember more of concert the next day.

PHISH ALWAYS WINS!!!!

Good luck!!
 
Spent the entire second half of the day feeling spaced out, dizzy and lightheaded. Had bouts of nausea and the daily insomnia. I just can't sleep for the life of me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top