Taking a weed break.

[Thatt guy]

Firstly i'd like to say hello to the community, as this is my first post its great to be on-board.

But anyway,

I've been smoking weed pretty much everyday since i was 15, and am now approaching my 20th birthday in a few months. Couldn't get enough of the stuff up untill around a year ago when i started to develop social anxiety and paranoia issues when i smoked; and even when i was sober too. This has unfortunately, in conjunction with work, resulted in losing alot of friends and self-isolation from the social anxiety. So to try and let my head sort itself out, i've decided to take a break; hopefully for a pretty long time.

I've taken breaks in the past for a month here and there, but i always go back to my old ways sooner or later, and the anxiety still persists.I just cant kick it! haha.

I was hoping people who have had similar experiences as me with weed could share some tid-bits of knowledge to help take the edge off the cravings, general shitty irritable mood, or maybe even some things that could help my anxiety issues and help me re-integrate with people slowly. I see alot of people discussing benzos and other prescription medication, but that isn't the road i want to go down as i have a pretty addictive personality.

I wouldn't mind hearing some of your stories too, and how things turned out for you

Stay classy bluelight %)

 

[lookyboop]

honestly, in my opinion, you probably dont need a weed break. weed is really healthy, and actually will do wonders for all of those problems. im feeling like poor mary jane may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and became a scapegoat

 

[Thatt guy]

This has crossed my mind in the past, i know weed is used medically to actually help treat these problems.

Only thing is i've never actually had any anxiety and paranoia trouble before in my life, nor am i aware that it is in my genes. Also you don't have to look far to see stories and accounts of weed casuing these problems in certain people.

Don't get me wrong, i love sweet MaryJane as much as the next guy %) and would love it if i could smoke indefinitely with no issues. But if it persists, i know my health will always come first

 

[Cuhpcakes]

I admire your choice to take a break from weed.

I also decided to do so, three days sober now.

Weed wasn't an opportunity I payed for, it was mostly a gift from friends.

Basically, it got boring. Just calms me down and makes everything appear funnier for a few minutes. Nothing like when I was a nooby.

Staying sober will give you time to appreciate life, not a drug induced illusion. After a few weeks your tolerance will deflate making that next toke much better.

 

[Allein]

I smoked daily for 15 years, mostly hash and I the last few years about 1oz a week.

I really wanted to give up smoking and knew the 2 things were so heavily linked both just had to go, I used nicotine replacement therapy for the Tobacco but nothing for the THC part from a few drinks.

I managed to stop both but it was a tough 3 months, the motivation was me and my partner wanted children and I didn't want them growing up with us smoking.

There was a hidden danger in my actions, in that a replaced THC with alcohol, it took a good few years but resulted in a heavy daily drinking problem, looking back I had used alcohol as a replacement when away for work in other countries so the ground work was there.

Side effects from stopping the THC were vivid dreams for a number of weeks, the tobacco just made ne irritable. all that said I'm so glad I shook the habits off, smoking just fills you with toxins and you do it so many times a day, not to mention handing over more money in taxes than you do already.

The drink took a while longer to sort but I haven't touched it for nearly 3 years now, how I functioned on a bottle of whiskey every night I just can't imagine

 

[Thatt guy]

I'm afraid i'm facing the same problem, like i said above i have a pretty addictive side to me. Whenever i take a break from the weed i will always manage to put away a bottle of wine a night instead, without any form of substance i find it very hard to "switch off". I also have the vivid dreams you spoke of, almost every night. But when i'm smoking i will rarely dream from month to month.

But i'm really glad to hear that you managed to give it all up, and hope that things are going well for you and your family.

Luckily i managed to stop smoking cigarettes during the summer this year, probably the best thing i ever did to be honest. But if anything it just intensified my weed habit, simply because i love the act of smoking.

I also, in the passed few days, ordered a months worth of KavaKava capsules. Heard they're pretty good for anxiety and stress, also might help my trouble with sleeping when off the herb without going down the prescription meds route.

All the best %)

 

[shroomster]

honestly, in my opinion, you probably dont need a weed break. weed is really healthy, and actually will do wonders for all of those problems. im feeling like poor mary jane may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and became a scapegoat

"weed is really healthy".

Should I even bother?

Look, I have nothing against marijuana. I have something against chronic use of any mind altering substance. I know several individuals who became increasingly anti social and anxiety ridden from years of chronic smoking. You're not alone.

 

[2H2T2]

Stopping has some nasty effects:
- your sleep quality will be less the next weeks. Because of sleep deprivation you might use again because you feel so miserable.
- you will be bored. Maybe bored enough to use again.
- you will be less interested in your still using friends (stoned discussions are a bit uninteresting to sober people).
- no munchies will alter your diet. You might not eat enough, which makes you miserable and you might use again. Same for overeating.
- you will use again at some point. This might trigger you to use the next day, and the day after, etc.

So:
- Smoke minimally for a week before you stop. You wont make it if you try after a night of heavy use. "I'll smoke more tonight because I'll quit tomorrow anyway" will get you nowhere.
- make sure you keep eating normally, don't skip meals.Don't allow yourself to eat too much as well.
- make sure you have something to spend your time on, which you normally spent smoking weed. Download some tv-series you like and watch those, for example.
- take 1gram slow-release vitamin c tablets, twice a day, same for omega 3-6-9 and 1 multivitamin daily.
- Accept you will be bored at some point. It will pass. This was also so before you started smoking weed. There's really no point in using again because you don't know anything else to do. Realize this.
- If you use again. Don't see it as prove you can't make it. Just continue not using the next day.
- Read TDS, most of those people have it a lot harder than you. Might help.
- If you are deprived of sleep for 2 nights in a row, take a benzo on the third night (You really don't need more). 4-5 benzos should be enough for you to stop smoking weed completely.
- start seeing more of your non-smoking friends.
- See a psychologist if you have other problems.

Just my 2 cents. I wish you luck!

 

[Kazegami]

Hey man, same boat as you. Didn't smoke nearly as long or as hard as you did, only a year over here, but I needed a break too.

I realize that even though I may not really be addicted in the sense that most people imagine addiction to be, I'm rapidly approaching a state where I find it impossible to "switch off" as you said, and just enjoy the little things for what they are. Music that I used to love seems boring without weed, movies that I once adored get boring without the buzz of MJ, and I don't want to live a life where I can't appreciate these things fully without the aid of a substance.

And just like you, I just switched the drugs up when I was bored. Mainly some leftover Percocets and alcohol, but it's all the same shit isn't it? I take these substances because I can't stand a little bit of boredom, and the fact is that even if I'm not physically craving it, all I can think about is how much more awesome everything is when I'm high. And that in turn leads to me thinking about why I shouldn't feel like this all the time. Which of course leads to getting stoned when it matters the most, regardless of what I may be doing or need to do.

I don't know if you're quitting for the same reasons I am, but the fact is that we're both trying to quit. Maybe it's permanent, maybe not, but if you ever need some support just shoot me a message.

For now, I just replace all the time I spent blazing with Counter Strike. I play way better sober than I do high, and it's a fun way to pass the time when I would have otherwise been lighting up and giggling at nothing.

 

[lookyboop]

No actually weed is really healthy, kills pain, helps cell growth, and fights virtually every mental condition better than the medications perscribed for them. . The benefits of it can't be listed here for they are so vast. However I encourage you to do a little reasearch,, because pot isn't a "mind altering substance". Its a plant that makes you relax and have fun. That's all that really matters but its placed in a package with no side effects and heals your body mind and soul.

 

[Dark Side]

benzo's for social anxiety, you dont even want to go there, Because i did and im paying the price. You might get some insomnia from quitting weed i have in the past but its nothing compared to the insomnia you will get once addicted to benzo's.

best tip i can give, is exercise half the reason you get insomnia from quitting weed is because you rely on it for sleep. Your not physically tiring yourself out go for long walks

A pill wont cure your social anxiety mate, it will make matters 1000 times worse. benzo's are absolute shite for SAD you need to deal with the real problems. You also need to realize all they do is calm your nerves its not gonna suddenly make you an Extrovert with amazing social skills. far from it

 

[Thatt guy]

Hey man, same boat as you. Didn't smoke nearly as long or as hard as you did, only a year over here, but I needed a break too.

I realize that even though I may not really be addicted in the sense that most people imagine addiction to be, I'm rapidly approaching a state where I find it impossible to "switch off" as you said, and just enjoy the little things for what they are. Music that I used to love seems boring without weed, movies that I once adored get boring without the buzz of MJ, and I don't want to live a life where I can't appreciate these things fully without the aid of a substance.

And just like you, I just switched the drugs up when I was bored. Mainly some leftover Percocets and alcohol, but it's all the same shit isn't it? I take these substances because I can't stand a little bit of boredom, and the fact is that even if I'm not physically craving it, all I can think about is how much more awesome everything is when I'm high. And that in turn leads to me thinking about why I shouldn't feel like this all the time. Which of course leads to getting stoned when it matters the most, regardless of what I may be doing or need to do.

I don't know if you're quitting for the same reasons I am, but the fact is that we're both trying to quit. Maybe it's permanent, maybe not, but if you ever need some support just shoot me a message.

For now, I just replace all the time I spent blazing with Counter Strike. I play way better sober than I do high, and it's a fun way to pass the time when I would have otherwise been lighting up and giggling at nothing.

Thanks for your feedback man, i can totally understand the connection between weed and music. Alot of the music music i listen actually makes me crave weed unfortunately, i listen to alot of jungle, drum and bass and raggae dub ect. and dont get me wrong i still love music, but it just affect me in the same way while not high.

Also i'm trying the same thing as you, in regards to gaming. Used to be a huge MMORPG player, WoW, runescape and others but due to my pc dying on me i've been unable to play. MMO's were somthing that enabled me to "switch off",i'd get tunnel vision and my mind would be on the raid/task im doing not my want for weed, or worse still my anxious thoughts. My new pc should arrive tomorrow, thankfully, hopefully it helps.

Hope things are going well in you're quitting endeavours, and mutually, if you need to message sombody cos things are getting difficult, drop me a message, all the best.

 

[Thatt guy]

No actually weed is really healthy, kills pain, helps cell growth, and fights virtually every mental condition better than the medications perscribed for them. . The benefits of it can't be listed here for they are so vast. However I encourage you to do a little reasearch,, because pot isn't a "mind altering substance". Its a plant that makes you relax and have fun. That's all that really matters but its placed in a package with no side effects and heals your body mind and soul.

Weed is many things to many people, believe me, for many years i would've sided with you on this one but it can change in a fairly small time to somthing far worse. Denial that it was unhealthy for me was a big factor, as all my friends, like you do; blaze up problem free and makes them relax/enjoy life and have a positive outlook.

In many ways im jelous, as i would love to continue to persue Mary-Jane. But ill always put my health before anything else.

Thanks for your feedback

 

[Thatt guy]

benzo's for social anxiety, you dont even want to go there, Because i did and im paying the price. You might get some insomnia from quitting weed i have in the past but its nothing compared to the insomnia you will get once addicted to benzo's.

best tip i can give, is exercise half the reason you get insomnia from quitting weed is because you rely on it for sleep. Your not physically tiring yourself out go for long walks

A pill wont cure your social anxiety mate, it will make matters 1000 times worse. benzo's are absolute shite for SAD you need to deal with the real problems. You also need to realize all they do is calm your nerves its not gonna suddenly make you an Extrovert with amazing social skills. far from it

I know it's a slippery slope man, it just "seems" like a quick relief, mainly from the insomnia ( i get it quite badly when not smoking) and the debilitating anxiety. I will deffinately start lifting again, as that sort of repetitive exercise blocks my anxiety, all-beit only for a short while when under strain from exercise.

SAD is also an issue for me, always has been, even before i began toking. All this terrible weather in england at the moment doesnt make it much easier! haha.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[straightrazor]

I think I'm going to start a break today as well. Since I am withdrawing from benzos/opiates I have noticed I tend to get really anxious when I smoke and it simply isn't pleasurable or beneficial. I figure since I'm giving my brain a chance to heal from all the drug abuse I should probably stop drowning it in cannabinoids as well. I generally get extreme cravings when I try to quit smoking which is why I never really end up quitting. I don't think I have gone more than 7 days without smoking in over 10 years.

Ideally I'd like to stop smoking forever but I'll take baby steps at first and today I commit to not smoking any weed for the next week at least.

 

[Dark Side]

I know it's a slippery slope man, it just "seems" like a quick relief, mainly from the insomnia ( i get it quite badly when not smoking) and the debilitating anxiety. I will deffinately start lifting again, as that sort of repetitive exercise blocks my anxiety, all-beit only for a short while when under strain from exercise.

SAD is also an issue for me, always has been, even before i began toking. All this terrible weather in england at the moment doesnt make it much easier! haha.

Thanks for your feedback.

Valium really aint all that mate, it stops working in no time. You will have to take more and more and as my Doctor says it has to come from me (curing anxiety) not a pill. I wish i had never touched it because its given me more shit then Anxiety ever did. This is the same reason why addicts laugh at people saying they are addicted to MJ

Truth is you just aint ever experienced real drug wd's. They aint pretty

 

[itsALLfake]

No actually weed is really healthy, kills pain, helps cell growth, and fights virtually every mental condition better than the medications perscribed for them. . The benefits of it can't be listed here for they are so vast. However I encourage you to do a little reasearch,, because pot isn't a "mind altering substance". Its a plant that makes you relax and have fun. That's all that really matters but its placed in a package with no side effects and heals your body mind and soul.

We don't need to pay a toll to cross your bridge..

 

[Fellowed]

Do you mix it with tobacco? If not this won't apply to you......

Personally I found that since quitting tobacco over a year ago, and began smoking weed pure, many of the negative side effects I used to get disappeared. This obviously won't be the same for everyone but it really made the world of difference to me. As an example I'm currently on day 11 or 12 of not having any weed, and although I wouldn't mind having some, the fact I can't (dry spell round town for tonight it seems) isn't causing me any distress like it used to. If I could go back in time to over a year ago and tell myself that I could regularly go without it for so long, I wouldn't have believed me (and also got paranoid over the fact that I was talking to my future self!) Just before I quit smoking tobacco I'd easily get through at least a quarter a week. Nowadays I can seemingly take it or leave it.

That isn't to say that the negative effects aren't still a possibility, it's just that without the tobacco spliffs are not as compulsive. I used to hammer them until I felt really uneasy and would get myself into awful mental loops, but as soon as that terrible feeling had calmed down I'd want to smoke again. Depressing cycle to be in. I still use the same amount of weed I used to with each smoke, but just put it in a single skin instead. I can take a couple of tokes, happily leave it for awhile, and then come back to it when needs be. When I was mixing the two together I'd regularly reach for a smoke and realise it was already gone.

I know that isn't the exact answer you were looking for, and if you want to quit weed I think it's something you should definitely do. But if what I say is relevant to you I would at least consider getting rid of tobacco out of your life first as it will make the process so much easier.

 

[Thatt guy]

Thanks for your feedback Fellowed,

I actually thought the same, and it was one of the main reasons i quit smoking tobacco around 6 months ago. Towards the end of mixing weed with tobacco it made me feel nautious and far more drawn and tired. Not to mention ruining the taste! Since i quit tobacco i have been using either a bong or a Magic Flight Launch Box vapourizer. For a while after i started out this way, negative effects seemed to diminish slightly, but over time crept back in ( i mean anxiety mainly ) so i have now officially put myself on a long break, before i permanently mess myself up.

But i can totally relate to how it's easier to take it or leave it when not using it with tobacco, because your mind isn't relating the weed to the feeling of needing nicotine. 6 months ago i'd be fiending right now, and would've probably caved a day or two in.

Think this time i might pull it off

Thanks for all your comments guys

 

[Allein]

Fellowed makes a really valid and interesting point, I smoked tobacco everyday from the age of 13 and started smoking cannibis resin everyday from 16. By the time I got to 20 I only ever smoked striaghts when it wasnt possible to smoke a J and my consumption grew.

I knew that my main addiction was nicotine but psycholicaly I was addicted to Js with tobaaco and resin, I still crave them 10 years after stopping.

I gave up tobacco first and just smoked a little weed and resin in a pipe in the evenings, it was really suprising how the effects differed, I would be smashed on such a small amount when previously I could smoke all day and hardly notice. The only reason I stopped was due to the ongoing craving for that tobacco and resin J, the connection was just too strong and I really didnt want togo back to smoking tobacco.

The alcohol substition started way back as I travelled abroad for work on a regular basis and never carried through customs so used to just drink at the hotel bar, years later that burning ember took hold and landed me in another mess.

I fear I judge others by my weeknesses and it's only looking back I can see how one thing led to another and how substances that others seemed to deal with easily became problematic for me.

I wish you the best of luck in your abstinace.