Many people who smoke cannabis, otherwise known as marijuana or pot, become addicted to it without even realizing that they have an addiction. In fact, if a long time user of cannabis is asked if they are addicted, they will typically say that they are not, because they really don’t think they are. When they try to quit, however, it becomes obvious that they are addicted, and they need some steps to stop smoking cannabis.
What to Expect When You Stop Smoking Cannabis
Some people claim that there are no withdrawals when you try to stop smoking cannabis. It is important to realize that these people were never truly addicted to it – or they never really quit smoking cannabis. The withdrawal symptoms are very real, and are similar to the same withdrawal symptoms that you might experience if you were addicted to alcohol or tobacco and suddenly denied your body – and your mind – of the substance. Headaches, nausea, shaking, irritability, profuse sweating, and more can be expected.
Seven Steps to Stop Smoking Cannabis
1/ Plan your quit date. Having a date in mind is very important, because it enables you to mentally work up to the aspect of being without cannabis. Some people will plan a date three to four weeks away, and start gradually cutting down the amount that they smoke during this period, which is a good idea.
2/ Change your friends. If your friends smoke cannabis, you may need new friends. This doesn’t mean that your friends are bad people. It means that they are going to continue to smoke marijuana, and this will have an impact on you. Try to find friends who do not smoke marijuana, and limit your contact with those who do.
3/ Talk to Your Doctor. Your private doctor probably already knows that you are smoking weed. He or she will not report you to the authorities, but they will do all that is in their power to help you quit. They may even prescribe you medication that makes it easier, and if nothing else, they will be aware of what is going on in the even that you experience the type of withdrawal symptoms that require medical aid.
4/ Buy the right foods. Chocolate is great when you are trying to quit. Also have plenty of water, fresh fruit, hard candies, and gum on hand.
5/ Line up your support. You need someone that can help you through the worst of the withdrawal. Preferably, this person will come and stay with you – or you will go stay with them – for at least the first five days. They need to know what to expect, and what to do.
6/ Plan time off from work and other activities. If you have an addiction to cannabis, you cannot expect to work and continue with your normal activities during the worst of the withdrawal period. Try to plan your quit date for the start of a vacation.
7/ Quit. When your quit date arrives, simply quit. Make sure that you don’t have a stash in the house, and that you’ve cut yourself off from your connection. Tell yourself that within a few days, the addiction will be broken.
How long does it take to break the Cannabis Addiction?
The amount of time it takes to break the addiction to marijuana can vary from one person to the next, and will depend on several factors. The average time that breaking the addiction can take, according to experts, is from ten to twenty six days, but it could take longer. Factors that play a role include the amount of cannabis that is consumed on a regular basis, how long you’ve been smoking it, and how badly you really want to quit.
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July 14th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
I smoke 5g a day and when I quit, except for a bit of a loss of appetite, I have no withdrawal. In the past I had trouble sleeping aswell when withdrawing.
March 10th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
The effects of shaking, extreme irritability, shaking, sweating are not caused by marijuana.
It is the cause of the toxic cocktail found in most street marijuana.
I’ve smoked for over 8 years now. Over 3 years of high grade marijuana from a REPUTABLE source (Unlike 99% of dealers). It costs quite a bit more, but VOILA if I start smoking it’s as if I never smoked before!
Contrast that with my younger years where I would smoke any type of bud I could get my hands on. Headaches, contracted pupils, chills, extreme depression — these were the chemicals in the weed. MiracleGro for instance has indications of a dozen health problems if plant matter covered in it is burned an inhaled! Check their indications for firefighters! Don’t forget the chemicals added to make the god awful weed more potent! More heavy! More sticky!
You are killing yourself unless you buy ORGANICALLY grown weed from a highly reputable source! This is why criminalization of weed is ruining our young people! Brain, liver, kidney, heart, cardio system are all being destroyed! Wake up kids!
February 22nd, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Cannabis is not physically addictive. I have been using it for three years now on and off. I have quit for several weeks at a time and usually begin using again. Not due to an addiction, it was a 100% controllable conscious decision to do so. When someone is actually addicted to something it controls all aspects of their lives. If people become this way with Cannabis then all it takes is a bit of willpower and a desire to quit. Ask anyone who has had an addiction to a seriously harmful drug and quitting is not possible even when all they desire is to be clean, this is addiction not the pseudo/psychological addictions that some cannabis users experience.
February 16th, 2011 at 9:51 am
Weed, Marijuana and whatever people call it is not a created illegal drug (plant am sorry). It would only take insane minds to prohibit or declare marijuana is illegal. I had been smoking weed for more than seven years and no addiction at all. I got addicted when i mixed it with tobacco or after i had taken alcohol. You must know that this holly plant was banned during the 1930s by propaganda a certain group of people. Look at how people smoke tobacco and drink beers and the government is spending alot of revenue to treat diseases caused by these. I had never heard from any elderly person that someone had died due to smoking marijuana. S you better think twice before making decisions.
February 10th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
If you’re having bad thoughts than your just Fed up in the head cause i have never once thought homocidal or suicidal
February 10th, 2011 at 1:43 am
My boyfriend smokes it , and our relationship falling apart as he constantly have mood changes up and down, and if he doesnt get any he takes it out on me by saying nasty things, and arguing….
i dont know what to do anymore he is fully addicted everyday he has to have it and i dont mean a 1 splif , a good 5-6 aday 7 days aweeek….
he wont look for work this drug destroys you and you dont see it as you dont know whats sprayed on it etc… and makes u push away your loved ones.
i dont know what to do
February 6th, 2011 at 4:15 am
Im gonna say this right off the bat, pot isn’t addictive OR causes cancer. If it causes cancer, why is it perscribed to patients enduring chemo. Its sites like this that bring unnecessary fear to cannabis. To Brian, Im sorry for your losses thats gotta be hard to deal with.However suicidal thoughts,homicidal thoughts and nightmares have something to do with the loss of family and friends.
January 5th, 2011 at 11:54 am
I’m in the military and I started smoking in 2004 when I lost my mother. I lost my father a few years before that. I soon lost my sister. I failed a drug test in 2004. I was retained in the military and stayed away from it for 4 years. I was deployed to Afghanistan in 2007. I started again to deal with the feelings of “I don’t give a fuck!!!!”. I again did 45 days extra duty and forfeited 2/3 of my pay for 2 mths. I could only only loose one rank per military regulations. I began to get treatment for my flashbacks and the death of my family members. Oh yeah, in 2008, I lost one of my brothers. I always tried to be a strong person and thought that I’m a soldier and I could deal with anything that comes my way. Horrors of war, death of parents and siblings and a lot of ather things that I won’t mention here. I made a valid attempt to stop, slow down…whatever I could do to find my soul.I attended NA meetings and inpatient treatment and attended substance abuse meetins, along with counseling. I lost a lot due to smoking weed, but I know that it helps me deal with my issues, I’ve tried a bucket full of meds that didn’t work at all. I’m not smoking now and haven’t in 2 mths, but I feel like shit. I don’t have any sweating, naseau headaches. I do have flashbacks, nightmares and feel homicidal and suicidal at times. I’m depressed and withdrawn. It works for me. I’ve tried lot’s of alternatives, but nothing else has worked. I should be out after dealing with these legal issues that I am dealing with now and can’t wait for it all to be over with. I know I’m addicted, I’d rather be addicted to what keeps me from making a decision that I know would be detrimental. KEEP HOPE ALIVE!!!!!