Marijuana

[Kevin87]

Hello all, happy holidays!

I’m here right now because I am currently struggling and feeling very anxious. It’s Xmas day and it’s been great to be with everyone. One problem..

I haven’t had marijuana in a couple days and it’s making my depression and anxiety come back. I feel that my body has gotten so used to using it that when I don’t have it, my anxiety comes back ten fold. I am in fact on anti depressants, however I would say this has been a successful, albeit expensive, addition. I’m debating whether or not to even continue using it because of everything that happens when I don’t have it...Nausea, anxiety, irritability, etc.

almost doesn’t seem worth it does it??

Does anyone have any experience getting passed this? How long did it take to get passed the withdrawal? Anyone with words of encouragement would be amazing. Totally not feeling like myself today...

[Hidden]

I was a recreational user during my early teens and a daily user for over 25 years.

As I got older, it actually increased my anxiety.

I regret not stopping years ago and learning to cope instead of avoid.

I quit October 1st and will never go back.

My experience may be different from others.

[Kevin87 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply! How long did it take you for the withdrawal to clear? What did you do to help while it was going on??

[Hidden in reply to Kevin87]

As a young man I found it harder to quit due the adolescent mentality...I lived for the moment rather than the future.

Then it became just a habit like smoking cigarettes (which I do not do).

I almost did it without thinking.

At some point I started resenting it...knowing I had taught myself that to enjoy anything, I had to be buzzed or high.

The only withdrawals I really dealt with were sleep issues. I had trouble falling and staying asleep.

Actually gained weight when I quit as I began eating regularly...and healthier.

I don't know how old you are...but I wish I had quit way before I did.

[Jae5 in reply to Hidden]

Wow i can relate. Wish it was still an option but it now increases my anxiety also

[Kevin87 in reply to Jae5]

That’s the thing though- the anxiety I get when I don’t have it is worse than the anxiety I get when I do have it. It’s a pretty scary thought to me and I’m not really sure what to do.

[Hidden in reply to Kevin87]

The weed does not fix anything. It basically has an "l don't care effect."

What was a problem no longer is. At some point, the weed becomes the problem, therefore increasing anxiety.

And everyone will react differently. I can only speak for myself. I'm 48 and wish I had never started. I was never against it as long as I was a user.

Now I consider how much different my life may have been if I had learned to deal with life head on.

[dee_bells]

I’m one of those goofy people who never tried marijuana. 😳

However, advice I would give you is—-one minute, one hour, one day, and one week at a time. Think of something calming. My happy thoughts are at the beach and/or ocean. Hang in there. Good luck.

Dee

[Kevin87 in reply to dee_bells]

That’s the hard part! My mind won’t let me think of anything relaxing. And when I do I start to cry haha. Not out of sadness but because my emotions are all out of whack

[Hidden in reply to Kevin87]

Have you tried meditation? I never thought it was for me and some days it isn't.

But when I am able to "feel it" I guess, it damn near puts me to sleep. Sometimes it does put me to sleep.

And I'm a high-strung worrier...not a laid-back hippie. Not even when I was high.

[Kevin87 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah I’m always in my head worrying. Marijuana tends to “level me out”, but sometimes I don’t want to have to have it to feel ok ya know? I’m 31, been smoking since I was about 23. I’d say daily the whole time. Meditation does help for sure, is that the technique that has helped you most? How are you fairing without it, as far as your day to day and anxiety goes?

[Hidden in reply to Kevin87]

As I said, I don't always respond well to meditation. But sometimes it does the trick.

The best thing for me has been hard work or exercise. I prefer just working hard on an outdoor project as I am occupying my mind and wearing myself out with the bonus of checking something off of my list.

I eat and sleep better after a hard day.

[Kevin87 in reply to Hidden]

I agree with that completely. Did you stop cold turkey or did you slowly cut down? That’s what I’m having a problem with at the moment..

[Hidden in reply to Kevin87]

Cold turkey. I set a date and I quit.

Please understand...I was tired of it. Tired of living a lie...hiding, ignoring instead of facing my issues.

As I said, smoking weed was integral to everything. It became part of my identity. And I regard it as a weakness...just like alcohol or any other drug.

I hated that person and what it had cost me.

I am happier now than then. I stand on my own two feet...I stumble...and I reach for someone to help me.

Not weed to distract me.

[dee_bells in reply to Kevin87]

How are you doing now? Nothing in life is easy. You’ve got this. I believe in you!

Dee

[Kevin87 in reply to dee_bells]

Well the issue is the anxiety that sparks when I don’t have it. It’s not “real” anxiety, in that it is manifested because my body thinks I need it. Which is really scary to me and makes me think I’m dependent on it. That alone is reason enough for me to quit but I guess You could say I’m just not sure what to do or what direction to take with it.

[dee_bells in reply to Kevin87]

Are you off marijuana? How long has it been?

Like someone else said try meditating. Don’t be afraid. Others have done it and you can too. Just keep plugging away.

❤️❤️❤️

[Kevin87 in reply to dee_bells]

Well I had some last night so today the anxiety is greatly lessened. Before that it was about two days and I was going nuts...

I agree. I feel like most of the issue is purely psychological, but that’s the part I find most difficult.

[dee_bells in reply to Kevin87]

You need to get past that “detox” time. Tell yourself that your body is wrong, no marijuana is the right way to go. You can do this.

[Kevin87 in reply to dee_bells]

Thank you! Reading this has really helped a lot.

[fauxartist]

I've never found pot a gateway drug to harder drugs or ever felt the compulsion to use it like cocaine or alcohol. And with the medical pot that is hybridized to remove all the paranoid side effects..... I would prefer pot over alcohol if your going to self medicate. I don't use either because that's my choice. But I never felt addicted to pot. And because I'm an herbalist, I know it can help with cancer side effects, seizures, and anxiety....so....it's a choice, and no one should make a judgement call about it.