First Night Dope Free

[Hopefull1]

Hi Guys

Tonight is my very first night without dope for 12 years. I smoked hash for most of my smoking years and then 'upgraded' to skunk the drug about a year ago. Apart from the obvious financial stress of being able to afford my habit I have to say I never experienced heavy panic attacks or some of the other horrible experiences I have read from others on this forum. I think that may be because I smoked a mild hash for so long and only recently switched to a heavier choice.

Anyway - about a week ago I decided I didn't want to do this anymore and made a pact with myself to stop once my current supply was finished. Tonight is that day and this is my first night in 12 years when I haven't been stoned. It's 9pm now and everything feels a little 'real' if that makes any sense?

I used to be a very heavy drinker and kicked that habit a few years ago so I'm hoping I can draw on the same strength this time around. I think CannabisRehab.org is a fantastic tool for people like me and reading your stories has inspired me.

I always knew there would probably be a few sleepless nights but reading some of your stories I'm shocked at the other symptoms people have experienced - I had absolutely no idea. I don't know how the next few days/weeks/months will be for me but I'm going to leave regular updates. I just hope mine is a relatively easier withdrawl - time will tell.

Thank you all for sharing. I know I have a place to come to if things get tough.

Take care xx

[needabreak]

good luck

good luck dude-we'r all different and our bodies and brains have different ways of dealin with things-

i reckon ur withdrawel depends on ur life-if ur life's shi'et then the withdrawel might be hard-i say might and maybe and not definites-i dont know-my own withdrawel's goin mostly good-it has its bad days-i smoked away 10 years of stress and i supose its like matter and energy in the universe-it never goes away-so it was all stored up for me somwewheres and has now been unleashed-

these last 3 or 4 days have been hard-in a way i'v me head down, duckin for cover and hopin for the best-

if u wana sort the insomnia thing-get into the habit of getting up early-then u'll be able to sleep at night-well in a while anyway-i used to be a king drinker mesel-gave that up to lead the stoners-it had to stop-

good luck dude-it aint all mad

[Drug Rehab Chick]

Hi Hopefull1,

Congrats on making the decision mate...thats the first major step...welcome. Like need a break says, everybody is different, so you might not even get the yucky things that others do...I hope thats the case. But if you do, come on here and vent...tell us whats going on..we'll be looking for your updates and cheering you on. this cannabis rehab site has made such a difference to many people...I personally wouldn't be still off pot rite now if it wasn't for the support and encouragement I have got here. Sounds like you definately have the strength to do this..u beat alcohol...u can beat pot too...doesn't mean its gonna be easy but it does mean its possible..more than possible. So yay u on making the decision and good luck with the next phase...wish u all the best...

[Cannabis Rehab Admin]

Hi Hopefull1 welcome to the forum

What’s going on in your life may well affect your detox experience, but I think that the individual chemistry of our bodies can too, the effect of various drugs and the detox of them can vary, depending on the different chemistry of different people bodies, different drugs push different buttons or not in different people, for example there are a small minority of people who feel no effect from opiates, something to do with them not having the enzyme to process them, so you could give them as much heroin as you like and it would literally have no effect, an extreme example I know, but different drugs do react with different people in different ways. I read one article recently about the different effects that cocaine can have on men and women and it can be the same with cannabis, ever heard those people who say I have tried it but it didn’t really do that much for me, well it got me as high as a kite, but we can all have different reactions to it, some may experience mental health problems like paranoia and some may not, it may depend on your genetic predisposition to anxiety and paranoia in the first place.

It’s the same with withdrawing from it, some might not really find it that much of a problem, while others really can struggle. Some people science has now proved have more of a genetic predisposition for addiction than others, which is another reason some people may find drugs more addictive than others.

You don’t really know how you are going to react, you just have to suck it and see, obviously this is a rehab group for people who have experienced various problems with using, or from withdrawing from cannabis, so that’s the nature of what you are going to hear here. But try not to freak out about quitting too much, it might not be that bad for you.

Well done on your decision to quit, however it is for you we will be here for you every step of the way. Thanks for sharing, take care and please keep us posted on how it goes.

All the best and good luck.

[Hopefull1]

Update - Day 2

Hi Guys

Thanks so much for your posts, it's really cool to have this kind of support. I just thought I'd leave an update to let you know how I'm getting on. My first night wasn't so bad other than the obvious sleep deprivation. I think I managed 4 hours sleep. I went to bed at 1am and just lay there until 5am. Frustrating but I always knew that would be the case. Hopefully I'll sleep a little better tonight.

I remember years ago when I was drinking and smoking heavily, I would often experience bouts of insomnia, sometimes I wouldn't sleep for 5/6 days and I'd be like a zombie so I know all about insomnia. I guess my head was so frazzled at that time it didn't know how to sleep!

Although I felt a little aggitated throughout the evening there were no other symptoms. I did smoke A LOT of cigarettes as compensation. In a way I'm glad about this because I know myself and the more cigarettes I smoke the more I'll want to kick those too. I've never been a very heavy cigarette smoker and smoking too many will make me want to quit. However, I'm not even thinking about quitting cigarettes just now - I'll use them until I don't need them any more.

I'll tell you what's strange - you know how you don't smoke a joint all the way through like a cigarette? Well, I didn't anyway! I would leave it in the ashtray and keep relighting it. Well, cigarettes burn away and so you smoke the whole thing......15 minutes later......another cigarette!

I'm naturally shattered but luckily it's a public holiday here in London so I don't have to go to work. I'll head to the gym this afternoon and burn away some energy and hopefully get some more sleep tonight.

Thanks for listening out there.

Ps - let me know what Country you are in if that's cool with you, it's good to know where people are!

[mac1977]

keep it up mate its worth it in the long run like anything u give up its hard at first you just need 2 get in the habit of not smoking it im from the uk too

[needabreak]

still up dude?aye the insomnia parts a bollox! and u'll smoke cigs til ur sick-but as u say smoke em til u dont need to-

i just started week 6 pot free and am into me 4th week nicotine free-i hate smokn cigs wen i'm not gettn stoned-do it wat ever way suits u-i'm in ireland so my sleep's up the left too-

it can be done dude-just hang in ther on the sh'it days

[lastchance]

Hi Hopefull1,

All i could get to smoke was rocky (low grade hash) for the majority of my smoking career, then i moved from my UK island to the wonderful land of Oz and switched to the bud. Then grew it and blew it! The stronger it gets the weaker we get.

Anyway sounds like you’ve got it under control mate and you’re heads in the right place. Keep going to the gym, exercise is helping me loads. My new punch bag is great, releasing so much anger, stress tension, whatever it’s good to find something that exhilarates you!

Keep it up!

[Hopefull1]

still up dude?aye the insomnia parts a bollox! and u'll smoke cigs til ur sick-but as u say smoke em til u dont need to-

i just started week 6 pot free and am into me 4th week nicotine free-i hate smokn cigs wen i'm not gettn stoned-do it wat ever way suits u-i'm in ireland so my sleep's up the left too-

it can be done dude-just hang in ther on the sh'it days

Thanks needabreak, I actually slept right through last night on my 2nd day - I couldn't believe it. Let's hope it stays that way! I'm only on day 3 and I'm thinking 'hey, I've got this handled' but that doesn't mean I won't have a tough day tomorrow so lets just see.
Congratulations on 6 weeks - that's fantastic. I bet those close to you are proud, not to mention how proud of yourself you must be? Well done you!

[Hopefull1]

Hi Hopefull1,

All i could get to smoke was rocky (low grade hash) for the majority of my smoking career, then i moved from my UK island to the wonderful land of Oz and switched to the bud. Then grew it and blew it! The stronger it gets the weaker we get.

Anyway sounds like you’ve got it under control mate and you’re heads in the right place. Keep going to the gym, exercise is helping me loads. My new punch bag is great, releasing so much anger, stress tension, whatever it’s good to find something that exhilarates you!

Keep it up!

Hey lastchance - yes the gym certainly does help. I think a bit longer on the stronger stuff and my withdrawl may have been much harder. Thanks for the words.

[Drug Rehab Chick]

Hi Hopefull1,

So glad that ur going well....its great to hear that. It gives others a different perspective and might make the whole detoxing thing a little less scary and intimidating...not to mention that it makes your journey that little bit easier. Keep up the good work..congratulations mate. Look forward to reading ur next update. Peace.

[lastchance]

Cheers mate,

I gave up for a while when i came here, without too much hassle. Coming off the hash wasn't bad for me plus i was holding down a good job and just smoking joints in the evenings and a bit more at the weekends.

It's definetly the stronger stuff and for me the way i was smoking it, the Bong! Also the more time you have, the more you smoke. When you have a steady job and social life you smoke part time, without that you smoke full time!

[Drug Rehab Chick]

Hi Hopefull1,

How goes it...just realised I didn't tell you where I'm from..sorry. I'm an Aussie. Hope ur doing good and the sleep thing is evening out for u..keep us posted..we really do want to know how ur doing!

[Hopefull1]

Hi Hopefull1,

How goes it...just realised I didn't tell you where I'm from..sorry. I'm an Aussie. Hope ur doing good and the sleep thing is evening out for u..keep us posted..we really do want to know how ur doing!

Hi Hippychick,

I'm on day 9 now and have to say that since day 5, all is well. I've cracked it. I feel a little freudulent to be honest after reading some of the other stories and how it took a long time for them. I'm sleeping fine and back on an even keel emotionally. I know we're all different and I shouldn't feel guilty!!

This rehab group was a huge help for me and so many others so I'll keep dropping in from time to time, if only to offer support to others. I really want to thank you and 'needabreak' in particular for your helping hand, you were both instrumental in my withdrawl. I'm open to the fact that I could have a low any day and it aint over til its over but I honestly feel that I'm through the worst.

How are you doing? Well I hope... x

[Drug Rehab Chick]

Yay U!!

Hi Hopefull1,

I'm so pleased for you mate! U'v made my day..its great to hear ur ova the worst (although it could be premature..I hope not...doesn't mean it will be, but just warning u!)my life is getting worse and worse as far as circumstances go and it is still a struggle for me..I started detoxing 6 weeks ago, but caved and had 3 j's after a couple of weeks, I haven't had any more for 3 weeks now, so even tho life sux, I'm feeling really proud of myself and really sensing the inner strength I've gained...if u'v read my posts u'll understand that everything that can go wrong has!! But I'm ok....I haven't given in and thats amazing to me cos it was an inbuilt instinct to turn to the pot when things got bad and I haven't this time..I'm looking for sensible solutions..solutions that won't destroy me or my girls any more..can't tell u how great that is. I'm glad we cud help you. I know how much others (including u, believe it or not) have helped me..and I appreciate it so much. U shouldn't feel bad that it has been easier for u..none of us do...I'm just so overjoyed that it has been relatively easy...We all rejoice in ur success..it means a better life for you and a future...so well done mate..I really mean that. I hope u will pop in often to give us updates and to encourage others...I'll be looking out for your posts...wishing u all the best...congratulations...Peace.