My Journey to Quit Smoking Pot

[Spartacus]

Quit date 10/16/09

Hi All, first time post here. I have not quit yet. I think this is a positive step for me as my first post. I've been doing some reading here and I'm still debating if I should quit cold turkey or taper off. The Board Administrator recommends to taper off, but obviously, I know it's a case by case basis and what works for one person may not work for someone else. Any suggestions are very welcome here...

For many many years, I've been drinking, smoking cigs, or smoking pot. Sometimes all three and sometimes with just one drug at a time. I happy to say I quit smoking cigs around 5 years ago and I no longer drink (haven't had a drink for more than 6 months now). I don't intend to ever smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol again. That being said, I do know a lot about addiction and I need to focus on quitting weed. I think I have transferred my past addictions to smoking weed. I've been doing it practically every day. I need to be free of all addictions. I know deep down inside my heart I need to detox so I can become the successful person that I know I should be in this life.

I will post back here with regular updates on my journey until I am free of smoking marijuana. I will continue to read a lot more here as well. I also just bought 2 books about quitting the drug that will help me as a useful tool to quit. I am ready. Thanks for listening and good luck to you all.

[Cannabis Rehab Admin]

Hi Spartacus and welcome to the forum.

It is a hard one to decide which method is best for you, like you say what’s right for one person isn’t necassirly right for another, I suppose without trying both it’s very hard to compare.

I was wondering what books have you bought?

Sometimes we do transfer one addiction to another, often addictive personalities will always find something to get hooked on, at least you know your subject and the nature of your situation which should make things easier.

Thanks for sharing, take care and please keep us posted on how it goes.

[Spartacus]

Hi Admin, thanks for checking in. I've decided to taper like you had suggested. I have it all planned out and is marked on my calendar. It will last about 6 weeks. I'm going to give this is try and see if I can stick to it. I need to do this. The two books that I just ordered which arrive any day now are:

Willpower Is Not Enough - Arnold M. Washton
Stop Toking - Chris Baker

[Cannabis Rehab Admin]

That sounds like a good idea give it a try and see how it goes, you will soon find out if it’s not working for you. Good luck with the books, let us know what they are like.

Take care

[Spartacus]

1 Week

Quit Date 10/16/09

Just as I said, I am going to keep reporting back and updating my progress. This is important for me as well as, hopefully I can assist, support, and help others in need. Although, me being free of Pot is my first priority. Well it's been 1 week since I quit cold turkey. Tapering down did not help me at all. It's too easy for me to continue smoking since the drug is at home and easily accessible. I would just continue to smoke it everyday. I got rid of everything the drug related (week, lighters, pipe, contacts, etc.).

Time flies and it has already been 1 week. Actually what has really helped me was reading the book Stop Toking by Chris Baker. I am in no way associated with this book. It’s just that I did some research and there are not that many books specifically about quitting marijuana, but many books on quitting general addiction. It’s not a popular book, but I purchased it on Amazon and finished it within 2-3 days. It’s a quick read. It has helped me open my eyes to see the drug for what it really is.

So far I feel good. I’m fortunate to not have any major withdrawal, but to be honest, I believe that it’s 90% a mental game, not physical. I’ve already read many books on addiction so it has helped me get ahead start. Well, it’s only been a week and I’m still taking my time, one day at a time and trying to relax through recovery. Remember “recovery” is “to recover” so I am making that a top priority, everything else comes in second. Right now, I can say that I don’t intend to go back to smoking pot. I want to be completely free. I am more clear headed and I get tons of things done. I am so much more confident and have tons of more energy. I want to live life to the fullest and I will never be able to do that if I’m always high.

For people that are reading this, what works for me may or may not work for another. I feel really positive and good about doing this. I’ve always been a major positive thinker throughout my life. Don’t think of the negative, but always look at the positives for quitting smoking rather than what you think you will be missing. I will keep you posted on how things are going. Take care all…

[Cannabis Rehab Admin]

It’s great to hear how well you are doing. Tapering down probably wasn’t for you a lot of people find it’s all or nothing. Different people do have very different experiences with the withdrawal, I am not really sure we know why, but thankfully you are not feeling it too bad. For anybody who is interested here’s the link for that book Stop Toking. Keep up that positive thinking it will really serve you well.

Thanks for the update and please keep us posted.

Take care

[for_serious]

Good work Spartacus!

Hey Spartacus. I've been smoking for like 8 years. Im 25 yrs old. and as of last weekend Also -like you- decided to SERIOUSLY kick this ultimately lame and counterproductive habit. I'm going into day 6 tomorrow. Had some anxiety at work today but so far so good. I admire my sober friends so much. I want/need to get there. their lives are much better off.

Glad to see that we're both pretty much at about the same point in quitting. slowing down doesn't work for me. I need to say goodbye to the habit. Now I just need to make sure I dont replace it with excessive cig smoking. I want to be rid of all addictions. (who doesnt)
Good work so far. I just ordered that book too. figured I could use a relevant book nowadays anyway. I could def use the info too. obviously!

It is time for me to make a real change at this point in my life. I tried to detox unsuccessfully a few times but I know it's gonna e different this time.
Im in it to win it..

my self back, that is. what more could I ask for.
Keep at it yo.

[Cannabis Rehab Admin]

Hi for serious and welcome to the forum.

A bit of anxiety is a perfectly natural part of the withdrawal, it should pass in time. It is really easy to replace one habit with another especially when quitting pot i.e. drinking more, smoking more cigarettes, so that’s definitely something to keep an eye on if you don’t want to do that.

It’s sounds like you are pretty determined to detox so I am sure you will achieve it this time, feel free to use us as much as you feel you need to, we will always be happy to listen.

Take care, thanks for sharing and please keep us posted on how it goes.

[Spartacus]

Day 11

Hi For Serious, thanks for stopping by and great job that you've decided to quit. We are quitting this together along with many others. Also, thanks Admin for all your support here...you're doing a great thing and helping saving real people's lives here. That' what this is about

Remember other people have successfully quit, so I know it can be done. There are completely sober people here in this world...imagine that! Real life situations are creeping up for me, but that is part of life that I really have to deal with it and not escape from my problems. I should be able to handle problems better as I am more confident and clear headed to make better decisions. It's just that I feel everything more. My sleeping patterns aren't the greatest as I am actually sleeping without being high. I guess it takes time for me to get used to it. Otherwise, I'm getting a lot done & very productive at my work. More to come...

[DesertGirl]

Day 2

Ok, so I'm only on day 2 without weed. 38 hrs to be exact and I'm having a struggle with this. After smoking for more than 30 years and knowing I HAVE to detox so I can find employment, it seems like my brain is trying to reason with itself. How do you get away from the thoughts of doubt? I am trying to keep busy but I have this overwhelming sadness..does it seem strange that I feel like I've lost my best friend? I know I cannot go back to smoking no matter what and I just wish I could say it's been a month, not 2 days. Any chance of trying to sleep through this? I wish..I read on CannabisRehab.org that Theanine may help and I wonder if there's any natural herbs out there that may help? Thanks to everyone that posts here. It is comforting to know I'm not all alone in this although it feels like I am. We have to be each other's support. You may find me posting alot as I am turning to CannabisRehab.org each time I feel like giving in. It is helping to give me strength during this hardest struggle of my life. I am grateful I never got into "harder" drugs. Beating this is hard enough! Thanks again everyone! Head up, chin out!

[Cannabis Rehab Admin]

Hi DesertGirl and welcome to the forum.

Well done on deciding to quit, I am sure you will find that there are more benefits other than just bettering your employment prospects. It can feel like quite a loss when you first quit, but that will ease, you are not alone I know it can feel like you are but there are millions all over the world in the same boat. I have read that a number of people on CannabisRehab.org are feeling the benefit of the theanine amino acid so that may be something that you may want to try. Personally I take Neuro Natural Memory which not only contains a whole load of beneficial amino acids, but also things like SAMe and other beneficial ingredients as well as various natural herbs which are meant to be really good for the brain, when you are experiencing the type of upset that detox can create. Anyway lean on us as much as you want we will always be happy to hear from you.

Take care and please keep us posted on how it goes.

[Spartacus]

2 Weeks - Day 14

Wow, I made it to 2 weeks. I'm still taking it day by day. When you have that outlook it makes it less overwhelming. I forgot to mention that I'm a planner, so I've planned this quitting thing out after multiple failed attempts. I bought St. John's Wort, I've read it helps out with mood swings, so I take 2 pills a day. I'm doing whatever I can proactively to quit. Also, I finished the book "Stop Toking" less than a week and ordered a new book from Amazon "No Need For Weed." Since I love to read books, it just completely reinforces everything I'm doing on quitting. Also, thanks Admin...I've been listening to the documentary you recommended "Should I Smoke Dope". I'm about halfway through. Great stuff. I know it's still early in my quit, but I'm actually feeling pretty positive and good. The weekend is here and I know in my heart I won't smoke. I'm starting to see the light for what the drug actually really is. I still have my guard up though!

DesertGirl - if you do read this, I would recommend to read a lot here, purchase some books, keep busy, think positively that this can be done, and never forget that you are not alone. If needed you can also reach outside help. You can write to me anytime. Never quit quitting...

[DesertGirl]

Thanks for your support Spartacus! I am so glad I found this site. I spent a few hours on here today, reading all the blogs, finding reassurance. It's great to have such a supportive network. I just hit the 72 hr mark--yay! 3 complete days, but after 30 years of constant use that is a huge milestone for me. I feel confident that starting tmw I can count the days, and not the hours! I have had alot of urges but each time I do, I log on here and read, read and read some more. Now that I am on CannabisRehab.org I feel I won't have any excuses to relapse--I see others in the same pain I've been in and I just don't want to go back to that again. I just keep hoping each day it will get easier and can't wait for the day I wake up in the morning and don't think about it. this cannabis rehab site has become my lifeline. Thanks to everyone that has posted on this board..we can get through this together!

[Spartacus]

Day 25

It’s Day 25 here for me. Still going strong and I don’t intend to go back to smoking. I finished reading No Need for Weed. Great book with a lot of insight about smoking, how to quit, what to expect, and overall about our addiction to weed. I highly recommend it. Well, I’m going though a lot of things in life right now both many positive changes, but also some negative things. I know I can handle it much more being sober rather than being high all the time. One thing for sure is that I’m getting so much more than rather than hide out & procrastinate. I’m highly productive now. I get shit done. I know I’m on the right path. Imagine a life free of weed, alcohol, or any other drugs in our system? Well, I can finally say that I’m free from these things right now. I’m still taking things one day at a time and still have my guard up, so far so good. Good luck everyone and just always remember that this can be done. There are millions of people out there that are living proof that we can live the sober life…

[KayattyJari]

My Journey to detox Smoking Pot

I think the most effective method to kick the habbit is cold turkey. You give it up once and for all. If you can quit smoking this way, try hypnosis. A friend of me managed to detox it after 10 hypnotherapy sessions that didnt cost so much.

hope this helps