Smoking marijuana since 10...

[JustAKid]

I've been smoking marijuana since around the age of 10...my memory is a little hazy. I'm 17 now...and recently I've been diagnosed with being Bipolar. After reading CannabisRehab.org I've come to realize all the symptoms could actually be from marijuana use. These include moodiness, High highs and Low lows, thoughts of suicide, depression, and mania. I've never considered myself an addict until now. I guess the only thing to do is quit....and then see how i feel. Is there any history of other people getting wrongly diagnosed with mental disorders while on marijuana? I smoke heavily at times, but then go days without, I think atleast...It all kinda blurs together. At the first thought of quitting I shed a tear, I must be in deep.

[Cannabis Rehab Admin]

Hi JustAKid welcome to the forum.

When it comes to people who use marijuana and mental illness, it is hard to tell sometimes especially when you have been using a long time, what’s symptoms you would have anyway and what symptoms are caused or at least exacerbated from using marijuana, although the general consensus these days from people who work in the field of mental illness, is that if you do suffer from or have a predisposition to mental illness, using cannabis is usually not a good idea, especially the really high THC stuff allot of people smoke these days. What’s interesting about bipolar or what they used to call manic depressive psychosis, according to what I have read, is that the psychotic symptoms that cannabis can cause can often be similar to bipolar disorder, the same goes for allot of mental illnesses. So it can be very difficult to know which is causing what. So Like you say the only thing you can do is quit and then a good while after you have done so, see how you feel.

Research also shows that marijuana use in younger people can increase the risks of memory and learning difficulties, as well as mental health problems both whilst using and later on in life. The younger you use marijuana the more it can mess with your mind.

Anyway you seem to understand the nature of your situation and know what to do to find out if what you suspect is true, so the very best of luck. I know it can be upsetting having to quit, to be honest I still miss it now and again even now and I have not smoked for years, but you do get used to life without cannabis and after a while it’s not that bad, you will find other things to bring you happiness and in the long run live a much fuller life.

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

[Cannabis Rehab Guest]

8rpays

Its disheartening to hear that years after quitting its still missed.

Ive got some tips for people who have a problem with the drug but are finding it hard to stop completely:

- vapourize it, its a lot healthier. Imagine grilling as opposed to frying in cooking.

- grow your own if its possible. Its a lot cheaper than buying it and you'll know exactly what your getting and it wont be contaminated. Grow the weaker stuff too keep it 3-5 perccent thc.

- only smoke in the evenings. You wont be that bothered because you know you will get some that day. It helps to stop tolerance building if not smoked in the morning and afternoon and gives your body time to recover.

[Cannabis Rehab Guest]

The younger you smoke marijuana the more it can mess with your mind, the sooner you stop the better your chances of rehabilitation will be, I hope you get better.

[Cannabis Rehab Guest]

I to was diegnoesed with a anxiety disorder, but after stoping for 23days ifound the anxiety,fear,depression,ect. was going away. But being the addict that i am, i have taken a few tokes in the last week and find it all returning.I am stoping again today.Thank you and Godbless. love ed