Marijuana withdrawal

Kella · Last edited by Kella on 03/30/07 - 16:40; edited 1 time in total

This site has been an incredible discovery for me. Today is day 2 after 17 years of CHRONIC smoking. I started being chronic a few years after first trying it... Weed became my lifestyle and I've been in its fog for over half of my life. I came to NEED it and I have done desperate and dangerous things to get it. Accepting who I am without it is difficult today.

I am scared of what to expect, I have experienced the "withdrawal symptoms" (mentioned on this site) for a long time (years) though this is my first attempt to quit. Back in '97 I lasted a week without smoking weed on a trip to Mexico (though I cried and lost my cool for days). I believed that I must be an emotional wreck without weed (and still fear that I am).

I started experiencing the panic attacks a few years ago and hadn't really related them to my weed consumption until now. I've been open with my health practitioners about my pot smoking and even the psychologist didn't suggest that weed contributed... I've explained sharp pains in my brain to physicians etc... worried that (genetically) I may be prone to strokes/aneurisms... I've had panic attack symptoms freaking me into believing I was having a heart attack (chest tightness, numbness in arm/fingers)... I've experienced dizziness, seeing spots, blurred sight, extreme fatigue, lack of motivation, bad PMS, irritability, anti-social behavior... (I'm crying as I write this, hiding out in my boyfriend's room).

Strangely its been 2 days and I'm not yet craving it, can't understand that part at all... have experienced restlessness, weepiness, TERRIBLE sweats, nausea, lack of appetite, don't want anyone to see me like this...

Should I try and ween myself to a joint at night for awhile and bring the levels down to a more managable point before fully quitting?

A chronic friend of mine died from a brain aneurism and I am worried about these headaches. I want to get active but every time my blood starts to pump, the pain in my brain freaks me out. I do ALOT of worrying. Reading that it has been a withdrawal symptom eases my mind somewhat but also has me fearing that it will get worse. Any advice?

Kella

Do men have emotional breakdowns too?

Guest · Guest

After 13 years of daily marijuana use, average 3 - 4 a day, I decided to quit. It wasn't the cost as I received it free. Very good quality hash oil was the blend I preferred.
Symptoms - Week 1 - Irritability, difficult to get to sleep and stay asleep.
Symptoms - Week 2 - Dizziness laying down as well as moving around. At times I have to use a wall so I don't fall down.
Symptoms - Week 3 - I'm not there yet but its got to get better than week 2 or I might get out the jar again... Not! I have went this far and as they say, there is no going back.

ras411ras · Newbie Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Posts: 13

I am a 32yr old female, and I am currently suffering from Marijuana withdrawal pretty severely. I always thought it was nonaddictive, but now being forced to quit have stomach pain, nausea, insomia, no appetite, bowel problems (that's all I'm saying there), i pace endlessly, can't concentrate, sweat profusely (and really stink, I might add), and have had nonstop fever and chills. I also feel very "off" and disconnected, extremely irritable and blow up in anger over every little thing. The aggression and anger surprised me as i've always been very easy going even prior to ever using marijuana. I feel like I have the flu only worse.

I didn't even think it was addictive. I laughed at that and even WROTE RESEARCH PAPERS mocking the idea. I didn't think it at all possible to suffer withdrawal and didn't think it would be an issue, but am now shocked by how physically horrible I feel and how much I am obsessed with nothing but marijuana. I have smoked for almost 10 years with somewhere between 6 or 7 of the last years smoking daily. Any other time I quit for short periods, I did not experience any symptoms, but the other times I quit were along time ago before I'd began smoking heavily and daily. Even before quitting this time, I began to feel a bit like a junkie in all the ways people describe it with other drugs but then only shrugged it off as ridiculousness at the comparison. By the time I quit (just a handful of days ago), I had gradually gotten to where I was smoking EIGHT TIMES MORE in a day than a casual smoker could consume without passing out.

Now after quitting, I realize I had completely withdrawn and spent the majority of my time home alone, obsessed with being and staying high and continually seeking out weed to be able to remain high. If I did go out, it revolved around being with people who got high or at least featured a way I could get high while out. I showered less, quit brushing and cutting my hair, cleaned the house very little, and my ambition towards striving for my goals and aspirations that I used to be so ambitious about were beginning to fall to the wayside. And not to mention the large amount of money flying out the window at hyperspeed.

I want to add that I still believe it can be used responsibly in moderation and that it is much less physically and socially damaging than alcohol or even cigarettes. It should not be illegal or criminalized given the true facts of the substance. But again -the key is using responsibly in moderation.

Though no one is going to ever convulse and die due to marijuana withdrawal, for the first time I know firsthand that you can go through a true, physical withdrawal. Anyone that says otherwise hasn't smoked enough long enough to realize, and by the time that happens they will find out personally for themselves (or end up lifetime users). It seems it takes many years of heavy chronic use to experience it, and not all seem to experience it as severely, but it is very real.

I have talked to a couple of chronic, long-term smokers about my experience, and they reluctantly admit truth regarding withdrawal symptoms. I think they publicly still like to state it is completely harmless or at least so much less harmless than other drugs so as to justify their continued overuse.

I have only been marijuana free for four days, but it is hell. I can only hope the withdrawal is as short-lived as most sources say it is, but reading many personal experiences I'm guessing not..

Anyone who wants to talk about quitting or dealing with withdrawal can email me at ****** None of the smokers I know are interested in quitting with me. It would be nice to coverse with a few who understand and are going through the same.

**edited by moderator ** e-mails not allowed **

seank · Newbie Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 5

its been abut almost 3 month since i quit dope

i was wondering if this normal? Question

bigpete78 · Newbie Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 1

first id like to thank everyone for sharing their stories, you all have been a big help. im 28 years old and have been smoking marijuana daily since i was 16. ive been addicted to other substances in the past (alcohol, cocaine, adderal, nicotine) and have been clean of all of those for over 5 years. i might add that quitting those was actually surprisingly easy for me. i have tried numerous times to quit marijuana and rarely make it more than a week. im currently on day 5 of being clean. i have experienced most of the withdrawal symptoms people have spoke of but the one that is the most painful for me are the nightmares. these occur almost nightly and usually right before i wake in the morning. i have always been a lucid dreamer and generally enjoy my dreams. the ones i have now are horrible, they almost always involve violence or extreme emotional anquish. also they seem to stretch on for hours and hours, when in fact they are usually only 60-90min. when i wake in the morning i am an emotional wreck, either raging with anger or in tears, for no clear reason.
i have been dealing with the other withdrawal issues fairly well i must admit. my strategy now is to always be busy, i work out at the gym for at least 2 hours and again before bed. i basically try to phyiscally exhaust myself until my body has no choice but to sleep.
i live in the US and do not have health insurance otherwise i would speak to a doctor about this. i was diagnosed with ADD as a child and i also suspect that i suffer from bi polar disorder. if anyone knows any tricks to deal with these nightmares you just might save whats left of my pathetic little life. thanks again to the posters and to steadyhealth.com for providing a place to ask for help for those of us who cannot afford any other options.
-pete

SamsaraSanskrit · Posted: 05/08/07 - 23:48 Post subject:

Alright, my friends. I'll briefly tell you my experience, and I'll give you my very best suggestions.
I smoked marijuana for 5 years straight. From 2 grams to 5 grams a day most days. I tapered off of it as it began to give my anxiety, worsen my depression, and the worst side effect - tachycardia! The tach attack I had was so bad (I know tachycardia and related heart fibrillations are common with long term marijuana use or even just anxiety in combination with marijuana) that I was very convinced I was going to die. This prompted my to quit and furthermore, change my lifestyle.
So, here's the deal, my friend. Withdrawal from marijuana is no joke. It's not all psychological, and indeed can be dissabilitating. I experienced bad night sweats, vivid dreams, insomnia, shakes, pains in my side, restless legs and overall restlessness. And some nasty detox sweats.

Here's what I did to get by:
Firstly, I got rid of all my smoking apperati (you probably know that trick) and gave away my remaining marijuana and hashish. The insomnia is something that almost nothing can over power. Don't use alcohol or even bother with sleep medication for that matter. Take a week or two off work if you really can't sleep and keeps yourself busy reading and such. After a few days I felt tired but still couldn't get my body to settle down. This is wear excercise comes in. Excercise (and lots of it) do you a world of good for marijuana withdrawal. It combats so many symptoms at once, you won't believe it. Just don't slack on it, you really must push yourself. I find excercise helped greatly with insomnia, sweats (get's it all out without getting random or night sweats), restlessness, sore muscles, shaking hands and almost all the psychological symptoms (especially irritability, depression, negative outlook and boredom). It's important to note the excercise inhibits many of, and more, of the 5-HT receptors that marijauan and other substances do. You'll feel more productive on top of feeling a huge mood lift. Now for pains, headaches, restless legs and insomnia (in combination with excercise earlier in the day) I take a little (100-200mg) of Valerian once in the afternoon and a good 800-1200mg an hour before bed. 5-HTP can help with this, but be careful with that stuff because they bottle often recommend taking 100mg-300mg a day. Taking 25-50mg is plenty, trust me. Too much 5-HTP can make you more restless and give you that tachycardia I dispise so much. Drink anti-oxidants like tea, pure cranberry juice, pamagranen juice or even a glass of red wine. Don't over due the wine or the sweats will become worse. But lots of anti-oxidants may makes you sweat a little more as well, but this is good (your body is detoxing - 60% of THC secretes through sweat glands). Just don't drink too much alcohol, or you'll be constantly detoxing (meaning so much sweat it's not funny). Also cutting out fat from your diet, or as much as possible, will really help with stomach pains. Eat raw fruits and vegetables, lots of filtered water and you should do fine. I know that pineapple and grapefruit help breakdown foods and speed up metabolism (great tip for a diet -- eat either of these fruits after or with a meal, especially breakfast, and you'll burn that fat better than ever). They should help with stomach pains and cramps.
That's about all I have for the majour physical side effects. I experienced almost all of them that I read up. I hope my research here will help you all, it sure helped me get past the thick of it faster than I thought (been only a month and I feel fanatastic).
Some more suggestions I have, and these go for anyone experiencing anxiety, depression, irriability or similar symptoms from marijuana, other substances, mental disorder and/or environmental stress:
Meditate regularly. Eat healthy and excercise (as mentioned). Tallk to others about your issues (blogging is a great start). Help others with their issues as often as possible. Play with your pets, kids, family members. Engage yourself in community activities, charity or just keep yourself busy with others. Respect and love others and the environment around you (you'll receive the same respect in turn). Smile, it's contagious. Practice Buddhism, religion, philosophy as you see fit. And kick back, life's not as serious as everyone would have you think. The little things are the biggest things in life. Enjoy that warm shower, nice cup or tea or embrassing hug like it never has to end.

Peace be with you all.

**edited by moderator**emails not allowed**

SamsaraSanskrit · Posted: 05/08/07 - 23:55 Post subject:

Oh, and Kella, men certainly are capable of having breakdowns as well. I've only recently overcome terrible depression, anxiety, ect. And am still "over" emotional at times. We are all the same, reguardless of gender.

The best remedy is someone to talk to. I make my email public for a reason, anyone here can feel free to unleash the furry upon me, or share what they must. It's part of healing. And I know all about healing.

Grab a warm cup of tea, your kitten, or whatever comforts you and talk to someone that's willing to listen.

SamsaraSanskrit · Posted: 05/09/07 - 00:06 Post subject:

Oh, I'm so silly. This is for Pete.. Valerian root is great for insomnia but can intensify dreams. Therefore, if you have nightmares it may not be the greatest idea. Although, if you willing to risk augmenting them to improve them give a low amount a try a few hours before bed. For me, I find that Valerian root makes me more lucid and in control of my dreams. I often find myself feeling as if I can either control a bad and scary situation, or that I just plain know it is a dream (which sometimes turns the nightmare into a comedy. "Aliens after me? Ha, as if they'll get at me from inside a dream").
But like I said, only if you want to risk augmenting the nightmares. It may dampen your dreams as well, making them less frieghtening and memorable. Kava is fairly good for the too. Hard to percure in Canada, if you're a Canadian like myself. It's sold everywhere in the states though (silly Health Canada Confused

)

charlie16 · Newbie Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 1

Hi everyone. Thanks so much for all your stories. This is saving me right now...as I struggle to stay away from the bong.
This is my third day not smoking. I've been smoking for about 4 years, nightly. I've quit several times, even for months at a time, but have NEVER felt like such crap doing it.
I have every single withdrawal symptom mentioned by everyone here: extreme sweatiness, depression, dizziness, especially when I stand up, weakness, muscle aches, nightmares etc. However, the stomach thing is a little different: I feel full and bloated but I want to eat. I'm actually afraid of gaining weight, which is not great because I use to have an eating disorder and I like the healthy weight I'm at now and don't want to become paranoid about this issue again. I love to exercise, but I can't do what was suggested above, because since I've quit smoking, I've had NO energy. I really really can't move. I tried to run like usual and I can hardly make it through half of my route. My weight lifting is exhausting...and my muscles hurt afterwards for the first time in years. I don't know what to do about this. I really really want to go for my usual run! Anyone have this problem?
I'm not really having trouble sleeping. I've always had trouble sleeping (one of the principal reasons I smoke weed at night), but now I just feel like sleeping all the time.
I hope that all you who are quitting succeed. I really want to keep trying. I can't do this for the rest of my life!
M

Marijuana withdrawal

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