Recommendations on how to stop smoking marijuana and what symptoms to watch for

Y_L- I can tell you don't smoke anymore, your thought process seems so clear and structured. Mine is definitely constrained and choppy. I am 26 actually and have been high pretty much since high school (16 years old). I can tell you even four months ago I would tell you I am the poster boy for being high and functioning. However, I could tell I was having issues. While I seemed to be successful and functional on paper I could tell I was losing my ability to have normal conversations and creatively think. School comes easy to me because I can simply memorize and regurgitate. With enough note cards and time to study, I can memorize pretty much anything. However, coming up with my own thoughts or thinking creatively are non-existant to me. I know I am capable of it, but when i try things get hazy in my head. And that, I can say for sure, is because of the pot. I want to quit asap (even thought I know it will be harder) because I have companies wanting to interview me and I know they drug test. I want to at least be starting to detox when I start contacting companies. I will purchase some at home drug test to monitor my progress. Any suggestions where to get one that measures PPM?
Trying2Quit- Welcome. I just found this message board a few days ago. I am planning on quitting after Thanksgiving. Good Luck!

Y_L- I would like to comment on when you said you wish someone had shown you the light @ age 25. I don't believe someone else can show you the light. I believe that you can only quit when you realize that YOU don't need or want to smoke pot. Someone else, no matter how good their intentions are, cannot convince you or make the decision for you.

I'm a daily pot smoker and the main reason I have used it for over 30 years is to sleep.  It all started when I was a bartender,  getting home at 3:00 am and nondrying to go right to sleep was difficult and alcohol was no help, made getting a good nigh sleep tough.  I found that pot relaxed me and after smoking a joint (if it wasn't the home grown potent stuff)  I would  be asleep within 30 minutes or so.

That is how I became a daily user and I really want to stop.  Now that I'm in a very high stress job and it's very mental I get about 4 to 5 hours of sleep a night, this is a problem.  The mental gymnastic and major multitasking that is involved in my work dictates that I function at a very high level.   My fear is that I will not sleep much once I start the process and my work will suffer.  I think that the approach taken by the author of this thread speaks volumes and I'm getting my head in game as I write this but It won't be easy.  I've tried all of the sleep aids and drug prescriptions and they don't work for me.

 

Speyfly - sleep is how I got hooked as well.  In high school I never fell asleep before 4 a.m.  When I got to college and starting testing the waters pot was like a little miracle - plus I thought it made me come up with some pretty genius thinking.  I worked in the restaurant industry too and could say it was a common thing to partake in after-hours with my friends & that is when I started abusing.  I also live in a very weed friendly city where one does not need to hide their use or stench.  So I've never really experience anyone looking down on my 'habit'.

The first thing I want to say to every and anyone wanting to quit pot is to get out of the belief that THIS IS GOING TO BE HARD.  You can easily turn your mind around and believe it is going to be easy.  It will take some effort but it can actually be easy.  When I believed it was going to be hard it was.  This time I believed I could do it and I am.

Sleep has always been an issue for me in past quits and on all vacations.  It was a little rough the first few days - maybe week - but it started improving each night after that.  I was cranky & tired at first but I decided I'd rather be cranky and get through this than ever go through it again or - again and again.

High-Achiever you're so right - I cannot wish someone had gotten through to me but I guess I hope that I CAN get through to someone who is contemplating quitting.  You sound ready and have a great goal to fuel you.  Getting a good job was also fuel for me to quit right now.  I have never had to take a drug test for employment but in searching this year I felt it was more than likely I would.  I didn't & got a fantastic job BUT I can say I think my interviews went really well being clean.  I felt more confident and clear headed & had clear thinking.  I did have a few interviews this year pre-quitting where I felt like I kind of stumbled in my verbal skills due to being a stoner.  I felt like my mind was searching for good answers and paused too long and/or I lost good track of my train of thought.  Being clean already feels way better.

I have never & will never re-read my first post here but I recall I was super depressed because my cat had just died & I blamed myself for her death and that I killed her because I was a stoner.  Right now - I KNOW that was the case and believe that post was probably a bit melodramatic & very POOR ME.  My thinking has changed dramatically in 3 full weeks of not smoking.  I still find it ridiculous that 3 weeks is a big deal but it truly is for me.  I am proud of this accomplishment and do feel if I can do it then just about anybody should be able to do the same. 

H-A I do hope you quit and stick to your guns.  I think it might be harder to quit when a person is so high functioning & successful & not feeling like they are ruining their life as a stoner.  The fact that I was able to accomplish so much stoned did interfere with me being able to see the negative effects pot had on me.  In my mid-30's I managed a 3.8 GPA for pre-med courses & completed my masters just 2 years ago.  That's why I emphasize it's not at all about these things it's really all about substance abuse and addiction.  Face that head on and set yourself free!

Y_L I agree. I am T-minus 4 days until quitting and I feel like I am getting pre quitting jitters. I wake up every morning at 6am with an uneasy feeling in my stomach. However, I think its all mental. Another thing driving me is finally being able to come clean with my parents. I have the greatest two human beings on this planet to call my parents and I feel that this addiction has let them down. I assume they know about me smoking, I dont attempt to hide it, but weve never had that talk. How I wish I could tell them that i have been clean for (X days months or years)! Time for make my Futures and Options midterm my b***h!

Also, LOL at the irony of censoring a swear word on a forum about drug use.

H-A I was totally nervous too - it's a pretty big change and challenge to start.  Confidence will grow each and every day.  Just stick to your decision, remember you goals and don't vacillate.  Pot will never be the answer to whatever you may experience. 

p.s. --- I actually meant to write I KNOW I DID NOT kill my cat --- that was self-pity thinking.

Wow im 25 been smoking since I was 8 in harlem ny thinking bout stopping tonight spending $300 awk on 12 waters which is 14grams a sack. I smoke at least 10-12 blunts a day I might just start drinking but least I won't b smoking weed or newports.

Friends, quitting weed can be done. The key I think is focusing on everything that weed takes away from you...think of all those negatives like an ex-girlfriend/boyfriend...remind yourself, "hey, this is ridiculous I don't need weed its cost me this this this and this". Sit down and make a list of pros and cons! It's whenever you start to think aw man I need some weed for relief or hunger or whatever that you begin to turn to the dark side and go right back to it because you're focusing on the positives of it. Let's face it, it's available whenever we need it...yet we don't actually need it. The best advice I can give coming from the standpoint of someone who has successfully quit is the following: focus on the negatives of weed, keep yourself busy and active (work, exercise, school, family, etc), stay away from those who smoke weed, have fun doing other things like watching sports or movies or shows or playing games (but don't do anything you associate with smoking weed). The great speaker Tony Robbins always says this, "we act most consistently to who we believe we are". That essentially means don't go around saying "I've been a weed smoker my whole life but I want to quit"...don't set up your psyche for failure like that! Even if it's not true at the moment you gotta remind yourself, "I'm sober, I feel great, my life's moving in the right direction". Identify yourself on a consistent basis as a go-getter, a hardworker, a family person, an inspiration to others, an intelligent person on the right path. Friends if you can do that you'll wake up one day and realize not only how much you don't need weed, but how much it truly took away from your life. Don't get caught up in weed like I did, make a decision, have the right reasons to back your decision up, and focus on being your very best everyday. I believe anyone who follows this advice will be successful and will begin to see breakthroughs in their life. Much love and respect! Good luck to you all, if I can do it you sure as hell can too!!! :-D

Hi guys,

I've been smoking weed for about 5 years now. started when i was about 15 and am now 20 years old. I personally want to stop because it feels like it destroyed my personal life and lead me into building a completely fake world. It never used to affect me as much as it does now and i thought it never would but i find myself feeling completely paranoid in the most innocent of situations.

The reason i came onto this blog is because my other half smokes the good ol' herb herself but lately its just felt like its not as much fun as it was when we first met and i find myself questioning my relationship with her. When we first met we both smoked as a leisurely activity but as more time passes on i feel like its become more of a necessity than a leisure. I also noticed i get really aggravated and frankly pissed off at almost everything she does these days. I want to quit but i feel like i cant because ive trapped myself in this bubble and there is now way out. Can someone help?

I'm on my 4th day... i thought quitting would be hard but i have read every single post on this forum and i'll tell you what.. it has made quitting EASY!!! seeing how many live's it's ruining... people as old as 40 or more saying how much regret they have... just read this forum and you will be well on your way.

wHAT AN AMAZING THREAD, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IVE COME ACROSS IT IN YEARS OF TRYING TO QUIT CANNABIS AND SEARCHING FOR ADVICE, i HAVE BEEN SMOKING FOR 17 YEARS IM ONLY 33(sorry bout the caps) I started at 15 and by 16 was almost a daily toker. My life revolves or revolved around art music surf and bar trade, everything and everyone was cool with pot, 2 days ago I went for my second throat biopsy because of a swelling in y glands, i had the problem fro 2 years but was too stoned, scared and paranoid to visit a doctor until i got so afraid I broke down infront of my girlfriend in my mums house and they took me to the doctor. I have been struggling with quitting since I was 21 Id had enough then, I found myself envious of those on here only hooked for 5 years thinkin to myself they have nothin to complain about, truth is after 3 years of smokin I knew I wanted to quit, ! very serious lump in my throat(did I mention im a singer) and12 years later I am no further forward, my point is if you want to quit the sooner you do the better, there is withdrawal but after 3 days it gets easier, I hope i can stop before it kills me, if it hasnt already,I live in a society where its acceptable and thats cool if youre not an addict but there neeeds to be more education and information to stop addiction and so young people dont get caught in a trap

the best advice I got here is the very first message and remeber to think positive, i'll be back!

Thankyou so much!! 

You can do it mate...

you know... i felt great today cause i went busking and made $120 and there a devil popped up on my shoulder and was like "your better now, it will be sweet to pick up a little bit.. reward yourself with a joint or two".

This devil... he only cares about himself and what he wants.. he doesnt give a sh*t about your health, relationships or your dreams.

Tell that dude YOU HAVE HAD ENOUGH! AND f**k OFF!!!

Well i guess its my turn. I've started smoking weed when i was 15 im now 36 and living a nighmare and scared out of my mind. Marijuana runs my life i've neglected my family my wife my 3 kids my freinds everything evolves around getting high. I work in a factory making auto parts, I smoke in the morning at work on break on lunch after work when i get home and before bed i just cant seem to stop the cravings are so strong. Its really starting to takes its toll on me and i feel if i dont stop now its over for me and my family. I dont know what normal is. My habit is so bad i set up a grow op in my house for the last 6 years without my wife or kids knowing. I spent mass amounts of money on weed and buying lights, fans, carbon filters insulation to hide the smell and never once told anyone i grew. I allways believed and told everyone how its not bad for you and its not a problem. Boy was i wrong ive been in severe denial for quit some time now and trying to quit before i loose my wife, kids and my house or my job and anymore money. Its taking all my will power to even write this as im totally burnt out and dont care about anything except getting high . Im so sick of this habit i get thoughts about suicide now and panic attacks. I even called in sick today just to avoid the daily rutine at work. Im scared of weed now it just makes me panicky now when i smoke i hate this feeling. Ive lost over 30pounds due to my habit and look unhealty and  just snap if someone is bugging me. How did this happen to me im so much better then this i feel like im useless. I just went on a carribien cruise with my wife and all i could think about the whole time is where can i get some bud. I did get some hash in jamaica and smoked it and had a mass panic attack and spent the night locked in my room shaking with my wife wondering what the hell is going on. Ive hiddin my habit so well and now dont even know how to tell anyone about my problem. Im embarrased and very upset i just feel like crying. I called the doctor today and will be going tommorro to see if they can help with the panic attacks. Ill tell you right now rationing dont work for me. Its cold turkey thats the only way im trying. Now getting nightmares super vivid dreams wake up soaked in sweat panic attacks im shaking my heart is beating like crazy im irritable and tired and just look and feel unhappy. This is taking all my power to get through this and im determined to beat this horrible situation im in. I've bought a ton of healthy food and just keep eating to pass the time. Ive never reached out to anyone especially the internet for help but i feel this subject needs to be talked about before anyone else gets into this problem. Ill be back to update how im making out. Feels good to get that all out. Thanks for reading my stor from Canada.

man you are so lucky to have a wife and kids. do what i did.. PLEASE.... read every single post on this forum. there's maybe 50.

It will make quiting easy... at least easier... im only on day 6 and im actually excitied about being sober rather than being scared.

this forum was the best thing to happen to me in the last 6 years.