One of the main problems that people that decide to stop smoking marijuana face is the danger of relapse. Some smokers have been smoking for years before they decided to give it up, and not picking the habit back up can be really hard for them, especially if they are not prepared for life after marijuana.
If you’re in a similar situation to what I described above, these tips will be very helpful to you. Just follow them and there is no reason why you should not be successful in your determination to never smoke weed again.
Stay away from Cannabis!
This might be one of those “oh man! That’s so obvious!” things to you, but it’s very important and that’s why I wanted to talk to you about it anyway. Staying away from marijuana doesn’t just mean that you’re not going to go ahead and buy it. It also means that you’re not going to go to places where you used to smoke it, or where it’s easily accessible to you. You don’t want to be around marijuana. You can’t smoke if there is nothing to smoke!
Think about triggers to relapse.
Every smoker has triggers that cause them want to smoke. Did you usually smoke after a meal? Did you have a puff when you woke up each morning? Did you wear your favorite jacket as you did it? Did you smoke with specific people and in specific places?
The thing is that as soon as you go to those places, see those people, put on those clothes, you’re going to just start remembering that you want to smoke. You will actually feel the desire to do it because a trigger will have gone off in your head. I know this sounds crazy, but you’re going to trust me on this one. Just identify those triggers and by all means avoid them. Don’t hang out with the same people, don’t go to those same places, just avoid anything that might cause you want a smoke and weaken your determination to stop smoking marijuana.
Find new, non smoking friends.
This one goes without saying, right? You need friends, but your old, smoking, friends will have a bad influence on you, so you need to find some new ones to hang out with. It’s actually easier than you think. Just start meeting new people and you’ll find a friend in no time. When you do and you can trust him, tell him about your addiction and let him know that you’re working on quitting. They’ll be helping hands. It doesn’t mean you can’t see your old friends, but you will move on from some friendships that were based on a mutual addiction.
Staying away from the stuff, meeting new people and avoiding all the triggers that make you want to smoke is a great start on your way to stop smoking marijuana. I have no doubt that you’ll be successful if you follow the tips I outlined in this article.
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My biggest problem with stopping is the anger I get at knowing I wasted the best years of my life (16-29) smoking and being a f-ck-tard underachiever. They say those years are the spring of your life, and now it’s summer and I am on day 10 and I don’t have any symptom except anxiety and anger at myself– I can’t stop gnawing on my own failures and shortcomings, and I just want to smoke again… Glad to know I’m not the only one struggling.
I guess the thing to do is just take it day by day and achieve a bunch of things and see that the past can’t take me down… The hardest part for me is realizing what I wasted… I just can’t get over that part?
Anybody else feel this way???
Hello all,
I am writing this comment because i am in the same boat as all of you are today. Let’s see, I started smoking weed in the 8th grade at age 14 because i was curious of the drug and its affects. After having such a good second experience with weed, it had me hooked. Weed made me laugh/giggle profusely, forget my stressors, and socialize and smoke with some good friends. After slowly moving from an every-weekend thing and into an everyday habit, i had really grown to love MaryJane. the smell, the taste, the type of “ghost” inhale i did every hit. i was in love with the lifestyle. 3 years later and i am here writing this today. I have gone all day without smoking and i kow that i am finished for good. After smoking everyday for three years, about 4 grams a day, the long term affects had started to get to me. I was always angry, could never think of anything to say, lost all motivation/ambition in life, and started to feel straight up STUPID. i am in all honors classes and have been since i was young, and smoking weed really started to wear on my smart brain. That is probably the main reason why i am quitting, because i have realized that my brain is the most valuable thing that i have. i want to be me again and be able to laugh and talk to people without being “high”. Ive worked out a lot today, took plenty of detox and vitamin b, and even sat in the sauna to get a good sweat for about a half an hour. and i feel GREAT. no weed needed, it is all just a midset that you have to overcome. So, me being only 17 i feel that i am lucky getting out of this life ruining lifestyle. Ive seen the ugly side of mj and never want to return. day one is almost done and im feeling rather good, i hope the next week will treat me the same…
If you are looking for some free on line addiction lessons to help with the process of quitting have a look at this link. Lots of free lessons to help you have something to think about while you are taking it one day at a time.
http://www.usdrugrehabcenters.com/drug-rehab-info/
Hi. I’ve been smoking on and off for nearly 20 years. I’m 37 now. Been married for 12 years and have a 2 year old boy.
I have stopped many times, sometimes for weeks, months or even for 2-3 years. Although ‘stopping’ didn’t include not having a puff with buddies when a j was going around. Unfortunately, this eventually led to smoking full time sooner or later.
What freaks me out the most is that when I smoke, I often wonder why? Sure, it’s a nice buzz but it’s gone too quickly, I end up smoking continuously even though it doesn’t really make a difference. And when I look back; I struggle to see what I really got out of it and cannot find a single good reason why I shouldn’t just quit.
So I flush my stash down the loo and feel good about my new life.
The next day though, I can’t think of a single reason NOT to smoke. I can think of a hundred reasons why I should and cannot rest until I organize some weed. Then I smoke and it all comes back to me. The regret, the disappointment, the unquestionable need to quit. How sad is that?
Thank you so much for this site and for everyone’s honest reflections. You have helped me to remind my ‘straight’ self of what my ‘skew’ self has been trying to tell me for years. Your posts also make it painfully obvious that the things I thought were just part of my poor character or me just going mad; are actually side effects of cannabis abuse and not my fault at all.
As someone who has been through this experience (quitting) a few times before; I am often amazed at how quickly and easily I adapt to experiencing life without being stoned. (Obviously only in hindsight and not at the time of detox.) It helps to remember that human beings are designed to be extremely adaptable. We CAN do it. No doubt.
Smoked for 29 years. Pretty much all day every day. Knew I needed to quit or at least cut back. I tried to moderate but was never successful. Each time I’d go back to all day every day. Wake and bake. Finally, I tried something I never tried before. I prayed for help. Help came but I still had to do the hard work. I went to Marijuana Anonymous meetings. I fought cravings one day, one minute, one second at a time. I told myself “I don’t smoke weed”. I didn’t say I was trying to quit. I just said “I don’t smoke.” —- Just celebrated 5 years this evening. —- I’m not gonna tell you it was easy or that I never think about it. I think about it. Lately I’ve been around it a lot. I think about starting up again but I know that, for my personality, I can’t. I’ll fall back into the same patterns. It makes no sense to repeat the same behavior and expect a different result. I can say that if I can do it anyone can. I was a full-blown stoner. I lived the life. I grew it, sold it, smoked it ALL THE TIME. Not even one of my friends thought that I’d last a week, much less 5 years…but here I am. And, if you want it, you can be there, too.
I am 33 y. old and have a very responsible job.I am smoking weed since I was 20.Haven’t manage to quit completely yet,so I guess I shouldn’t be giving advice;but I believe there is some short of trauma in anyone who does weed compulsively.Dealing with it could be a huge step towards achieving a stable personality.Tranquilizers can be helpfull for acute withdrawal symptoms.
hi everyone,
i m 22, and i have been smoking from last 3 years. In the starting i used to enjoy smoking weed but now from some months, i hate weed ut i can not stay away from it. whenever i m alone and have nothing to do, i choose weed to be my friend but after getting stoned, i feel bad.
i have experinced that people who dont smoke has a different point of view for life as compared to people who smoke, after smoking weed i feel more relaxed and happy , but for some time and then again i feel bad.
so i really want to see good life, but cant ignore the excitement of getting stoned, i m in a deep trouble.
need some help.
I have been smoking for over 24 years heavily. seriously heavily. I have been a dealer, grower, advocate, etc. I completed my bachelor’s degree totally baked and graduated with honors. now with two kids and in need of a new job I am having a hell of a time with withdrawal. can’t sleep, depressed, angry…….the problem is that i don’t want to quit but realize that i must. i would have argued until the end of time that it isn’t addictive. I was wrong. anything that you put into your body for so long and suddenly take away will have addictive properties. I know that quitting is the best thing to do for my family but it is certainly not easy. I will make it. just wanted to post for others to know they aren’t alone and everyone that is trying to quit isn’t a newby occasional smoker without real difficulty.
I’m 19 and today it has been 49 days since my last Joint. I started smoking at 17 just to fit in more and my grade slipped substantially and I lost all interest in school. I started hanging out with new friends but they smoked too so it continued. Recently, I have noticed ( I can read people’s body language perfectly) that these new ”friends” are either liars or do not want me anymore ( No idea why). One would lie about how he bet up some dude (in self-defense) but I know that it is wrong because the guy is not self-confident to do that.
I have not yet told them that I want to stop and they invited me to their house tomorrow evening. I want to go to relax but, as I said, I have outlived my welcome and they will be smoking hash 
I’m terrified I’ll relapse but really want to go to relax!! have gone since I stopped and not relapsed but something tells me that I will this time if I go. They won’t be angry if I tell them but…..kinda judgmental? I keep making up the same excuse ”Blood donation coming up, sorry!”. I have one friend who is being SO supportive of me through this. I am so confused. 
I would like to commend each person on this post for your efforts and daily struggles to better your lives and your health. I myself do not smoke weed but have conquered that demon alcohol. My husband has smoked since he was 9, started with his brother and mother and smokes daily and by daily I mean multiple times throughout the day every day no matter what. Over the past 7 yrs it has gotten much worse in every way and he says he wants to quit. I found this site while looking for ways to help him. I told him I can’t do it for him and only he can do this but I stand by him 100% and will help any way I can. I want him to be better and some times so does he. Good luck to all of you
Hi I am maried to a wonderful man who turned 30 this year. He is smart, hardworking and dear father. He has been A heavy smoker of and on since high school. I just have to say that it is really he’d to watch the one you love slip away over and over. To have life revolve around smoking, to lie to your friends and family to cover up his habit, to keep it away from your children and to try to find the person behind the high dull person whom looks like the man you married. If you are trying to quit keep it up. You are missing your life and hurting the people closest to you
Day 3 without smoking. This is HUGE for me as I have been smoking several times a day for the last 19 years. I am experiencing sever anxiety and complete loss of appetite. I haven’t been able to eat more than a banana the last couple of days. I am STARVING but just can’t eat. This is one of the major reason I always relapse. After a couple of days I am so freaking hungry that I give in and smoke, just so I can eat. I’m almost ready to check myself into the ER and say “Feed me intra’venously or else I’m going to starve to death!” I try so hard to force feed but I can’t even choke down a cracker. I think the anxiety is SO bad that I can’t eat. My anxiety is the worst at night. By this time I am so freaking hungry and just want to cry. Last night I jumped out of bed to go load my bong because I couldn’t take it anymore. I somehow managed to talk myself out of it and got back in bed. I found that my cravings to smoke aren’t as bad as I expected them to be. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely think about smoking every second of the day but I’m able to resist which caught me by surprise. The main reason I want to smoke so badly is to stop feeling so horrible. To relieve some of this anxiety. To EAT! I’m beginning to wonder if I will be be able to eat without smoking! I don’t know what to do about that part. And to be completely honest, I think another big reason I smoke is because I don’t really like who I am sober. I am moody and have serious anger management issues. I found that when I was stoned, I didn’t fly off the handle all the time (unless I hadn’t smoked that day). I was able to handle rush hour traffic better, the stupid things people do didn’t piss me off as much. I was just content in my stoned little world. Everything is easier to deal with stoned. I think that once the anxiety subsides (which I hope it will soon) and I am able to eat a full meal, I will be well on my way to recovery. I really want to quit for good. As much as I would love to be able to smoke casually with friends, I know this is not an option for me. Once I take that first hit, I will be back on the bandwagon. I just know myself. I wish everyone the best in their quest to overcome this addiction. This website has been very helpful for me. Thanks to all for posting your stories. As much as I feel your pain, it has helped a lot to know that I am not alone in this struggle. Until tomorrow….
Also wanted to mention that for me, it is imperative that I have a small bud on hand when trying to quit. I have a serious panic attack when trying to quit and knowing that I don’t have any weed. I am more successfull when I have a very small amount and chose not to smoke it than not having any at all. It’s a mind game for me. When I don’t have it, I freak out. When I have it, I’m okay. I’m just choosing not to smoke it. And as silly as it sounds, I can only have a little bit because if i have a lot, I justify why I have to smoke it. Can’t let a good sack go to waste! This has been a vicious cycle for me. Every bag for the last 5+ years was supposed to be my last.
As soon as someone judges others by their own experience they have lost site of individuality. What makes us human is that we all have different minds , bodies, and souls. For that reason no one can tell another person about their feelings or addictions.what is common is that the side affects when quitting marijuana seem to be really prominent in people that used heavily. The main focus should be the benefits of quitting. No more coughing,spending,jonesing,looking,calling,selling,lying,yelling,questioning,reasoning,excusing,loading,waiting,burning.keep your head up and try to reach deep inside to find strength in doing what is right for your health and overall mental state of mind.people should stop labeling others and focus on what’s good for themselves. I’m on day 3 and really over it after 25 years of the above listed items.
today is day is day 5 which has gotten a little better than the other
4 days. day 1, 2 , 3 and 4 sucked. HIGH ANXIETY, SLEEPLESS
NIGHTS, IRRITABLE TO START. What has made it better is
the word of God. I am reading the bible and attending church
which i would not do when i was was smoking cause i wanted to get
high. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED GOING TO CHURCH. My two main problems were girls and that special one by the name Mary Jane who always gives me the impression i am getting a deal when
i give much money up for her possessions, WEED. No more stupid
me. i don’t want to be ashamed of myself anymore. I give up girls to be blessed with one woman. I am trying to imagine how much
money i could have in the bank if i had not spent on weed. Over the
period of 30 years it would have easily been on 100,000.00. this site gave me you and you are of God. thanks u all. God is here for all of us. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things will be added on to you. Matthew 6:33
I got on the internet this afternoon to purchase legal smoking herbs in my 1,000th attempt to quit smoking pot. Then I realized, I just want to Quit smoking Period! But it is So hard because I have smoked for 22 years. As I read through these posts, Cape Pothead suggested 3 things to consider when quitting, his first being Why do you smoke pot? I stopped to consider this, going back to age 18 when I got stoned for the first time. Ahhh, yes. It made me cool! I suddenly had groups of friends sitting around in large circles, passing joint, pipe, bong…
Now at the age of 40, I am frustrated, if not perplexed as to why marijuana has not yet been fully legalized. I mean, saying it’s for medicinal purposes is a joke, right? Inhaling smoke into the lungs as often as pot smokers do is not good for anyone, especially those who are ill. If the medical industry actually took THC seriously, it would be manufactured into an amazing pill form by pharmacutical companies.
My husband lost his job for 5 th or 6th time due to random drug testing at work. He makes $60/hr as a miner, but his love for Mary Jane is so strong that he lapses, hoping synthetic urine will save him. They have hair tested him, asked for a blood test that he refused, and rejected the temperature of the urine. Never once was it ever based on his performance level at work. In fact, he is regarded as one of the best in his industry. That is, until they examine his piss. So he is looking for work-again. I’m usually a stay-at-home mom and I cant pass a piss test for a job that pays well. Why does my piss matter to my employer? If I am not pregnant or a criminal, I should not have to pee in a cup for you!
It doesn’t sound like I want to quit. I am much like Joe Schmoe, doing it because society has its grip on potheads. They have us in a headlock. I will continue to support the legalization of marijuana, not only for medical purposes, but for recreational, religious and psycolocial purposes as well.
Until then, I am on day 6 (1,000th time) of quitting. This time I am quitting because I want to set a better example for my children. They know I smoke, now I want to show them what it’s like to quit. Also, I will Never Again be the reason my husband has a relapse.
I am short-tempered and emotional. I have bitched out people on the phone and even made a lady roll her window down in traffic to complain about her crappy driving. When that didn’t satisfy me, I called the police just to bitch to the officer on the phone-what is Wrong with me?! When I am sober, I realize how wrong everything is and I get crabby.
I have an addictive personality. So I think that means I need to find a new addiction, only a good one, not one that is equally harmful, like another smoking product. Also, it has to be something that makes me happy. Right now, it seems that every force is working against me. I am pissed off and mad about everything.. Time to take some responsibility and learn to make a difference, not just point out differences. Enough of ME–more chats PLEASE!! This site helps!!!!!!
Hey folks 65 days clean here.
thank you for all your posts, they have really helped me!!I have been trying to quit off and on for 10 fucking years.I have surrendered and am willing to work the aa program to the fullest.I will go to any lengths to remain weed free.I am powerless over marijuana.and my life was unmanageable.peace to all.
Dear All,
My brother was recently caught smoking pot by my parents. Since he stopped he has been behaving very strangely. At home, everyone is so worried, we have never before experienced such a situation. This article and the comments posted gives me hope that my brother will be able to return to lead a normal life, all of us at home are so worried seeing him in this state.
well i have been a dope smoker for soooo long now and i was not smoking for years — well not true in 6 years maybe smoked 20 times- i dont know , i was pretending i was no longer stoned-to-live—–but since may this year i have picked up the habit again and its usually having some and then freaking out and then throwing the rest away–MADNESS!!!!!!!!!! and i am noticing that i only think about me me me me me and my mind is harder to control in meditation and i told my daughter and she started to cry –so here i am at work -three days no smoking and my mind is thinking about getting some after work and i really want to and I REALLY WANT TO STOP THIS MADNESS!!!!! BECAUSE it cant be ok if it is making me crazy and all i want is peace
I have been a heavy user of high end pot for the past 7 years. I spend in excess of $500 a month just to be blasted. I am turning 30 soon and would like to quit this expensive habit. I have always been able to pass drugs test at work with synethic urine but I just want to be normal again. I depend on weed too much as I probably smoke 2 ounces a month. I moved away from my hometown hoping it would help end my addiction but I still haven’t quit. In the past 7 years, I have been able to quit for 33 days, 14 days, and today will be end of day 1 again. I want to have the will power to stop my addiction. Weed is not going away in our society but hopefully it will just be recreational to me in the future instead of a neccessary need. I hope we can all control our urges and god bless you all.
I started looking at these testimonials for some insight on why marijuana is so addictive . I have two of my kids addicted to weed and it seems like it has the one common fact it disrupts and and destroys families and its hard to see my kids change dramatically . I am glad I read the stories I now have ways to try and help my kids be free from this bondage. Glad others can share hope and real reasons why they started and why and how they can stop. Thanks
I am on Day 7 of quitting smoking, and it is driving me crazy. The first few days weren’t that bad, but now I’m finding that I am incredibly depressed, crying for no reason, and extremely anxious. I am also craving smoking like mad. I have read that the worst of these symptoms pass in 10 days, so hopefully in 3 days I will start to feel better. This site and reading posts from others that have gone through this is very helpful.
Im 18 years old, ive used weed for 4 years now, and everday is a struggle to quit, if i dont smoke it every few days, i get body aches, headaches, i feel sick, and i cant sleep, and its like being chained up, its like when i reach for the key to unlock the chains, it feels as if someone has a string tied to the key, and pulls the key away, and im back in the center with more and heavier chains on me, its hard not to goto a friends house that smokes it, and smoke with them, ive smoked Chronic, Kush, Hashos, so on with them, and im trying to quit, but it just seems so hard, as of right now i havent smoked in about 2 or 3 weeks, and it feels as if im dying without it, its like i have to have a blunt or joint right now, i feel alot of pressure in my eyes at times, its like light hurts my eyes. and its extrremely hard to quit, and i hate myself for it. they lied sayin, weed is additive, its good for you, and i had so much fun, the laughs and giggles, getting munchies, and i just dont wanna do it anymore, im tired of being a slave chained down, crawling to its master, i just wanna be free of weed, and so on. it messes with your thinking process and its hard to concentrate at times, or comprehend stuff.
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