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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JonW on June 30, 2003, at 23:33:45
Anyone here quit smoking marijuana?
How were you successful? Any advice to give?
Thanks,
Jon
Posted by HenryO on July 1, 2003, at 3:18:35
In reply to Quiting weed... Help!, posted by JonW on June 30, 2003, at 23:33:45
Going off weed (years ago) always made me very depressed. Get some professional help, that is my best advice. It can't hurt. I wish I had. I mean why did we smoke all that dope? I know for me it was because it made me feel good.(Until it started to just give me a headache.) I used anything that would make me feel better untill it made me feel even worse. How are you doing with alcohol and other substances?
Posted by Tanya Ann on July 1, 2003, at 7:35:47
In reply to Quiting weed... Help!, posted by JonW on June 30, 2003, at 23:33:45
I was self-medicating. It kept my anxiety down. I was able to laugh and relax. Xanax could have been helpful for me had anyone known what I was doing. I was a teen at the time. One of my friends is still smoking all the time and when she isn't, she is experiencing heavy anxiety. Weed keeps her anxiety down so she smokes it. Funny thing, she is dead set against meds, hehehe. She's a brat. Anyway, sometimes we self-medicate. Good luck!!!
Tanya
Posted by jay beck on July 1, 2003, at 8:06:27
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help!, posted by Tanya Ann on July 1, 2003, at 7:35:47
its all in the right mind set, i quit heroin now that was a bitch. i quit smoking weed when i was 16 it was really easy but thats because i got really paranoid and had anxiety attacks when i was high
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on July 1, 2003, at 10:02:50
In reply to Quiting weed... Help!, posted by JonW on June 30, 2003, at 23:33:45
> Anyone here quit smoking marijuana?
Yeah. Of course, for me, it was just because the guy I bought from stopped selling. That'll take care of things quickly.
The problem is that if you're used to having that as a daily relaxer, you start to notice that you're pretty edgy and bored without it, and you replace it with something else (alcohol, cigarettes). So it's not so much a problem of withdrawl as it is a realization that you were doing it to escape a bit. It makes you face your "unmedicated" self, and prompted me to finally make a pdoc appointment, because I'm just not a functional person sans drugs.
It also made me lose a few pounds, since it was keeping my appetite artificially high. Unfortunately, I was pretty skinny to begin with.
Anyway, as far as advice, I'd just recommend that you be aware of the fact that you'll likely need to find a replacement for the weed, and you should try to find a relatively healthy one, like exercise or anxiolytics (and not junk food, cigarettes, alcohol, or old pipe resin :). It's hard, though. There's a reason why certain people do drugs.
Posted by JonW on July 1, 2003, at 18:00:05
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help! » JonW, posted by Eddie Sylvano on July 1, 2003, at 10:02:50
> The problem is that if you're used to having that as a daily relaxer, you start to notice that you're pretty edgy and bored without it, and you replace it with something else (alcohol, cigarettes).
Yeah, I didn't relize how much time smoking weed took up. You have a good idea about replacing it with something else. I've been working out and playing sports and it's been very helpful. Of course, it's only been two days :) I think I'm going to buy myself something with the money I would've spent on weed in like a week. How long did it take before you felt like you were home free? I actually feel good as far as cravings go, but I'm afraid of getting bored. I've never gone a week, but I feel different this time. Anyway, it's nice to be out of the cloud (don't worry, no pun intended <g>) and feel healthy and alive. I might use on occasion, but I'll approach that after enough time has passed. Do you think that's a bad idea?
>So it's not so much a problem of withdrawl as it is a realization that you were doing it to escape a bit. It makes you face your "unmedicated" self, and prompted me to finally make a pdoc appointment, because I'm just not a functional person sans drugs.
I take aniracetam, a so-called nootropic, which helps with my anxiety and mood. Not quite as good as the SSRIs, but it doesn't rob me of my humanity or sexuality. Sorry if that's too much information...
> Anyway, as far as advice, I'd just recommend that you be aware of the fact that you'll likely need to find a replacement for the weed, and you should try to find a relatively healthy one, like exercise or anxiolytics (and not junk food, cigarettes, alcohol, or old pipe resin :). It's hard, though. There's a reason why certain people do drugs.
I can relate. I just hope it doesn't get any harder because as it is I think I can handle it. <Insert sound of me knocking on wood here> I just got accepted into the AACT at Temple to be in a CBT program for social anxiety, and I hope that helps with my depression as well. I was very much into taking drugs, legal ones :), but I'd love to be able to beat this thing without them or at least without any more... however, I'm all about a miracle pill without side-effects :)
Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'm curious what mental illness you have or had, and how you are doing? Thanks again!
Jon
Posted by JonW on July 1, 2003, at 18:10:36
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help!, posted by Tanya Ann on July 1, 2003, at 7:35:47
> I was self-medicating. It kept my anxiety down. I was able to laugh and relax. Xanax could have been helpful for me had anyone known what I was doing. I was a teen at the time. One of my friends is still smoking all the time and when she isn't, she is experiencing heavy anxiety. Weed keeps her anxiety down so she smokes it. Funny thing, she is dead set against meds, hehehe. She's a brat. Anyway, sometimes we self-medicate. Good luck!!!
Yeah, I have a friend who turns into a real prick if he doesn't smoke. He's anti-med, too... I don't get that, but I say to each their own... if it works for someone fine, but for me it certainly gets in the way of accomplishing anything more than buying weed :) I think most people would be better off not smoking on a daily basis, but that's just my impression. Live and let live...
Jon
Posted by MelD on July 1, 2003, at 18:14:01
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help! » Eddie Sylvano, posted by JonW on July 1, 2003, at 18:00:05
My son abused weed, alcohol and ephedra and went into psychosis. He had to give it all up cold turkey, and missing weed is the hardest for him to deal with. After the pdoc got him stablized, he sent him to AA. It sounded useless to me, because alcohol wasnt his big problem, but it has turned out to be an excellent treatment, giving him info, support and coping methods. Whether its AA or NA, i would urge you to attend some meetings - you could find real help there. Best of luck and hang in there.
Posted by JonW on July 1, 2003, at 18:22:57
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help!, posted by HenryO on July 1, 2003, at 3:18:35
> Going off weed (years ago) always made me very depressed. Get some professional help, that is my best advice. It can't hurt. I wish I had. I mean why did we smoke all that dope? I know for me it was because it made me feel good.(Until it started to just give me a headache.) I used anything that would make me feel better untill it made me feel even worse. How are you doing with alcohol and other substances?
I've used other substances, but not in awhile, and I drink once a week at the most. I'm fortunate enough that alcohol makes me real depressed a day or two later and that always turned me away from it. I'd rather not drink at all, but its hard to avoid as a young person. The smooth exit of weed makes it the most dangerous for me, not to mention how good the stuff is I've been buying :) Anyhow, thanks for the advice. I won't hesitate to get help if I can't do it alone.
Thanks,
Jon
Posted by JonW on July 1, 2003, at 21:24:13
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help!, posted by jay beck on July 1, 2003, at 8:06:27
> its all in the right mind set, i quit heroin now that was a bitch. i quit smoking weed when i was 16 it was really easy but thats because i got really paranoid and had anxiety attacks when i was high
Thanks Jay!
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on July 2, 2003, at 16:42:43
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help! » Eddie Sylvano, posted by JonW on July 1, 2003, at 18:00:05
>How long did it take before you felt like you were home free?
-------------I've gone off and on it many times, depending on my circumstances. The drug substantially clears out of your body after about a week of abstaining, and by then I'm used to being without it. Your mileage may vary.
>I actually feel good as far as cravings go, but I'm afraid of getting bored
---------------It's a lot harder to enjoy television without it, that's for sure. Just hafta read more instead :)
>I might use on occasion, but I'll approach that after enough time has passed. Do you think that's a bad idea?
----------------I think that the best effect from weed is had by smoking every few days, tops. I'm sure you've noticed that the high is much more pronounced when you're not taking it every day. Maybe discipline yourself to using only on weekends. The problem for me is that if I have it around, I'll smoke it every day. If you're like that, perhaps you could just buy a small amount during long weekends or vacations. I think the worst part of smoking is the damage to your lungs, but smoking a little here and there isn't that bad.
> I take aniracetam, a so-called nootropic, which helps with my anxiety and mood. Not quite as good as the SSRIs, but it doesn't rob me of my humanity or sexuality. Sorry if that's too much information...
----------------I agree that SSRIs rob you of part of your humanity. I feel emotionally sterilized on them, not to mention impotent :(
> Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'm curious what mental illness you have or had, and how you are doing? Thanks again!
--------------I'm just now getting in to see a pdoc, so I have no diagnosis as yet, but my best guess so far is ADD with varying anxiety and depression. Who knows, though? Good luck with quitting (or cutting back)!
Posted by HenryO on July 2, 2003, at 17:59:07
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help! » JonW, posted by Eddie Sylvano on July 2, 2003, at 16:42:43
I was amazed after I quit for good. I didn't realize how it muted me until I had been clean for a year or two. You think it is out of your system in a few days to a week. I think of that brown stuborn resin deep in the tissues of my brain. I am not some born-again anti-drug type. I loved getting stoned, but dope is more powerful than it gets credit for. I believe that I am one of those who needs a med or I get crazy, restless, irritable and discontent, stressed and depressed. Pot is gasoline on the fire for me. It was the best med I had, once. It worked real well for a while. I loved it when It made me feel good. But it stopped working. Today I think of it as getting clubed over the head with a phonebook. Effective for lessening my pain (boredome, whatever you wish to call it. It was just "something" that made it absolutely imperative that I get a buzz on.), but I prefer a different solution.
Posted by HenryO on July 2, 2003, at 18:10:49
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help!, posted by HenryO on July 2, 2003, at 17:59:07
I have been thinking about that last post of mine. I guess I am a born-again anti-drug type. Yikes. Please forgive me for ranting at you. I apologize. You will find what works for you.
Posted by JonW on July 2, 2003, at 22:33:50
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help!, posted by HenryO on July 2, 2003, at 18:10:49
> I have been thinking about that last post of mine. I guess I am a born-again anti-drug type. Yikes. Please forgive me for ranting at you. I apologize. You will find what works for you.
I didn't think you were ranting at all, and wouldn't have minded if you were. I enjoy reading everyone's views, no matter how biased they may or may not be. And I agree with what you had to say. We may feel differently about the legal status of marijuana (I don't know), but I do concede the drug is much more powerful than most people acknowledge. It's quite a seductive substance.
Jon
Posted by JonW on July 2, 2003, at 22:44:39
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help!, posted by MelD on July 1, 2003, at 18:14:01
> My son abused weed, alcohol and ephedra and went into psychosis. He had to give it all up cold turkey, and missing weed is the hardest for him to deal with. After the pdoc got him stablized, he sent him to AA. It sounded useless to me, because alcohol wasnt his big problem, but it has turned out to be an excellent treatment, giving him info, support and coping methods. Whether its AA or NA, i would urge you to attend some meetings - you could find real help there. Best of luck and hang in there.
Thanks. I'm not big on AA, but I was considering persuing a secular alternative to it. There's also a support group for young adults in my area I used to go to that deals with addiction in part and I may stop by that some time as well. I think it would be good to get involved with more people who don't do drugs, and AA and the like is a good suggestion. Thanks again, and I hope things work out for your son!
Jon
Posted by JonW on July 2, 2003, at 22:54:32
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help! » JonW, posted by Eddie Sylvano on July 2, 2003, at 16:42:43
> I've gone off and on it many times, depending on my circumstances. The drug substantially clears out of your body after about a week of abstaining, and by then I'm used to being without it. Your mileage may vary.
That's encouraging... I hope my mileage doesn't vary too much! Actually, I'm already starting to get the hang of resisting but I don't want to get ahead of myself.
> I think that the best effect from weed is had by smoking every few days, tops. I'm sure you've noticed that the high is much more pronounced when you're not taking it every day.
That's one of the reasons quiting is so difficult because you know how good giving in would be :(
> I'm just now getting in to see a pdoc, so I have no diagnosis as yet, but my best guess so far is ADD with varying anxiety and depression. Who knows, though? Good luck with quitting (or cutting back)!
Thanks again and good luck with everything!
Jon
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 3, 2003, at 16:41:25
In reply to Quiting weed... Help!, posted by JonW on June 30, 2003, at 23:33:45
Is there a *patch* for quitting weed, like they have for stopping smoking?
Weed wasn't my drug of choice. Never experienced weed w/d. Now alcohol, w/d from that was awful!
Good Luck!
Kim
Posted by JackD on July 3, 2003, at 20:59:08
In reply to Quiting weed... Help!, posted by JonW on June 30, 2003, at 23:33:45
Been there. Now i'm in remission. Be ready for a bad withdrawal, which I at least experienced. I would only do it if you are at a homeostasis in your life; everything is somewhat fine, you are not going through a transient period, etc. Oh, and ween yourself off of it of course.
Posted by Oliver on July 6, 2003, at 22:58:56
In reply to Quiting weed... Help!, posted by JonW on June 30, 2003, at 23:33:45
I read your post and the follow-ups with interest. I have a long history with Cannabis. I started in high school, when I was 15 and became a pothead. That was a very big mistake because it fucked up my academic career. I stopped for long periods and then would go back either as a casual user or a several-times-a-week one. That happened during the latter 90's when my life was in severe stasis. I was using it to cope with major depression and didn't know how to get help without insurance, etc., though now I know there are ways to accomplish this. Although I definitely don't think people should begin using grass until at least 18, or any other intoxicant, it is very hard to stop persistent and resourceful kids who want to taste a forbidden fruit. What is needed IMO is real advice and education. The thing about Marijuana is, for me at least, there is a sacred element involved. What I have found, not always of course, is that when I've smoked good grass in very small amounts, there's a kind of awakening that happens in me. I remember myself. I remember my own sacred nature or being. It's like a doorway in my brain or mind opens up and suddenly, I am more "myself." Also, I become more in tune with Nature or Mother Earth, even if I'm here in a city. Strange. For those of you inclined to Charkra talk I think that pot somehow stimulates one's heart center. I have often felt much more loving and open and accepting after toking a bit. There's a very good book on this called "The Benefits of Marijuana" by Joan Bello. You can find it on the Web. She uses it in her naturopathy practice. I'm not encouraging anyone to smoke or not to smoke. It is not a perfect drug/medicine and I too have experienced effects like anxiety/panic/; but I think these have more to do with cannabis opening you to what's inside yourself (repressed emotions) than any particular inherent side-effect In fact, like Jon I've tried to quit myself because there is a kind of amotivational thing that happens--although for me that could be because of my long-term depression. I have found it very hard to totally abstain from grass. It's worth exploring other avenues to this type of beautiful experience, such as meditation, exercise, nature. But grass is very quick! Lol... Also, a lot of it has to do with how you use it, your attitude towards it, if your life revolves around it, etc. I think it's far better than boozing every night and it's probably less toxic than all these meds we're on. (I started Lexapro about 3 1/2 weeks ago) I wouldn't recommend smoking every day. And then, anything we depend on can become a trap, sometimes insidiously, drugs, meds, meditation, even love. Well, that's my two(maybe three) cents, enjoy,
Oliver
Posted by starlight on July 7, 2003, at 15:00:56
In reply to Quiting weed... Help!, posted by JonW on June 30, 2003, at 23:33:45
Jon,
I have. It's been nearly two months, with only four setbacks. Each setback was only once a day, on days that I would normally have smoked all day. For me it was a combo of things that kicked in to help. I think the first thing was getting my meds right. I'm at 200mgs of lamictal and I don't know how much trileptal (though I should). And really wanting to. I sing A LOT! And my band has been getting busier and busier, smoking was taking a toll on my health. I had wanted to for about 6 months or so and talked about it consistently with my pdoc, who is supportive and hopefully has kept it out of my files. And finally, I was just able to do it. I don't even know what inspired me, but it just clicked on and wa la! Keep at it. Be honest with yourself, get the meds right and don't be too hard on yourself if #1 it takes awhile and #2 you have setbacks.
Good luck,
StarlightPS, I was also a daily smoker for about 7 years.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2003, at 22:34:50
In reply to Re: Quiting weed... Help!, posted by Oliver on July 6, 2003, at 22:58:56
> There's a very good book on this called "The Benefits of Marijuana" by Joan Bello.
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by MB on July 9, 2003, at 17:50:38
In reply to Re: double double quotes » Oliver, posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2003, at 22:34:50
> > There's a very good book on this called "The Benefits of Marijuana" by Joan Bello.
MB
did that work?
Posted by MB on July 9, 2003, at 17:51:37
In reply to Testing double double quotes, posted by MB on July 9, 2003, at 17:50:38
This is the end of the thread.
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