SWIM is quitting marijuana and feels he could use some help.

[BigupBelgium]

Well first some background information about his habbits. He started smoking when he was 15 and was a regular (read daily) smoker by the age of 16. So thats been 3 years now.
One of his main problems is the fact that his twin brother is his smoking buddy.
They tried to quit several times but it never lasted more then 1 day. Also almost all of his friends smoke.
Even when he was in Valencia he seemed to attract podsmokers (maybe thats because the first thing we did there was roll a joint) .
This one time he almost got busted on a Italian airport ( there was a dog, he threw away his stuff coming out of the plain, but the dog still smelled it anyways,so he got asked some questions by the cops, in Italian!, but no pod, no crime.) anyhow he wasn't able to smoke for 2 weeks and he didn't really have any significant problems with it, though he smoked a lot of cigarettes.
Now he has just quit for two days and he's having a 'hard' time. He can't eat nor sleep, he's feeling edgy and sometimes aggressive (which is made stronger by his twinbrother who is feeling the same way). He feels that he doesn't know what to do with himself. At least he has enough things to do to fill up the time he used to smoke pod.
I dunno if it matters but he's at university now and he had his first test today so you might wonna add a stressfactor, without weed it's harder to relax.
The matter of the fact is that he didn't give up voluntary he was forced by his evil parents .
Well anyhow he's just wondering, he used to smoke about 10 grams of pod in a week to a week and a half(about 7-8 joints a nite), how long will it take before he feels a-okay. Basically he isn't quitting just smoking less. Well he's about to go screw up 2 days of quitting and roll a spliff. I really need help coz he's to weak to do it on his own, no willpower what so ever. Maybe I am not totally facing up to my addiction.

[Nature Boy]

He should be feeling a-ok within the space of a couple of days. SWIM's a daily pot smoker too and feels a little agitated if he can't find any for a few days. It's all psychological. Eating and sleeping patterns should return to normal soon enough. Remember, cannabis isn't an addiction as such, just a really enjoyable habit. SWIY should get through this without any more problems apart from what he's experienced already. SWIM's been through this routine several times, not by choice mind, but has learnt to get over it.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Brilliant advice

[BigupBelgium]

Yes I know and thats the problem, He doesn't wanna feel bad because he hasn't got any. I did forget to mention one other effect which is sudden moments of euforia(felt real good).

[Lehendakari]

SWIM is heavy addicted to weed too and he's experience withdrawal symtoms including insomnia, lack of hunger, wet nose yawning and craving in general.

Be carefull with irritability and agressivity cause they are very common withdrawal symtoms, but they aren't easily detectable so keep in mind that you can overreact and screw situations that you will regret.

As everyone said, these is a very brief period and not a big deal but I think supplementation with melatonin is very helpful for withdrawing weed and for harm reduction. There is no scientiefic support to this, only anecdotal reports. Al so see this link:

http://www.erowid.org/experiences/exp.php?ID=12521

[DrMuffy]

Well there are marijuana substitute smoking blends which is SWIdr's opinion SUCK, but SWIY might find them helpful. Alot of herbal supplements and ethnos such as Lions Tail are very good marijuana quitting aids. All of the symtoms of marijuana withdrawel may affect your physical body, but marijuana is psycologically addictive and NOT physically. SWIY should be feeling much better by now, and SWIdr used to be a heavy pot smoker, and has weaned down to bout 10% of what he used to smoke, and finds life much much better! Good luck!!

[BigupBelgium]

thanks, SWIM feels the difference the day after. When SWIM didn't smoke he felt good the day after, but yesterday SWIM smoked some pod and he feels neutral now. Not to mention the effects it has on a brain in development, so SWIY shouldn't want to smoke during adolescence, but obviously its a little to late for all of us. SWIm thinks he's able to decide not to smoke and to be okay with it. but the question is how long SWim is gonna be okay with it D.

[Nature Boy]

There's no solid evidence in existence that proves that marijuana is harmful to the developing mind. This is just another scare tactic based on anecdotal fabrication of teens losing interest in their schoolwork if they happen to use pot. It may be true in some cases but SWIM is of the opinion that marijuana is a tool that allows the mind to choose for itself over things that essentially don't matter. This tactic is one of the most powerful prohibitionists have in arguing against marijuana. Unfortunately it's impossible to argue with these people about little Freddie showing an interest in psychedelic rock and hanging out with long-haired liberals vs. playing sports and passing exams involving subjects he couldn't give two shits about. It's a conundrum indeed.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Brilliant, witty and insightful post, very well said

[BigupBelgium]

well his intrest in school started dropping before SWIM started using mari j, and even then his results were above average (especially givin the time he spend studying). Yeah they probably don't have conclusive effidence coz that would mean they let a 14 year old kid smoke pod until he's 18yrs and follow him up with CT scans. Of course they would need multiple testpersons so thats kinda out of the question. I'm just thinking that one day or an other I'll just quit smoking coz i had enough... until that day....

[CountChristoph]

SWIM Is also trying to quit.
He has been getting baked 2-4 times a day for like 6 months now.
He hasnt smoked in 4 days and is feeling bad. He gets angry easily, and he cries nearly everyday due to depression

SWIM is thinking he will cave tommorow and smoke. But you never know.

[Mr. Jane]

SWIM also has this problem. He goes to college, and in between classes and work he gets stoned 4-5 times a day. He has been a heavy user for 3 years and still loves it everytime he lights up. The only problem is, he doesn't ever want to stop because of insomnia and loss of appetite. His body just doesn't know what to do without a constant stream of thc. So i'm sure he feels for you.

[The Doors]

SWIY should ask himself this as a real question: If marijuana is actually benefiting SWIY's life without compromising it, why should one stop to smoke? Maybe consider the amount SWIY smokes, but if it helps SWIY's with depression, insomnia(both have been being very helpful for SWIM) and appetite then why not? It is medicine just self-described

[snapper]

SWIM enjoys it and thinks that is reason enough not to stop. For SWIM, it has never interfered with anything, and on the contrary, has been an excellent harm -reduction crutch to keep from using other drugs, a sleep aid, anxiety aid, concentration aid and recreation aid. No real downsides other than mechanical damage from the smoke and poor short-term memory.

[Orchid_Suspiria]

It's interesting that some people make marijuana such a habit,SWIM could never do that.

[The Doors]

Originally Posted by Orchid_Suspiria

It's interesting that some people make marijuana such a habit,SWIM could never do that.

For some its marijuana, some its cocaine, some tobacco, some alcohol... you get the idea

[pabel_giboon]

IUf you have problems quitting marihuna, you shouldn´t even think of any sedative that isn´t natural.
Try some sedative teas, and sport -running, swimming- thet would be enouth to trigger appetite and put you to sleep at the end of the day.
Also, take a read ath this thread:
http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9707

[Sklander]

The best way to quit smoking pot is to find something else to occupy your time. Smoking weed becomes a lot more than just getting high. It becomes a way of life... an entire culture... When someone is a habitual pot smoker it becomes as routine as checking ones email... Try not checking your email for a couple of weeks, it can be very difficult.

When SWIM got involved with the legal system here he had to stop smoking and he did it by becoming more active in other activities. SWIM smoked massive amounts of finely grown dro for a very long time, too...

Good luck.

[noHope]

Anti-histamines help with symptoms of withdrawal.

[svenghali]

Originally Posted by Sklander

The best way to quit smoking pot is to find something else to occupy your time. Smoking weed becomes a lot more than just getting high. It becomes a way of life... an entire culture... When someone is a habitual pot smoker it becomes as routine as checking ones email... Try not checking your email for a couple of weeks, it can be very difficult.

When SWIM got involved with the legal system here he had to stop smoking and he did it by becoming more active in other activities. SWIM smoked massive amounts of finely grown dro for a very long time, too...

Good luck.

SWIM is currently going through the same thing, although for him it's the school system. Living un-stoned certainly took a long time to get used to, and he only slipped up once, when he went to a concert... But somehow he got away with it.

Anyway, it's been since November, but he can't wait until June when he can spark back up...

[burgerman]

worst thing about that psychotic anger one experinces when quitting pot is how one bowl and your anger disappears and you end up thinking to yourself "hey man that depression was whack, how did i think that way".

then you notice that pot does it all the time even when you are not abstaining.. the "switching emotions" being regulated by cannabis is the worst thing about weed IMO

[Worlock]

Used left over weak weed (leaf) to help me quit tobacco,
Could not smoke very much weed because my career was dealing with the public on a close basis , And I had to remain focused on the person , no time to be drifty.
Switched to alcohol and cocaine, gave up the coke and alcohol for sex,
when that ended started speed, now I am trading speed for weed, a good trade.
Time to to get another red hot girlfriend, go back to sex,
Weed is the lesser of many evils.
Any drug you must have daily is not very good.
Whatever you do, be good at it, and don't let it control you .
And don't spend everything you make chasin it down,

I guess it is not the drug , but how much self respect you can maintain
If you beg and crawl steal and lie to keep a habit , you are not a good person.
If you can take it or leave it and be sensible, then whats the rub.
Set hours such as no alcohol until after work, and after 2 or 5 on weekends
Same with weed, control it and set limits that makes yiou stronger at saying no.
If you feel it is interfering with your life in a negative way, cut back, sets limits.
What choice do you have, and if you can't do that yourself, for yourself. Then you have lost the edge.
It is not the drug, but how you use it. Weed is not incredibly addicting.
we are all different and what is easy for some is a trap for others.

I still say you can be a good drunk , or a worthless Mo'Fo'

[AquafinaOrbit]

As with pretty much all drugs MJ releases excessive dopamine into your brain. In your case it would seem your friends brain has become dependent on this and thus is not functioning correctly due to the sudden withdraw of MJ. If you had more time you could slowly ease your friend off of MJ. Anyway just try to remember the beginning is the hardest. Besides just the chemical addiction your friend will of course have a Phsyco one too, which should break within a week or so, with the chemical side taking a few months to fully recover.

[Mr. Giraffe]

Originally Posted by AquafinaOrbit

As with pretty much all drugs MJ releases excessive dopamine into your brain.

This isn't really true. Sure, it works on your GABA receptors to allow your brain to naturally release more dopamine, but cannabis cannot cause an increase in dopamine itself. This is where it differs from addictive drugs, and is the reason that so much of this discussion about addiction to cannabis is nonsensical. The only withdrawal symptoms are pyschological. Nobody needs to have cannabis every day. Since studies have shown no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever in animals, it is reasonable to conclude that the cannabis withdrawal is largely a subjective experience, and basically, largely imagined.

Due to the patchy nature of the market, my cat often has to abruptly cease his cannabis use and reports no withdrawal symptoms at all. It is worth noting that my cat does not smoke tobacco with his cannabis.

[AquafinaOrbit]

/\My mistake.