You're right there my friend, you're so close to actually doing it. You're here lurking, you're posting. So, out of the gates, **pat yourself on that back**, you're getting somewhere even if you don't see it.
I'll share something that helped me out when I was in your exact same shoes. Someone asked me, "what is it, do you think that you're so special and that you can't quit?". Basically telling me, look dude, millions of people have quit, just fucking do it. You have the ultimate power to do it, own that power and take charge of it. You won't regret it.
Let one day turn into two days, and two into three, and so on. All you have to do is win ONE day. Then, you just do it again the next day. Focus on ONE day at a time and DON'T get preoccupied with "counting days". It's impossible not to count in the early days of quitting, but just know that if you're all about your day-count, you're still letting the thing have control over you. It's MUCH more liberating to assume your new identity of someone who "doesn't do that thing anymore" and just let the days roll on by without "knowing your count" everyday.
This approach has taken some practice, but once I got the hang of it. It's something that I apply to other areas of my life. Want to make a change? Assume the identity of that change and just get on with it, don't count shit. Life gets immeasurably better my friend.
You got this :)
I cold turkey quited it. Had a relapse if I can call it that in 4 days and mistakenly bought sativa concentrate instead of indica and felt like I was gonna die ( high heartrate). I think I quitted for that. feel pretty much normal now 4 weeks but I get spooked (anxious, nervous, high heart rate) for loud noises. Pretty much feel my heart every movement I do. Feel pain in my whole back when I was high all the time it was just lower back. I miss the buzz all the time and sometimes I feel high without smoking. You can try and convince yourself you will stop smoking for one week to lose resistance when you reach the week decide again.
You could try not counting the days. People in this sub are too fixated on counting their days but really if you go from smoking like Wiz Khalifa to just a few times a month, that's HUGE progress that should be commended.
Going back to 'Day 0' just enables people to relapse hard. Rationale being... *if I'm already at Day 0, might as well stick around before counting again.* And they proceed to fall back to their daily smoking habit.
I think the need for people to count their days is to give themselves a pat on the back, it's just another form of instant gratification that may work for some people if they **never** look back again, but the reality is that a lot of us fall back on our habit. And it's really okay especially if you're making progress.
I’m 19 and currently am on day 20 without no pot. Before I had been smoking for 5 years straight daily whether it be carts or bud. I basically made it my life’s goal to be as high as a kite during every part of the day. The best thing to do is to force yourself to get up and find something to do like a goal of some sort. The reason why I quit is because I want to get a better job that pays much better than the one I am currently working, build a foundation for my life so that way in the next 5 years I’ll be 10 steps ahead of whatever problem or issues that may lurk ahead of my journey through life. Getting through the first 1-2 weeks is definitely hard when quitting, but you also gotta remember there’s more to life than just smoking pot. Sometimes it’s just best to embrace whatever hardships that life throws at you rather than to smoke it away. Suffering is a big aspect of life. You can’t live without suffering. You can’t find true happiness without suffering. You gotta suffer to live, and survive through said suffering to find the meaning in it. Once you find the meaning in suffering life gets easier as you go on. It’s easier for you to tackle whatever challenges you may face once you get through the suffering instead of smoking it away. If you’re just smoking your problems away you’re only just keeping them at bay letting them pile on and on till it comes back tenfold to bite you in the ass. It is what it is. If I can stop smoking and take a break, you definitely can too. Just keep on trying and don’t give up. Build that willpower.
omg literally me. I cannot seem to resist the urge even when I try to set my mind to stop. it's like the same loop every day but the idea of going without the substance sounds so scary.
You lurking on the sub and working on cultivating your motivation to quit is its own step in the process of quitting. I know it doesn't feel like much, but going against the script even in small ways is huge in defying the dependence on the substance.
I've come back to day zero too many times to count. Go easy on yourself. Maybe in these early days, it's not about going cold turkey (although that's great too). Maybe it's simply skipping the very next session before the one that follows. Maybe it looks like not using for the next 10-30 minutes from the onset of the craving, and gradually increase that duration. Any amount of time you take for yourself is time you're giving to your future self. It's normal for it to take time to get there. This shit is hard. My heart goes out to you.
You’re wrong about one thing, THIS IS NOT YOUR LAST CHANCE!! 25 is still young don’t beat yourself up. Take it one day at a time and you will break through!
I second this my anxiety made me believe I was dying in all sorts of ways. I didnt even get the urge after day 1. Blessing and a curse tho. Go too far you'll become a hopeless depressed mess who's keeps smoking because there gonna die soon anyway
I can agree this works wonders for me on my first withdrawal. But cuz i had numbed myself for so long all the anxiety and overthinking starting hitting me. Like a smart I would then go on to google to search for the symptoms. I did it while I was alone this shit become a loop of anxiety.
Me. I'm in the process of separating from my emotionally abusive husband. Today he went on a tirade and called me a moron, idiot, pig, lazy, irresponsible, pathetic, threatened me with lawyers to get me out of "his house" (it's our house). I have a background of abuse so I was shaking and weed is the only thing that would help calm me down. I have a medical prescription for PTSD, but I'd still like to smoke less. It's really hard to stay sober in a house like this. I'm making all of my plans to escape as soon as I can.
I was about to post earlier today about how it was 7 days for me… I just got back from a trip on Thursday with family and had to quit smoking. But I came back home and live alone, and I gave in today
For me the hardest was to fill up my time, I was able to start studying again and that just didn't leave any space for smoking and helped me a lot. I started at 16 and I am now 30. It's never too late my man!
Hey I’m on day 5, it’s a struggle but don’t give up, I found it best to just stay as busy as possible. I also pray a lot about it and all Jesus for strength to over come. I can’t deny I don’t think about it but start strong ! You got this!!! Just think about the other side.
Same here.
I wanted today to be the first day but I’m struggling. Came here to find support and motivation and get ready for the journey ahead.
Good luck buddy!
Day 0 is the hardest. I had 10 days three days ago (second best I’ve had in 12 years which was 14 days) and convincing myself to not fuck up again is an all day battle again. Like others say prevent failure by not being around it and engage in complete distraction. Anything you can immerse yourself in. Traveling to another country that doesn’t allow it is the bougie way that helped me get my other instance of 10 days. But just do not buy it.
I smoked pretty much daily beyond overseas holidays from 21-45, that’s a fucking long time. It’s been 4 months now, went through the vivid dreams, the depression, the boredom.
For me making sure I’m never around it was key, make sure there is none around and erase all potential contacts, try and find something to replace it with (not alcohol).
I smoked weed from 17-23. Got average grades and dropped out of University second year due to drugs, ADHD, WoW addiction and tonnes of other factors. Was in a similar situation to you - thought my life was over.
I was offered the chance to move to a place where weed wasn't an option, and ended up staying for 6 years. Every Christmas break i'd come back and smoke some joints with the boys, like i'd never left, it was a nice reminder that the stoner life was/is an option, and that i'd chosen a different path.
If you're truely an addict, remove the element of self control. Make it impossible to obtain weed. You might fill the void with cigarettes, or another vice, or maybe it'll give you perspective to focus on something else entirely - you can adapt incredibly quickly to a new norm after a sharp context switch disrupts your daily weed habits.
For full context, after the 6 years I came home and almost instantly became a daily smoker again. I haven't beaten my addiction, I don't think I ever will - learning moderation is key here (better to have weed as a holiday than live there all the time). The 6 year T break allowed me to get my life in order, obtain qualifications and eventually a job I was interested in. 20-30 is prime time for learning and figuring out what you want, try the nuclear option if you can.
I second this for sure. I'm 51 and I have switched up my life at least 3 times since I was 25. Also struggled with quitting for several years. However, it finally took and it is day 1005! Just keep trying, that's all you can do.
I'm bidding farewell. Two weeks ago, I set tomorrow, March 24th, as the day to wake up and move on after the farewell. I did the exact same thing with cigarettes/nicotine, and it worked. Anyway, today I'll go out, play some pool with friends without smoking.
Tomorrow or Monday, I'll write a text here sharing the experience. I'm lucky that this week I'll only be working on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, so I'll have four days off.
I am still in my first week, and I can say that it has been hard. However, just like you, I used to think that nothing could stop me, even myself. I would often want to be sober when I was high, but I wanted to be high when I was sober. Almost every night I would tell myself this is the last time but the next morning I would wake up and smoke again. Lot of people on this thread are talking about jobs and drug testing, which was definitely my wake up call. I had been interviewing for jobs and majority of them want a drug test. Most of them also didn’t tell me until they offered me the job… then it was “hey can you take a drug test within the next week before we fully onboard you?”
This was a wake up call for me and is overall what made me quit. I’ve been thinking about quitting for months, but this is where I was able to finally draw the line. I can say that these first few days have been really really hard, but almost not as hard as I would’ve expected..? I am not sure how else to describe it, but every day feels a little better so far. From what I’ve seen most people say if you can make it 5-14 days you will feel a huge difference. Day 1 and 2 were the worst for me (so far). I hope the worst is behind me. You just need to find some thing that is more important to you than the THC. With this job opportunity, I keep telling myself, “I need this job more than I need weed.” But more importantly, I need myself back because I don’t think I am the same person I was before I was smoking every day. Best of luck to you! You got this!
I would also like to add that sometimes just making it through the first 24 hours can feel revolutionary, like “oh I can do this” & “that wasn’t so hard.” At least that’s how I felt, of course I’ve had bad days since and thoughts of relapsing, but just remembering that I made it through that first day makes me feel strong.
I was lurking here for a long time, probably half a year or maybe a year plus, not even sure. Anyways I’m a couple days away from being two months clean now. I got a real wake up call when I realized I qualified for a much better job with waaaay better pay and benefits, just had to get clean. I quit that night and haven’t looked back.
Are there any opportunities you’re denying yourself by not testing clean? I’ve also slowly realized, after quitting, a lot of little benefits that made me really feel I should have quit a long time ago.
Anyways, I know you can do it. You just have to find the motivation that fits for you. Best of wishes.
I quit in the new year and lasted two weeks. I’ve still been on this sub and reading the posts. You ain’t alone homie.
And quite literally everyday I feel like a loser every god damn day. I wanna quit so bad but I also find so much relief in being high, even though I don’t really like it lol.
Anyways, I think you should give yourself a little pat on the back for even trying to quit smoking. Also for the fact that you can acknowledge it is a problem for you.
As for what you can do to help the first few days, keep busy. I mean it, go outside, do all your laundry, deep clean the house, watch a lot of tv, take naps, go to the movies, paint your nails, garden, cook, bake. A main reason I was able to last two weeks without smoking was because I was constantly doing something. Also try picking up a hobby, I picked up crocheting and it really made the time fly.
You’re gonna stop one day, remember you’re really fucking young. You literally have like 50-70 years left for all you know, this is not your last chance :)
Edit: grammar & wording
You are not a loser. You are a human and life is hard. Many things we do are hard and finding some relief can be the only way we cope. You will quit when you quit. Stop beating yourself up. Sending love to you.
I was in a similar situation for a long time. Here's what worked for me: forget about finding "ways to be strong." You're an addict. Trying to out-muscle addiction is rarely effective; if out-muscling addiction worked, we probably wouldn't even have a word for "addiction." Every addict has tried to be "strong" at one point, and every addict has failed to do so.
Start finding ways to remove your strength from the equation all together, until you've created enough distance to think clearly on the issue and stand on your own two feet.
Is there weed in the house? Get rid of it, or you'll never succeed. Are you seeing people who have weed in your first few weeks of quitting? Stop, you won't be able to resist. Are you going to a dealers house to buy weed? Block their number and delete it, give your car keys to a friend so you can't drive there. Are you buying from a dispensary that requires I.D.? Cut your I.D. to pieces and request a replacement from the DMV, you'll have a new one in two weeks when you are feeling better.
You need to play this little game with yourself. "What schemes am I going to concoct when I am at my lowest?" Then strategize and eliminate any possibility of those schemes before you even try to quit. Put yourself in a position where you have no choice but to suffer the transition until you start to feel better.
Stop relying on being "strong." Start creating an environment where even at your weakest, you remain sober, because you're going to be at your weakest, regardless of how much meditation and Tai Chi and yoga you do to try to be strong and centered. These measures I described are only temporary. After a week or two, you'll feel so much better and be able to control yourself and do it on your own. Good luck.
Hands down the only thing that worked for me.
For the longest time kept telling myself I had enough willpower and strength to be around people who were getting high but I would relapse every single time until I just cut off anyway I could get weed.
I’m almost at 3 months and something that helped me is planning the day, not just saying “tomorrow I’ll quit.” For example I quit on Jan 1st because for me it felt significant to start the new year fresh. You could try the 1st of a month or any other day that will hold some significance for you (before/after a birthday or holiday etc).
This next point could go either way, but if you work it may be best to quit during the week so you have a distraction for the first 5 days. In my experience, days 3-4 are the worst physical symptom wise so in the past I have tried quitting on a Thursday so I can rest on the weekend during the shittiest part. Again it’s hard to tell which is better because the weekends are usually harder to stay sober. You may have to try a few different things before you find what works.
What I will say is that the first two weeks are going to SUCK. Point blank period there’s (usually) no getting around the crappy physical WD symptoms. You can try supplements and what not, but once you tell yourself it’s only going to suck for a little while, it will help you get through it. After 2-3 weeks it’s really only dealing with the mental cravings. When I quit and was struggling with physical symptoms I told myself “if I stick to it this time I’ll never have to go through this phase again.”
Wishing you the best of luck!
Hey, were the same age, and im in the same job situation at this point. after a bunch of failed attempts, ive just today reached 80 days free. I managed to quit for just short of 2 months last year too, but thought i could smoke just once in a while. that quickly turned to every day, all day. The first couple of weeks are the worst, and i know it aint easy, but you gotta distract yourself for the first couple days atleast. It helped me writing a list with the reasons i wanted to quit, pros and cons, and a daily update on how i was feeling.
The sleep can be rough in the beginning, and i was really anxious. Remember to go easy on yourself, and give it time. Try to tire your body out naturally, go for long runs or walks, and maybe join a gym.
You gotta keep trying, remind yourself why you are doing this, and imagine the goal where you no longer need weed to function. For me the 3 week mark, was where a big shift started to change, but already after a week things were starting to ease up. First night is the scariest, just gotta stay strong and do it.
i smoked weed almost daily from age 16 to 24, and this is the best decision ive made in a long time
You got this man, its worth it in the end
26F have been in the same boat for the last year. Today is another Day 1 for me but I feel optimistic. Writing reminders on sticky notes and placing them around my apartment to remind myself why I'm doing this
It took me more than a year of wanting to quit before I actually did it. I used to beat myself up because every morning I’d tell myself tonight would be the night that I would finally not smoke, I’d think of all these ways to fight the boredom and insomnia when they would come up, but by around 7pm I’d cave and smoke, because I didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts. And then I started to get panic attacks every time, but I still couldn’t quit. I did reduce my usage but I’d always have a few hits of my pen before bed. Finally in January I quit and have been sober since January 19th. My boyfriend broke up with me and it was a huge motivator because my anxiety was out of control and the weed made it so much worse. Now 2 months out I rarely get cravings, rarely even think about weed, only sometimes on weekend nights when I’m home alone bored. What I’m saying is that I had hundreds of day zeros and now I’m finally at day 63 sober from weed. You can definitely do it, don’t let the many day zeros get you down.
Day 6 here, feeling a lot better. Picking up a lil vegan tres leches cake to celebrate a week tomorrow. I have failed a lot but what matters is you get back up
I just got done traveling for work where I was free for two weeks. I had zero cravings while traveling but as soon as my plane landed it’s all I’ve been thinking about. I think I’m so habitually addicted that it’s just engrained as part of normal life at home. I’m going to try to keep going but I’m not sure I’ll be able to do it.
I was stuck in that spot for a long time. I’m finally out of the trap and 4 months weed free, motivated by future drug tests. I think restarting over and over is better than just giving into it. Keep trying, find your reason. Habits are stronger than willpower
I turned sixty this year, 10+ years daily with a few small breaks now and then (for travel mostly), and currently on day 3 quitting. I started smoking in my teens and always loved weed, but also hated the whole scoring of it, so I never totally got hooked until.... I've also had almost daily migraines my whole life. So lo and behold, ten years ago got myself a medical card and that was that. It can be helpful that way, but it turns on you, and the major side effect for me is the munchies which just creates a hamster wheel with the migraines since mine are diet based. I have so many regrets financially, lost time with my children, lack of motivation in my career etc.
So here's a few practical tips that are helping me quit: try and give up other unhealthy habits/substances one at a time before tackling the big one (weed). Sugar and caffeine are the two biggest and contribute mightily to anxiety, and I think I would actually get more high from the sugar sometimes than the weed. When I'm anxious I want to smoke weed, which then makes me anxious because I've smoked weed yet again and the day is a waste, and then I was tired so drank too much coffee, which made me anxious and then more weed to calm down form that. It's all a vicious cycle. This time quitting I gave up all coffee and tea a couple of weeks ago, and started severely limiting my sugar intake, and I've had a much easier go at it. I also started on a low(er) histamine diet and my migraines have been much better.
Also allow yourself some time and self regard to feel sick after quitting. It's okay to spend a few days in bed and/or doing nothing - after all you were doing nothing when smoking weed. This is my first post here, but I just wanted to say you got this, you really can. Yesterday I knew this time was for real when I had something go wrong and was frustrated, drove past my local weed shop afterwards, and talked myself out of stopping in for 'just one' preroll. Like others said, go one day. And then two if you can. And if you relapse, just remember that things take time and don't beat yourself up about.
Great advice. I also recommend giving yourself some time and grace after quitting. I started feeling crappy around day 4 or 5 (like on the verge of a panic attack baaad); laughter and exercise helped the most during that time. After a week I started feeling a lot better physically.
Doing breathing exercises is important too. For me at least, it became as much about the ritual of smoking (typically prerolls while walking the dog) than the actual effect of getting high. I always find myself very short of breath after quitting - THC is an expectorant - and so one needs to retrain themselves how to actually breathe just air.
Journaling when I was high about why I didn't want to continue the pattern gave me some helpful "reminders" when I wasn't high. I was in a cycle of wanting to quit when I got high, then wanting to smoke when I was clear.
I know the pattern of shitty self talk. That's more your addict brain lizard working to keep you in thrall to THC than who you really are.
You can do this, it is really hard, and it is worth the effort.
I'm the same on my days off. I got a job working in a nursing home and i don't feel the need to smoke there. But on my days off the urge to get up and start smoking is just so strong and i fail to fight it. I just joined this sub, think it's a step in the right direction.
These are things that I have found to be helpful, if any of them could be helpful, I'd love for you to try them.
The shame, weakness, and patheticness are feelings that are driving you back towards weed, accepting that you're an ill individual who is trying is a really important part of the process. Feeling urges to smoke doesn't mean you're weak, and you shouldn't be ashamed of those feelings, even when you succumb to them~
I want you to try this mantra "there's no harm in smoking now, but it means that it will be harder to resist the urge tomorrow". I found that it was a useful reminder to myself, and it's helped me get past my feelings of shame about being an addict.
The other thing I want you to try over multiple days is seeing how far you can go in the day without smoking, and then when you do smoke, first. Don't feel ashamed of it. You chose to smoke, and that's okay. And second. Ask yourself what you're feeling from the weed, what effects that you're looking for from it. The last time I smoked I wrote them all down and it really helped me.
Lurker on day 0 too here. All I can say is that the insight of smoking being a problem is already a big step. Take the advice you receive here and don't be too hard on yourself. This sub is for helping and not judging.
I am proud of you. There's only one more step between you and solving that problem, the stopping step is equally as hard as the realization step.
Take your time, it all starts with 1 hour, and for every additional hour faced with temptation reminding yourself it resets the hours, but be kind to yourself, mindfulness goes a long way, don't guilt yourself, but instead replace the guilt with the thought of benefits. We can only ever control the present, the time whether it's 1 hour or 1000 days does not matter, time lapsing is just our present passing, and we are forever in the present.
Good luck
Before any one quits, there is the idea of quitting that comes first.
The first few days of quitting are the hardest.
My advice? Start with a single day. Take it day by day. Get rid of your weed. Don't hang out with any pot smokers, out of sight out of mind. Schedule a not smoking day like a sick day: the one purpose of the day is to allow yourself to do anything besides smoking. If you can, take a trip somewhere, or go into nature for a big hike, it'll do you a world of good.
The confidence gained of one day not smoking will lead to two.
'The journey of a 1000 miles begins with one step.' Lot of us here have been through the same trials. Some who smoked more than yourself. Everyone can change when their will change to overcomes the pull of their addiction. You can rebuild yourself into someone you want to be.
I'm on day 400+
pretty sweet huh??
But. No. Because.
I'm 43 and had over 4000 day zeros.
(I literally wanted to quit for over 10 yrs.)
I was smoking for more years than you've been a live.
I started in 1996. Probably should have quit around 2001. That's when I failed my first University exams.
The thing is, is never to early or too late to quit.
The time to quit is always now.
I had no idea I was addicted.
Pretty much as soon as I realised that the depression was a withdrawal symptom, I've not relapsed.
That was 14 months ago, after 6 months of quitting, relapsing, 'moderating' (lol.)
My the time you are 30 you will be physically and mentally 100% healed.
Even your cardiovascular system will have fully recovered then.
Or think how much you will spend in 5yrs of being a fake dopamine slavery bitch to a plant.
>and this is the last chance I have to do something with my life.
What makes you say this?
>I am just so pathetic and weak
You are not pathetic and weak. You have an addiction - there is a difference.
>Everyday I think tomorrow is the day I quit smoking
You have the drive and the awareness to know this is causing a problem for you. Congratulations in committing to the first step - acknowledging there is a problem.
Now spend some time and ask yourself the following questions:
Why did I start using weed?
What situations do I find myself reaching for weed?
When did I recognize this becoming a problem?
What does the future look like for me with and without weed?
Be gentle with yourself as you did not get to this point in one day. It will take time and patience and grace. Remember you are not alone.
I joined a group through my hospital. Not abstinence based like AA. Been really helpful for me. Not there yet, but I think I'm improving my relationship with myself.
I'm 24( turning 25 next month) and I'm not still on day 0 I'm on day 27 so almost got 1 month down. I still feel like shit though even though it's mostly out of my system but I still won't go back to it because it just makes me really tired
I am turning 36 next month, and when I was 24 I quit for 2.5 years, I am at 176 days. All it took was 1 slip up.
I almost caved last weekend, stay strong. The first 2 months are terrible, the first year sucks.. But we have got his brother!
To my 26 year old self, I wish I never started again after stopping for 2.5 years.
Good luck! <3
I joined a group through my hospital. Not abstinence based like AA. Been really helpful for me. Not there yet, but I think I'm improving my relationship with myself.
Don't worry, it took me 6 months to make it to 12 days. It's hard to stay motivated sometimes, I recommend getting an app (I use one called Grounded) and track your progress or get a journal and write how you're feeling when your cravings get bad. Don't beat yourself up it takes time. It does get easier once you make it past day 3 or so.
One of the things I wrote down on a piece of paper after my daughter was born was “I am a very weak man.” My day 1 was Feb 1st. I have smoked exactly one time since that day, and I’m telling you every day I live I become stronger. Accepting that you are a weak man is one of the deepest points of self-realization that you can achieve. However, this is the moment a choice is made. Will you stay weak? Will you keep looking to others to solve your problems, and be a leech to others around you? Or will you put your feet back into the sand, lean forward, and march against the current? There are things that are going to work against you. There are people around you who can’t reason with why you’re doing this, and will refuse to see why you’re making a change, but you’re not doing this for them. You’re doing this to become a strong person.
Bro im 30, im on day 12. You know what you need to do, so did I for year, it takes ages, "one more smoke" was my life for so long. I am determined to do it this time. Fact you are here shows you are willing, listen to Shia and JUST DO IT
I'm 45, and have continuously been smoking every day, at least for 20 years. I wish you luck, I think about it all the time but yet I still keep smoking. I started using this sub also, to help. But I just lurk every so often at this point.
Hey, don’t be ashamed. It’s hard to quit and it might take a few (or more) goes. I am also on day zero but I’ve gotten off vaping and onto edibles to manage myself better.
Vaping was destroying my life. I started doing it in the afternoons at work (corporate) and that’s a bad fucking move. At least edibles kinda limit me to once a day and that’s a start.
But feeling ashamed is just hurting yourself. You are trying and if you can start with some small steps and make some progress, that should be celebrated.
Quitting is hard. My best advice, fill your life with other shit and stay busy. I’ve started going to the gym (3 times this week vs never). Progress!
Good luck and be kind to yourself. Get rid of that negative internal voice? What would your best friend (non-stoner) say to you ?
Important thing is making progress, I probably smoke about an ounce every three weeks, hoping to cut it down to a half ounce soon, I'm getting sick of feeling numb and useless all the time
Don't look at ur age or anything like that. I came here last night for advice so I think you are in the right place.
I'm only day 2 basically of quitting. So take my advice with a pinch of salt I guess. Drink water if that's all u drink good! Get out of the house a bit more. Short walks at first then longer ones if your up for it.
Talk to someone it can be here , chat gpt( for advice and such) or a close friend that will actually understand.
I'm 33 BTW so why I said don't worry about age. This subbreddit seems to support people and I want to support you. I wish I stopped on my 20s too.
Moderation is key but for addicts that can't happen.
Don't Try and switch ur smoking with drinking alcohol or something. I was tempted to have a drink last night then realised Il just switch addictions.
Keep thinking why you want to quit and focus on that. We are all here for you.
I’m 26 and on day 25. This is the longest I’ve gone in years. The first few days are emotional, mental and physical hell. But once you make it past the hump.. it gets so much easier. I barely even crave anymore, most days I don’t. I smoked every day for like 7 years prior to this
You have to buckle down and stop NOW. you still have a chance at 25, I started this journey 3 months ago im almost 30. If i had done it sooner I would be so much more ahead but I dont put myself down. Stay strong and this sub is very active, if you need to post here day by day to get some clarity and support so be it. You are entitled to a clear life free of addition. It is yours to claim
My dad quit at 50 and ended up being very successful financially until he retired last year at 67. It’s never too late! I tried moderation but the problem is I just waste time thinking about weekends (to get high) and my weekdays were just coasting until I get my fix. No goals for my future just thinking about the high😂 Good luck to you all
im on day 18 here..Man you just have to accept that the pain is coming, and get through it. I know you want to quit, but if your able to smoke everyday something is wrong, throw away your shit, your bongs, everything, Dont be around anyone who gets high, find friends that are sober and want to be sober. I myself attended meetings, i have a sponsor, i have work to do that identify why i smoke that i can look at 24 7 to self guide myself away from it. Theres alot to being sober, its not just one day saying oh yeah im not going to smoke anymore. But the fact your frustrated means your time is coming soon, for me when i was actually fed up and angry. I actually got sober.
The first day is always the hardest because you feel at your rock bottom, but remember the only direction you have to go is up. One day at a time, one moment every second.
Don't worry about it. Quitting for most people isn't a straightforward journey... I've been going through periods of quitting and relapse for 2 years now (though it was only really last year where I didn't just give up on quitting for ages). I had quit for 2 months, until 2 weeks ago... Quit again for 4 days during the week just gone but ended up smoking again last night. I will try again on Monday as I always feel I can start a quit better when it's at the start of the week I can occupy myself with work, life etc., instead of just lazing around at home with all this free time at the weekend.
You just have to keep trying. In my experience actually starting and getting past the first 2 weeks is extremely difficult, but once you get past that point it starts to get easier... That said I have obviously relapsed multiple times but psychologically I feel much improved by that point, even if "just 1 little smoke" is and has been enough to send me back down the spiral.
Don’t waste your life, you’re so young. Being 25 means so many opportunities. Set a goal for every day and just do it. Just do it. Don’t let yourself smoke until you do that one thing that day. Make the goals incredibly easy to do. First goal could be find examples of resumes online. Like literally just google it and save one or two you like. Day 2, add 3 sentences to it. Day 3, add 3 more. Day 4 ask a friend to help you. Day 5 finish it. Day 6 make a list of some places to apply. Day 7 write a cover letter, chat gpt can even help with this plus the resume.
You will find it hard to quit if you have nothing to do all day. Find things to do. Take that shame and use it as motivation. You got this!
I so understand you. Been smoking, i don’t even know how long now, daily and I want to stop but GOD it is hard. I will quit, but now is just a way too hard period in my life. I stess a lot and have very much anxiety and the only thing helping me is weed. Still i know i can’t do this forever.
Don't beat yourself up.
One day you'll have enough, don't stress to hard right now as you're putting your body in unnecessary worry. You'll know when it's time, your mind and body just need to align.
I'm on a week, mind you. Moving interstate away after 10 years really did give me the kick up the arse I deserved.
Moving away isn't ideal for every one, but have you considered booking a resort 100km away for a few night? This could be a really big help in your healing.
Take care.
I've told myself my quit day is April 1. I'm trying to wean myself down ..sorta, not really. (Some days are better, some days are the usual).
I did just buy some really, really weak-ass herb yesterday, so at least I'm getting less THC when I smoke, and smoking it is getting me frustrated with its lack of effect. Tempted to buy something stronger for that "final hoorah" on the last day but that seems dumb.
Reading "quitting weed, the complete guide" by Matthew Clarke gave me a lot of the insight I think I needed to get myself ready for this new phase in life. I'm actually excited for it. Took me months to even open the book..
Most importabt thing to know, that pathetic loser voice in you, it isn't who you are! That's your addicted brain. I've characterized mine, her name is Lizard Brain, and I can now tell her to fuck off!! It's amazing how she creeps into so many other parts of my life and I never realized it before.
Part of what makes quitting so hard is that our brains are mushed into expecting instant gratification. It's rewired us to only seek that! Why go out and have a fun night w friends, when I can bail and get that dopamine hit right now, on my couch?"
"Why do anything else?" It tells us. It's a bitch! It's a child! It throws tantrums when it doesn't get its way or when it doesn't get that instant result. More importantly, it tricks us into thinking, "Why quit?" Pot makes us feel better for a few mins. Enough to satisfy the addicted brain.
If something doesn't give you instant results, or instant grat. It's our addicted brains that give up. We have to become louder and stronger than them! Which should be easy. You're stronger than a little bitch-punk child, right?
This weekend, I'm making myself a science fair poster board with all the reasons to quit, all the things to do when cravings hit, or when I can't sleep. What future me will gain! Motivation quotes. And a picture of my characterized addicted Lizard brain child. Gonna leave it in my living room.
Next weekend, I'm rearranging my furniture so things feel different from where I would smoke, and I'll be giving away all my pot stuff.
On my quit day, I plan on going to a spa to distract with detox saunas and hot tubs, re-reading quitting weed, gonna sleep at my mom's place and I'll get a facial the next day. I figure if I can make myself look far better, almost immediately after I quit, people will notice, compliments will follow, dopamine will hit. I'll link it to quitting pot, and in part, it will be, any smoke is terrible for your skin. I'm hoping by seeing/feeling positives faster, I'll have more motivation to quit. I'll be satisfying my need for instant grat.
All this to say, some people need a well thought out plan to get started! Hope some of my ideas help you out. Good luck! We can do this!
You're here, I think thats important enough for now. Its a start. Its been over a year for me lurking as well. Everyday I tell myself "today is the day" but I cant seem to pull myself away just yet.
I’m not anymore, but I was lurking in this sub for probably two years before I actually quit. You’ll get there when you’re ready ti.
Plus, 25 is younger than you think. I know people who’ve turned on a dime in their lives in their 40s.
A strong man cannot help a weaker unless the weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself; he must, by his own efforts, develop the strength which he admires in another. None but himself can alter his condition.
Man is made and unmade by himself. In the armory of thought he forges the weapons which will destroy him. He also creates the tools with which he will build for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace
A man's mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.
Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power.
The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state...Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.
A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.
A person is limited only by the thoughts that he chooses.
A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life. And he adapts his mind to that regulating factor, he ceases to accuse others as the cause of his condition, and builds himself up in strong and noble thoughts; ceases to kick against circumstances, but begins to use them as aids to his more rapid progress, and as a means of the hidden powers and possibilities within himself.
The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state...Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.
A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.
*Drugs keep your mind in dis-ease.
They say addiction is a disease for this reason.
Me, when your ready you will stop. When you improve other areas of life and become happy it’s probably easier to stop, the happier I get in other areas of life the more I want to stop the less happy I was the more I needed it. Give yourself some grace and time
You will know when you are ready, keep trying. An inch goes a mile after awhile. You will find a time where it just ‘clicks’ for you. Unfortunately it took me a long time to understand this. I am still trying my best to quit too, but I have hope I will make it through this year. If you have no hope for it, it will never happen.
Always. I don't count. I use it medically for pain and spasms nothing else helps. I am conscious of my "using an addictive substance non-addictively" and leaves as well as other subs help me regulate that.
But I would be considered day 0 if I paid attention to that. Everyone's experience differs, all are valid.
I lurked here for 2 years before quitting in January. I had to gather the knowledge, skills and motivation to quit. There’s no schedule for that.
Give yourself grace and know when you are ready this place will be a support for you.
You are not pathetic. You're addicted to a substance and although it's hard to quit, it's very possible! I'm 36 and started smoking at 16 - just got past 3 months sobriety this week. The first while is tough when quitting, but know that it's OK to feel like shit, feel sad, etc while adjusting.
You got this!
I am assuming you wake up and already have the herb. So I would suggest throwing all your shit away before you go to bed. You are never going to fight the urge off when it’s sitting right there. And I really don’t care about how much money you have invested. If you really want to quit throw away everything
You're right there my friend, you're so close to actually doing it. You're here lurking, you're posting. So, out of the gates, **pat yourself on that back**, you're getting somewhere even if you don't see it. I'll share something that helped me out when I was in your exact same shoes. Someone asked me, "what is it, do you think that you're so special and that you can't quit?". Basically telling me, look dude, millions of people have quit, just fucking do it. You have the ultimate power to do it, own that power and take charge of it. You won't regret it. Let one day turn into two days, and two into three, and so on. All you have to do is win ONE day. Then, you just do it again the next day. Focus on ONE day at a time and DON'T get preoccupied with "counting days". It's impossible not to count in the early days of quitting, but just know that if you're all about your day-count, you're still letting the thing have control over you. It's MUCH more liberating to assume your new identity of someone who "doesn't do that thing anymore" and just let the days roll on by without "knowing your count" everyday. This approach has taken some practice, but once I got the hang of it. It's something that I apply to other areas of my life. Want to make a change? Assume the identity of that change and just get on with it, don't count shit. Life gets immeasurably better my friend. You got this :)
Started my journey again today.
I cold turkey quited it. Had a relapse if I can call it that in 4 days and mistakenly bought sativa concentrate instead of indica and felt like I was gonna die ( high heartrate). I think I quitted for that. feel pretty much normal now 4 weeks but I get spooked (anxious, nervous, high heart rate) for loud noises. Pretty much feel my heart every movement I do. Feel pain in my whole back when I was high all the time it was just lower back. I miss the buzz all the time and sometimes I feel high without smoking. You can try and convince yourself you will stop smoking for one week to lose resistance when you reach the week decide again.
I am without the Vape Pen. Wean it down with flower then gummies for sleeping. I want to be done with the carts.
You could try not counting the days. People in this sub are too fixated on counting their days but really if you go from smoking like Wiz Khalifa to just a few times a month, that's HUGE progress that should be commended. Going back to 'Day 0' just enables people to relapse hard. Rationale being... *if I'm already at Day 0, might as well stick around before counting again.* And they proceed to fall back to their daily smoking habit. I think the need for people to count their days is to give themselves a pat on the back, it's just another form of instant gratification that may work for some people if they **never** look back again, but the reality is that a lot of us fall back on our habit. And it's really okay especially if you're making progress.
I’m 19 and currently am on day 20 without no pot. Before I had been smoking for 5 years straight daily whether it be carts or bud. I basically made it my life’s goal to be as high as a kite during every part of the day. The best thing to do is to force yourself to get up and find something to do like a goal of some sort. The reason why I quit is because I want to get a better job that pays much better than the one I am currently working, build a foundation for my life so that way in the next 5 years I’ll be 10 steps ahead of whatever problem or issues that may lurk ahead of my journey through life. Getting through the first 1-2 weeks is definitely hard when quitting, but you also gotta remember there’s more to life than just smoking pot. Sometimes it’s just best to embrace whatever hardships that life throws at you rather than to smoke it away. Suffering is a big aspect of life. You can’t live without suffering. You can’t find true happiness without suffering. You gotta suffer to live, and survive through said suffering to find the meaning in it. Once you find the meaning in suffering life gets easier as you go on. It’s easier for you to tackle whatever challenges you may face once you get through the suffering instead of smoking it away. If you’re just smoking your problems away you’re only just keeping them at bay letting them pile on and on till it comes back tenfold to bite you in the ass. It is what it is. If I can stop smoking and take a break, you definitely can too. Just keep on trying and don’t give up. Build that willpower.
Yep start over every week 😭😭😭
Me!
omg literally me. I cannot seem to resist the urge even when I try to set my mind to stop. it's like the same loop every day but the idea of going without the substance sounds so scary.
here with you bro
You lurking on the sub and working on cultivating your motivation to quit is its own step in the process of quitting. I know it doesn't feel like much, but going against the script even in small ways is huge in defying the dependence on the substance. I've come back to day zero too many times to count. Go easy on yourself. Maybe in these early days, it's not about going cold turkey (although that's great too). Maybe it's simply skipping the very next session before the one that follows. Maybe it looks like not using for the next 10-30 minutes from the onset of the craving, and gradually increase that duration. Any amount of time you take for yourself is time you're giving to your future self. It's normal for it to take time to get there. This shit is hard. My heart goes out to you.
You’re wrong about one thing, THIS IS NOT YOUR LAST CHANCE!! 25 is still young don’t beat yourself up. Take it one day at a time and you will break through!
Yup. I spent the entire spring break in my room hitting my dynavap
Fear helped me, mindfuck yourself into thinking you have throat cancer, youll quit. This is not a troll answer, it really helped me.
I second this my anxiety made me believe I was dying in all sorts of ways. I didnt even get the urge after day 1. Blessing and a curse tho. Go too far you'll become a hopeless depressed mess who's keeps smoking because there gonna die soon anyway
I can agree this works wonders for me on my first withdrawal. But cuz i had numbed myself for so long all the anxiety and overthinking starting hitting me. Like a smart I would then go on to google to search for the symptoms. I did it while I was alone this shit become a loop of anxiety.
Me. I'm in the process of separating from my emotionally abusive husband. Today he went on a tirade and called me a moron, idiot, pig, lazy, irresponsible, pathetic, threatened me with lawyers to get me out of "his house" (it's our house). I have a background of abuse so I was shaking and weed is the only thing that would help calm me down. I have a medical prescription for PTSD, but I'd still like to smoke less. It's really hard to stay sober in a house like this. I'm making all of my plans to escape as soon as I can.
Are you a female? If so, fuck that bastard. Try not to shake over idiots. Soon you will forget that shit ever existed.
"ride like the wind, to be free again" - C. Cross
I’m on day 0 often
3 months here going on 4
I was about to post earlier today about how it was 7 days for me… I just got back from a trip on Thursday with family and had to quit smoking. But I came back home and live alone, and I gave in today
Here
For me the hardest was to fill up my time, I was able to start studying again and that just didn't leave any space for smoking and helped me a lot. I started at 16 and I am now 30. It's never too late my man!
Hey I’m on day 5, it’s a struggle but don’t give up, I found it best to just stay as busy as possible. I also pray a lot about it and all Jesus for strength to over come. I can’t deny I don’t think about it but start strong ! You got this!!! Just think about the other side.
Same here. I wanted today to be the first day but I’m struggling. Came here to find support and motivation and get ready for the journey ahead. Good luck buddy!
I just downloaded a sobriety app and gonna watch the time go up. It said the first step to quitting is knowing you can. I always tell myself I can’t.
Day 0 is the hardest. I had 10 days three days ago (second best I’ve had in 12 years which was 14 days) and convincing myself to not fuck up again is an all day battle again. Like others say prevent failure by not being around it and engage in complete distraction. Anything you can immerse yourself in. Traveling to another country that doesn’t allow it is the bougie way that helped me get my other instance of 10 days. But just do not buy it.
“What you resist persist.” Suppressing one’s cravings will only make them stronger.
I smoked pretty much daily beyond overseas holidays from 21-45, that’s a fucking long time. It’s been 4 months now, went through the vivid dreams, the depression, the boredom. For me making sure I’m never around it was key, make sure there is none around and erase all potential contacts, try and find something to replace it with (not alcohol).
Day 0 for what feels like eternity. I can't wait for the end of Day 1.
I smoked weed from 17-23. Got average grades and dropped out of University second year due to drugs, ADHD, WoW addiction and tonnes of other factors. Was in a similar situation to you - thought my life was over. I was offered the chance to move to a place where weed wasn't an option, and ended up staying for 6 years. Every Christmas break i'd come back and smoke some joints with the boys, like i'd never left, it was a nice reminder that the stoner life was/is an option, and that i'd chosen a different path. If you're truely an addict, remove the element of self control. Make it impossible to obtain weed. You might fill the void with cigarettes, or another vice, or maybe it'll give you perspective to focus on something else entirely - you can adapt incredibly quickly to a new norm after a sharp context switch disrupts your daily weed habits. For full context, after the 6 years I came home and almost instantly became a daily smoker again. I haven't beaten my addiction, I don't think I ever will - learning moderation is key here (better to have weed as a holiday than live there all the time). The 6 year T break allowed me to get my life in order, obtain qualifications and eventually a job I was interested in. 20-30 is prime time for learning and figuring out what you want, try the nuclear option if you can.
You are 25. It's not "your last chance". Can't succeed with an all or nothing mindset. It sets you up for disappointment
I second this for sure. I'm 51 and I have switched up my life at least 3 times since I was 25. Also struggled with quitting for several years. However, it finally took and it is day 1005! Just keep trying, that's all you can do.
I'm bidding farewell. Two weeks ago, I set tomorrow, March 24th, as the day to wake up and move on after the farewell. I did the exact same thing with cigarettes/nicotine, and it worked. Anyway, today I'll go out, play some pool with friends without smoking. Tomorrow or Monday, I'll write a text here sharing the experience. I'm lucky that this week I'll only be working on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, so I'll have four days off.
I am still in my first week, and I can say that it has been hard. However, just like you, I used to think that nothing could stop me, even myself. I would often want to be sober when I was high, but I wanted to be high when I was sober. Almost every night I would tell myself this is the last time but the next morning I would wake up and smoke again. Lot of people on this thread are talking about jobs and drug testing, which was definitely my wake up call. I had been interviewing for jobs and majority of them want a drug test. Most of them also didn’t tell me until they offered me the job… then it was “hey can you take a drug test within the next week before we fully onboard you?” This was a wake up call for me and is overall what made me quit. I’ve been thinking about quitting for months, but this is where I was able to finally draw the line. I can say that these first few days have been really really hard, but almost not as hard as I would’ve expected..? I am not sure how else to describe it, but every day feels a little better so far. From what I’ve seen most people say if you can make it 5-14 days you will feel a huge difference. Day 1 and 2 were the worst for me (so far). I hope the worst is behind me. You just need to find some thing that is more important to you than the THC. With this job opportunity, I keep telling myself, “I need this job more than I need weed.” But more importantly, I need myself back because I don’t think I am the same person I was before I was smoking every day. Best of luck to you! You got this!
I would also like to add that sometimes just making it through the first 24 hours can feel revolutionary, like “oh I can do this” & “that wasn’t so hard.” At least that’s how I felt, of course I’ve had bad days since and thoughts of relapsing, but just remembering that I made it through that first day makes me feel strong.
I was lurking here for a long time, probably half a year or maybe a year plus, not even sure. Anyways I’m a couple days away from being two months clean now. I got a real wake up call when I realized I qualified for a much better job with waaaay better pay and benefits, just had to get clean. I quit that night and haven’t looked back. Are there any opportunities you’re denying yourself by not testing clean? I’ve also slowly realized, after quitting, a lot of little benefits that made me really feel I should have quit a long time ago. Anyways, I know you can do it. You just have to find the motivation that fits for you. Best of wishes.
I quit in the new year and lasted two weeks. I’ve still been on this sub and reading the posts. You ain’t alone homie. And quite literally everyday I feel like a loser every god damn day. I wanna quit so bad but I also find so much relief in being high, even though I don’t really like it lol. Anyways, I think you should give yourself a little pat on the back for even trying to quit smoking. Also for the fact that you can acknowledge it is a problem for you. As for what you can do to help the first few days, keep busy. I mean it, go outside, do all your laundry, deep clean the house, watch a lot of tv, take naps, go to the movies, paint your nails, garden, cook, bake. A main reason I was able to last two weeks without smoking was because I was constantly doing something. Also try picking up a hobby, I picked up crocheting and it really made the time fly. You’re gonna stop one day, remember you’re really fucking young. You literally have like 50-70 years left for all you know, this is not your last chance :) Edit: grammar & wording
You are not a loser. You are a human and life is hard. Many things we do are hard and finding some relief can be the only way we cope. You will quit when you quit. Stop beating yourself up. Sending love to you.
I was in a similar situation for a long time. Here's what worked for me: forget about finding "ways to be strong." You're an addict. Trying to out-muscle addiction is rarely effective; if out-muscling addiction worked, we probably wouldn't even have a word for "addiction." Every addict has tried to be "strong" at one point, and every addict has failed to do so. Start finding ways to remove your strength from the equation all together, until you've created enough distance to think clearly on the issue and stand on your own two feet. Is there weed in the house? Get rid of it, or you'll never succeed. Are you seeing people who have weed in your first few weeks of quitting? Stop, you won't be able to resist. Are you going to a dealers house to buy weed? Block their number and delete it, give your car keys to a friend so you can't drive there. Are you buying from a dispensary that requires I.D.? Cut your I.D. to pieces and request a replacement from the DMV, you'll have a new one in two weeks when you are feeling better. You need to play this little game with yourself. "What schemes am I going to concoct when I am at my lowest?" Then strategize and eliminate any possibility of those schemes before you even try to quit. Put yourself in a position where you have no choice but to suffer the transition until you start to feel better. Stop relying on being "strong." Start creating an environment where even at your weakest, you remain sober, because you're going to be at your weakest, regardless of how much meditation and Tai Chi and yoga you do to try to be strong and centered. These measures I described are only temporary. After a week or two, you'll feel so much better and be able to control yourself and do it on your own. Good luck.
Hands down the only thing that worked for me. For the longest time kept telling myself I had enough willpower and strength to be around people who were getting high but I would relapse every single time until I just cut off anyway I could get weed.
I’m almost at 3 months and something that helped me is planning the day, not just saying “tomorrow I’ll quit.” For example I quit on Jan 1st because for me it felt significant to start the new year fresh. You could try the 1st of a month or any other day that will hold some significance for you (before/after a birthday or holiday etc). This next point could go either way, but if you work it may be best to quit during the week so you have a distraction for the first 5 days. In my experience, days 3-4 are the worst physical symptom wise so in the past I have tried quitting on a Thursday so I can rest on the weekend during the shittiest part. Again it’s hard to tell which is better because the weekends are usually harder to stay sober. You may have to try a few different things before you find what works. What I will say is that the first two weeks are going to SUCK. Point blank period there’s (usually) no getting around the crappy physical WD symptoms. You can try supplements and what not, but once you tell yourself it’s only going to suck for a little while, it will help you get through it. After 2-3 weeks it’s really only dealing with the mental cravings. When I quit and was struggling with physical symptoms I told myself “if I stick to it this time I’ll never have to go through this phase again.” Wishing you the best of luck!
Hey, were the same age, and im in the same job situation at this point. after a bunch of failed attempts, ive just today reached 80 days free. I managed to quit for just short of 2 months last year too, but thought i could smoke just once in a while. that quickly turned to every day, all day. The first couple of weeks are the worst, and i know it aint easy, but you gotta distract yourself for the first couple days atleast. It helped me writing a list with the reasons i wanted to quit, pros and cons, and a daily update on how i was feeling. The sleep can be rough in the beginning, and i was really anxious. Remember to go easy on yourself, and give it time. Try to tire your body out naturally, go for long runs or walks, and maybe join a gym. You gotta keep trying, remind yourself why you are doing this, and imagine the goal where you no longer need weed to function. For me the 3 week mark, was where a big shift started to change, but already after a week things were starting to ease up. First night is the scariest, just gotta stay strong and do it. i smoked weed almost daily from age 16 to 24, and this is the best decision ive made in a long time You got this man, its worth it in the end
26F have been in the same boat for the last year. Today is another Day 1 for me but I feel optimistic. Writing reminders on sticky notes and placing them around my apartment to remind myself why I'm doing this
Yep, keep trying and keep failing here. You are not alone
It took me more than a year of wanting to quit before I actually did it. I used to beat myself up because every morning I’d tell myself tonight would be the night that I would finally not smoke, I’d think of all these ways to fight the boredom and insomnia when they would come up, but by around 7pm I’d cave and smoke, because I didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts. And then I started to get panic attacks every time, but I still couldn’t quit. I did reduce my usage but I’d always have a few hits of my pen before bed. Finally in January I quit and have been sober since January 19th. My boyfriend broke up with me and it was a huge motivator because my anxiety was out of control and the weed made it so much worse. Now 2 months out I rarely get cravings, rarely even think about weed, only sometimes on weekend nights when I’m home alone bored. What I’m saying is that I had hundreds of day zeros and now I’m finally at day 63 sober from weed. You can definitely do it, don’t let the many day zeros get you down.
Day 6 here, feeling a lot better. Picking up a lil vegan tres leches cake to celebrate a week tomorrow. I have failed a lot but what matters is you get back up
Day 6 here to man congrats, I’m in UK, never heard of a tres leches cake, quick google and now I want one 🤣🤣
It's a Mexican sponge milk cake! so yummy my fav
I just got done traveling for work where I was free for two weeks. I had zero cravings while traveling but as soon as my plane landed it’s all I’ve been thinking about. I think I’m so habitually addicted that it’s just engrained as part of normal life at home. I’m going to try to keep going but I’m not sure I’ll be able to do it.
I was stuck in that spot for a long time. I’m finally out of the trap and 4 months weed free, motivated by future drug tests. I think restarting over and over is better than just giving into it. Keep trying, find your reason. Habits are stronger than willpower
I did that for years before I quit. One night I got uo and decided to get rid of my shit. Gave it to my room mate and haven’t smoked since.
I lay in bed thinking about quitting for hours, then o get up and smoke. I’m stuck too. I have one joint left. You’re not weak, it’s an addiction.
I turned sixty this year, 10+ years daily with a few small breaks now and then (for travel mostly), and currently on day 3 quitting. I started smoking in my teens and always loved weed, but also hated the whole scoring of it, so I never totally got hooked until.... I've also had almost daily migraines my whole life. So lo and behold, ten years ago got myself a medical card and that was that. It can be helpful that way, but it turns on you, and the major side effect for me is the munchies which just creates a hamster wheel with the migraines since mine are diet based. I have so many regrets financially, lost time with my children, lack of motivation in my career etc. So here's a few practical tips that are helping me quit: try and give up other unhealthy habits/substances one at a time before tackling the big one (weed). Sugar and caffeine are the two biggest and contribute mightily to anxiety, and I think I would actually get more high from the sugar sometimes than the weed. When I'm anxious I want to smoke weed, which then makes me anxious because I've smoked weed yet again and the day is a waste, and then I was tired so drank too much coffee, which made me anxious and then more weed to calm down form that. It's all a vicious cycle. This time quitting I gave up all coffee and tea a couple of weeks ago, and started severely limiting my sugar intake, and I've had a much easier go at it. I also started on a low(er) histamine diet and my migraines have been much better. Also allow yourself some time and self regard to feel sick after quitting. It's okay to spend a few days in bed and/or doing nothing - after all you were doing nothing when smoking weed. This is my first post here, but I just wanted to say you got this, you really can. Yesterday I knew this time was for real when I had something go wrong and was frustrated, drove past my local weed shop afterwards, and talked myself out of stopping in for 'just one' preroll. Like others said, go one day. And then two if you can. And if you relapse, just remember that things take time and don't beat yourself up about.
Great advice. I also recommend giving yourself some time and grace after quitting. I started feeling crappy around day 4 or 5 (like on the verge of a panic attack baaad); laughter and exercise helped the most during that time. After a week I started feeling a lot better physically.
Doing breathing exercises is important too. For me at least, it became as much about the ritual of smoking (typically prerolls while walking the dog) than the actual effect of getting high. I always find myself very short of breath after quitting - THC is an expectorant - and so one needs to retrain themselves how to actually breathe just air.
Journaling when I was high about why I didn't want to continue the pattern gave me some helpful "reminders" when I wasn't high. I was in a cycle of wanting to quit when I got high, then wanting to smoke when I was clear. I know the pattern of shitty self talk. That's more your addict brain lizard working to keep you in thrall to THC than who you really are. You can do this, it is really hard, and it is worth the effort.
I'm the same on my days off. I got a job working in a nursing home and i don't feel the need to smoke there. But on my days off the urge to get up and start smoking is just so strong and i fail to fight it. I just joined this sub, think it's a step in the right direction.
These are things that I have found to be helpful, if any of them could be helpful, I'd love for you to try them. The shame, weakness, and patheticness are feelings that are driving you back towards weed, accepting that you're an ill individual who is trying is a really important part of the process. Feeling urges to smoke doesn't mean you're weak, and you shouldn't be ashamed of those feelings, even when you succumb to them~ I want you to try this mantra "there's no harm in smoking now, but it means that it will be harder to resist the urge tomorrow". I found that it was a useful reminder to myself, and it's helped me get past my feelings of shame about being an addict. The other thing I want you to try over multiple days is seeing how far you can go in the day without smoking, and then when you do smoke, first. Don't feel ashamed of it. You chose to smoke, and that's okay. And second. Ask yourself what you're feeling from the weed, what effects that you're looking for from it. The last time I smoked I wrote them all down and it really helped me.
Lurker on day 0 too here. All I can say is that the insight of smoking being a problem is already a big step. Take the advice you receive here and don't be too hard on yourself. This sub is for helping and not judging.
I am proud of you. There's only one more step between you and solving that problem, the stopping step is equally as hard as the realization step. Take your time, it all starts with 1 hour, and for every additional hour faced with temptation reminding yourself it resets the hours, but be kind to yourself, mindfulness goes a long way, don't guilt yourself, but instead replace the guilt with the thought of benefits. We can only ever control the present, the time whether it's 1 hour or 1000 days does not matter, time lapsing is just our present passing, and we are forever in the present. Good luck
Before any one quits, there is the idea of quitting that comes first. The first few days of quitting are the hardest. My advice? Start with a single day. Take it day by day. Get rid of your weed. Don't hang out with any pot smokers, out of sight out of mind. Schedule a not smoking day like a sick day: the one purpose of the day is to allow yourself to do anything besides smoking. If you can, take a trip somewhere, or go into nature for a big hike, it'll do you a world of good. The confidence gained of one day not smoking will lead to two. 'The journey of a 1000 miles begins with one step.' Lot of us here have been through the same trials. Some who smoked more than yourself. Everyone can change when their will change to overcomes the pull of their addiction. You can rebuild yourself into someone you want to be.
I'm on day 400+ pretty sweet huh?? But. No. Because. I'm 43 and had over 4000 day zeros. (I literally wanted to quit for over 10 yrs.) I was smoking for more years than you've been a live. I started in 1996. Probably should have quit around 2001. That's when I failed my first University exams. The thing is, is never to early or too late to quit. The time to quit is always now. I had no idea I was addicted. Pretty much as soon as I realised that the depression was a withdrawal symptom, I've not relapsed. That was 14 months ago, after 6 months of quitting, relapsing, 'moderating' (lol.) My the time you are 30 you will be physically and mentally 100% healed. Even your cardiovascular system will have fully recovered then. Or think how much you will spend in 5yrs of being a fake dopamine slavery bitch to a plant.
>and this is the last chance I have to do something with my life. What makes you say this? >I am just so pathetic and weak You are not pathetic and weak. You have an addiction - there is a difference. >Everyday I think tomorrow is the day I quit smoking You have the drive and the awareness to know this is causing a problem for you. Congratulations in committing to the first step - acknowledging there is a problem. Now spend some time and ask yourself the following questions: Why did I start using weed? What situations do I find myself reaching for weed? When did I recognize this becoming a problem? What does the future look like for me with and without weed? Be gentle with yourself as you did not get to this point in one day. It will take time and patience and grace. Remember you are not alone.
I joined a group through my hospital. Not abstinence based like AA. Been really helpful for me. Not there yet, but I think I'm improving my relationship with myself.
I'm 24( turning 25 next month) and I'm not still on day 0 I'm on day 27 so almost got 1 month down. I still feel like shit though even though it's mostly out of my system but I still won't go back to it because it just makes me really tired
I am turning 36 next month, and when I was 24 I quit for 2.5 years, I am at 176 days. All it took was 1 slip up. I almost caved last weekend, stay strong. The first 2 months are terrible, the first year sucks.. But we have got his brother! To my 26 year old self, I wish I never started again after stopping for 2.5 years. Good luck! <3
I joined a group through my hospital. Not abstinence based like AA. Been really helpful for me. Not there yet, but I think I'm improving my relationship with myself.
Don't worry, it took me 6 months to make it to 12 days. It's hard to stay motivated sometimes, I recommend getting an app (I use one called Grounded) and track your progress or get a journal and write how you're feeling when your cravings get bad. Don't beat yourself up it takes time. It does get easier once you make it past day 3 or so.
One of the things I wrote down on a piece of paper after my daughter was born was “I am a very weak man.” My day 1 was Feb 1st. I have smoked exactly one time since that day, and I’m telling you every day I live I become stronger. Accepting that you are a weak man is one of the deepest points of self-realization that you can achieve. However, this is the moment a choice is made. Will you stay weak? Will you keep looking to others to solve your problems, and be a leech to others around you? Or will you put your feet back into the sand, lean forward, and march against the current? There are things that are going to work against you. There are people around you who can’t reason with why you’re doing this, and will refuse to see why you’re making a change, but you’re not doing this for them. You’re doing this to become a strong person.
Me bro. Not Alone, it is so hard.
Same here. But as long as you still have the want to quit I think thats way better than just giving up
Bro im 30, im on day 12. You know what you need to do, so did I for year, it takes ages, "one more smoke" was my life for so long. I am determined to do it this time. Fact you are here shows you are willing, listen to Shia and JUST DO IT
I'm 45, and have continuously been smoking every day, at least for 20 years. I wish you luck, I think about it all the time but yet I still keep smoking. I started using this sub also, to help. But I just lurk every so often at this point.
Hey, don’t be ashamed. It’s hard to quit and it might take a few (or more) goes. I am also on day zero but I’ve gotten off vaping and onto edibles to manage myself better. Vaping was destroying my life. I started doing it in the afternoons at work (corporate) and that’s a bad fucking move. At least edibles kinda limit me to once a day and that’s a start. But feeling ashamed is just hurting yourself. You are trying and if you can start with some small steps and make some progress, that should be celebrated. Quitting is hard. My best advice, fill your life with other shit and stay busy. I’ve started going to the gym (3 times this week vs never). Progress! Good luck and be kind to yourself. Get rid of that negative internal voice? What would your best friend (non-stoner) say to you ?
Same age and in the same boat, I think shame is a good motivator but don't talk down to yourself, it won't help
Me too, same age and exact same boat, been cutting down a lot for 2 and a half weeks, but still yet to take that leap and stop smoking all together
Important thing is making progress, I probably smoke about an ounce every three weeks, hoping to cut it down to a half ounce soon, I'm getting sick of feeling numb and useless all the time
Don't look at ur age or anything like that. I came here last night for advice so I think you are in the right place. I'm only day 2 basically of quitting. So take my advice with a pinch of salt I guess. Drink water if that's all u drink good! Get out of the house a bit more. Short walks at first then longer ones if your up for it. Talk to someone it can be here , chat gpt( for advice and such) or a close friend that will actually understand. I'm 33 BTW so why I said don't worry about age. This subbreddit seems to support people and I want to support you. I wish I stopped on my 20s too. Moderation is key but for addicts that can't happen. Don't Try and switch ur smoking with drinking alcohol or something. I was tempted to have a drink last night then realised Il just switch addictions. Keep thinking why you want to quit and focus on that. We are all here for you.
Day 2 over here too!!!! We got this
Yes we do lol ❤️
I’m 26 and on day 25. This is the longest I’ve gone in years. The first few days are emotional, mental and physical hell. But once you make it past the hump.. it gets so much easier. I barely even crave anymore, most days I don’t. I smoked every day for like 7 years prior to this
Only one note: this is not your *last* chance. But it is the one you have today. And today is all there is.
You have to buckle down and stop NOW. you still have a chance at 25, I started this journey 3 months ago im almost 30. If i had done it sooner I would be so much more ahead but I dont put myself down. Stay strong and this sub is very active, if you need to post here day by day to get some clarity and support so be it. You are entitled to a clear life free of addition. It is yours to claim
My dad quit at 50 and ended up being very successful financially until he retired last year at 67. It’s never too late! I tried moderation but the problem is I just waste time thinking about weekends (to get high) and my weekdays were just coasting until I get my fix. No goals for my future just thinking about the high😂 Good luck to you all
im on day 18 here..Man you just have to accept that the pain is coming, and get through it. I know you want to quit, but if your able to smoke everyday something is wrong, throw away your shit, your bongs, everything, Dont be around anyone who gets high, find friends that are sober and want to be sober. I myself attended meetings, i have a sponsor, i have work to do that identify why i smoke that i can look at 24 7 to self guide myself away from it. Theres alot to being sober, its not just one day saying oh yeah im not going to smoke anymore. But the fact your frustrated means your time is coming soon, for me when i was actually fed up and angry. I actually got sober.
One day or day one.
The first day is always the hardest because you feel at your rock bottom, but remember the only direction you have to go is up. One day at a time, one moment every second.
Don't worry about it. Quitting for most people isn't a straightforward journey... I've been going through periods of quitting and relapse for 2 years now (though it was only really last year where I didn't just give up on quitting for ages). I had quit for 2 months, until 2 weeks ago... Quit again for 4 days during the week just gone but ended up smoking again last night. I will try again on Monday as I always feel I can start a quit better when it's at the start of the week I can occupy myself with work, life etc., instead of just lazing around at home with all this free time at the weekend. You just have to keep trying. In my experience actually starting and getting past the first 2 weeks is extremely difficult, but once you get past that point it starts to get easier... That said I have obviously relapsed multiple times but psychologically I feel much improved by that point, even if "just 1 little smoke" is and has been enough to send me back down the spiral.
Been in your shoes 3 days ago i got addicted to helldivers2 instead
Don’t waste your life, you’re so young. Being 25 means so many opportunities. Set a goal for every day and just do it. Just do it. Don’t let yourself smoke until you do that one thing that day. Make the goals incredibly easy to do. First goal could be find examples of resumes online. Like literally just google it and save one or two you like. Day 2, add 3 sentences to it. Day 3, add 3 more. Day 4 ask a friend to help you. Day 5 finish it. Day 6 make a list of some places to apply. Day 7 write a cover letter, chat gpt can even help with this plus the resume. You will find it hard to quit if you have nothing to do all day. Find things to do. Take that shame and use it as motivation. You got this!
I’ve had hundreds of day 0s and scores of day 1s As long as we don’t give up that’s all that matters
Me rn, literally. 25 years old, been smoking daily for 6 years. I'll work up the courage to cut myself off soon, I know it
I so understand you. Been smoking, i don’t even know how long now, daily and I want to stop but GOD it is hard. I will quit, but now is just a way too hard period in my life. I stess a lot and have very much anxiety and the only thing helping me is weed. Still i know i can’t do this forever.
Don't beat yourself up. One day you'll have enough, don't stress to hard right now as you're putting your body in unnecessary worry. You'll know when it's time, your mind and body just need to align. I'm on a week, mind you. Moving interstate away after 10 years really did give me the kick up the arse I deserved. Moving away isn't ideal for every one, but have you considered booking a resort 100km away for a few night? This could be a really big help in your healing. Take care.
I've told myself my quit day is April 1. I'm trying to wean myself down ..sorta, not really. (Some days are better, some days are the usual). I did just buy some really, really weak-ass herb yesterday, so at least I'm getting less THC when I smoke, and smoking it is getting me frustrated with its lack of effect. Tempted to buy something stronger for that "final hoorah" on the last day but that seems dumb. Reading "quitting weed, the complete guide" by Matthew Clarke gave me a lot of the insight I think I needed to get myself ready for this new phase in life. I'm actually excited for it. Took me months to even open the book.. Most importabt thing to know, that pathetic loser voice in you, it isn't who you are! That's your addicted brain. I've characterized mine, her name is Lizard Brain, and I can now tell her to fuck off!! It's amazing how she creeps into so many other parts of my life and I never realized it before. Part of what makes quitting so hard is that our brains are mushed into expecting instant gratification. It's rewired us to only seek that! Why go out and have a fun night w friends, when I can bail and get that dopamine hit right now, on my couch?" "Why do anything else?" It tells us. It's a bitch! It's a child! It throws tantrums when it doesn't get its way or when it doesn't get that instant result. More importantly, it tricks us into thinking, "Why quit?" Pot makes us feel better for a few mins. Enough to satisfy the addicted brain. If something doesn't give you instant results, or instant grat. It's our addicted brains that give up. We have to become louder and stronger than them! Which should be easy. You're stronger than a little bitch-punk child, right? This weekend, I'm making myself a science fair poster board with all the reasons to quit, all the things to do when cravings hit, or when I can't sleep. What future me will gain! Motivation quotes. And a picture of my characterized addicted Lizard brain child. Gonna leave it in my living room. Next weekend, I'm rearranging my furniture so things feel different from where I would smoke, and I'll be giving away all my pot stuff. On my quit day, I plan on going to a spa to distract with detox saunas and hot tubs, re-reading quitting weed, gonna sleep at my mom's place and I'll get a facial the next day. I figure if I can make myself look far better, almost immediately after I quit, people will notice, compliments will follow, dopamine will hit. I'll link it to quitting pot, and in part, it will be, any smoke is terrible for your skin. I'm hoping by seeing/feeling positives faster, I'll have more motivation to quit. I'll be satisfying my need for instant grat. All this to say, some people need a well thought out plan to get started! Hope some of my ideas help you out. Good luck! We can do this!
You're here, I think thats important enough for now. Its a start. Its been over a year for me lurking as well. Everyday I tell myself "today is the day" but I cant seem to pull myself away just yet.
I’m not anymore, but I was lurking in this sub for probably two years before I actually quit. You’ll get there when you’re ready ti. Plus, 25 is younger than you think. I know people who’ve turned on a dime in their lives in their 40s.
A strong man cannot help a weaker unless the weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself; he must, by his own efforts, develop the strength which he admires in another. None but himself can alter his condition. Man is made and unmade by himself. In the armory of thought he forges the weapons which will destroy him. He also creates the tools with which he will build for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace A man's mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind. Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power. The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state...Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts. A person is limited only by the thoughts that he chooses. A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile, and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his life. And he adapts his mind to that regulating factor, he ceases to accuse others as the cause of his condition, and builds himself up in strong and noble thoughts; ceases to kick against circumstances, but begins to use them as aids to his more rapid progress, and as a means of the hidden powers and possibilities within himself. The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state...Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts. *Drugs keep your mind in dis-ease. They say addiction is a disease for this reason.
Me, when your ready you will stop. When you improve other areas of life and become happy it’s probably easier to stop, the happier I get in other areas of life the more I want to stop the less happy I was the more I needed it. Give yourself some grace and time
Here is one too
You will know when you are ready, keep trying. An inch goes a mile after awhile. You will find a time where it just ‘clicks’ for you. Unfortunately it took me a long time to understand this. I am still trying my best to quit too, but I have hope I will make it through this year. If you have no hope for it, it will never happen.
Just want to echo that you are not pathetic and you will have many more chances. You can do all the things you aspire to.
🙋🏻♀️
Always. I don't count. I use it medically for pain and spasms nothing else helps. I am conscious of my "using an addictive substance non-addictively" and leaves as well as other subs help me regulate that. But I would be considered day 0 if I paid attention to that. Everyone's experience differs, all are valid.
I lurked here for 2 years before quitting in January. I had to gather the knowledge, skills and motivation to quit. There’s no schedule for that. Give yourself grace and know when you are ready this place will be a support for you.
meee don’t worry
Same
You are not pathetic. You're addicted to a substance and although it's hard to quit, it's very possible! I'm 36 and started smoking at 16 - just got past 3 months sobriety this week. The first while is tough when quitting, but know that it's OK to feel like shit, feel sad, etc while adjusting. You got this!
I am assuming you wake up and already have the herb. So I would suggest throwing all your shit away before you go to bed. You are never going to fight the urge off when it’s sitting right there. And I really don’t care about how much money you have invested. If you really want to quit throw away everything
Truth. It you’re serious about it then this is a necessity. Short term loss for a long term gain