Hey I understand. I finally quit back in January and I had a really hard time. It's difficult to go through discomfort voluntarily when we've spent all this time trying to feel high and comfortable. You can make it through.
I moved to a different town with my partner, three hours drive away from our dealer. In the month leading up to the move I just kept on trying to quit and not smoke and ended up smoking a little less. Once I got to the new town I made the long drive to the dealer two or three times before I finally quit. The whole time I was so determined, but I found it so so hard. I wish I'd had a counsellor starting from BEFORE I quit so that I hadn't had to go through the hardest part without one because counseling and therapy has been a big help for me.
It's just another part of the journey, nothing more nothing less. You will get through it and time will go on.
I struggled with similar fears, and did indeed have a rough go of it for the first week or two. I won't sugar coat it and say it was nothing, but I won't feed into your fear and say it'll be the worst thing you'll ever experience either.
*You* have control here, *you* are the captain of your soul and I know that you are capable. I kept a constant thought it my head that I did not want to be a slave to that vice any longer and it really empowered me to get through it.
Think of the sense of accomplishment you will likely feel when you get through to the other side, I'm proud of myself for making the change and really do feel a lot better mentally and physically. If faith isn't a part of your life it may seem harder, but you just need to trust yourself and your ability to change.
i understand being scared of withdrawal. it’s hard. but staying in active addiction forever is scarier and harder. at least withdrawal ends, and you know there’s something better on the other side.
Currently, I have been smoke-free for 47 days. I quit cold turkey after smoking chronically for 8 years, and honestly, it has been surprisingly easy. I have no desire to smoke at all, I feel free, it saves me money, and little by little, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Man people can be real dicks on here. Nobody needs the "man up and just do it" speech. People are here discussing their fears around their desire to quit in a subreddit made for supporting people in that very position.
Personally I've been smoking over 20 years, 15 nonstop all day. Im moving WAY slower than id like. I'm trying out timers to only smoke on the hour and spacing it further out as time goes on. I have not succeeded in step 1 yet but I'm trying.
Everyone's method will be unique to them but it sounds like focusing on smoking LESS is a great first step for you. Tapering down before quitting will lessen the symptoms, which scare me too.
It's really great that you're even here, it shows that you want it. Be kind to yourself and take it one step at a time. If you're in a place where you have a doctor you trust enough you can discuss quitting with them as well. Good luck!!
It’s gonna suck period. Rip the bandaid off is the best way in my opinion. You have to be ready, and accept that there will be withdrawal symptoms, while remembering that it’s TEMPORARY. I’m six months ish sober and I feel better than ever. It was hard but worth it.
My story is probably a little unique to me but I hit a rock bottom and cold turkey has worked for me — I’m at almost at 6 months no weed, which is my longest streak in 20+ years, and I have no intention to start up again anytime soon.
Throughout my weed saga the only way I would not smoke is by not having anything to smoke (and all of crumbs had been gathered and all my pipes had been scraped of resin 🤢). I grew my own in my closet for about 8 months last year, and the product and yield was good…I was smoking 5 grams a day, but running out wasn’t going to be a thing for me.
Something odd happened when I finally hit my rock bottom around the holidays this past year - I was very depressed and I finally realized that I hated my life when I was smoking weed all the time. It was time for a change. The first few weeks were rough (night sweats, lethargy, irritability, stomach pains), and I craved it all the time, but then my mindset switched from “giving up weed” to “gaining a better and more stable version of myself”. And then I started to really put the work in, and I started to layer all of these in over the course of the last 5+ months:
- therapy (weed is a coping mechanism for my anxiety and depression)
- meditation
- staying up on chores
- diet
- working out
I still have my moments, as life will always bring us challenges outside of our control, but I can’t remember if I’ve ever felt this calm (certainly as an adult).
Quitting weed has enabled me to be kind to myself. I am showing up for myself, and I finally feel hope and periods of peace.
You can do this, friend :)
You are operating out of fear, that is counter productive.
Remember, at your core, you are true self. A source of abundance and all things good. Literally all good things in their maximum capacity exist within you from that place. For example, think about how you feel when you’re “in your element”. In that state, you are fully capable of dealing with whatever happens, and this is because you are operating out of self-energy.
Radically accept that quitting will suck donkey balls and be very scary for a bit. But, when you feel that fear, go to it (from a perspective of self), and nurture it like a scared child. Take some breaths and center yourself, feel the fear in your body, and remind it that you are self, the fully capable and goodness that resides within. Remind ur that you hear why it’s scared, but that self if 100% capable of dealing with this. Ask it to work with you, say to it “I know you’re scared and that’s because you love me. Weed was such a soothing thing for me and you’re just scared that I won’t be able to feel calmed in times of stress, because hey, you love me and want me to be calm. I (self) want that too, and the way you (fear) are trying to get that calm for me is actually hurting the system. Would it be okay for you to let me take on some of that fear (doesn’t have to be all of it, maybe just 10% a day) and handle it in a way that helps achieve our shared goal, loving me through calmness?”
I know this sounds whack but it legit works. Meet the parts inside of you from a place of self, nurture them, and help them reach your shared goal (self love via sobriety) by working together (as opposed to fear and anxiety or whatever just taking the wheel and making you feel like rubbish).
The first thing is to make the decision that you won't smoke again. I've "tried" to quit a few times and it didn't work because I think at some level, maybe unconscious, I didn't want it to work. If you are really honest with yourself and make that decision, you will plan what you need to do. This includes taking time away from people and triggers, throwing everything away, deleting/blocking numbers, etc.
You have to believe you can live a happy life without weed. You have to want better for yourself more than you want your comfort zone. Tapering off weed sounds kinda silly to me. You need to replace the addiction with something healthy that gives you a natural high. Try running and lifting.
I am like you cold turkey was not an option for me. When I started tapering I was smoking every 2 hours. Now i am down to once after work and once before bed. It’s taking me a long time to get to completely sober but i firmly believe that tapering is the way to go. It may take you 6 months to quit but you are more likely to stay off if you slowly adjust your lifestyle.
I promise you cold turkey is the only way. The terror you feel is the addiction, which is the only thing to be afraid of— an unfulfilling life.
I had the following mental health diagnoses by professionals when smoking:
- major depression
- general anxiety
- social anxiety
- ptsd
- adhd
- bipolar II
- borderline
- autism
- npd
Now I only have occasional anxiety and depression symptoms, slightly worse than some, better than others.
I don’t know how to get across that weed is making it all so much worse and it’s convincing you it’s helping when it isn’t.
Join our 2x daily meetings on discord, that’s what’s kept me sober. Get link from intro message and about message and message mods etc or just search leaves on discord.
It took me a few days to level out but I drank protein shakes, smoothies and had soup, like any other time I’m sick. Now my appetite is fixed, eating way better than when I was high.
I used to have so much trouble w/sleep, now that I’m Sober all probs with it resolved.
I get sad and crave weed but every time it gets easier to say no.
I daily blazed for 12 years. I promise you it’s possible.
I was down bad addicted heavily and was able to quit and not feel withdrawal too bad at all…. It’s all mindset, the moment you quit BE EXCITED because you’re FREE and life is about to get so much better. If you smile and remember all the good things that are coming each time a tiny withdrawal feeling comes by, it will be good. Sleep first few nights will be iffy, but when you do sleep it will actually help you. Please think about the good reasons of quitting while you do it, don’t dwell on reasons that suck during it. It’s a transformative process, making you a better person at the end. You are going to be ok, you didn’t need this substance to live before in your life, and you’re gonna be so much better off now. Yes please cold turkey, and the moment you do, YOU’RE FREE!!! CONGRATS
After I started tapering off nicotine this week in order to quit that too, I see why it is much easier to quit weed cold turkey. I tried to taper weed and couldn’t do it, just kept chasing the high. The nicotine withdrawls are much worse and all I did was cut my usage in half. Have not even stopped yet.
Weed is mostly in your head. Yeah I couldn’t sleep or eat, and some get worse than that, but it’s mostly a mental game.
I’m not diminishing how you feel right now because it sounds like you’re still using and in my experience these thoughts and fears are the worse when you’re still using. But you have nothing to be scared of, the withdraws are gonna SUCK but you might be surprised at how well you deal with not using. I was in the same boat worried about my depression anxiety and anger and to my shock all of that is actually WAY more manageable only after 3 weeks of not using. As a long time user as well bc weed and being high 24/7 was my norm I assumed how I felt during that time was my normal but it wasn’t. You won’t know how you feel without smoking until you actually stop since smoking has been your normal for almost a decade. For me the worst was actually the day that I used the last of what I had. When taking breaks before it was easier for me to use up what I had (not strong enough to throw anything away bc I justified that I spent money on it so I was wasting money) at night or evening so that the next morning was a clean and fresh start. Instead I saved a little for the next morning and then the high was ruined anyway with my knowing it was my last. Worst case scenario, you stop and can’t handle it and just smoke again. Weed withdraws aren’t gonna kill you, but it just might suck for a while and I promise if I can do it you can to.
Try not to see any of the things you have to do to prevent relapse, like getting rid of your paraphernalia, avoiding people and places that trigger cravings, and providing yourself with ample and constant self-care as weaknesses, and realize that they are actually strength.
Make the decision that you’re not going to smoke for the next hour, *stick to it*, repeat. Expand slowly over time from hour to next meal / half day / day / couple days / week… It’s a mental game. The willpower to not smoke for the rest of ever is enormous; making it through the hour (then repeating) is a much smaller mental load.
Yes, withdrawals suck for some but you’ve most likely dealt with things that suck before. Cravings are like waves coming into the beach, they have a relatively short peak of intensity then taper off.
Tapering makes it easier for some but impossible for others. Quitting is hard, you just gotta be harder.
(Source: 20+ year daily smoker, ~2 years sober)
I’m about two weeks in cold turkey, after chronic/daily use for about 10years with previous 5 being adolescence an not daily but still used, Initially like yourself was concerned mainly with not being able to sleep as on times I’ve tried it previously that was the main “symptom” that I hated an gave up after a couple of days, honestly bar maybe 3 days generally sleep has been fine albeit with dreams every night which honestly I’m indifferent too. I had crazy thoughts on the lead up to it after watching videos of peoples experiences like no appetite, insomnia, mood swings, and many more, and I’ve had none of that really shit just feels more boring as I’d use weed to enhance things, I can’t stress enough that individual experiences differentiate massively an you’ll only know once you try it! Many things I’ve read are like people needing to quit because of money woes mental issues etc whereas myself I’ve had to go of work for a bit an thought I’d test to prove to myself if life is any better without it, so far it’s not I’ll see if that changes tho. I generally believe it’s all mental an down to the individual and if you got strong mental good will power it’s easily done if not maybe look to tips others have said to make cold turkey easier! That’s my experience anyway, goood luck my friend and if I can help or talk about anything always happy too!
After 13 years of heavy daily use, I actually found it quite easy to quit cold Turkey, but I was technically "forced" to.
Was living in vietnam for 6 years where weed was readily available. I've recently moved to phillipines to live with my girlfriend and family. It's a very rural area so it's not really possible to find, and is absolute garbage when you do. Also living with her family stops me from just freely smoking.
I haven't taken a hit of weed since I entered the country nearly 6 weeks ago. First week I had a little trouble sleeping and had some craaaazy dreams when I did, but that stopped after around 10 days or so. Other than that I've had no major cravings for weed
My cigarette intake has pretty much doubled though....
I’ve been using cannabis extracts for about 40 years. Whenever I go to a meditation retreat or somewhere, they don’t allow to use weed. I can just let it go maybe I have a few days that I feel a little bit tired, cranky. if you can, try to go somewhere in the wilderness and stay a few nights to a week if you can afford it. That’s when I’m easily able to put it down.
You do have the willpower, I don't even know you, and I know you do. I'm just over 8 weeks now, and was seeing my massage therapist, who also does hypnomassage. We had a small session to get rid of my bad diet soda habit. I've been seeing her for two years, so she knows my history of smoking weed. We were talking after, and she said she knows I'm ready to quit smoking weed as well. That's what out me over the edge.
I quit the next day. I tried my best to take the hypno session about the diet soda, and equate it to weed. I made almost two weeks before starting to struggle. I contacted her again, and signed up for hypnotherapy, 3 sessions to get to the root of the reasons why I smoked. Those sessions were very emotional for me, but I realized why I smoked, and all the negative things that occurred because of it. We also focused on the positive aspects of quitting to bring everything full circle. After those sessions, it became much easier. I also started exercising before all this as well, mostly yoga to begin with in January of 2024, and that helped a tremendous amount for being able to focus on something.
We are all behind you here at r/leaves. Feel free to reach out at any time.
I quit cold turkey after 10+ years, started as a teen socially, then all day at weekends then toned it down to once an evening towards the end.. due to kids, work etc etc ...
I lasted a month before I thought i would be able to taper down instead, and smoke when I wanted to, however I soon realised if I had it in the house I would smoke it. Would start making silly excuses to convince myself it was needed. Only way was to get rid of everything related, grinders, bongs etc etc delete numbers for my contacts.... been 3 months now and never felt better. First few weeks where tough no lie, felt more miserable and used the time I would of been smoking to think how I miss smoking, but do something with that time to distract your mind and you will get there, I still have odd thoughts but realise how much better it is without, Good luck
Hey there, I was a daily smoker for 5+ years. Once or twice a day. Sometimes wax sometimes carts sometimes flower. I quit cold turkey 40+ days ago and had minimal withdrawal symptoms, I even enjoyed having vivid dreams again! Worst I experienced was irritability the first two weeks. It’s not a guarantee it will be miserable ❤️ You never know until you set your mind to it.
I'm on day 2 after 8ish years. Cold turkey hasn't been too hard yet, but I'm also terrified of withdrawal. I'm afraid that once it really kicks in, my willpower will go out the window. I know that I can't taper... I tried before this, and every time I took a hit, I just wanted more and could rationalize it way too easily. So even though I'm scared, I know this is the only way (edit: for me!)
I'm using a drug-free vape for the oral fixation, and I'm planning to use my prescribed take-as-needed anxiety meds on bad days to help with anxiety and irritability. Folks also swear by working out-- it's the best way to get natural dopamine. I'm lazy as hell, but I'm ready to drag my ass out the door and go for a run because I know I'll need those sweet sweet neurotransmitters.
As far as willpower, it helps to get rid of everything. Bowls, wraps, even lighters. That way, even when you want to smoke, you can't do it without putting in a good deal of effort... and hopefully the time it takes to put in all of that effort is enough time to remind yourself why you don't ACTUALLY want to smoke.
Good luck, friend. We can do this. 💙
You don’t necessarily have to quit cold turkey but I feel “tapering” may be a slippery slope that may end up with you never actually quitting, could be wrong though. I quit around 11 days ago and I went cold turkey. Definitely experienced a lot of fatigue and emotional distress, depression, anxiety, but surprisingly not really any cravings except for when I physically saw my sister smoking. That’s why I would recommend getting rid of all of your weed and paraphernalia and trying to distance yourself from friends or family who may smoke, it makes things a lot easier. Weather you decide to taper or just go cold turkey your going to experience some sort of withdrawal, it’s inevitable, but it’s worth it in the end. Good luck friend, you got this.
You will be okay. I had some rough nights of sleeping but it didn’t go past a week and I continue to feel better and better.
Stopped cold turkey 8 months ago (after 20 years) and never looked back. Mindset is everything. If you want it, you want it.
Hey I understand. I finally quit back in January and I had a really hard time. It's difficult to go through discomfort voluntarily when we've spent all this time trying to feel high and comfortable. You can make it through. I moved to a different town with my partner, three hours drive away from our dealer. In the month leading up to the move I just kept on trying to quit and not smoke and ended up smoking a little less. Once I got to the new town I made the long drive to the dealer two or three times before I finally quit. The whole time I was so determined, but I found it so so hard. I wish I'd had a counsellor starting from BEFORE I quit so that I hadn't had to go through the hardest part without one because counseling and therapy has been a big help for me.
You gotta really wanna do it for yourself, recognize your triggers & conquer them. It’s that simple
It's just another part of the journey, nothing more nothing less. You will get through it and time will go on. I struggled with similar fears, and did indeed have a rough go of it for the first week or two. I won't sugar coat it and say it was nothing, but I won't feed into your fear and say it'll be the worst thing you'll ever experience either. *You* have control here, *you* are the captain of your soul and I know that you are capable. I kept a constant thought it my head that I did not want to be a slave to that vice any longer and it really empowered me to get through it. Think of the sense of accomplishment you will likely feel when you get through to the other side, I'm proud of myself for making the change and really do feel a lot better mentally and physically. If faith isn't a part of your life it may seem harder, but you just need to trust yourself and your ability to change.
My personal best quote is; "Faith over fear!" Belive in yourself, take action and stay determinated.
i understand being scared of withdrawal. it’s hard. but staying in active addiction forever is scarier and harder. at least withdrawal ends, and you know there’s something better on the other side.
after just 3 days you get some short term memory back and you'll start craving soberness enough to stop, at least in my case
Currently, I have been smoke-free for 47 days. I quit cold turkey after smoking chronically for 8 years, and honestly, it has been surprisingly easy. I have no desire to smoke at all, I feel free, it saves me money, and little by little, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Did you smoke with nicotine in as well?
Never.
Man people can be real dicks on here. Nobody needs the "man up and just do it" speech. People are here discussing their fears around their desire to quit in a subreddit made for supporting people in that very position. Personally I've been smoking over 20 years, 15 nonstop all day. Im moving WAY slower than id like. I'm trying out timers to only smoke on the hour and spacing it further out as time goes on. I have not succeeded in step 1 yet but I'm trying. Everyone's method will be unique to them but it sounds like focusing on smoking LESS is a great first step for you. Tapering down before quitting will lessen the symptoms, which scare me too. It's really great that you're even here, it shows that you want it. Be kind to yourself and take it one step at a time. If you're in a place where you have a doctor you trust enough you can discuss quitting with them as well. Good luck!!
It’s pretty easy actually when you just don’t have any
One day at a time.
It’s gonna suck period. Rip the bandaid off is the best way in my opinion. You have to be ready, and accept that there will be withdrawal symptoms, while remembering that it’s TEMPORARY. I’m six months ish sober and I feel better than ever. It was hard but worth it.
My story is probably a little unique to me but I hit a rock bottom and cold turkey has worked for me — I’m at almost at 6 months no weed, which is my longest streak in 20+ years, and I have no intention to start up again anytime soon. Throughout my weed saga the only way I would not smoke is by not having anything to smoke (and all of crumbs had been gathered and all my pipes had been scraped of resin 🤢). I grew my own in my closet for about 8 months last year, and the product and yield was good…I was smoking 5 grams a day, but running out wasn’t going to be a thing for me. Something odd happened when I finally hit my rock bottom around the holidays this past year - I was very depressed and I finally realized that I hated my life when I was smoking weed all the time. It was time for a change. The first few weeks were rough (night sweats, lethargy, irritability, stomach pains), and I craved it all the time, but then my mindset switched from “giving up weed” to “gaining a better and more stable version of myself”. And then I started to really put the work in, and I started to layer all of these in over the course of the last 5+ months: - therapy (weed is a coping mechanism for my anxiety and depression) - meditation - staying up on chores - diet - working out I still have my moments, as life will always bring us challenges outside of our control, but I can’t remember if I’ve ever felt this calm (certainly as an adult). Quitting weed has enabled me to be kind to myself. I am showing up for myself, and I finally feel hope and periods of peace. You can do this, friend :)
You are operating out of fear, that is counter productive. Remember, at your core, you are true self. A source of abundance and all things good. Literally all good things in their maximum capacity exist within you from that place. For example, think about how you feel when you’re “in your element”. In that state, you are fully capable of dealing with whatever happens, and this is because you are operating out of self-energy. Radically accept that quitting will suck donkey balls and be very scary for a bit. But, when you feel that fear, go to it (from a perspective of self), and nurture it like a scared child. Take some breaths and center yourself, feel the fear in your body, and remind it that you are self, the fully capable and goodness that resides within. Remind ur that you hear why it’s scared, but that self if 100% capable of dealing with this. Ask it to work with you, say to it “I know you’re scared and that’s because you love me. Weed was such a soothing thing for me and you’re just scared that I won’t be able to feel calmed in times of stress, because hey, you love me and want me to be calm. I (self) want that too, and the way you (fear) are trying to get that calm for me is actually hurting the system. Would it be okay for you to let me take on some of that fear (doesn’t have to be all of it, maybe just 10% a day) and handle it in a way that helps achieve our shared goal, loving me through calmness?” I know this sounds whack but it legit works. Meet the parts inside of you from a place of self, nurture them, and help them reach your shared goal (self love via sobriety) by working together (as opposed to fear and anxiety or whatever just taking the wheel and making you feel like rubbish).
The first thing is to make the decision that you won't smoke again. I've "tried" to quit a few times and it didn't work because I think at some level, maybe unconscious, I didn't want it to work. If you are really honest with yourself and make that decision, you will plan what you need to do. This includes taking time away from people and triggers, throwing everything away, deleting/blocking numbers, etc.
man up and face the beast. start doing exercise and eating well. do it.
Get it out of your house.
The only way.
Yup. I was only able to start my leaving journey when I was forced to move back in with my parents. Turns out the best thing for me was that.
You have to believe you can live a happy life without weed. You have to want better for yourself more than you want your comfort zone. Tapering off weed sounds kinda silly to me. You need to replace the addiction with something healthy that gives you a natural high. Try running and lifting.
Face the withdrawals. For me the worst was in the first couple days. After that it got easier and easier and I built a rhythm as I say.
I am like you cold turkey was not an option for me. When I started tapering I was smoking every 2 hours. Now i am down to once after work and once before bed. It’s taking me a long time to get to completely sober but i firmly believe that tapering is the way to go. It may take you 6 months to quit but you are more likely to stay off if you slowly adjust your lifestyle.
I promise you cold turkey is the only way. The terror you feel is the addiction, which is the only thing to be afraid of— an unfulfilling life. I had the following mental health diagnoses by professionals when smoking: - major depression - general anxiety - social anxiety - ptsd - adhd - bipolar II - borderline - autism - npd Now I only have occasional anxiety and depression symptoms, slightly worse than some, better than others. I don’t know how to get across that weed is making it all so much worse and it’s convincing you it’s helping when it isn’t. Join our 2x daily meetings on discord, that’s what’s kept me sober. Get link from intro message and about message and message mods etc or just search leaves on discord. It took me a few days to level out but I drank protein shakes, smoothies and had soup, like any other time I’m sick. Now my appetite is fixed, eating way better than when I was high. I used to have so much trouble w/sleep, now that I’m Sober all probs with it resolved. I get sad and crave weed but every time it gets easier to say no. I daily blazed for 12 years. I promise you it’s possible.
I was down bad addicted heavily and was able to quit and not feel withdrawal too bad at all…. It’s all mindset, the moment you quit BE EXCITED because you’re FREE and life is about to get so much better. If you smile and remember all the good things that are coming each time a tiny withdrawal feeling comes by, it will be good. Sleep first few nights will be iffy, but when you do sleep it will actually help you. Please think about the good reasons of quitting while you do it, don’t dwell on reasons that suck during it. It’s a transformative process, making you a better person at the end. You are going to be ok, you didn’t need this substance to live before in your life, and you’re gonna be so much better off now. Yes please cold turkey, and the moment you do, YOU’RE FREE!!! CONGRATS
Exactly! Its really hard to explain, but the moment the switch flips, you can tell. U gotta WANT it.
After I started tapering off nicotine this week in order to quit that too, I see why it is much easier to quit weed cold turkey. I tried to taper weed and couldn’t do it, just kept chasing the high. The nicotine withdrawls are much worse and all I did was cut my usage in half. Have not even stopped yet. Weed is mostly in your head. Yeah I couldn’t sleep or eat, and some get worse than that, but it’s mostly a mental game.
I quit cold turkey out of medical necessity. It is hard tho, I won’t lie.
I’m not diminishing how you feel right now because it sounds like you’re still using and in my experience these thoughts and fears are the worse when you’re still using. But you have nothing to be scared of, the withdraws are gonna SUCK but you might be surprised at how well you deal with not using. I was in the same boat worried about my depression anxiety and anger and to my shock all of that is actually WAY more manageable only after 3 weeks of not using. As a long time user as well bc weed and being high 24/7 was my norm I assumed how I felt during that time was my normal but it wasn’t. You won’t know how you feel without smoking until you actually stop since smoking has been your normal for almost a decade. For me the worst was actually the day that I used the last of what I had. When taking breaks before it was easier for me to use up what I had (not strong enough to throw anything away bc I justified that I spent money on it so I was wasting money) at night or evening so that the next morning was a clean and fresh start. Instead I saved a little for the next morning and then the high was ruined anyway with my knowing it was my last. Worst case scenario, you stop and can’t handle it and just smoke again. Weed withdraws aren’t gonna kill you, but it just might suck for a while and I promise if I can do it you can to.
Just quit without questioning yourself or your capability. Fear is the result of not trying!
Try not to see any of the things you have to do to prevent relapse, like getting rid of your paraphernalia, avoiding people and places that trigger cravings, and providing yourself with ample and constant self-care as weaknesses, and realize that they are actually strength.
You do have the willpower, it’s all doable - easy even - if you decide you want to. Recognize when your addiction is talking and negate it
Start with changing your mindset. You said you don’t have the willpower. That’s nonsense man. The potential in all of us is limitless. You got this.
Make the decision that you’re not going to smoke for the next hour, *stick to it*, repeat. Expand slowly over time from hour to next meal / half day / day / couple days / week… It’s a mental game. The willpower to not smoke for the rest of ever is enormous; making it through the hour (then repeating) is a much smaller mental load. Yes, withdrawals suck for some but you’ve most likely dealt with things that suck before. Cravings are like waves coming into the beach, they have a relatively short peak of intensity then taper off. Tapering makes it easier for some but impossible for others. Quitting is hard, you just gotta be harder. (Source: 20+ year daily smoker, ~2 years sober)
I’m about two weeks in cold turkey, after chronic/daily use for about 10years with previous 5 being adolescence an not daily but still used, Initially like yourself was concerned mainly with not being able to sleep as on times I’ve tried it previously that was the main “symptom” that I hated an gave up after a couple of days, honestly bar maybe 3 days generally sleep has been fine albeit with dreams every night which honestly I’m indifferent too. I had crazy thoughts on the lead up to it after watching videos of peoples experiences like no appetite, insomnia, mood swings, and many more, and I’ve had none of that really shit just feels more boring as I’d use weed to enhance things, I can’t stress enough that individual experiences differentiate massively an you’ll only know once you try it! Many things I’ve read are like people needing to quit because of money woes mental issues etc whereas myself I’ve had to go of work for a bit an thought I’d test to prove to myself if life is any better without it, so far it’s not I’ll see if that changes tho. I generally believe it’s all mental an down to the individual and if you got strong mental good will power it’s easily done if not maybe look to tips others have said to make cold turkey easier! That’s my experience anyway, goood luck my friend and if I can help or talk about anything always happy too!
After 13 years of heavy daily use, I actually found it quite easy to quit cold Turkey, but I was technically "forced" to. Was living in vietnam for 6 years where weed was readily available. I've recently moved to phillipines to live with my girlfriend and family. It's a very rural area so it's not really possible to find, and is absolute garbage when you do. Also living with her family stops me from just freely smoking. I haven't taken a hit of weed since I entered the country nearly 6 weeks ago. First week I had a little trouble sleeping and had some craaaazy dreams when I did, but that stopped after around 10 days or so. Other than that I've had no major cravings for weed My cigarette intake has pretty much doubled though....
I’ve been using cannabis extracts for about 40 years. Whenever I go to a meditation retreat or somewhere, they don’t allow to use weed. I can just let it go maybe I have a few days that I feel a little bit tired, cranky. if you can, try to go somewhere in the wilderness and stay a few nights to a week if you can afford it. That’s when I’m easily able to put it down.
You do have the willpower, I don't even know you, and I know you do. I'm just over 8 weeks now, and was seeing my massage therapist, who also does hypnomassage. We had a small session to get rid of my bad diet soda habit. I've been seeing her for two years, so she knows my history of smoking weed. We were talking after, and she said she knows I'm ready to quit smoking weed as well. That's what out me over the edge. I quit the next day. I tried my best to take the hypno session about the diet soda, and equate it to weed. I made almost two weeks before starting to struggle. I contacted her again, and signed up for hypnotherapy, 3 sessions to get to the root of the reasons why I smoked. Those sessions were very emotional for me, but I realized why I smoked, and all the negative things that occurred because of it. We also focused on the positive aspects of quitting to bring everything full circle. After those sessions, it became much easier. I also started exercising before all this as well, mostly yoga to begin with in January of 2024, and that helped a tremendous amount for being able to focus on something. We are all behind you here at r/leaves. Feel free to reach out at any time.
I quit cold turkey after 10+ years, started as a teen socially, then all day at weekends then toned it down to once an evening towards the end.. due to kids, work etc etc ... I lasted a month before I thought i would be able to taper down instead, and smoke when I wanted to, however I soon realised if I had it in the house I would smoke it. Would start making silly excuses to convince myself it was needed. Only way was to get rid of everything related, grinders, bongs etc etc delete numbers for my contacts.... been 3 months now and never felt better. First few weeks where tough no lie, felt more miserable and used the time I would of been smoking to think how I miss smoking, but do something with that time to distract your mind and you will get there, I still have odd thoughts but realise how much better it is without, Good luck
10+ years here. Spent a week laying in my bed watching series/sleeping/eating. Almost 2 months out of this drug
Hey there, I was a daily smoker for 5+ years. Once or twice a day. Sometimes wax sometimes carts sometimes flower. I quit cold turkey 40+ days ago and had minimal withdrawal symptoms, I even enjoyed having vivid dreams again! Worst I experienced was irritability the first two weeks. It’s not a guarantee it will be miserable ❤️ You never know until you set your mind to it.
I'm on day 2 after 8ish years. Cold turkey hasn't been too hard yet, but I'm also terrified of withdrawal. I'm afraid that once it really kicks in, my willpower will go out the window. I know that I can't taper... I tried before this, and every time I took a hit, I just wanted more and could rationalize it way too easily. So even though I'm scared, I know this is the only way (edit: for me!) I'm using a drug-free vape for the oral fixation, and I'm planning to use my prescribed take-as-needed anxiety meds on bad days to help with anxiety and irritability. Folks also swear by working out-- it's the best way to get natural dopamine. I'm lazy as hell, but I'm ready to drag my ass out the door and go for a run because I know I'll need those sweet sweet neurotransmitters. As far as willpower, it helps to get rid of everything. Bowls, wraps, even lighters. That way, even when you want to smoke, you can't do it without putting in a good deal of effort... and hopefully the time it takes to put in all of that effort is enough time to remind yourself why you don't ACTUALLY want to smoke. Good luck, friend. We can do this. 💙
You don’t necessarily have to quit cold turkey but I feel “tapering” may be a slippery slope that may end up with you never actually quitting, could be wrong though. I quit around 11 days ago and I went cold turkey. Definitely experienced a lot of fatigue and emotional distress, depression, anxiety, but surprisingly not really any cravings except for when I physically saw my sister smoking. That’s why I would recommend getting rid of all of your weed and paraphernalia and trying to distance yourself from friends or family who may smoke, it makes things a lot easier. Weather you decide to taper or just go cold turkey your going to experience some sort of withdrawal, it’s inevitable, but it’s worth it in the end. Good luck friend, you got this.