Cannabis rehab

[Lost.Boy]

I've smoked weed on an off for many years now very casually, no more than the average person drinks booze. Drink has never been my thing.

Recently (i'd rather not specify how long but long enough) i've been smoking more and more to cope with my ever worsening problems, mainly anxiety issues, depression, social phobias and insomnia that i've had most my life. It's helped when i've been at my most down in ways medication has never been able to.

Well the problem is now i've been smoking long enough consistantly (I mean all the time) to have found myself in a hole with what I know pure and simple to be addiction and had no idea until I run out.

My bad dreams are even worse and more vivid (and they're normally very much both without this anyway), I cannot eat, without it don't sleep with any consistancy, when I do get half an hour asleep I wake dripping with sweat. I'm feeling classic "grief response" symptoms too, sadness, tears etc.

I know i'm stupid for letting myself get like this and that the reason I smoke it are reasons I shouldn't, as someone with a father with chronic long term alcohol problems and has an addictive personality I should have known better.

Just wondered what other people in my situation have been through and if they've told their doctor what happened, obviously i'm worried he will make the usual assumtion that the drugs caused the problems i've had all these years when they all came first, i'd have never ended up like this if I hadn't spent so many years with the issues that plague me. Did you go through a doc or straight to a community drugs program? Were you prescribed anything to detox?

It's just now without the drugs all the problems that were there are worse and I just can't afford it anymore, financially or healthwise, in terms of depression and insomnia i'd be ok with a good cheap supply but the way it makes me want to hide indoors more nowdays can't be a good thing, plus the running low part adds unnecessary anxiety

The trouble is the taboo of it being drugs, even tho alcohol is also a more dangerous drug as it's legal somehow it's always treated differently in these types of situations.

Any wise words appreciated, no debates please though I know some people passionately hate drugs and people who take them.

[jelly bean]

Hi there sorry for late reply

I use to smoke weed all the time. Infact when ever I rolled a fag I use to put some weed init. The problem is when you smoke a joint you are making your problem worst not any better and the weed is not helping at all it is just numbing it all.

I would advise you to seek help from your doctor and ask him to put you on some medication to help with anxiety, depression and insomnia. When you start taking the medication it will take a few weeks before you start feeling better but it will be worth it as you will be able to come off the weed and start to feel a little bit better.I would also ask to see a counsellor so they can help you while you are coming off the weed.

I wish you all the best and please keep me updated with how things are going.

Take care

[Apotheosis]

There are different ways of stopping weed. I smoked it heavily for 17 years & needed regular NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings to finally stop. I didn't get help from treatment centres or any other services - although I did make use of any opportunities available for recovery that I came across.

Almost 10 years off the weed - & I still have consequences that I attribute to my drug taking.

One thing that has helped greatly; was being able to separate things out more between what was the underlying MH condition(s), & what was drug effects. But being clean & sober isn't how I thought it would be - it's hard work.

Whatever the addiction or addictive behaviour - it's hallmarks are Denial, Justification & Rationalisation - & these 3 things are as plain as day in any addiction - But either getting people to see past them; or getting ourselves past them is very hard & sometimes impossible. If you can see through these 3 things; then your well on the way to recovery.

[sallyG]

I agree with Apotheosis..ive been clean for five years now after heavily smoking skunk for 6 years..i went cold turkey..no help given..just one day decided to quit...i still miss the high feeling it gave me but it did nothing for my mental health..and if anything attributed to it.
i can still feel the damage it has done to my brain even now.
get help..it will be the best decision you have ever made..hope it goes well..let us know how you get on.

[schizolanza]

I've smoked weed on an off for many years now very casually, no more than the average person drinks booze. Drink has never been my thing.

Recently (i'd rather not specify how long but long enough) i've been smoking more and more to cope with my ever worsening problems, mainly anxiety issues, depression, social phobias and insomnia that i've had most my life. It's helped when i've been at my most down in ways medication has never been able to.

Well the problem is now i've been smoking long enough consistantly (I mean all the time) to have found myself in a hole with what I know pure and simple to be addiction and had no idea until I run out.

My bad dreams are even worse and more vivid (and they're normally very much both without this anyway), I cannot eat, without it don't sleep with any consistancy, when I do get half an hour asleep I wake dripping with sweat. I'm feeling classic "grief response" symptoms too, sadness, tears etc.

I know i'm stupid for letting myself get like this and that the reason I smoke it are reasons I shouldn't, as someone with a father with chronic long term alcohol problems and has an addictive personality I should have known better.

Just wondered what other people in my situation have been through and if they've told their doctor what happened, obviously i'm worried he will make the usual assumtion that the drugs caused the problems i've had all these years when they all came first, i'd have never ended up like this if I hadn't spent so many years with the issues that plague me. Did you go through a doc or straight to a community drugs program? Were you prescribed anything to detox?

It's just now without the drugs all the problems that were there are worse and I just can't afford it anymore, financially or healthwise, in terms of depression and insomnia i'd be ok with a good cheap supply but the way it makes me want to hide indoors more nowdays can't be a good thing, plus the running low part adds unnecessary anxiety

The trouble is the taboo of it being drugs, even tho alcohol is also a more dangerous drug as it's legal somehow it's always treated differently in these types of situations.

Any wise words appreciated, no debates please though I know some people passionately hate drugs and people who take them.

.You'll get cold sweats and crazy dreams for a week or so if you just suddenly run out.Thats if you are used to having it every day.
My answer is to never run out and to just roll myself the occasional one skinner rather than more bigger joints all the time.

[dreambuggieII]

Giving up something as relaxing as weed has been for me can be either through (a) A really bad time taking it or (b) the slow creeping fact that your emotions are slowly taking a toll - this is a slower drip, and less of a need to stop altogether. I mean one more joint won't make any difference right.

If you're aware and believe that the weed is causal in your emotional stuff, either exacerbating a feeling for instance - then be bold and take some steps to cut down and then if it really is the case - stop.

I'm no good with limits, so no way am I going to by hypocritical here. I find it's a battle of wills at the best of times, but leaving it be - can be equally peaceful.

I used to smoke weed - loved it but had to stop, as I had other issues. It was instant, but I still vowed to smoke on the occassion so it's not out my life forever. I have smoked at Christmas and new year.

I hope you find your calling to some movement here soon. We need to grow as people, rather then people who grow because of something external in us - it makes a difference comrade.

many smiles

[Lost.Boy]

Wow so many helpful replies in one go, i'm very grateful of your helpful contributions. Just what I was looking for!

Tbh even on here it took me a lot to post that so glad it's got some replies.

Since then I ended up being able to buy more but i'm ultra aware the time has come and while I will only quit totally if I need to inside I know for the time being at least I need to distance myself away from it as much as I possibly can and at least regain control of the parts that make everything more difficult, being able to sleep and being able to eat. No sleep makes not eating worse, not eating makes not sleeping worse!

I know it's going to be more down to what's ideal for me as an individual but which do you all think to be the better way, cutting back slowly but surely or just going for a couple of weeks of total abstinance?

I have worked out that the mind needs a set amount to sleep trouble free, if it's got even a little less than it needs it seems to play the tricks that no smoke at all do anyway, just seems to be a little easier.

"Denial, Justification & Rationalisation"

Have come across this before but never thought too deeply into it.

I know i'm just about safe from the denial stage, i'm aware that chances are my problems are made worse and at best covered over thinly by my smoking but at the same time I can justify and rationalise that by thinking I will be worse without it, my logical side obviously tells me this just can't be the case. The evidence is there I guess!

Atm I currently have 28 zopiclone to help me sleep but as with many meds they're too brutal and un-natural, today i've been hungover all day (nothing to smoke I might add so doing ok...) and can still taste the tablet despite taking it last night at about 6pm! Usually just take halves instead thought the sleep isn't quite so good.

Think what scares me most is how often I read people say they quite years ago and still notice effects, bit late to worry about that though it's something that smoking forever more isn't going to solve either!

[Apotheosis]

Think what scares me most is how often I read people say they quite years ago and still notice effects, bit late to worry about that though it's something that smoking forever more isn't going to solve either!

All I can say is that stopping weed, drugs & drink; a day at a time - is one of the best things I ever did. Sure it's hard, & there are trials; but life is vastly better than it was.

I do get a lot out of having a straight head; & I'd recommend/suggest you going T-Total - But that is of course down to you. A couple of members here some time ago stopped weed successfully - it can be done; & it does get easier with time.

People vary in levels of sickness & rates of recovery. People do recover - But there are things that we recover & heal from for the rest of our lives - I don't think it's a process that stops after experiencing active addiction/alcoholism.

[When will it end]

Smoked it for 11 years ,one day thought This is expensive and not funny anymore ,no laughing anymore just silence .sweated for 2weeks when tried to sleep then started sleeping better,because I was tired rather than stoned ,it's not as hard as you think ,it just wanting to stop.although 4 years on im having the odd joint Again.just comes down to the individual if you enjoy it,you want to do it and it's not hurting anyone then I dnt see a problem