I need knowledge and stratergies on with draw from Marjuana
 

Hi, i am starting school tomorrow and have to quit smoking weed. I have been smoking pretty consistently since i was 14yrs and i am 27 now. The last 18months have been from morning to night. I don't need no N/A talk , nothing against it i just found it never worked for me. I am much better working by myself or talking to people on here.

I have came a long way in the last couple years but can not kick the weed habit. I am strong when i have all details and I am know from the psychical and neurological stanpoint what symptoms i'm going to have and strategies to fix them,, and maybe even some Vitamins or teas to help me. I am looking into high purity fish oil,, omega 3 vitamins, others would help. The last year i have had many symptoms like paranoia, twitching, confusion, not being able to doing anything when i get overwhelmed like feeling confusion , dizzy and literately like my blood is boiling or it's rushing to my head, something like that. I deal with personality disorder and A.D.D which in result gives me depression and anxiety( chronic anxiety now that I’ve been smoking pretty heavy for a year)

I am also starting the gym tomorrow also.

If anyone can help that would be great, even if it's a month from now. This one is going t be struggle for at least a couple month so..........

I may sound smart and intelligent, which i am but i have a problem with diciphering words so can you be clear thank u.

Hi Pretty in Pink!!!
Hi there!! It is sooo good that you have came here for support!! I never have a problem with pot...I was booze booze booze and had some real issues with lorezapam and tylenol with codiene and tylenol 3. I think that you should definitely see your doctor...get some blood work done. The gym is an excellant idea. My son went to re hab a year and a half ago for years of marijuana smoking....he felt that he could deal with it alone and never got the help of other addicts when he got out. He did not stay clean. I am a firm believer of 12 step programs. I do believe that we can help you here but living eating and breathing my 12 step program was the only way I could get and stay clean and sober. I have been that way for 8 years now!
After living a certain way for so long it is difficult to change but doing things for yourself for your health and wellbeing is wonderful. Walking is good as well. Setting small goals is a great thing to try....it fills your time and helps you to get busy. You said you are staring school...that is good as well...focus on your work and homework and make a point to check it and dot your I's and cross your T's!!! Put your all into it. We addicts are funny....when we are in our addiction we can at times appear lazy and blah.....however most of us are capable of so very much.
Pretty...your life is about to change in ways that you never thought possible...ever.. for yourself! Educate yourself as much as possible about it....reach out and ASK for help when you need it...see that doctor...buckle your seatbelt...it may be bumpy at times but when you get thru the rough spots...your life will be an incredible ride!!!
I will not be online from Mon to Thurs this week but I will check in on Thursday night to see how you are doing!! Remember...one day at a time...take care of yourself...I will be thinking of you ...:hug:Dorrie:)

Hi, Dorrie and thank you for the reply!!!

Like i said before i am not the N/A- A/A way. I have nothing against it. My dad has been in A.A for 22 years sober and my step mother 26years. I went as a child when my dad had no baby sitter, and i went as a young adult, it's not for me.

As for me doing it by myself, that works for me, i was heavey into alcohol starting at a very young age, and 4 years i quit for 5 months and did ALOOOOOOOOOOOOT of soul searchin on what i need. I do believe what AA teachees it's 95% the problem and 5% the alcohol. So i took care of the 95% which bought confidence , self-essteem, and a virbrance to me you would not believe. Still have it , i just deal with anxety now which is hard to deal with sometime. I drink now but 3-5 beers is my limit, not because i put it on myself but because , sorry it's just not cute to have hang overs and have brain fog for 2 days. lol I am not foolin myself becaause i have been this way for 3 in a half years. I do belive alot of What AA teaches but theres a lot i don't agree with. One of the reasons because of some of the wording i hear. EX: You can't makeit by yourself, you need a sponcer to stay sober, u can't, u can't , u can't . My therory is you can do what ever you want to do. At least that works for me. I am very self aware of myself, in curtain atrubutes, and i know when i'm trying to fool myself . I come on here for support, i try not to stay fixated on my pot problem and more on keepin busy keepin busy keepin busy for a while until it is out of my system just likei did the alcohol. But difference is i will not be using pot anymore . Alcohol when used resonsible does not effect the brain, but weed does .

I hope i did not offend you in anyway, i can be a blunt sometimes.

Take Care

Hi Pretty!! No you did not offend me. I understand that the 12 step programs are not for everyone...but it really did help me. I still go but not as often...I have learned how to live sober and really enjoy it!! That is wonderful about you dad and your step moms sobriety!!!
Post away on here Pretty!! I love it when I log on and there has been some action on here....it really does help me!! There are more of us on here too and I am sure you will hear from them thru the week!! Take Care PIP...see you Thursday!!!!:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:Dorrie:)

Once you make it through the first 21 days...it will get easier. Daily meditations. Writing. Maybe trying to figure out why you tried it the first time. Thinking back to that very first time. Can you remember what you were feeling emotionally? What was going on that led to that first moment?

It's a hard emotional habit to break free from. Plus, it helps to distance yourself from your connection ;)

Keep coming in here :)

withdrawl
 

I'm not a medical Dr. but I have smoked on and off for almost 30 years. I have never experienced withdrawl. There were times when I was really stressed that I would think to myself "it would be really nice to catch a buzz right now". But I never felt or thought I NEED to smoke. However, pot is like everything else on this earth - it should be used in moderation. I've had a lot of experience with Dr. prescribed medications - I won't take anything anymore. To me it's poison. But pot, in my experience is the perfect med for many things - especially depression. But like I said too much of anything is bad for you and pot is really bad for your lungs.
I wouldn't worry about severe withdrawal - because you use so much of it you might feel different for a short period of time. Absolutely follow through with the vitamins, exercise, drink plenty of water, eat right etc. You will be amazed how much better you feel living a healthy lifestyle. My #1 suggestion - find a way to deal with stress. Exercise, meditation, whatever works for you. Stress is at the root of most physical and mental health problems. I use self-hypnosis - the more I do it the more I love it. I hope this helps. Thumbs up for starting a healthier lifestyle!!
Best of luck

some info I found-

[Effects and Consequences of Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana's effects begin as soon as the drug enters the brain, causing the user to feel high for about 1 to 3 hours. The euphoria that results when THC enters the brain is caused by the stimulation of brain cells to release the chemical dopamine. When the euphoria passes, the user may feel sleepy or depressed and may also encounter feelings of panic, anxiety, paranoia or distrust. Continued use, in an attempt to regain that feeling of euphoria can lead to marijuana addiction. If marijuana use is stopped, marijuana withdrawal symptoms may occur.

Acute Effects of Marijuana and Marijuana Addiction

During the marijuana "high" the effected individual may experience these acute effects:

* Impairs short-term memory
* Impairs attention, judgment, and other cognitive functions
* Impairs coordination, balance, and reaction time
* Increases heart rate

Persistent Effects of Marijuana Use

The effects of marijuana use can extend past the time of actual use. These additional effects may or may not become permanent. They include:

* Impairs memory
* Impairs learning skills
* Increases risk of chronic cough, bronchitis, and emphysema
* Long-term (cumulative, potentially permanent effects of chronic abuse)
* Can lead to marijuana addiction
* Increases risk of cancer of the head, neck, and lungs]

[It is a psychological addiction more than physical addiction so you can quit easily if you strictly decide you want to quit and change your social habits.]

[So this being said it is possible to quit smoking weed without suffering cravings or relapses and you are not fighting with a chemical need but a psychological need which can be overcome with willpower. While this may sound easy it can of course be a lot harder in practice as the habit can run very deep especially for those who have smoked for years. Quitting can be accompanied by anxiety and depression as you learn to live life without the constant smoking which can seem soothing and comforting but only because it was a part of your routine. The trick for some people is to find something to replace this addiction, obviously not another addiction but something creative and fulfilling. Something that makes you happy without an extreme high you may try to latch onto as an alternative.

So how to quit smoking weed in a nutshell? You must realize you do not crave weed but just want it! Once you learn to adapt to a life without marijuana you will find you can quit smoking pot forever!]

quotes from a mix of these sites -
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...a+&btnG=Search

I don't want to push the subject further, but you can't go to one or two N/A meetings and say that you don't like it. Everybody says that they thought it was stupid or that they didn't need it, until they started to go more meetings. I have never heard anything bad about it, so I think you should stick with it for awhile, then decide.

However, I am glad that you decided to change your life, because you are worth it. Nobody deserves an addiction, but those who have one deserve Recovery. It will be hard, especially on your own, but it is worth it

Hi, and thanks for the reply. I have been to many A.A meeting because i had once had a problem with alcohol. Plus my dad has been sober for 23years. I'm not saying everyone in A.A or N.A are like this but i think that there is ALOT of one sided people there, i think alot of them are hyper sensitive to alot of issues, and there tactics are outdated and i can not deal with alot of people like that. Maybe satistic are low for a reason. They look at satistics instead of looking at someone as indivisule and asking the right questions and i can not deal with that also. There alot of other issues but i don't have the time to write them all.

I do have to say about 50% of theres teaching i still use today so by any means i am not dissing the program just think it neads to be more open, ask more questions, stop being judgemental and sterotypical, ect.. If your reply is " most people are not like that just keep looking in the program", no disrespect but your fooling yourself. Like i said my dad and alot of other family members have been in the program for a long time so.......

I was more depressed in the program than out when i was trying to quit drinking, and now i am a social drinker more on holidays thats it. ANd A.A said i could'nt be that. HA

Hi PrettyinPink, Glad to see you posting again!

I've yet to find this one-sided-ness that you are referring to??

How about Al-Anon? Did that work for you?

12-steps are outdated?

Cory, who's fooling who??

Hi Pretty in Pink!!
I know that AA and NA are not for everyone..you are not the 1st person to feel that way...I used to go thru periods of time when I did not feel they could help me...then life happens and I went back because after all of this time sober..I know I need them. Have you tried different meetings in other areas...I used to go to different towns...all of them are different but hey...they are people and people are different!! Some we will connect with...some we won't!
Please be careful Pretty in Pink.....I have went thru what you re talking about. Bottom line....an alcoholic is an alcoholic...and addcit is an addict ..I used to ponder whether I really was or not after I was sober for a while....thank God I never went back out there...I am the real McCoy....a real alcoholic...and I cannot and I will never be able to safely drink again...ever....because I am an alcoholic and if you are an alcoholic...or an addict...you will always be one...unfortunately it does not go away. We just learn how to live by learning to live without it...if you were an alcoholic/addict then you still are. If you are drinking socially you are playing with your life!!!! Maybe you should speak to a coucellor to try to figure out if you really have an issue with alcohol/drugs...and go from there. I have known many people who have been in your shoes as well that are no longer with us. Life is precious...you are worth it!!:hug:

Hi, and thanks for the reply. Did i forget to use the word over dramatic also when describing what only I feel alot of A.A is about. I do not feel like i
'm playin with fire.I respect your opion because it's your own, but i do not agree with it. Who told you once your alcoholic you’re always one? I wish people especially whn playin with there life would look into what they learn and see who and where people are getting there information and see when it's been updated. Statistics show 5% can turn back into social drinkers, and i learned that in A.A from more than one person.So what does that say? I was definitely an alcoholic before, from 14 to 25 i drank VERY heavenly and 100% i drank i got drunk. I am very knowledgeable on what an alcoholic is, my dad, 8 uncles and grandparents are one. I did switch one addiction to another and know i have to be very careful at times but one thing is i know when those times are. For instance i quit smoking weed now for a few weeks i am not going to quit drinking but i definitely not be picking up a drink for a 3-4 months because i do believe u can switch back if your not careful. I did have a few glasses of wine last nite but i cut myself off. I did not allow myself to go stir crazy in my head like " i need another drink". I guess i have that " its not that serious" attitude. I have been a social drinker now for 2 in a half years and i feel finebesides that fact that smoking weed is killing my chest and i needed to quit. And no I’m not fooling myself.

As for meeting again maybe meeting are for those you do not have a support system i do not know but I have supportive family members when i need to talk. I think the more you obsess about something the more it stays around. i guess I feel that meetings are just a constant reminder of the B.S i endured when i was drinking alot . Did that make sence? I don't know if it did or not. Its almost like a women getting raped i do believe that she needs to talk about it alot at first but why keep talking about it and relivin the past.

You made comments like " i pondered weither or not i was an alcoholic when i was sober for a while,thak god i never went back out there " How can you predict the future or the prsent on whats going to happen if you don't do it yet. I'm not saying do that , but i'm wondering if your sayin that because it's sounds text book and you've heard it so many times from other people or what. That was the biggest reason why i stopped going to meeting for the fact is i felt most of peoples words were the EXSACT same as everyone else, word by word and i mean word by word. Not alot of people i felt had there own thoughts. But like i said i did learn alot from the program through so it's not all bad to me.

Happy New Year

Hey Gladys , actully someone had sent me a message and thats why i came back on. The oone-sideness i'm talkin about is that i feel alot of people from A.A/N.A are stuck in there own ways and can not see other opion for what they are. I can talk a little more latter but rite now i have to go babysit.


I finally swallowed my pride and am takin a VERY SMALL does of exfxor for the anxity and A.D.D. 27mg startin tomarrow. I guess i wanted to wait for the New Year. I am going for 5 weeks in a treatment centre to deal with some trama and learn more about mental health. I am going on Jan 5th and will be there until Feb 10th.

Maybe we can talk befroe hand but i will be very busy until than.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I thought about writing you alot but have been real flustered with school latley and holidays are depressing for me since i am away from my son. You have alway had a caring heart and i felt i was a bit disrespectful leaving you hangin. So sorry :p:cool:

Hi Pretty in Pink!
I am glad to hear that you have alot of support around you. I do too! I live with a sober alcoholic...hubby has been sober for 8 years as well.
I know that you and I have different opinions and thats OK...just please be careful...if you find yourself in need of extra support for anything do not hesitate to let it all out here. Wishing you a Very Happy New Year!! Hugs,:hug:Dorrie

motivation
 

what worked for me was motivation. a love interest had 3 small children and stated he did not want them exposed to me under the influence. so i quit cold turkey and stopped associating with folks who would tempt me. his argument made sense. after a year or so i was able to associate with anybody and to say no easily. it is harder at first. the one person i could not dissasociate from (a rent paying roomate) realized it was a temptation and hid it around me. i quit 14 yrs ago and slipped only once in the first 2 wks.

i am now able to apply for any job i want without worry about a pee test. this has been good motivation to stay clean.