Quitting cannabis - my story

[blaze master]

First off. All comments questions and criticism is encouraged.

 

I have been an extremely heavy cannabis user for almost 30 years now. I have decided to stop smoking and thought I would share the reality of what I am going through.

 

Yes I know this is anecdotal and the same things may not happen to others. I'm not here to brag but when you hear people say oh I've been smoking for 20 years etc....I've been high for 30 years. Other than 3 months (when I first arrived In Thailand it was 2003 and finding cannabis in hat yai was a challenge to say the least)  and a few other days here and there i have always been smoking. 

 

I graduated college high. Worked my professional career high. Basically everything high.

 

I stopped on May 20 so i'm 10 days in now. Yes I know its not a long time but thats not what this is about. Im here to give my unfiltered truth.

 

It has been very different from when I quit smoking cigs 9 years ago.

 

Since stopping I have encountered quite a number of withdrawals or side effects. Nauseous. Headaches. Upset stomach. Diarrhea. Loss of appetite. My head still feels quite foggy even after 10 days of 0 use. I have also been experiencing hot and cold flashes.

 

At times I am finding it hard to concentrate and focus. I have had difficulty sleeping for most of my life so that hasn't changed much. I was sweating profusely at night the first few days. To the point of changing my bed sheets 2 or 3 times a night. 

 

A Thai friend of mine who was in a similar situation quit back in January. He also went through many of the same things I am going through. We were both heavy users. 

 

I dont have the same feeling that I had when i quit cigs. That urge to light up another just isn't there. Neither is that irritating feeling I got when I quit cigs. 

 

I was also a heavy drinker for about 10 years but I haven't been drunk in about 18 years now.  I will have a beer or 2 if I am out in a social setting but never anything more.

 

I cant say that I'll never smoke a joint again as I dont know where life will take me. Still only 48 so many years to go. I do know however I will never return to being such a heavy smoker. 

 

I am In good health. Never spent a night in the hospital. All my doctor checks turn out in normal healthy ranges. Im 5 10 and weigh about 175lbs. I dont have anything like a smokers cough. That stopped shortly after I quit cigs. I have normal lung capacity as per my health records. I have a decent diet and walk 4km almost daily.....always high 🤣 

 

Hopefully sharing this can help show that for people like me quitting did in fact have withdrawals and side effects. My thai friend said it went away for him after about 2 weeks.

 

That's my story. Puff puff pass.

 

 

 

 

 

[JBChiangRai]

Thank you and very interesting to see a firsthand example of CUD (Cannabis Use Disorder).

 

Can I ask why you decided to give up?

[blaze master]

12 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

Thank you and very interesting to see a firsthand example of CUD (Cannabis Use Disorder).

 

Can I ask why you decided to give up?

 

No cud just liked it. Do you say that someone who smokes cigs daily has cig use disorder. 

 

Quit for a number of reasons. Mostly personal which im not willing to share. One I will share is knowing it will limit me access to more women. I loved smoking weed. But I love pussy.

 

Also...it just wasn't doing anything for me anymore. Didn't feel any different after I smoked so I didnt see a point in going on with it. 

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, blaze master said:

I loved smoking weed. But I love pussy.

 

what does that mean?

just looked it up, and found this online:

cannabis leads to increased sexual desire, but ....

 

[blaze master]

Just now, save the frogs said:

 

what does that mean?

just looked it up, and found this online:

cannabis leads to increased sexual desire, but ....

 

 

It means that babes tend to not want guys who smoke a lot. I choose pussy over weed all day any day.

 

I dont experience any of those things listed. 

[spidermike007]

I smoked for many years, up to about 25 years ago. Never daily. Occasionally. Loved it. Then I didn't. It started to get old. And towards the end half the time I got stoned I wished I was sober. Memory loss. And just not fun anymore. Yikes. Time to stop. Cold turkey. Never been tempted since. Don't like moving backwards in life. 

 

I don't judge it, I just don't need it. 

[blaze master]

5 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

It started to get old.

 

This is also a reason for me. Wasn't getting anything from it anymore. 

[JBChiangRai]

2 hours ago, blaze master said:

...

Since stopping I have encountered quite a number of withdrawals or side effects. Nauseous. Headaches. Upset stomach. Diarrhea. Loss of appetite. My head still feels quite foggy even after 10 days of 0 use. I have also been experiencing hot and cold flashes.

 

At times I am finding it hard to concentrate and focus. I have had difficulty sleeping for most of my life so that hasn't changed much. I was sweating profusely at night the first few days. To the point of changing my bed sheets 2 or 3 times a night. 

 

 

1 hour ago, blaze master said:

 

No cud just liked it. Do you say that someone who smokes cigs daily has cig use disorder. 

 

 

The withdrawal symptoms you describe are one of the symptoms of Cannabis Use Disorder. 

 

I'm sure you were a high-functioning addict.  You may not think you were an addict but when there are withdrawal symptoms it's a sign your body is definitely addicted.

 

 

[blaze master]

2 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

 

The withdrawal symptoms you describe are one of the symptoms of Cannabis Use Disorder. 

 

I'm sure you were a high-functioning addict.  You may not think you were an addict but when there are withdrawal symptoms it's a sign your body is definitely addicted.

 

 

 

Or my body is reacting after putting a chemical into it steadily for 30 years. As would happen with a multitude of other things

 

How is it im able to stop so easily if I have said disorder. 

[JBChiangRai]

3 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

Or my body is reacting after putting a chemical into it steadily for 30 years. As would happen with a multitude of other things

 

How is it im able to stop so easily if I have said disorder. 

 

Addiction and Withdrawal doesn't have to mean Craving.  You don't have the craving so you can give up easily, but you're getting withdrawal symptoms because your body is addicted.

 

You may not want to call it CUD, but that's what it is.  There are lots of symptoms for CUD and you're exhibiting one of them with withdrawal symptoms.  I think it's useful that those who say "Cannabis is not addictive" can see from your symptoms that they were wrong.  Cannabis can be addictive in about 6% of regular users.

[blaze master]

Just now, JBChiangRai said:

 

Addiction and Withdrawal doesn't have to mean Craving.  You don't have the craving so you can give up easily, but you're getting withdrawal symptoms because your body is addicted.

 

You may not want to call it CUD, but that's what it is.  There are lots of symptoms for CUD and you're exhibiting one of them with withdrawal symptoms.  I think it's useful that those who say "Cannabis is not addictive" can see from your symptoms that they were wrong.  Cannabis can be addictive in about 6% of regular users.

 

I just dont believe in any cud. That's brought to you by the same people that say shaky leg syndrome is a thing. 

 

Craving is a cornerstone in cigarette and alcohol addiction. Along with many other things. 

 

Does someone who works out every day have wud. 

 

What about guys in Pattaya do they have pud. Pussy use disorder. 

 

 

[spidermike007]

30 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

 

The withdrawal symptoms you describe are one of the symptoms of Cannabis Use Disorder. 

 

I'm sure you were a high-functioning addict.  You may not think you were an addict but when there are withdrawal symptoms it's a sign your body is definitely addicted.

 

 

Unless you're a daily smoker 99% of the symptoms one experiences from quitting are psychological and psychosomatic, very very few are physical. It's fairly easy to quit smoking, it's almost all in the mind. 

[blaze master]

1 minute ago, spidermike007 said:

Unless you're a daily smoker 99% of the symptoms one experiences from quitting are psychological and psychosomatic, very very few are physical. It's fairly easy to quit smoking, it's almost all in the mind. 

 

Putting a high dose of thc into one's body for such a length of time is bound to have side effects. Yet I have no urge to light up like I did with cigs.

 

I just dont want to smoke anymore. So im not.

 

 

[JBChiangRai]

50 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

I just dont believe in any cud. That's brought to you by the same people that say shaky leg syndrome is a thing. 

 

Craving is a cornerstone in cigarette and alcohol addiction. Along with many other things. 

 

Does someone who works out every day have wud. 

 

What about guys in Pattaya do they have pud. Pussy use disorder. 

 

 

 

You don't have craving, you have withdrawal symptoms.  I've never heard of any having Pussy or Workout withdrawal symptoms.

 

34 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Unless you're a daily smoker 99% of the symptoms one experiences from quitting are psychological and psychosomatic, very very few are physical. It's fairly easy to quit smoking, it's almost all in the mind. 

 

Unless you're a daily smoker - as you said.

[blaze master]

12 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

You don't have craving, you have withdrawal symptoms.  I've never heard of any having Pussy or Workout withdrawal symptoms.

 

 

Unless you're a daily smoker - as you said.

 

Addict can be placed on many things hence me talking about pussy. Go find someone who has worked out every day for 20 years and have them stop for 10 days.  

 

What about social media and dopamine hits. 

 

I could go on and on. But hopefully you get the point. 

 

We're all addicted some form of emotion. There was a movie a while back called what the bleep do we know. Talks about all this. 

[KhunLA]

I took a break numerous times, for months and or years, while a heaving indulger, as in multiple joints everyday when in the 16-25 yr old age group.  With no dependency or craving to smoke, even when in the company of others smoking doobies.

 

Same with alcohol, as getting older, moving from a daily, to weekly to monthly to almost non-existent indulger.  

 

Sex addiction ... that's a whole other story.   Can't shake that, since that first BJ, and hooked.  That OMG feeling and addicted from day 1, and craving never goes away ... 

 

Talk about rulings one's life & every decision 

[blaze master]

Forgot to mention the dreaming. Wow

 

Crazy dreams.

[JBChiangRai]

Vivid dreams happen with many triggers.  I get them and I’ve learned to love them.

[blaze master]

6 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

Vivid dreams happen with many triggers.  I get them and I’ve learned to love them.

 

Cannabis use disrupts rem. Its well known. 

[Dan O]

12 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

I just dont believe in any cud. That's brought to you by the same people that say shaky leg syndrome is a thing. 

 

Craving is a cornerstone in cigarette and alcohol addiction. Along with many other things. 

 

Does someone who works out every day have wud. 

 

What about guys in Pattaya do they have pud. Pussy use disorder. 

 

 

Apparently your attitude and comprehension skills havent changed after stopping yet. You are certainly in denial about your body's addiction to something you admitted you supplied regularly for a number of decades. What does it matter if you have\had CUD, you quit smoking so thats the only cure for CUD is quit and break the addiction. 

[blaze master]

12 minutes ago, Dan O said:

Apparently your attitude and comprehension skills havent changed after stopping yet. You are certainly in denial about your body's addiction to something you admitted you supplied regularly for a number of decades. What does it matter if you have\had CUD, you quit smoking so thats the only cure for CUD is quit and break the addiction. 

 

Does someone with ocd have an addiction ?

 

There is a huge difference between addiction and dependence. 

 

Also where did I say I supplied it for decades. You're just making up garbage for the sake of your own ego. 

[Dan O]

1 hour ago, blaze master said:

 

Does someone with ocd have an addiction ?

 

There is a huge difference between addiction and dependence. 

 

Also where did I say I supplied it for decades. You're just making up garbage for the sake of your own ego. 

 

These are your words "I have been an extremely heavy cannabis user for almost 30 years now". I believe last time I did math that almost 30 years is 2 + decades, right?

 

Denying or justify that dependance vs addiction are 2 total and independent issues as they are not in this scenerio. Thats also a distinction that I dont think you're capable of making. If your body was not addicted to and dependent on the substance that you have removed and it's showing significant signs of withdrawal then I would have to presume that your body is both addicted to and dependent on that substance to some degree. If your body was not addicted to the substance it wouldnt react the manner it has. If justifying or trying to deflect your current bodily response makes your ego feel better thats fine. Its your ego thats an issue here not mine. I could careless what you decide or why you decide to do whatever it is you do with your life. Dont post on a public forum and not expect comments from other members. You dont like my reply, scroll past, block me, ignore me I dont really care. 

[blaze master]

10 minutes ago, Dan O said:

These are your words "I have been an extremely heavy cannabis user for almost 30 years now". I believe last time I did math that almost 30 years is 2 + decades, right?

 

 

There is a huge difference. It only takes a moment to search and find out.  

 

I dont block posters that's just weak sauce. It fascinates me how people like you lack basic understanding.

 

Go back to your own addiction of hate. 

[Dan O]

17 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

 

There is a huge difference. It only takes a moment to search and find out.  

 

I dont block posters that's just weak sauce. It fascinates me how people like you lack basic understanding.

 

Go back to your own addiction of hate. 

perhaps you are the one that needs to research. There are 2 types of addiction, physical and\or mental, you obviously have a physical addiction or you wouldnt have severe withdrawal symptoms. Your ego is a whole other issue as its obviously to frail or weak to hear the truth, so you justify it as dependence so you dont carry the stigma of addiction is my guess.

 

Seems you are the hater but thats been your MO all along on the forum. While many may be able to assign their hate to a result of their addiction you on the other hand just have that as part of your character. You know what they say, "admission is the first step to recovery",  so stay on the path. You have a great day 

[blaze master]

14 minutes ago, Dan O said:

perhaps you are the one that needs to research. There are 2 types of addiction, physical and\or mental, you obviously have a physical addiction or you wouldnt have severe withdrawal symptoms. Your ego is a whole other issue as its obviously to frail or weak to hear the truth, so you justify it as dependence so you dont carry the stigma of addiction is my guess.

 

Seems you are the hater but thats been your MO all along on the forum. While many may be able to assign their hate to a result of their addiction you on the other hand just have that as part of your character. You know what they say, "admission is the first step to recovery",  so stay on the path. You have a great day 

 

 

You'd be wise to heed your own advice.

 

 

[pomchop]

15 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Unless you're a daily smoker 99% of the symptoms one experiences from quitting are psychological and psychosomatic, very very few are physical. It's fairly easy to quit smoking, it's almost all in the mind. 

easy to skip ganja at least for me

 

....nicotine is an entirely different level and for most not easy at all...i should know i quit cigs dozens of times before finally finally getting off them 25 years ago....perhaps the dumbest thing i ever did was to get addicted to  cigs and maybe the smartest thing was to finally get off of the damn things....nicotine is for me the most addictive thing i have ever put into my body just a nasty expensive dirty smelly horrible habit.  I do have sympathy for smokers and wish them well if/when they get off of them....it ain't easy.  I don't think I know of any ex smokers who are not happy to be done with that habit.

[Dan O]

2 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

 

You'd be wise to heed your own advice.

 

 

You can go first as your the one that seems to need it.

[blaze master]

53 minutes ago, Dan O said:

You can go first as your the one that seems to need it.

 

Anyone tell you how annoying you are ? Let me remind you.

[Prubangboy]

I definitely went crazy with it after my marriage break up. I love weed. It definitely made me dysfunctional, in terms of losing things and spending a lot of time on Reddit.
 

Now I do it about two or three times a week, just a half gram. The problem with weed: the more you do it the less you enjoy it.

 

For me, weed provides a great social benefit. Most of the good friends I’ve made in Thailand have been through smoking weed. There’s a place around the corner from my condo that is like a pub of days gone by.
 

I am 72. I read that only about 2 to 5% of people my age still smoke weed.

[Prubangboy]

You can read my own story of weed depravity gone wrong on the cannabis branch