Smoked marijuana every single day for almost 3 years. I quit cold turkey. What will I experience?

Question by Jane: Smoked marijuana every single day for almost 3 years. I quit cold turkey. What will I experience?
I decided to grow up and stop smoking marijuana. I was a chronic user. It’s day 2. I feel pretty irritatable. I cannot sleep for the life of me. And I don’t want to use a sleeping pill for fear that I’ll become addicted. What can I expect from quitting? Can you really be addicted to weed? What are some benefits to me quitting? What are things I need to watch out for? Is insomnia after quitting weed normal? Am I prone to get head or throat cancer now? (I read that in an article online)
Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by Intrinsic Random Event
You will not get head or throat cancer. You will just be fairly uncomfortable for a few days. What you need is distraction, however you can get it. Go on long walks, that helped me. You won’t be having fun, but know that the payoff is very real, and not far away. If you can take a couple of days off work, then that might also help, though some may prefer to have that distraction available too. You will be happier, because you will feel more drive to do the things you want to do. And you will WANT to do things, and that will make you happy.
Just expect to feel uptight and uncomfortable for at least 3-4 days, then it will get much much easier.
Probably the biggest thing to make sure of is to avoid smoking ciggies as a substitute. On the one hand tobacco won’t put you in a haze and cause you to feel like a fool in public, but on the other hand it would be replacing one problem with another.
I smoked pot like a chimney for several years while I was playing in bands. Finally I wanted to leave it behind because I was getting very very little out of it, given that I was paying for a 1/4 ounce every 2 weeks, and being an uncommunicative moron at social occasions, and barely able to hold a basic job, and unmotivated to get on with my life, which just keeps slipping away.
These days, a few years later, I might get myself a g when I’m on holidays, and only maybe 2-3 times a year… and that’s plenty for me. I’m happy to have a bit of fun with it on rare occasions, but I couldn’t do all the things that I need to do if I was regularly stoned, and I wouldn’t enjoy it anywhere near as much anyway.
And, Rance is right that you should watch out for overeating, food is not a good distraction to use, but don’t be afraid to order some nice take-away once or twice, that could help. Whatever helps you to move on, but if you stack on the weight then you will have to deal with that eventually too.

Add your own answer in the comments!

 


 

Treating Addictions – Part 2

 

Minorities Face Health Disparities in Mental Health and Addictions

Filed under: drug abuse treatment outcome study

The fact that she often speaks on cultural competence in mental health is an example of the problem: she's one of just two people of color in behavioral health, and her background is actually in addiction treatment, not mental health. “I think we do a …
Read more on The Lund Report

 

New Recommendations on Treatments for Seizures in Autism

Filed under: drug abuse treatment outcome study

These included certain antiepileptic drugs (particularly valproate, lamotrigine, and levetiracetam), the ketogenic and modified Atkins diet, and immunomodulation and neurofeedback treatments. Treatment for … Most importantly, this study demonstrates …
Read more on Sacramento Bee

 

Support CASA by volunteering

Filed under: drug abuse treatment outcome study

Recently, Montana Supreme Court Justice Beth Baker announced her support for the 15 Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs serving children in cases of abuse and neglect across Montana. Citing the … The job of a volunteer is to get to know …
Read more on Valleyjournal