Abstinence

[Forkbender]

I recently stopped smoking weed/hash regularly (at least 3 days a week for the last year and a half). I decided on January 2nd that enough was enough and that I would only use cannabis once a month. Thus far I haven't used it since. I noticed some things changed for me. I became more productive and was able to do things that needed to be done much better. I also became aware how I misused cannabis, by using it to fill the time in which I had nothing to do or pretended I had nothing to do. I want to use it instead in the way I use entheogens: just once a month tops to journey. I am planning an experience next week (but have to see if I got the time).

Sleeplessness is a big problem. Before I started smoking cannabis, I regularly couldn't fall asleep because of stress and/or running thoughts. The use of cannabis was some form of self-medication, but now that I stopped, I noticed that I don't have running thoughts any more, which is good. I also don't experience stress that much, which is also great. But I do have problems falling asleep and since I have to work at certain times, I am often tired because I could only fall asleep at 2 am. I am at peace with not falling asleep more than I used to, but am getting tired of being tired.

Quiting wasn't hard at all. I noticed I had lots of time now that I could actually read something without me forgetting everything the next day. The moments I craved for a joint were very insightful, as they showed me why and how I used cannabis before. I didn't have problems with people smoking a joint near me, though and I rolled a couple of them for people with 'rolling disabilities' without feeling the urge to light it. Being sober all day is a great experience, too, I must add. I am confident that I can learn to relate to this wonderful plant in a new way and that it will teach me more now that I show more respect.

 

[redhawk]

It's good for yourself, but probably even better for the people around you. Cannabis never helped me in anyway, therefore I’ve stopped smoking it many years ago.

My best friend, who had smoked daily for the last 18 years quited last year.I’ve never seen more alive then the last months and also see a lot of comparison in your story.

Hope you’ll find your balance, but I’m sure you will!

Take care.

 

[restin]

Cannabis is a drug which indeed is easy to abuse. It has such a variety that it can be used recreational and psychedelic, while the recreational use is culturally more established. I believe that especially in the Netherlands, its social abilities can easily lead to abuse - "let's quickly roll a joint..." I know several people that got wasted because the abused - there's nothing bad in using weed recreationally but one still needs to be careful. Your insight that you overused it and your decision to quit/make it psychedelic is really good. Enjoy it.

 

[Caduceus Mercurius]

I thought the thread would be about sexual abstinence... :?

Regarding cannabis, I'm now trying to abstain one day a week. Well, actually the first 12 hours of that day. So far so good!

 

[Forkbender]

Thanks all.

The decision was easy and keeping it was even easier. I allow myself to use it once a month to see if that is a good rate.

I believe that especially in the Netherlands, its social abilities can easily lead to abuse - "let's quickly roll a joint..."

I don't think that we are special here. It is easier to get and you generally won't get into trouble if you smoke, but less people do it than, for example, in France, the UK or the US.

@CM: way to go! 12 hours seems a long time. :wink:

 

[restin]

I don't think that we are special here. It is easier to get and you generally won't get into trouble if you smoke, but less people do it than, for example, in France, the UK or the US.

What I rather thought about is that weed has a weaker social taboo in the netherlands than in other countries. So you maybe will, when going out, rather toke than using the here only social accepted drug, alcohol. But please, prove me wrong if this is not so :wink:

 

[Forkbender]

You may be right.

 

[mysticwarrior]

I recognised almost every single word you wrote

@caduceus: How many hours have pasted now? Are you already going mad? Is the vapo still in front of you? Does he smile? Anyway, i wish you good luck. Ohw and let us know, when you start with your next day

Fork and Caduceus, i wish you good luck

 

[misfit]

Good for you that you felt that you made a good decision, and you're getting new life experiences for it.

Personally I relate with what you wrote. It happened to me. Maybe a little different, but still. I started to crave for a joint everytime I was sober. One day, I sat with me, when I was craving for a joint, and thought about what I was feeling. And was just that easy. I decided to quit.
After that, I spend almost a year without smoking (well, maybe one toke here and there. But rarely, as I recall it.). And it definetly changed the way I felt about thc. Now I respect it, and the experience itself. And I no longer crave for a toke.

Being sober is such a high if you sharp your senses!

 

[Caduceus Mercurius]

@caduceus: How many hours have pasted now? Are you already going mad? Is the vapo still in front of you? Does he smile? Anyway, i wish you good luck

No, I'm not abstaining on Sunday! On Tuesdays I have to abstain, and I've been doing that for a couple of months now.

 

[Oknayd]

Heyhey, i decided to quit smoking for some time, now 2 weeks ago. I never really used to smoke so regularly till about +- 2 months ago. The habit kind of sneaked in because i was spending more time with someone who smoked more, and me being the social mirror that i am...well..
I noticed i got a craving every time i felt 'dull' in the mind or when i wanted to draw or paint, sharpening the senses sounds nice misfit, how should it be done? I guess i can kind of answer that myself, but i would like to hear from you guys.
I started going to the gym recently and i think i'll be picking up some yoga lessons again soon, i'm also more interested in more healthy food habits since my last mushroom trips which told me i should be more aware what i let in and out of my body and mind.. not only food but i'm also thinking about the way different media/people/sound/vision/etc.. influences and affect your mental/bodily health.

I haven't figured out a 'rate' to smoke yet like you forkbender, but my intention is to abstain from it as long as i need, and maybe then indeed once a month will be nice. A vaporizer would be ideal, i like the thick smoke of hash but we all know it ain't exactly healthy

 

[Forkbender]

I'm thinking about making bhang or hashbonbons once a month instead of smoking. It's a different high, something that I even like more than the brainy high of pure cannabis.

 

[Oknayd]

^^ sounds nice, never heard of hashbonbons before

 

[GOD]

Its like sex the less one abuses it the better it is .

 

[????????]

I became more productive

how much more productive?

 

[Forkbender]

So much that a sober mind can notice(!)

I know people who are very productive when high (my brother for example, is a great writer and sparks his creativity once in a while with some weed), but for me that wasn't the case. I felt great, but wasn't inclined to do anything.

Now I just do things that I always want to do but didn't because I got high.

 

[????????]

yeah i'm thinking of reducing my intake too since i'm starting a new semester and i need to make time for studying; you mention something interesting: we have very different organisms and some people can get high and work and study. each one has to find their balance.

 

[Forkbender]

Anyone got any tips for falling asleep? Seems I have unlearned it.

 

[GOD]

Could it be that when you arent high you are more sarcastic .


I was wondering why you had posted so many posts this evening and why you were still awake ......


I have a party pack of happy happy bye bye pills for days like that .

 

[Forkbender]

Could it be that when you arent high you are more sarcastic .

might be, but further experiments are needed.

I have a party pack of happy happy bye bye pills for days like that .

Yeah, I don't really feel like taking pills for this.