Stopping the Abuse

[itsscience]

Hello all,

I'm not proud to admit this but I've been abusing this wonderful herb for a long time, daily for probably the last 15 years. I need to stop doing it but I'm finding it very difficult to break my addiction. The biggest problem I have that having been dependent on it for so long I find it very difficult to sleep without smoking.

Any of you have any experiencing kicking an addiction to the herb? I'd be very grateful for any tips/tricks/advice.

 

[Jamapricotica]

This post has been edited by me, Jamapricotica, for the simple reason that I am attempting to cleanup and/or improve my presence on this forum.

Sorry for any inconveniences this may cause.

 

[Sticki]

I agree with Jam, I think it boils down to how you percieve your relationship with Cannabis and also its interference in your regular day to day business if any. What makes your smoking habit an abuse over use?

For the sleep issues, try doing some exercise during the day or closely before bed, having a bath and a hot drink like horlicks or maybe even something herbal to help?

 

[itsscience]

Thanks guys, good advice. I hadn't thought of it that way but you're spot on, I need to avoid making it a bigger deal than it is.

I call it abuse because on average I'd smoke about 6 cones/day - usually one in the morning, one in the arvo and then 4 at night. My plan is to stop entirely for 2 or 3 months to break the cycle and then only smoke it on special occasions. Unfortunately it's readily available and just about everyone I know smokes it and that's what's going to make it hard.

Tomorrow the games begin!

 

[ophiuchus]

good call jam. i thought you were gone, good to see your back

 

[Jamapricotica]

This post has been edited by me, Jamapricotica, for the simple reason that I am attempting to cleanup and/or improve my presence on this forum.

Sorry for any inconveniences this may cause.

 

[itsscience]

Day 3 today of my self imposed abstinence and I can scarcely believe how good and "awake" I feel.

I know now that I have been abusing this herb and it has been punishing me for it. I feel almost as though I have woken from a 10 year sleep and I feel extraordinarily good for it.

My thought processes are clearer than they have been for years, I just can't properly describe how good I'm feeling after only 3 days - it's truly amazing!

 

[Jamapricotica]

This post has been edited by me, Jamapricotica, for the simple reason that I am attempting to cleanup and/or improve my presence on this forum.

Sorry for any inconveniences this may cause.

 

[Sticki]

Good on ya mate, Keep it up if you feel like it works for you

Alot of old time smokers when they give it up often say they feel high not smoking cannabis anymore 8)

I believe cannabis plays an essential part in opening the mind to new experiences and to things one may have found incomprehendable but like anything it can be abused and once you abuse a substance your not really abusing anything more then yourself.

Up untill a year and a half ago I could not understand people that said they used cannabis as a way to escape, In my experience to that point I had used it to enhance my experience and allow me the ability to approach any obstacle in life with an open mind, offering as many suggestions and theorys as possible for each individual problem. However one day some one caught me off gaurd in a mild disagreement and declared that I thought I knew everything. To this I disagreed and responded with I merely take the time to educate myself on such matters but the vibe became quite tense. So I left but it left me feeling very introspective for a while and possibly was the begining of a problem I encounterd last year with confidence but from that moment of doubt and questioning, Very important people in my life disappeard. At this point I got very confused and lost in my ways mainly becuase of family members views and criticisms on my lifestyle and interests, So I just began smoking alot of cannabis and feeling very negative, doubting my self, feeling confused, worried and lost touch with myself.

Now I understand the whole smoking to escape thing and I tell you its not nice. I too a few months ago felt very negative about my cannabis use, I have been smoking for 12 years. Then it dawned on me roughly the day before new years eve or there abouts, The reason I am not enjoying smoking is because I am not experiencing! In all my introspective negative thinking I had basicly made myself a prisoner of my own mind and home, Caught in a viscous loop...

So I said to myself 2011 is the start of something good again, Im sick of being stuck in the negative loop and I wish to experience again. Im thinking LSD is the perfect tool for the job of opening my mind

Watch out world Im comming back!

In conclusion tho mate, It is our perception that governs our relationship with people, substances and objects but other peoples perceptions can create a negative impact on a persons own views and beliefs in life.

P.S. What got you smoking in the first place?

 

[itsscience]

I believe cannabis plays an essential part in opening the mind to new experiences and to things one may have found incomprehendable but like anything it can be abused and once you abuse a substance your not really abusing anything more then yourself.

I agree entirely, very very well said.

Now I understand the whole smoking to escape thing and I tell you its not nice. I too a few months ago felt very negative about my cannabis use, I have been smoking for 12 years. Then it dawned on me roughly the day before new years eve or there abouts, The reason I am not enjoying smoking is because I am not experiencing! In all my introspective negative thinking I had basicly made myself a prisoner of my own mind and home, Caught in a viscous loop...

This was me and this was why I needed to stop for a while.

P.S. What got you smoking in the first place?

I smoked for the first time when I was 12 because I used to hang with my cousin all the time and he was 15 and he and his mates had just started experimenting with drugs - I did it to be "cool" and to "fit in" - again that's something that I'm not proud of at all but it is the brutal truth. I continued smoking on weekends throughout highschool because it was my way of finding a niche for myself (highschool was late 80's early 90's). I was a "cool" kid at school because I did drugs so I continued doing drugs to remain "cool". It's the worst justification for doing something but that's often how kids are.

 

[Crimzen]

Im trying to do the same thing as well
only its really difficult, all my friends smoke
so whenever i see them they offer generously and i know that i WANT to be high and i want to get stoned with my mates
but fuck man, how do you say no to that? im so weak
i told myself i'd get off everything for awhile to let my mind re-adjust to sober life
so when i went to my mates place we got stoned and a dealer came around and i took a few hits of rock

wtf man, am i a dirty junky?
i cant say no
in fact i could say no but the thought didnt even cross my mind, which is worse i think

 

[itsscience]

I hear you Crimzen.

I succumbed this weekend as well. A couple of mates came over with a big bag and after a small amount of resistance I caved in and had a couple of buckets (I had thrown my bong away to try and help me quit but had left a bucket lid).

I'm not getting down on myself about it though, we're not junkies just humans with weaknesses. I'm back on the wagon and maybe next time I see my mates I'll be stronger.

 

[Sticki]

Crimzen, I dont think you qualify as a junky mate. How can one hold an opinion on something one has never experienced? You are now merely experienced, You would qualify as a junky if you forsake all other aspects of life to fufill a life of rock.

Itsscience, You seem to demonise herb too much in your own mind. Why cant you have a respectfull, constructive relationship with cannabis?
Never say never...

 

[itsscience]

That's the whole point sticki. I'm trying to do exactly that but I know that I need a complete break from it for a while before I do so. In fact if you read my posts you'll realise that it's not the herb that I'm demonising, I'm demonising myself.

 

[Crimzen]

yeah, its definately difficult
I can go without smoking at all if i just stay home and dont see my friends or cousins
but that doesnt make for much of a life..

i gave my bong away to my cousin when i first decided to cut back
but i still have my old Buddha pipe, as a sentimental thing

drugs are funny things, when you want them its often too hard to find but then when you dont they wont leave you alone

 

[Sprax]

Day 3 today of my self imposed abstinence and I can scarcely believe how good and "awake" I feel.

Everything in moderation.

 

[Bible Study Boy]

I abused it as well for years. I eventually began using much harder drugs which have basically destroyed my life over the years. Good luck, I hope you have more success than I have. I have began reading the bible and actually have a bible study website, but still struggle with the addiction. I actually have an article on my website about marijuana addiction.

 

[ImTrippingStupid]

I can only imagine how fucked up I will be the first time I get stoned after my supervision is up. I used to smoke around 112 grams a week which equals out to 16 grams a day. I swear I was a burn out for several months after i stopped smoking due to incarceration. The funny thing is I forget more now while I am sober then I had when I was stoned.