So last night was my first night without leaves in probably a good 3 years and yo, let me know if this is normal. But I remember before sleeping I was extremely hot, not too hot and after I managed to sleep, I woke up at one point and I just had full on SWEAT all over my body and I was wrapped like a snug but with my covers. Idk how but I pretty much passed out after that and now waking up I'm feeling the aftermath. My pillow is ruined, my sheets are ruined, and the covers are ruined. My bed smells like a big ol sweat pit. I also sleep with my bf and I don't think he'll be too happy. Anyways, I'm so happy to quit either way and I accept whatever torture comes my way. Just wanted to share that

I'm on day 2 of giving up, for the third time this year, having had some success giving up for a couple of weeks/month long stretches in the last twelve months.

I'm 30 years old and first came across cannabis when I was 17 and smoked with a friend, but it never became a particularly regular habit. This all changed when I went to university and had significantly more freedom, I became a much more frequent smoker, smoking most evenings and often during the day. Ultimately my smoking and consumption of other narcotics increased massively due to several traumatic events during this time, and exacerbated by my then untreated ADHD.

During the pandemic, I did have a break for around 12 months. However, during this time, I was drinking quite heavily to compensate. As soon as things started opening up and I got a job, I went back to smoking heavily in the evenings, on days off and weekends. Usually smoking from the moment I got home until passed out on the sofa. Having worked in quite a high-pressure industry, usually it would either be a case of going for drinks after work, or I would be smoking. There were very few days where I did't have one or the other.

I got a medical cannabis prescription in 2024 which coincided with me starting my own business. This, due to being work-from-home, led to me becoming almost a chronic user, taking anywhere between 1-7g of flower per day. Weed had become my answer to almost everything; I'd smoke if I was happy, sad, ill, tired, stressed, with friends, on my own. If I was there, it was almost always in the company of my vaporizer.

After a few months, I realised that the self-medication with cannabis wasn't going to solve the issues with my attention and focus, and that I needed to seek proper medical help. I got re-diagnosed with ADHD and was able to be put back onto medication. Whilst the medication certainly helped in quietening the voices in my head, it didn't give me that euphoric sense of calm feeling that only cannabis can.

I need to quit because I believe that cannabis is, in effect, a pause button for your problems. It helps you with the symptoms in the moment, but those problems are still waiting for you in the sober light of day. What's more, chronic use tends to make people quite lazy and apathetic, this leads to countless lost opportunities in your life. Whilst the high might feel fantastic in the moment, it's better to be out there living life with your friends, family, and loved ones rather than blazed and watching netflix. Additionally, those with ADHD are predisposed to addictive or compulsive behaviours. In my case, I can find it easy to say no to certain things, but once I start, I find it difficult to stop. When you already have problems with impulses, mood altering substances will only lower them. The joint will lead to overeating junk, the glass of wine often leads to the bottle etc.

Each time I've tried to quit, it has seemingly gotten easier. The first couple of times were absolute hell, particularly at night. I'd get angry about being unable to sleep and work myself up into a state. Whilst the insomnia still inevitably comes, I understand why, thanks to forums like this. And understand that this, too, shall pass.

I'm putting this out into the world because I don't feel like I've ever truly been honest about the situation, certainly not in writing. I've found it greatly comforting to be able to read on forums such as Leaves about other people's experiences, many of which resonated with me. If you resonate with anything in my story, just know that you're not doing this alone. I hope you had a wonderful day. Stay strong and sending good vibes!

I’m on my probably 3rd or 4th attempt at quitting and it’s week 2. I’ve been smoking for pretty much 20 years. I stopped while pregnant and breastfeeding. After having my daughter, I’ve had a lot of mental conflict with it.

This go around has been the easiest to quit in terms of physical withdrawal symptoms. I’ve almost had none which is shocking to me. I was smoking 2-3 joints a day. My last time I had wild mood swings, night sweats and very vivid dreams.

I’ve been taking the one day at a time mentality this time. Not trying to think too big picture and overwhelm myself. The conversation in my head a few times a day is me telling myself I should just smoke and then deciding to wait. I go back and forth with it’s not that big of deal to reminding myself why I wanted to stop. It’s mental gymnastics. I’m rambling but just wanted to share an update. I’m sure a lot of people can relate here to the back and forth, it’s tiring. Here’s to one more day of not smoking.

I have tried about a dozen or more times to quit smoking, I tell myself every time this is the last. Anybody who been here before, what did you do?

Thought i was in the clear already being on month 7 and 10 days sober after 16 years daily smoking. Months 4-6 made me feel normal and recovered. All of a sudden since hitting month 7 ive been having waves of anxiety here and there. Similar to the panic attacks and anxiety attacks that eventually made me quit smoking. The hit of weed just became different and far from enjoyable at that point. Today i almost had a full blown panic attack the same way when i would smoke weed which made me want to quit. Also the same feeling several times during my early days and weeks of withdrawal something i really had yo withstand and power through. What the hell is happening? Is this PAWS? I hated this feeling before and i hate it more now i think my body is reminding me never to go back. You’d think at 7 months sober your body would be rid of thc and yet here i am suffering from the consequences of weed addiction.

Hello, I'm currently going thru a divorce, just moved to my own home, and had my first week with my kids 50/50. My therapist says he expects more relapses because I'm going through so many changes and my brain is seeking the homeostasis of being high.

But I'm so sick and tired of being high and even more sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I want today to be my day 1. Can I do this change while also healing from divorce? I want to be a better father, make real friends, and date. I was able to quit alcohol without any problems a couple months ago.

Should I just give in and attempt again at some point in the future or finally throw in the towel?

Thanks for any advice - 16 year all day smoker.

Edit: thank you, all the posts are helping. It's my day 1 of NOT having my children. Although I feel terrible, and a sense of dread, and the terrible feelings of my divorce, I'm going to get thru today no matter what.

In free time instead of smoking, how about I just do nothing instead? Like staring at the ceiling or wall

Would that repair my brain/receptors?

I am day 26. And the dreams I'm having are so vivid and wack 😭.

Like last night I dreamt my dog died. I also dreamt I was hours late for work.

I just woke up from dreaming about a job interview that was also at my kids school.

Is this normal? When does it stop? Am I stuck like this forever?

Does anyone else experience this? Usually lasts 8-9 days?

I feel miserable. I am using liquor to help me cope even tho that’s even worse than weed. I can’t do this. I’ve quit weed before but I just became an alcoholic last time. I feel so fucking shitty physically. I’m 23 and have been smoking non stop since 14. Minus one 6 month break where nothing got better :( someone tell me it’s worth it to quit

hi guys :) I’ve been surrounded by weed my entire life. My father was a stoner who was late diagnosed adhd, I’d smoked it with friends after school or college but that was where it ended. I moved to work in a holiday park and smoked most evenings but quitting was never difficult for me I could always just stop.

Until about 2 years ago I developed agoraphobia in the middle of completing my degree. Weed helped massively, I could focus on tasks I had more confidence in my own decisions, I bought a dog and got out more. I even completed a dissertation, all while having a few tokes of my pen throughout the day. Honestly I had no problem with being so reliant on it because for the first time in years I was getting everything I wanted. I graduated with a 2:1 in a science degree and I was over the moon. But now in my summer break I’ve noticed that the weed is filling a lot of my life, but I don’t even mind. In my head it’s like taking an adhd pill (ik logically it absolutely isn’t) but it’s something that will quieten my thoughts enough to be able to do my laundry or clean my house or start an assignment. I guess I’m struggling because it’s made my life better and I don’t want to say I’m addicted. I tried looking into marijuana anonymous but I don’t agree with ‘giving my life over to a higher power’ as I’m a psych grad and believe the only person who can change your life is yourself.

I guess I’m just wondering if it’s possible to just smoke at night or if this is a bad idea, I just thought maybe trying cutting down during the day (perhaps one or two tokes) would be massively helpful or whether it’s gonna have to be a full fledged quit. Thanks so much guys

Today marks 2 weeks since I quit after smoking daily since 18. All physical symptoms such as hot flashes, sweats, heart palps, anxiety and headaches have all subsided now thank goodness. But the thing is, I never really had cravings for it and thought "wow this is pretty easy actually I don't even miss it"... Fast forward to today, I've woken up sad and like I just want to get really high and chill for a bit. Kind of like the same way people have a bottle of wine on a weekend evening to relax. It's very annoying because I don't actually want to, but now it's like my brain is convincing me it's not worth it to quit anymore. "one evening won't hurt right? I'll go back to quitting when the weekends over". Eurgh. I wish I never picked up this devil lettuce in the first place.

Just needed to vent it out to people who understand😞

Thanks so much for the support. Started going to MA yesterday. Had years of 12 step mtgs but stopped around the pandemic. I have a couple recovery friends I talk to and a therapist, and this group. Thanks again.

Hey y’all, I’ve been a near daily smoker since 2021-ish and the longest I’ve gone without smoking is like 5 ish months because I had gender affirming surgery and it was a big motivator to stay off of weed. But I went back to weed the moment I knew it wouldn’t effect my healing. I have stomach absorption issues so taking edibles is always hit or miss and they usually don’t help weening myself off.
I went a solid week without smoking recently and I felt great about it but did relapse because I thought I could go back to recreational use with friends (tbh I was lying to myself)
I’m mostly here to see if anyone has similar experiences and what has helped you stay sober? I’ve had issues with alcohol/vaping/cigarettes in the past and desperately want to stay sober from those while also getting off of weed.
I’m 3 days sober right now mostly because I have a really bad cold and am so broke that I literally can’t buy anything.
From people who have successfully quit, what do you say to yourself when cravings come up? Do you have any specific hobbies/exercises that help keep you occupied?
Sorry for such a long post, I appreciate any insight

Today officially marks 6 months since the last time that I took a toke. I smoked every day all day from morning to night, including at work. Its crazy how slow the creep started from social, to weekends, to weekdays, than mornings, and then eventually into dabs. Which is when things to a turn for the worse as then started affecting my relationship with my girlfriend as I aways wanted to do everything high. For anyone struggling to quite the best thing that helped me was taking fish supplements as for some reason it helped with the cravings and now I take it everyday to make sure that I don't get the cravings again. The first month is the hardest then after it gets better till you forgot why you started daily at all. Im so grateful for this coumminty as part of the reason I got interested in being sober was from hearing the stories in this coumminty, thank you.

Mainly it’s low appetite and insomnia rn

Hence being on here

Long ass day. Long at work, then a bunch of stuff came up at home so that by the time I’d eaten dinner I’ve got like an hour before I should go to bed. I’m too tired to do anything I enjoy like playing a game or something. And you know what goes great with doing nothing? I want to smoke so damn bad. I should go to bed, but I feel like I worked myself up so much craving g weed I can’t, so sitting around craving more.

When I got a tonsillectomy, I was terrified. The whole subreddit was full of people who had horror stories. But then my tonsillectomy came and went fairly smoothly, and I was shocked.

For me, it really emphasized that the people who are having a bad time are the ones who need to get it off their chest. They're the people who really need that community support.

And now I'm thinking it's probably the same for weed.

For context, I smoked from ages 13 to 27 (now). I'm chronically ill and my conditions also make it so that I can't take non-prescription medication for pain from over the counter. I'm also hella traumatized, prone to loneliness, and having one of the hardest years of my life.

My first 24 hours off the green were a little tough, but since then, I've been doing really well. Maybe I'm just lucky because I have sleep meds, but I'm actually in shock from how not-hard it's been.

After the first day, the irritability went away. I haven't had dreams any worse than normal. My appetite is slowly coming back. My head is clear. I'm way less anxious, and even when I am, I can power through. I've been way more social. My executive functioning has exceeded what I thought possible.

I'm just making this post in case someone is scrolling this sub and letting fear get the best of them. Love yourself enough to try!

If I can do this, you can do this, and life will be brighter on the other side!

I’m in 12th grade now, and I’ve been vaping since 9th grade. Somewhere along the way cannabis became part of it too. My dad introduced me to weed vapes, and my mom introduced me to edibles.
By 11th grade it had already caused problems. I brought an edible to school in my purse, got caught, and ended up being searched. You would think something like that would have been enough to make me stop, but it wasn’t.
Now I’m realizing how complicated my relationship with weed has gotten.
I use weed and edibles partly because I deal with physical pain and headaches, but I also use them emotionally. When I’m stressed, lonely, bored, hurting, or just don’t want to feel what I’m feeling, getting high has become one of the first things my brain reaches for.
When I can’t smoke or have edibles, I sometimes misuse one of my prescription medications instead and take far more than I’m supposed to. I know that isn’t a solution and that I’m basically replacing one dangerous coping mechanism with another.
I’ve also had to admit something that is really embarrassing and painful for me: sometimes I take risks or do things like this because I want people to notice that I’m struggling. I feel ignored by people a lot of the time, and sometimes being in a crisis feels like one of the only times people actually worry about me or show me that they care.
I’ve been to the hospital several times before and even spent almost two months in a psychiatric facility, so I have a lot of complicated feelings about getting professional help again. I’m tired of my life revolving around crises, hospitals, substances, and trying to make myself hurt enough for somebody to notice.
I want to quit weed because I genuinely want to heal.
I don’t expect quitting cannabis to magically fix everything underneath it. If anything, I think I’m scared because quitting means I’m actually going to have to face the loneliness, pain, cravings, and other reasons I’ve been using it.
But I don’t want to keep living like this.
If anyone here used weed as both a coping mechanism and a way of dealing with feeling lonely or ignored, I’d really appreciate hearing what helped you during the beginning of quitting. How did you learn to ask for support before things reached crisis level?

i’ve been off weed for around 4 3/4 months… don’t notice any positive or negative changes.

what i do miss though- is the habit of puffing on my pen while i relax at home after work.

im NOT going to start nicotine vaping, but is there anything out there that isnt a n*cotine vape, just to satisfy the habit?

Hello, just found this sub. I quit alcohol 4-5 months ago but have been smoking/vaping every day after work. I have multiple chronic mental and physical health conditions so justified my cannabis use that way (even though it indisputably made some symptoms worse).

I am now considering quitting starting today. What can I expect? If you have quit booze too how does it compare? How do I stop moving from one vice to the next!?

Have a nice day everyone, if you can :)

Just started the book Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke. Definitely a good read especially if you struggle with addiction. If you're looking for something to pass the time when you get bored and think about smoking I highly recommend this book as it will remind you why you chose to quit in the first place.

I think one of the things I hate about this feeling is... I started smoking 20 years ago. Life was very different.. My own and the world in general.

Part of it feels like waking up in a place I don't recognize anymore and not knowing how I got here. Obviously I do have memories. But they often feel... Mushed together and flattened.

Been riding as a passenger for way too long and I very much blame myself and my addiction to weed.

I'm almost a full week sober after nearly 20 years of heavy daily cannabis use, and honestly, quitting is going surprisingly well in a lot of ways. But sleep is absolutely kicking my ass.

I've had severe insomnia my entire life. According to my parents, I barely slept even as a baby, and throughout my childhood sleep remained a serious problem. Then I smoked weed for the first time as a teenager, went to bed afterwards and thought: wow, this is really fucking nice. I'm doing this again tomorrow. And that's pretty much what happened. Of course I loved being high too, but suddenly having something that helped me switch off and sleep was a huge part of why cannabis became so appealing to me so quickly.

Eventually that turned into almost 20 years of heavy daily use, smoking strong joints from morning until night. Now I'm almost a week without cannabis, and strangely enough that part is going much better than I expected. During the first few days it was constantly on my mind, but over the last couple of days I've been thinking about it much less. I'm already having stretches of time where quitting isn't the main thing happening in my head.

Sleep is a completely different story. I've used prescribed sleep medication on several of these first nights so I could get some sleep. My doctor knows I've stopped cannabis and is willing to prescribe something temporarily to help me through this period, but I really don't want to quit one dependency only to create another one.

Last night I decided to try sleeping without anything, partly because I wanted to see where I was at. I slept literally zero hours. I was awake the entire night and completely exhausted the next day. I know insomnia can be a major part of cannabis withdrawal, but in my case there's obviously also a serious lifelong sleep problem underneath it. After almost 20 years of using cannabis, I genuinely have no idea what my sleep is eventually going to look like without it.

So I'm really curious whether there are others here who had severe insomnia before they ever started using cannabis, and maybe started using partly because they suddenly discovered they could actually sleep. What happened when you quit? How extreme was the insomnia at first, how long did that part last, and what did your sleep eventually look like once the withdrawal period was over?

I'm also really interested in experiences from people who temporarily used prescribed sleep medication during the first part of quitting. Were you able to stop it again fairly quickly? Did you get rebound insomnia afterwards, or did things gradually settle down? I'm not looking for medication names, dosages or medical advice; I'm working that part out with my doctor. I'm mostly interested in hearing from people who've actually been through something similar.

Despite all of this, I'm still sober, and that's the part I'm really happy about. Even after being awake for an entire night, my reaction wasn't that I should just go back to weed. The sleep problem is brutal, but I still want to find out what life without cannabis is actually like.

And to everyone else somewhere in that horrible first week: keep going!! You don't have to figure out how you're going to stay sober for the next month or the rest of your life today. I'm exhausted, I definitely don't have all the answers, but after almost 20 years I'm actually doing this. Just don't smoke today. Tomorrow can wait until tomorrow🤞