-- Posted by EmilyAnn at 1:02 pm on July 11, 2008 I love marijuana, don't get me wrong. It's definitely a part of my daily life. Which brings me to a strong realization and this topic. I am fiercely addicted to herb. There is no physical addiction, of course, but psychologically, I need my daily green. More than once a day. I smoke from morning until nightfall, and if I don't, I'm a crabby bitch. That's me right now. A fucking jerk because I haven't smoked yet today. I've finally realized that I need to do something. I will continue to smoke weed, let me make that clear. However, I plan on cutting back drastically. Part of that is due to the fact that I just quit my full-time job and moved to a part-time job (and I'm living in my own apartment and going to college, ah!) so I'm not going to be able to supply my habit nearly as much. I do understand, though, that the main reason I need to cut back to almost nothing is because it's just not healthy anymore. It seems like I can't do anything without smoking weed first, even before seeing my family and other shit that I SHOULD be sober for. I suppose many might think that the only way to get over my addiction is to stop smoking completely. Before I try that, however, I am going to try cutting back to maybe two or three times a week, and only when I'm with friends. No more smoking by myself, and no more smoking five to ten fucking times a day. Pathetic. Most of you probably think that 2-3 times a week is a LOT, but to me it's absolutely nothing. Baby steps, guys! Has anyone else ever had any issues with this? I know most people say that pot isn't addictive, but trust me...it can be. Most people just aren't aware of its potential addictive qualities. -- Posted by inside out oreo at 1:03 pm on July 11, 2008 you sound like bri. i'm toking some GANK ass weed in like a hour. -- Posted by JackieisBlue at 1:04 pm on July 11, 2008 good for you? -- Posted by EmilyAnn at 1:05 pm on July 11, 2008 Quote: from JackieisBlue at 3:04 pm on July 11, 2008 good for you? Thanks! I appreciate your (sarcastic?) support. -- Posted by mcrfool at 1:05 pm on July 11, 2008 I know that it can be very addictive, and I think weening off of it is a good idea, and much better than just stopping completely. -- Posted by EmilyAnn at 1:07 pm on July 11, 2008 Quote: from mcrfool at 3:05 pm on July 11, 2008 I know that it can be very addictive, and I think weening off of it is a good idea, and much better than just stopping completely. Yeah, for sure. Quitting cold turkey doesn't seem to work for most people, and probably wouldn't work for me since smoking is such a large part of my lifestyle. Besides, I don't WANT to quit completely. Just smoke in moderation and healthily. -- Posted by envyeyz709 at 1:08 pm on July 11, 2008 my sis is the same way. wont go to work if she isnt smoked out. i think its great that you realize it should be more of a good-time thing. you enjoy it more if its not something you do all day anyways. -- Posted by La Motta at 1:08 pm on July 11, 2008 I know about addiction. It's hard to admit you have a problem, the hardest part is over!! -- Posted by JennyColada at 1:09 pm on July 11, 2008 I don't know much about cutting down on marijuana, but I know that when people try to do that same thing with drinking and smoking cigs it seems like it is much harder than simply quitting. Many of my long-time heavy marijuana smokers also had issues with them no longer finding time for their friends, since most of their friends continued to be heavy users. Losing such a strong common ground makes it harder for them to socialize with their friends as much as they once did. Anyway, I hope that your choices end up making you happier in any way that they can, and I hope that whatever you end up doing is the right thing for you. -- Posted by electropop at 1:09 pm on July 11, 2008 dont worry i had a boyfriend who was quite similar to you but he just tned it down bit by bit and now he only smokes it 1 or 2 times a week -- Posted by ALostHope at 1:16 pm on July 11, 2008 Quote: from inside out oreo at 1:03 pm on July 11, 2008 you sound like bri.  i'm toking some GANK ass weed in like a hour. Gank? That isn't the correct usage of that word. Unless you mean to kill someone in a massively multiplayer rpg, usually by dishonorable methods. Or to steal or take something that does not belong to you. Both definitions are from Urban Dictionary. Perhaps you meant "Dank"? Which is mainly used to describe high quality marijuana. -- Posted by EmilyAnn at 1:16 pm on July 11, 2008 Quote: from JennyColada at 3:09 pm on July 11, 2008 Many of my long-time heavy marijuana smokers also had issues with them no longer finding time for their friends, since most of their friends continued to be heavy users. Losing such a strong common ground makes it harder for them to socialize with their friends as much as they once did. That's what I'm worried about, Jenny. Many of my closest friends and I smoke when we're together, so this will certainly be an issue. However, if our friendships break apart because I'm not smoking as much weed anymore, then it's not even worth maintaining a relationship with them. A friendship based on smoking weed is not something I want to keep in my life, when I think about it. Really, this is a major test of many of my friendships. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens. Thanks for your advice and support. :) -- Posted by EmilyAnn at 1:17 pm on July 11, 2008 Quote: from ALostHope at 3:16 pm on July 11, 2008 Quote: from inside out oreo at 1:03 pm on July 11, 2008 you sound like bri.     i'm toking some GANK ass weed in like a hour. Gank? That isn't the correct usage of that word. Unless you mean to kill someone in a massively multiplayer rpg, usually by dishonorable methods. Or to steal or take something that does not belong to you.   Both definitions are from Urban Dictionary. Perhaps you meant "Dank"? Which is mainly used to describe high quality marijuana. Haha, I was thinking the same thing when I read that post but I didn't say anything. I love that you posted this, because now I can admit that I, too, looked up "gank" on Urban Dictionary upon reading the post. :) -- Posted by Cosmic Consciousness at 8:16 am on July 12, 2008 I used to have the same problems, I haven't cut back on weed. An attitude adjustment is all you need. When you're not high just try not to be upset about it. -- Posted by EmilyAnn at 4:18 pm on July 13, 2008 Thanks for the support, everyone. :) In the past couple of days I have definitely cut down on my weed smoking. Rather than 5+ times a day, I've brought it down to 1-3 times a day. I'm proud of myself! I'm still smoking pretty steadily (daily), but I know I can wean myself down slowly. My goal is not to quit completely, but to smoke only 2-3 times a week. That will be quite an achievement for me. I know it must sound crazy to some people, but if that's the case then you've never dealt with an addiction before. Whether it's cigs, drugs, alcohol, food, exercise, whatever -- addiction is NOT easy! -- Posted by WhiskyTangoFoxtrot at 12:18 pm on July 14, 2008 Thats pretty cool, have you ever thought about expanding your drug use to other things? -- Posted by EmilyAnn at 12:26 pm on July 14, 2008 And what exactly do you mean by that? -- Posted by Cosmic Consciousness at 11:12 pm on July 14, 2008 Quote: from EmilyAnn at 4:18 pm on July 13, 2008 I know it must sound crazy to some people, but if that's the case then you've never dealt with an addiction before. Whether it's cigs, drugs, alcohol, food, exercise, whatever -- addiction is NOT easy! Don't act like weed is actually an addicting substance. Your addicted to it like a kid is addicted to candy, it's all about will power. -- Posted by JennyColada at 11:02 am on July 15, 2008 Quote: from Cosmic Consciousness at 11:12 pm on July 14, 2008 Quote: from EmilyAnn at 4:18 pm on July 13, 2008  I know it must sound crazy to some people, but if that's the case then you've never dealt with an addiction before. Whether it's cigs, drugs, alcohol, food, exercise, whatever -- addiction is NOT easy! Don't act like weed is actually an addicting substance. Your addicted to it like a kid is addicted to candy, it's all about will power. Is playing down an addiction supposed to make her feel any better? Whether it's about willpower or not (although she has even stated in the first post that she understands that, and never claimed it to be a physical dependence), it can still be quite hard to take control. -- Posted by thesketch at 1:50 pm on July 15, 2008 I went through the same shit you went through. College was rough, different area, different weather, definitely brought me out of my comfort zone.  I felt really anxious anytime I wasn't high cause I'd be self-conscious about all kinds of really retarded shit. I smoked to make it through the day without thinking about stuff that got me down.  THC is a muscle relaxant because it slows down the rate at which your synapses fire in the brain.  It's been proven to help with issues of anxiety. It seems youve been smoking as much and as frequently as I used to.  What are you burning through? A quad in a week? I suggest doing a little research about General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Dysthemia.  A lot of the time excessive use may be contributed to some underlying issues. I love some crystally purps as much as the next person, but weed shouldn't be used as a crutch.  Don't you miss the times where you could smoke and laugh uncontrollably?  Skipping a day or two can bring you right back to that feeling.  It's not about the duration of your high, its the quality of the high. Best advice: find a hobby that doesnt require sitting indoors.  Pick up whittling or something.  That way you can whittle a wooden bowl for the weekends.  Ahahaha -- Posted by EmilyAnn at 12:10 pm on July 16, 2008 Quote: from JennyColada at 1:02 pm on July 15, 2008 Quote: from Cosmic Consciousness at 11:12 pm on July 14, 2008 Quote: from EmilyAnn at 4:18 pm on July 13, 2008     I know it must sound crazy to some people, but if that's the case then you've never dealt with an addiction before. Whether it's cigs, drugs, alcohol, food, exercise, whatever -- addiction is NOT easy!    Don't act like weed is actually an addicting substance. Your addicted to it like a kid is addicted to candy, it's all about will power.   Is playing down an addiction supposed to make her feel any better? Whether it's about willpower or not (although she has even stated in the first post that she understands that, and never claimed it to be a physical dependence), it can still be quite hard to take control. Thank you, Jenny. Cosmic Consciousness, I do understand that it's not physically addicting. I am definitely mentally dependent on weed though, and I can promise you that. You make it sound like willpower is so damn easy to control, but try telling that to anyone with an addiction and see what the response is. You've obviously never dealt with an addiction, so it's probably hard for you to grasp this. Food is NOT physically addicting, but tons of people are addicted to it. I have watched documentaries about morbidly obese people who simply cannot stop putting food into their mouths. Physically non-addictive substances CAN BE mentally addictive. Take a psychology class or something if you don't believe me, or talk to a psychologist who specializes in addictions. It irritates me that you seem to view some addictions as a simple joke, when in reality they can be much more serious. -- Posted by daman at 3:07 pm on July 31, 2008 i kno exatly what u are goin through, like my addiction to pot was very strong to the point where i would smoke up to 4 days b4 drug test (i am on probation) and right after the test i would have a joint or a blunt rolled and ready to go, but after goin to jail (got a mip on probo) i came out and i had to go the consoling and my consoler was goin to be drug testing me and i decided to try to quit and i was able too sooo u can quit or cut back it just comes down to how much YOU want it, and it isent easy but you are goin to have to hang out with ur friends that use less until u get to the point where u can turn it down if u have to see ur family or other simular situations... i wish u luck i kno how hard it can be pm me if u need help.... -- Posted by Black American Dude at 4:47 pm on July 31, 2008 i'm in your same boat. it sucks. everything else just feels so boring, sober. -- Posted by theleger at 9:55 pm on Sep. 16, 2008 WoW! your in the same place i was two years ago, my senior year in hs i waked and baked, and was stoned all day long. same with my freshman year in college, sophmore year, i cut back alot! mainly due to gas prices lol, then i grew my own! however, i still cut back a ton. went from an oz a week to mayb a quarter. every now and then i go for a half a week during finals and stuff, but its def easier and my g/f loves me so much more lol -- Posted by Tyrant at 3:08 am on Sep. 23, 2008 Quote: from Black American Dude at 6:47 pm on July 31, 2008 i'm in your same boat. it sucks. everything else just feels so boring, sober. forget the boat we all on a cruise ship -- Posted by cha chi at 1:52 am on Oct. 13, 2008 I'm glad that you realize what you have to do and that you WANT to do it. Most people who quit or try to quit just regular smoking are just taunted by their family and friends, but must must want to do it for themselves first and for the right reasons. I hope you quit or to at least 2 times a week? Once you get it out of your system you will learn to not be a bitch without it lol. Im sure your a nice person, but you dont 'need' weed to be nice. You shouldnt need drugs to be a nice or good person etc. And i know you must realize this and thus why you want to quit. Good luck i hope everything works out for you. -- Posted by musicfan3 at 3:00 pm on Oct. 17, 2008 Quote: from EmilyAnn at 1:07 pm on July 11, 2008 Quote: from mcrfool at 3:05 pm on July 11, 2008 I know that it can be very addictive, and I think weening off of it is a good idea, and much better than just stopping completely.   Yeah, for sure. Quitting cold turkey doesn't seem to work for most people, and probably wouldn't work for me since smoking is such a large part of my lifestyle. Besides, I don't WANT to quit completely. Just smoke in moderation and healthily. I don't think you can smoke it in moderation. Lots of times people control their additions, but once they start doing it again it gets back into a habit, a cycle. The only option I can see for someone who is addicted is to completely stop. That is the only cure to truly stop. Once you become addicted to something you cant just go back or else you will fall back into your old lifestyle. If you are truly serious about quitting I'd say talk to a professional. By the same token I believe you can be an occasional user but for those who are addicted this is simply not possible. I believe the reason for this is because occasion users have limits when it comes to their drug use. Addicted users do not.   One thing I want to add is an important factor which is the people around you. Your never gonna quit if you've got friends tempting you and possibly supplying/fueling your addiction. You need to remove these people from your life if your really committed to quitting. Recovery for addiction is a life long process, but you gotta take it one day at a time. I really hope you can overcome this obstacle in your life and good luck because its gonna be hard but you'll get through it. -- Posted by musicfan3 at 3:10 pm on Oct. 17, 2008 DP sorry. -- Posted by smurflikepebbles at 7:21 pm on Oct. 27, 2008 studies from Amsterdam show that its a none-addictive substance. You may just like being high, but your not addicted to the TCH.