Weed addiction

Only a counselor a few times a few months ago, she suggested to refer to to a drug and alcohol place but I dont have time for that nor do I think I will benefit from them.

The thing is I KNOW what I need to do to get off and I have tried to on a number of occasions, then I go and give myself a treat after a few weeks because im craving it and then I end up back on it..

Im not one to complain but I'm just stuck on play, rewind and repeat.

The first 4 days are the worst for me, sweats, NIGHTMARES, nausea, anxiety, crankiness etc and the brain goes millions of miles per hour.. my brains constantly thinking about not smoking and smoking while im at work, it's always there it doesnt go.

After all the withdrawel I must say I love it. Yes its always there but I'm able to cope better, then after a few hards weeks I treat myself to a nice spliff and then here we go again.

Hey @Wolfie_ Thankyou and you are right in every way 🙂 

Hi @Itsonlyme! Welcome to the forums!

I'm sorry that you've been struggling with an addiction. 😞 It can be so hard to break habits that you've had for several years. I think it's great that you can see how your addiction is affecting your life and want to reduce your use of weed. You have shown a lot of insight, which is hard for a lot of people to do.
What do you think you need to do to reduce your use? Would it help to create a SMART goal regarding what you want to achieve?

BeyondBlue has some great ideas about strategies that you can use here.

Hey WheresMySquishy,

I have tried different methods from cold turkey to slowly weening off to every few days etc

The thing is I already have short and long term goals but being on.... its not fun anymore, its an addiction..

I don't feel the time will ever be right for me to get off as its never felt right before, it's just something that needs to be done.

I know eventually ill get there but theres a block in the road atm 😔

@Itsonlyme  That sounds really hard. 😞 I'm sorry that you're feeling as though you aren't getting anywhere at the moment. I think it's awesome that you have a belief that you'll be able to combat your addiction eventually though. 🙂 How do you think your life would change if you reduced your intake?
Have you heard of Counselling Online or tried them before? They have counsellors who deal with drugs and alcohol.

@WheresMySquishy 

I benefit from alot when I'm not on, from small things to big things.. clearer mind, more focus, less forgetfulness, more money, cleaner house, happier me and more.

I havnt tried online counseling before I feel it wouldn't be much different from a face to face session. 

I'll do some research on drug and alcohol counsellors.

I appreciate you taking the time to reply 🙂

Hey @Itsonlyme 

Sorry to read about what you're going through.  Recovering from addiction can be difficult and lengthy.  There may be bumps along the way and it's normal to have lapses.  It's important to know that a lapse is not a relapse, it's just a little bump, so if you notice even small improvements (i.e., less weed) then that is still progress .

Have you looked at any alcohol and drug services in your area?  

Hey @Ronan-RO

Ive actually been reducing weed last few days since started this post, also been to the doctors for a script to help with sleep so I'm slowly preparing myself again. 🤞

I think in my case I would call it a relapse because it's  not just a one time slip up when I do it, it carries on for another few months until I attempt to quit again.

In 4 years I've tried quitting about 10 times, longest time was 1 month but i smoked once a week. 

I know what I need to do to get off, I just need to fight through like we all do in tough times.

If I need extra help ill search some around my area 🙂

Hey @Itsonlyme thanks for updating us on how you're going. You're taking all the right steps to set yourself up for quitting - was your doctor supportive? Also, I was wondering if you've ever attended support groups when quitting? It can be really helpful to have other people around who understand what you're going through and help you push on. I'd be happy to find some supports for you, if you're interested 🙂 

Hey @Bre-RO, yes my doctor is supportive and was the one who encouraged me to go to see a councelor in the first place.

No support groups though, honestly between kids,work, school work, cleaning, dinner, appointments and everything else I don't have time right now to squeeze anything else in.

I do agree though having people around who are or have been through the same thing would be helpful thats why I came onto this group🙂

Positive news today is actually Day 1 of being clean, not an easy day but I pushed through.. well im still trying to push through as it's 12am (part of the withdrawels)

Hey @Itsonlyme ,

Just wanted to check-in and see if you managed to push through last night?  That's a really good effort to make it past midnight.  The first day can be so difficult.  

Hey @Ronan-RO I did make it through the night, ended up falling asleep about 2am.

Woke up at 7.30am and felt emotional so went for a little drive just to pull myself together.

Already noticing a difference just in 24 hours, I woke up not feeling cloudy and tired which is good 👍

I know I just need to take it 1 day at a time at the moment.

Hey @Itsonlyme ,

That's great news . I love that you woke up feeling emotional and implemented a strategy (i.e., driving) to help pull yourself together.  What are you up to today?  

Hey @Ronan-RO thanks, I'm really trying..

Considering the restrictions in place due to Covid-19 there's no place I can go to help time pass besides food shopping so just bumming around the house atm. 

Times going really slow I must say 🙄 but I knew this would happen.. luckily I started the withdrawel process while I have 2 days off work(back tomorrow) as the nausea and sweats have kicked in👎

Hey @Taylor-RO , yes I am proud of myself for taking the first big step again but I'll be super proud when I've been clean for month.

I've not been able to push past 30 days with not smoking at all, I would end up smoking once a week at the least and then build up to daily.

This time I'm aiming to get to a month without doing it once 🤞 and then I'll set my new goal.

To be honest nothing can keep the mind occupied as the thoughts are constantly there, the withdrawels will get better in time, all I can do is fight through them. 

Just focusing on getting through tonight and then work for the next 5 days. 

@Itsonlyme  I think it's amazing that you've set a goal for yourself! I really hope that you can achieve it. 🙂
Have you thought about having a plan in place to manage when you have cravings or feel as though you're going to have a slip-up? I've heard of some people keeping a card with them about their reasons for not relapsing, distraction techniques they can use or people they can call in those kinds of situations.
I'm not sure if these will help you, but here are some online resources I've found:
The Four Ds 
Example Coping Card

Hey @Janine-RO @Bre-RO @WheresMySquishy 

(Easier to mention you all in one post)

Thankyou for the encourage mint 😅

I've done my own version to keep with me in my bag, ive written down all the negatives and positives, only 1 positive and many negatives and also have a few techniques my councelor jotted down for me. I go over them sometimes. I also saved smart recovery to my homepage incase I feel like I need extra support. 

Work was a challenge today because where I work I deal with people that smoke dope but I just have to deal 🤷‍♀️

I can smell it when some people walk in and its just like mmmmmm I miss that smell 🙄 

But Day 3 is almost over 👍watching a documentary until I fall asleep.

On weed I could easily go to sleep at 9pm if i wanted to but now it's after midnight.

I appreciate all the positiveness from every one on here.

@Itsonlyme  That's great news! I think the steps that you've taken are great ideas. It sounds like you're working hard towards your goal. 🙂
It must be pretty tough being around people who smoke at your work. Well done for not giving in so far!
Keep up the good work!

Hey @Itsonlyme , 

Just thought I'd check in and see how you went last night? It sounds like you're doing really well taking it one day at a time, especially in these weird times where we don't have our usual activities/ distractions available. Good on you for getting through the weekend, I hope you're feeling okay today. 

And if you're a fan of lame puns - some virtual encouragement too 🙂

Hey @Itsonlyme just wanted to say hi and let you know that you're doing really well, even though it would feel very hard at times. Also, wanted to link you to SmartRecovery - they usually do in-person support groups where you can connect with other people who are struggling, share advice and keep each other going. There are also group facilitators who could link you up with extra support if need be. At the moment they are doing online support, something to think about if you feel it might help 🙂