Weed PAWS success stories??

**Posts:** 14 · by **aHairOnStanleysHead** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 6:53 pm

Here's the original story if you care to read--

LONG POST, sorry but please bare with me Hey guys and gals, im not sure what's going on. I've never experienced OCD symptoms or anxiety to a noticable level in my life. At the age of 19 I started smoking HEAVILY. It started with a bowl a day, to several bong loads a day, to several "dabs" each day, back to smoking grass almost all day when I would be laid off during winter months. I'm talking smoking through an ounce or more each week of very strong flower. I loved it, it was my security blanket and I definitely fell for the romanticism that comes with it. I loved the look, smell, taste and even the thought of smoking. Fast forward to age 23 and I was still going strong, but with a baby on the way decided I wanted to stop. Never stopped until baby actually came, and I stopped abruptly. I stopped abruptly because all of a sudden the anxiety of what I'm sure was from having my first baby and starting my job as a supervisor for some reason had got to me while smoking. I went through about 6 severe panic attacks on different occasions that I thought were from something else, until I realized they only happened when I was high. It scared me enough to stop cold turkey. It's been 3 full months now of SEVERE anxiety caused by intrusive thoughts. These thoughts scared the living sh** out of me. Thoughts of terrible things happening to my loved ones, thoughts of what if I lose control and hurt someone (which id NEVER do, which is why they terrified me), thoughts of "what if this is schizophrenia?!"...my life hasn't been the same. Like I said, I've never lived with anxiety. Now every day starts with racing thoughts and heaviness in my head AS SOON as I wake up, feelings of impending doom, constant intrusive thoughts that feed the anxiety on insane levels, confusion, lack of concentration, and feeling so much shame and guilt because of these symptoms. The first 3 weeks after quitting were accompanied by dry heaving in the mornings, insomnia, depression, and being "on edge". But 3 months now and my life hasn't been the same. It's breaking my heart because I feel like life is passing me by now that I have a beautiful baby. I worry about schizophrenia because of the heavy use, but at the same time I have no family history and wouldn't the years of very heavy use triggered it already? HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS??

(Me currently June 29, 2020) hey all I'm on my 2nd month of quitting weed and things seem to be getting better slowly (though I know I could very well be in a window of relief, approaching a wave of difficult symptoms again). I've read alot of stories on forums about people seeing relief after 6 months, 9 months, a year or maybe even longer. If that's how long it takes, then so be it, as long as there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm curious if anyone on here has been pretty much fully returned to their previous self? Or are you still dealing with symptoms after even years? My biggest fear is of being "scarred" by the memories of the horrible intrusive thoughts ive had since this started, and the memories of feeling as if I was TRULY losing my mind. Those were the darkest days of my life. Just looking for some success stories! Thanks

**Posts:** 11 · by **gringo101** » Sat Jul 04, 2020 7:26 am

Been through everything you mentionned.
It was tough as hell, still is not gonna lie.
Hit the 6 month mark today. Anxiety, paranoia, confusion, panic attack and all that non sense will fade away trust me. Just give it time, surround yourself with people you love and learn how to take care of yourself better. Try replacing that habit with something else it will help in the long run.
Life is full of lessons, i hope you learned this tough one like we all did. Keep pushing.

**Posts:** 14 · by **aHairOnStanleysHead** » Sat Jul 04, 2020 12:24 pm

Thank you, that brings some relief. This week has been alot better since I started exercising regularly and quit my nicotine habit. I'm just sick of always having that stupid "dark cloud" feeling in the back of my mind. Somewhere along the lines I've read or seen too many stories about people that have lost control and done horrible things, and now my scared mind just throws these "what if's" at me. I think it's because I'm experiencing the confusion, memory issues, dizziness, etc and my worst fear is that it's something worse than just a withdrawal. But my logical self knows I'm a very kind and loving person and have so much to live for, and the fact that intrusive thoughts scare me and give me so much anxiety should prove that that's the opposite of who I am right? The anxiety is the hardest part for me aside from the nightmares. The nightmares are never about ME doing horrible things, but rather horrible things happening to me and my family. Always people coming after us (particularly with knives for some reason), zombie attacks, or some big problem that I can't fix within my dreams. I have hopes that this is getting better since I feel so much better this week, but I understand that I could just be in a window where the symptoms aren't as bad. I wish the best of luck to you

**Posts:** 14 · by **aHairOnStanleysHead** » Sat Jul 04, 2020 2:01 pm

Also, the one thing I really can't stand is this stupid immense fear of schizophrenia that I have. Idk why but as soon as this started happening and I saw one article that said marijuana use can lead to schizophrenia if you're predisposed to it, I've been just fixating on that. Even though I've got no family history whatsoever that I'm aware of, and I'm fully aware of what's going on with me. It's like the fear and the more I read into schizophrenia, the more I anticipate the symptoms to start. Like every now and then I will see something small in my peripheral, not like people or anything like that just sometimes like shadows or something idk how to explain it. But it only happens when I'm really stressed and fixating on schizophrenia. I've read in other forums that in the recovery phase after quitting weed they've had the same problem so who knows. I haven't heard anything and don't have any delusional beliefs,.but like I said my mind keeps saying "what if". "What if" this is the prodromal phase of it and the full onset hasn't started yet? So annoying. Some days I don't worry at all, I feel like I'm too hard on myself. I'll space out or forget something and then boom I'm pulled into worrying about mental illness.

**Posts:** 11 · by **gringo101** » Sat Jul 04, 2020 4:04 pm

trust me when i tell you i was on the same boat. I used to think that i developed the same sh**. schizophrenics believe in crazy delusions that don’t make sense at all.
Look at some case studies it will ease your mind.
take it one day at a time.
Patience and busy yourself brother

**Posts:** 44 · by **PowerOfMyMind** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 12:15 pm

Has CBD with very low THC helped anyone withdrawing??

**Posts:** 26 · by **Elpino91** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 12:58 pm

aHairOnStanleysHead wrote:Thank you, that brings some relief. This week has been alot better since I started exercising regularly and quit my nicotine habit. I'm just sick of always having that stupid "dark cloud" feeling in the back of my mind. Somewhere along the lines I've read or seen too many stories about people that have lost control and done horrible things, and now my scared mind just throws these "what if's" at me. I think it's because I'm experiencing the confusion, memory issues, dizziness, etc and my worst fear is that it's something worse than just a withdrawal. But my logical self knows I'm a very kind and loving person and have so much to live for, and the fact that intrusive thoughts scare me and give me so much anxiety should prove that that's the opposite of who I am right? The anxiety is the hardest part for me aside from the nightmares. The nightmares are never about ME doing horrible things, but rather horrible things happening to me and my family. Always people coming after us (particularly with knives for some reason), zombie attacks, or some big problem that I can't fix within my dreams. I have hopes that this is getting better since I feel so much better this week, but I understand that I could just be in a window where the symptoms aren't as bad. I wish the best of luck to you

Hi mate

I’ve been sober for 2 and half month and I’ve been experiencing very similar symptoms to you . The OCD intrusive thoughts / what if I loose control for the first 6 weeks were Very intense. They gradually becoming more manageable along with the anxiety. But yesterday listening to the radio it triggered my OCD / intrusive thoughts but this time it was about suicide. Completely took me by surprise and made me really sad having these thoughts as I know I’m not suicidal.I try and stay positive and know this will pass but the bloody what if I loose control and do something are a killer.

Just wondering how you are feeling today and if the OCD / intrusive thoughts are still there ?

**Posts:** 17 · by **MJM** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 7:47 pm

Hey there. I’m almost to 14 months and I’d say the symptoms (identical to yours) have gone away about 70%. Everything I read says it can take 2+ years to fully recover… there is a post on this forum of someone getting there at 30 months. There aren’t a lot of people posting with 2+ years of being clean so maybe that’s the sign they get better and go back to their lives?

**Posts:** 26 · by **Elpino91** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 9:00 pm

MJM wrote:Hey there. I’m almost to 14 months and I’d say the symptoms (identical to yours) have gone away about 70%. Everything I read says it can take 2+ years to fully recover… there is a post on this forum of someone getting there at 30 months. There aren’t a lot of people posting with 2+ years of being clean so maybe that’s the sign they get better and go back to their lives?

Hi mate

Congrats on being 14 months clean ! And glad to see you’re nearing full recovery. I don’t mind the timeline if honest - Even though I feel like I’m only at 60% of who I am - I’m able to function more or less normally ( do my job, sports, socialise) it’s usually when I’m on my own that all the thoughts and anxiety peak. I have this fear that I will do something bad when I’m on my own. It’s funny because when I smoked I used to love having my personal time !

Do you do anything to help with the OCD / intrusive thoughts ?

Hopefully people will start sharing there stories on your post !

**Posts:** 17 · by **MJM** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 11:44 pm

I currently take an SSRI called Prozac and it helps me. Someone just posted on that thread! Two years may be the avg, it’s been such a long journey.

**Posts:** 26 · by **Elpino91** » Tue Nov 16, 2021 11:53 am

MJM wrote:I currently take an SSRI called Prozac and it helps me. Someone just posted on that thread! Two years may be the avg, it’s been such a long journey.

Keep pushing bro ! You’ve come a long way and as you said yourself 70% of your symptoms are gone. I always try to compare myself to when it all started and I can see how much I’ve improved within 2 and half month. I’ve been meditating and seeing a hypnotherapist which have been really helpful.

We will get there with time !

Weed PAWS success stories??

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

Main Menu

Addictions and Habits Resources

Recent posts

Active topics

Contact Us