Whens the best time to quit weed?

The best way for some may be to quit cold turkey. I have tried doing this several times, and have failed everytime. The longest I went was 6 weeks. Now, as of this week, I am doing the "cutting down" method. I keep a little bud, but I very rarely smoke it. I have noticed that it eases the psychological problems associated with quiting. It also takes ALOT of the pressure off of quitting. If you decide to use the "cutting down" method, I recommend establishing a time frame to accomplish your goal. My goal is to quit completely, so as the weeks and months progress I will be getting closer to complete abstinence.

Another thing to consider is your progress. If you choose to cut down, make sure you continue to smoke less and less. When you smoke, maybe only take one to two hits and call it a night. Also try to avoid smoking back to back days. I try to stay focused on the goal, and believe I'm making progress.

I'm still in the beginning stages of this process so I will check back when it starts to become more obvious how much ground has been gained.

For me, the cutting down method takes away that panic feeling of quitting and allows me to focus on creating a better lifestyle.

im afraid the' have a couple of tokes, then put it down technique' doesnt work for me. Once i start, i find it much much harder to stop.
Do you ever find urself rolling a joint without even knowing it, and by the time you realise what youve just done its rolled and ur reaching for the lighter...
god, i hope theres hope for me... its like im possessed and have no control.

Phoenix - nice one that you are here!

For what it's worth - I was stuck in the revolving door of cutting down for years. If only i had stumbled on this site 5 years ago I might have saved myself the head fk of - tomorrow I'll quit...monday I'll quit - i wont smoke until after 6pm!! Honestly - i came up with some fantastic schemes to cut down and stop, all of which guaranteed my misery!
I am eight days off weed after nearly 12 years of smoking everyday! Little did I know that the mind games were all a part of it. I thought it was me. Cos weed isn't addictive - it's harmless! B@ll@x! You are smarter and stronger than you realise and you are wising up to the tricks.

There's nothing wrong with you! It's the weed ( and deffo the tobacco) it's how it works and it only stops when you stop. I hate to tell you this but you will go round and round and deeper and deeper until you see that your harmless little spliff is playing you. Honestly, it broke my heart that revelation. I actually defended it for years! Advocated it! Built my whole identity around it. My whole twenties are a smudge of various chemicals and weed was there throughout.

It takes time, patience, sometimes failed attempts and frustration - but you are closer than you think. Keep coming here and sharing and reading the posts from some top people who really know cos they have been there too.

9 days ago - I was sat where you are - and I honestly couldn't see away I could stop. I know exactly what you mean when you say ..

"Do you ever find urself rolling a joint without even knowing it, and by the time you realise what youve just done its rolled and ur reaching for the lighter...
god, i hope theres hope for me... its like im possessed and have no control."


...and it's great you put that on this site cos loads of people also know that feeling and will be breathing huge sighs of relief that you've voiced it .
Spliffs are harder to kick cos nicotene is nasty - If you're strong enough - do both - if not - it might help to quit one first then the other? You know whats best for you - but beware of the traps - I quit cigs and smoked only spliffs ( about a zillion a day!) and of course was still wired on nicotene. Then i moved to a bong... it was lengthy and cost me alot of years, but was less intense.... not sure my way is one I'd recommend. But tobacco is evil!

Weed wont get better from here - you wont feel better about it - you're life will not improve and if you manage to live with it - you'll be living a fraction of the life you deserve.

I hope I don't sound all preachy and know it all - I don't know nothing but my own experiences...I'm as lost as anyone but I can't lie anymore about weed.
You're here, you're figuring out your way out of it - well done. And no matter what - be good to yourself!

What a wonderful post. It is really good that you are on this site. Not only will you be helping yourself, you WILL be helping others. I just had to take a moment to tell you this, alot of the things you said are so true, I'm so glad for you and others that you found this site!! Phoenix11, there is hope. I was just like you, if I had it I smoked it! If I can quit after smoking pot for 29 years, so can you!! Good luck to you, stay here for support and encouragement, your at the right place. There are alot of GOOD people here that are willing to help. Take care,talk to you soon. Love and Peace to us all!

Flowerchild and myself share the same opinion on many things, including this one. I agree, an excellent post Hope2. Your words are wise and you have realised that the innocent little plant is actually the devils herb. It is far from innocent.

I just wish people (who smoke) would wake up to the fact that weed is a drug and when they take it, it shuts their brain down (partially)... so many people defend it, I think this is immature. Eventually, 95% of weed smokers grow out of the habit and find that life is very prescious and time should not be taken for granted. Weed makes time flow by like lightening, I was actually 18 years old yesterday and I woke up this morning to discover that I'm 25. I've been sober for 9.5 months (with a couple of lapses), I was a heavy user but have seen through the colourless wall of cannabis.

I probably am a preacher actually, but I don't mind, I believe my experience and recovery from the addiction can help others in their quest to stop using this chemical. Just think to yourself if you fancy a spliff, that you fancy one because it is in control of your mind, you cannot resist the feeling that is produced by this drug. Do you really want a sh!tty little genus of flowering plant to dictate to you? Take control, think "I am stronger than this sh!te". First few months are very tough, change of lifestyle and thinking is definitely required, it isn't going to be easy. It may take up to 6 - 12 months to rid the urge of cannabis.

I've got to be honest with you now, I absolutely adored skunk, I lived for it, it was my best friend, I loved the smell, taste, feeling and everything about it. I looked forward to it more than anything. It was my ruler, meine fuhrer! Now, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole because it is a bit pathetic to me these days, taking something to make me high, I've just grown out of it. I am my own ruler, I decide what I look forward to. Activities are much more enjoyable now... I would, however, be lying if I said that I wouldn't enjoy it still, of course I would, drugs are designed to be enjoyed - that's the whole point, but it's a matter of priorities and self control. Think about others rather than yourself, get pleasure from being selfless rather than selfish.

I did the cold turkey by the way, the cutting down isn't a method that worked for me, and I don't believe that it works for anybody.

Good luck!

Great, thoughtful posts on this thread! You are in good hands phoenix11. Between flowerchild (the Mother Theresa of this site), lp_ultra (intellectual preacher extraordinaire), rise_above (been there, slipped, and got back up), Hope2 (check the progress she's made in 9 days!) . . .

I agree with lp_ultra that the cutting down does not work if you actually want to eradicate cannabis from your life. I tried to cut down about 100 times! Maybe a slight exaggeration, but my New Year's Resolution for almost 10 years in a row was to cut down on my weed use.

I say get it the hell out of your house. Any paraphernalia will just remind you of the stuff. I gave away all of my various supplies (amassed over two decades of puffing) to my pothead neighbour. He was most appreciative, and I was glad to be rid of it.

Don't buy more. You'll know it's there, and crave it. Don't let a dried plant be the prime focus of your life. There is so much great stuff to do out there in this amazing world!

Mother Theresa?? If it's because I've stated I believe in GOD and I have offered prayers to people, I'll take that title! But I prefer the Godmother of quitters !!! Seriously thanks for the compliment and your right about your advice, get rid of, don't buy any more, it's just too tempting when it's in the house. I once had a joint all rolled up, wrapped in foil, hidden in the underwear drawer, thinking I would keep it ro remind where I was. Only to take it out, smoke it, and within a few hours, called to make arrangement to pick up a bag. Cold turkey in my opinion is the only way to go. Go through all the physical and mental crap,and then hopefully it's smooth sailing. Hang in there phoenix, we are all here to encourage and support. Have a great day everyone,love and peace

thanx guys...
we should get together after weve all quit successfully and write a book about it. As there are no books it seems to help with quitting marijuana. I guess it makes people feel that its non addictive and that their the only ones. Well i know so many people that are in the same predicamont than me.
I have not bought anymore, have used all my thc crystals and am now on the last bit of hash. I think the only thing that worries me about quittting is going to work and how ill be. I know i get irratable, anxious and paniccy without it, good thing im on nights in a couple of days.
thanxs again, i feel well looked after here.
good community spirit..

CS, Flower, Lp ultra , Waking life, New day, liesl, rise above and now phoenix ( feel like a truck driver on a Cb radio - breaker breaker roger ten four... - thanks for letting me ramble.... for letting my messy head spill out..Thanks for sharing - your selves, your stories, your advice - I'm looking at you further down the road and I'm armed - I know next week I'll probably hit a big craving wall - as you do at 2-3 weeks - but I'm ready. It was great advice whoever said mark off your calendar - now I look forward to the end of the day and marking my number. It's a real encourager

Today got some more positives - like time running at real time. D'you know what I mean? Before I would get up - get smashed and the days flew by into weeks into months, into years. What did i do with my day? I know I became a compulsive list maker - things to do that I wont ever do What a waste!!! I've tidied, shopped, danced around, played my tunes, walked round town and now I'm chilling in the sun with a glass of wine... aaaah

I wont lie - it is a bit tricky being here in Holland - cos it is everywhere -but that only makes me more determined. It's a fact of life but I know I can live without it now. I have never felt so strong in all my attempts as I do now. I think it's cos of the support from people who not only know the score - but have the courage to tell it like it is. Be very proud of yourselves - I feel blessed to have found you!
Quitting doesnt have to equal misery does it? Infact here lies true joy
Have a wonderful weekend!!! - Choose life....

Hope2 wrote:CS, Flower, Lp ultra , Waking life, New day, liesl, rise above and now phoenix ( feel like a truck driver on a Cb radio - breaker breaker roger ten four... - thanks for letting me ramble.... for letting my messy head spill out..Thanks for sharing - your selves, your stories, your advice - I'm looking at you further down the road and I'm armed - I know next week I'll probably hit a big craving wall - as you do at 2-3 weeks - but I'm ready. It was great advice whoever said mark off your calendar - now I look forward to the end of the day and marking my number. It's a real encourager

Today got some more positives - like time running at real time. D'you know what I mean? Before I would get up - get smashed and the days flew by into weeks into months, into years. What did i do with my day? I know I became a compulsive list maker - things to do that I wont ever do What a waste!!! I've tidied, shopped, danced around, played my tunes, walked round town and now I'm chilling in the sun with a glass of wine... aaaah

I wont lie - it is a bit tricky being here in Holland - cos it is everywhere -but that only makes me more determined. It's a fact of life but I know I can live without it now. I have never felt so strong in all my attempts as I do now. I think it's cos of the support from people who not only know the score - but have the courage to tell it like it is. Be very proud of yourselves - I feel blessed to have found you!
Quitting doesnt have to equal misery does it? Infact here lies true joy
Have a wonderful weekend!!! - Choose life....

wow what an amazing post!
you have just inspired me to get my dusty calender out and start marking off the days, that is a brilliant idea.
quitting has all of a sudden taken on a brighter shine than before... thanks for a injecting a little bit of hope and real words into my day...
the last thing i want to do is suck on the end of that dirty ash ridden tarry smokey nasty tube that seems to rule my world.
I see the way i was a slave to the shrubbery, i was tied to it, like a dog trapped on a lead. Never betraying my precious sorded weed craving, always giving in, being such a push over.. when u suddenly see the real picture its quite extrodinary to beleive what a strong hold skunk has had over me.
i cant beleive id rather stay in on my own each night smoking till my head felt numb and lying in bed thinking, tommorrow ill definately give up - but never did...
it was like there was 2 sides of me... the one craving for purity and the other craving for the shorterm satisfaction...
i dont want to throw anymore of my precious life away just for that shortterm buzzz...
thanks again hope 2 for breaking the spell over me...
truth is the light that shows the path ahead...
i feel that from now on i shall put my energy into constructive things....
no more shall i throw the innocent child in me to the lions...
sorry for the metaphors but right now, i feel enlightened...
its great to all of a sudden have a positive outlook on breaking free!!
xxxx
love to you all... lets help each other...
i know there will be dark times ahead, but hey thats life!

I've smoked weed now for 6 years, and i'm begining to question why. I am anxious about quitting, cause i don't know what i will be, who i will be, or what my life will be. You know i've got it bad!!! The same as many people have on this site. I went to my doctor and asked what i should do to quit weed, in short, he had no answers. Then after searching the net i discovered this site, which makes me feel encouraged, as i almost believed i was completely alone on how i felt and my worries, but now i'm not so afraid because of knowing you have all felt what i'm feeling, and that makes a difference.I hope on my next write up, i can tell you've i've quit and i'll be coming to you for your spot on advice and understanding. Thanx guys!

I've smoked weed now for 6 years, and i'm begining to question why. I am anxious about quitting, cause i don't know what i will be, who i will be, or what my life will be. You know i've got it bad!!! The same as many people have on this site. I went to my doctor and asked what i should do to quit weed, in short, he had no answers. Then after searching the net i discovered this site, which makes me feel encouraged, as i almost believed i was completely alone on how i felt and my worries, but now i'm not so afraid because of knowing you have all felt what i'm feeling, and that makes a difference.I hope on my next write up, i can tell you've i've quit and i'll be coming to you for your spot on advice and understanding. Thanx guys!

I've smoked weed now for 6 years, and i'm begining to question why. I am anxious about quitting, cause i don't know what i will be, who i will be, or what my life will be. You know i've got it bad!!! The same as many people have on this site. I went to my doctor and asked what i should do to quit weed, in short, he had no answers. Then after searching the net i discovered this site, which makes me feel encouraged, as i almost believed i was completely alone on how i felt and my worries, but now i'm not so afraid because of knowing you have all felt what i'm feeling, and that makes a difference.I hope on my next write up, i can tell you've i've quit and i'll be coming to you for your spot on advice and understanding. Thanx guys!

Phoenix
I have been taking the cutting down approach, I dont know if that will work, I dont feel like i am quitting,and still feel just as hooked. I have told myself I am cutting down for some 25 years now, been smoking for 30 some.
To me its a cop out, I'm not quitting, because I am still smoking.
In the past I have smoked all day long some days when I'm at home.
But have never smoked before or during work.
Now I only smoke after 5 pm, usually 7pm, and not every day. And only a small amount.
So in a way I guess I ahve cut down, but havnt quit completly yet.
I dont know if tapering off lessens withdrawl effects, maybe becasue it is stored for so long in your body, it takes so long to break down, so all I am doing by cutting back is maintaining the amount stored in my body.

I have always had vivid dreams on pot, most people say they dont dream.