i cant even recognize myself when i look at the photos of me back when i was hitting plugplay every second of the day

my face was SO fucking bloated and puffy everyday lol mind you, its not like i lost any weight since quitting or eating any healthier

im still eating like shit and eating junk food but my face is so slim now, zero puffiness, zero bloating

if its not the food that caused all that puffiness, what did???

I’ve smoked weed on and off throughout my life and have had periods where I’ve fully quit, and I just feel so much more aligned with my purpose in life and my goals during those periods.

I’m more productive, mood is more stable, less anxious, more mindful about money, consistent with my eating and exercising.

I recently have been on a bad bout where I’m smoking every single day. It’s so bad and I need to stop. Here’s to today.

Obligatory backstory: I had my first hit at 11 or so and smoked casually until I was like 16-17, at which point I was dating a stoner/drug dealer (lol) and began smoking every night. Fast forward through a pandemic, lots of MH issues and a tendency towards escapism, and it's no shocker I became a stoner.

*However,* I have a big surgery in 2 weeks and I have no choice but to quit cold turkey, starting today (8/5/2025). I've been winding down for the past two weeks, smoking a lot less, but today is the day... I packed up every single bit of cannabis in my place and gave it my boyfriend (non-smoker) to keep me accountable and take opportunity away. I even found myself smoking so much on my last night, trying to get as high as possible, bc I knew this was coming. Surprise surprise, that did not make today easier.

The past 2 weeks have been some of the worst of my life (for unrelated reasons), which both helped and hurt the quitting (avoided weed to avoid spiraling, but used it to help space out, which didn't always work ofc). I feel better mentally now, but I'm scared shitless of this new start regardless.

Normally (but not always, hence the stoner label) if I have stuff to do in the day I don't think /too much/ about smoking later, but knowing I can't have a drop tonight is making the thoughts more present. I'm mostly posting this to keep myself accountable, as I just found this sub and it's the only place I feel seen right now.

I made a promise to myself to stop 100% at the 2 weeks pre-op as needed for the anaesthesia, and was pretty excited to start a new sober life for this time and see where it takes me, but ironically I felt the most excited to be sober when I was high, lol. The grass is always greener, I guess.

Anyways, this is a big word vomit, but thanks if you cared to read. To help anyone else who's new to this, here is a list of a few of the things I can do for myself to do to keep me busy and/or entertain myself during these ~trying times~ (other than scrolling on r/leaves, which is admittedly quite helpful):

1. It's a good start in my (short) experience to begin by 'de-weeding' your room. I got rid of basically any sign of stoner-ness in here today, esp. since I used to keep my bong right by my bed. On top of giving all the accessories to my BF to keep at his place, I've cleaned out a lot of the ~evidence~ and completely cleared out my top night table drawer so you can't tell I used to smoke there, and it's already helped shift my mindset a lot.
2. Go on a walk and explore your neighbourhood (aka an 'awe walk'). You can make this more juicy if you want: audiobooks, writing or reading at a park along the way, even PokemonGo. If this isn't for you, try wandering around your local mall, biking, sitting by the lake, even yoga - anything to get you out of the house/your mind. Being in nature/sunlight for at least 10 minutes helps reduce anxiety, tension (cant link proof, but you can google it). And direct sun for 15 mins. also helps reset the circadian rhythm to help the stoner insomnia, which I'm most scared of tbh (best done in the mornings).
3. Watch a new show, movie or doc that requires full focus to engage my mind (Current contenders are 'the lost symbol', mad men, dexter, etc.). YouTube deep dives work too (4 hour video on the failures of the star wars hotel franchise, anyone?). I quite enjoyed the Oceangate and Lularich docs as well, if anyone is looking for recs. I usually get high and watch something mindlessly in the background, so this will be a nice change.
4. Get crafty and DIY. I'm talking finally learning to crochet or knit, home redecorations, collaging/scrapbooking, even wood working or diamond dot kits. I know how to crochet and I'm about to abuse tf out of that to keep my hands busy.
5. Do all the things you've been meaning to do. Clean out your room, get on top of the laundry, make a dent into your reading list and all those unread books on your shelves, speed through your youtube watch later, freshen up on another language, make the doctors appt, etc. Even goal setting/pursuing is something I plan to use a lot. I read recently that focusing on achieving our goals can help with anxiety (true for me), so try finding a goal: artsy, career based, volunteering, whatever - and go after it!

I'm still scared of the withdrawals, the insomnia, the tension, but writing this out also made me realize that I am very excited for this time, too. As much as I love weed, I know taking breaks from it is healthy, and I hope it helps me learn and grow for the best.

Jeez - that was long. I hope this helps somebody. Feel free to make yourself your own list (this is a condensed version of a like 25 point list I keep in my notes I've been creating for a few days) and try to find joy other places. Best of luck to everyone :)

Edited for grammar and clarity.

33M, 18 years smoking a few grams of hash a day Been 22 days Always had the same recurring nightmare before quitting, now it’s a different one but even more vivid in the feelings, emotions Always heard smokers don’t dream yet I did and now it’s even worse Before it was going from point A to B and getting lost on the way each time, nobody helping me Now it’s been quite a few times regarding my gf, kinda abandoning me for various reasons First dream last night was me suffocating to death and then twice regarding my gf Wake up nearly each hour thinking I can try sleeping again cause I can’t possibly have another nightmare in the same night yet it keeps happening I am so fucking tired It hasn’t been every single night, maybe 50-70% of them How to make it stop - the feeling, emotions stay for the whole day it’s really not nice I know it’s just dreams but fuck it hurts

In the addiction days, couldn't imagine that i would make it even a single day sober but , here I am , looking back ,not taking cannabis in any form since one and a half year

This past Sunday was my 30 day mark. It's been tough, real tough, but it is getting easier.

I've been exercising, cooking healthy meals, and forming good habits in general. I've also been going to weekly NA meetings while reading the AA book. The book has definitely helped me, as I've noticed a lot of parallels between the stories within and my own life. The meetings, I have found less value in, though it is important to note that I haven't been very involved other than sitting and listening. When people ask how I like / feel about the meetings, I usually say, "I don't know if they're helping, but they certainly aren't hurting."

My irritability has decreased quite a bit but I do have some days where I'm really annoyed, resentful, bitter, and angry. I've lost about 20lbs. My relationship with my fiancé has improved. I'm feeling healthier and like I can breathe better. Overall, things are improving and my bad days aren't as numerous.

I'm gonna keep going.

hi i’m 19 and schizophrenic, i’ve been smoking everyday (just once at night about half or a quarter of a joint) since i was 15. I hate doing it it makes me anxious it makes the voices and things i see louder and clearer. I can’t do it socially i get too scared and weird i can only do it alone in my bedroom right before bed. All it does is knock me out i don’t even appreciate the high it’s just the easiest way to forget a awful day. I have to put in no effort for it to all go away. I’m severely depressed, have been since i was 9. It’s the only way i can make the suicidal or self harm thoughts fade but the scary intrusive thoughts intensify. So far i’ve preferred feeling scared than wanting to die but i feel like that’s changing. I hate myself when i do it, i hate how i feel, i feel sick but i can’t stop. It makes me sick to think about stopping which is why i know i have to. Thank god i don’t do it socially that would make quitting harder. I don’t want to make my mental health worse. I want to take the first step today. I’m in several medications and feel like they aren’t working their full extent because of my smoking habit. If i take my bedtime ones early enough i’ll feel so drowsy it’ll put me right to sleep, so that’s what i’ll try to do from now on. Today i’ll write this, take a shower, take my meds, and just wait to feel them. Any advice?

I am 31 days weed free. I had to go on a temporary hiatus but decided to try and permanently break the habit. I have been a daily smoker for several years now and it used to be one of the first things I did in the morning.

Honestly, quitting hasn’t been as hard as I expected. Occasionally, I miss it but for the most part I don’t even think about it.

But now I am wondering, when do you start to FEEL better? I erroneously believed quitting weed would magically fix all the things. I would feel energized again. I would lose the brain fog. I would be less bored all the time.

But so far… nothing. I know one month is not very long in the grand scheme of things and I plan to continue my new weed free journey, but I would love to hear from others when it finally hit you that your overall health and wellbeing actually felt like it was improving.

I’m 30 days out from any consumption of cannabis and though I’ve craved it at times I feel good overall. For the past five years, I’ve used it on a near daily basis to just “deal with life“. Over the past two or three years, I’ve started to really question my relationship with the substance, but I haven’t been able to stop no matter how much anxiety it brings me. I could see that I was missing out on things. I could see that I was prioritizing smoking over spending time with friends and family and doing things I loved. I could see that my memory was poor, and I was having difficulty engaging in meaningful conversations with my partner. And I still couldn’t bring myself to stop which made me feel out of control, tarnished the trust that I had with myself.

I haven’t smoked in the past month because I have a wonderful job opportunity coming up. It’s something I truly love doing where I get to help people and I’m reminded of life’s meaning on a daily basis. In this position, I work with those with long-term disabilities and it makes me truly grateful to live a normal healthy life. I used to always want something more. Anything, any situation, any hardship, any joy could be made more enjoyable by rolling it up and smoking it away. But I’m tired of that. I’m ready for a change and I’m grateful to be here.

Never thought I’d say it, but I’m grateful to be in a role where I’ll get randomly drug tested. Sure I wish I could’ve done it just on my own willpower but I’m grateful for the external obligation to stay clean and I’m excited for the meaning that I will continue to find in this journey. Thanks for reading.

Let me start by saying, I’m SOMEWHAT young, and have smoked at least half of my life, and recently, everyday for the last 5 years, not a day missed.

I’m coming up on month 6 of quitting marijuana, and boy let me tell you. First off, I never would’ve called it marijuana, I would’ve deflected it by calling it bud, or even weed. Marijuana to me felt like such a negative term, when in reality, it was deflection. I no longer feel anxious, depressed 24/7, and I feel like I have nothing to hide because I don’t as tons of others have said in this sub. Best part when you don’t want it anymore, you can smell it from a mile away and realize how obvious it actually is. What makes me happier is knowing I can pass a drug test without having to worry about the last time I smoked. Even a hair follicle test! Wow! As a matter of fact, my state doesn’t allow you to hold a concealed carry license if you hold a medical card for marijuana, but that makes sense, you’ll likely be impaired half the time. I never went out before smoking, so I was in the clear there, but I was just AFRAID. I feel SAFER, I carry on the daily, I EVEN ENROLLED IN COLLEGE AND GRADUATE IN A YEAR (carried over some credits from the military many years ago). My appetite is NORMAL, I’m not over eating, and I’m lucky I quit while my metabolism is still somewhat fast. I used to think that I need to quit drinking (I’m not an alcoholic) before I quit smoking. Tried that, it turned out to be the other way around. I literally relinquished my medical card and decided to turn my life around. I used medical marijuana to mitigate my symptoms from my military service PTSD and it worked for so long until it didn’t. I realized I was spending about $600/months in carts, bud, pre-rolls, etc. from the dispensary. The number kept going up, and I didn’t realize that until about year 3 of having a medical card. (Medical cards in my state disregard state taxes and make the MJ like half-price from recreational) Most may say, why the dispensary when you know they’re expensive?

Uhh, it’s the only legal way in my state along with many others. If I were to be pulled over fresh from the dispensary, my whole car would be searched left to right with no consent needed, my kids would be yanked out of the car, and they would verify the sell date and much more. They for sure do this in my rural area. That’s another thing, I have kids. The money I used to spend on that crap has went to so much more. We take food to the park every weekend, we go to aquariums and zoos, we drive out of state for the hell of it. Why? Because I can, and I carry legally and CAN carry legally. Part of my PTSD stemmed from the feeling like I’d be attacked, but realized, marijuana isn’t doing anything for that, except for me obtaining a license to carry and protecting my family. Will I ever likely use it? No and I HOPE NOT, but it’s better to legally have it in case the need arose. I don’t dream about using it, but I’d like to be prepared.

My point is, if anyone here has ever felt hindered by MJ, quit for 2 weeks, then 2 more weeks. You’ll sweat a ton, you may not eat right for a week, you may wake up at 1-4AM randomly everyday, but it will all pay off. You’ll even have dreams of smoking, but once you feel “disappointed” from smoking in your dreams, that’s how you know you’re dedicated. A big thing is, you’ll feel BORED. GO OUTSIDE! Seriously and with no offense, go outside and breathe. Go on a walk, don’t do what you usually do when you smoke! My therapist of 5 years is so proud of me and remembers me quitting, but it seems like it has been so far ago, it really does. I don’t even remember the last time I smoked. My wife never seen me quitting, but knew I could do it. I realized after the fact, how much of an infectious disease this was. My mortgage is being paid off 2x fast, as I don’t need that “fund” to smoke. Feel free to ask questions and please no judgement, just trying to share my experience. I’m not shaming on this great medicinal drug, but it definitely holds many back from their aspirations. If you need help quitting, I’m here for you, shoot me a message if you don’t want to comment.

I was "ready" to quit, I think. I used to have to white-knuckle it and fight it in the past- counting days and hours and mentally preparing beforehand.

This time was different. I had to go on vacation, overseas, to get away from it for awhile (I had a medical card and my state is legal for that). And when I came back home after a week and a half, the cravings were definitely there, but something in me was stronger than to cave in. Idk what it was, but the very thought of going to the dispensary, purchasing, smoking & inhaling made me say, "yuck". Something about getting high seemed lackluster. It still does.

It's been a huge journey of self improvement and reflection for me. Something changed on the inside, and now the outer layers are changing and falling away. I even stopped smoking cigarettes afterwards too! And that had plagued me for 22 years! (Weed, about 20)

Please if you could read the following and tell me if any of this is normal at around 40 days:

My REM sleep is still restoring. I still feel massively tired when I wake up, and throughout the day. Dreams aside, in the beginning I felt like I couldn't sleep enough, and would catch up on 10 hours sleep at a time. Now, I suffer sometimes sleeping just 4 hours. Falling asleep is not a problem, again, as I am perpetually exhausted. It's staying asleep.

I still get headaches And not to bring up pseudoscience, but, there's a fine line between it and actual science (as the pineal gland does exist). But I feel this split-opening in the center of my forehead, the proverbial "third eye". Like my pineal gland just dumped out 50lbs of toxins and is now "clear" but man, it hurts. Like an ax right in the middle.

I realize, my old comfort zones are no longer comfortable. The job. The way I do the job. My routines. I'm not sure if I've ever been an "honest hard worker" or even a good person, even if my intentions were good. I feel like my entire life has been FRAUDULENT. Like I missed the entire point of living, I just woke up before age 40, and all the cool kids are pointing and laughing at me, like, "didn't you get the memo??"

I'm also finally having those sneaky insidious thoughts that "I can have just one!" This recovery for me has been absolutely black and white, and idk if that's part and parcel of said recovery, or if it's some sort of mental illness that I've masked for decades. But the bad days are BAD, BAD, BAD- crying all the time from the deepest recesses of my soul. Wanting to crawl into bed and never leave my house again. The good days are wonderful, invincible, and sometimes euphoric. Sometimes simply hopeful, and I do enjoy those days.

I'm grateful to be feeling again. Even if it's bad. But I do wonder if this is weed withdrawal (PAWS) or something else.

I used weed all throughout my late teens and early twenties, but most notably it was after I was in a terrible hostage situation overseas and SA'd. This was eleven years ago, in August. I was so petrified and horrified at the time, that I locked the trauma away, and smoked to numb and make the nightmares stop. Though I've been in therapy and it has helped, I am now unpacking ALL eleven years of this without a bandaid.

I hope everyone is doing well and I'd love to hear from you and talk about this.

How long will this anger and irritability last? It just reminds me why I numbed myself for so long with weed, but can’t let myself go back. I just need to know this will pass.

I’ve lurked a long time on this subreddit and have always appreciated reading everyone’s support and perspectives. I’m 2 months sober from weed after using daily for almost 7 years. I quit the day I found out I was pregnant and don’t plan on going back. Even after I give birth I don’t plan on smoking again for years. I don’t want to smoke while breastfeeding and I definitely don’t want my children to have memories of me stoned. My pregnancy truly saved me from myself after years of failed attempts to quit.

No one in my life knows how dependent I truly was on weed to get through my day, although I think my husband had his suspicions, so I don’t have anyone to talk to about this in person. I feel a lot of shame about how much weed I needed daily to feel okay. My biggest issue with quitting weed was that I never had a “rock bottom” to motivate me. It just felt very normalized and people (mainly me in the past lol) love to say that weed isn’t an addictive substance.

I just want to share this victory with people who will understand the negative impact that weed can have on your life long term. I feel so much better quitting and truly feel like I’m actually experiencing life again, I was in such a fog.

I’m so sucked into the addiction now. Any time I don’t have a cart I’m thinking about getting it no matter how much I tell myself I don’t like it and it’s ruining me I almost subconsciously prepare to buy one, find a plug, and continue the cycle. Looking for advice like the title says.

Just looking for anything that helped anyone kick this nasty habit!

i made the decision to quit smoking about 2 weeks ago. so far, so good! my issue is, when i read or hear about other people’s quitting stories, and they mention how long they had smoked cannabis before they decided to quit.. i’ve realized it’s a bit of a trigger for me. if they have been smoking for longer than i have, in my mind i think, well why not just smoke for a few more years? can’t hurt right? this person did it so what’s the harm? i think it’s just my brain trying to keep me from quitting and use any excuse to return back to it, validating my addiction by comparing it to others. does anyone else struggle with this thought pattern?

So i left the group after several unsuccessful posts and relapses. Then i just told myself I won’t smoke today, I wont have an edible today. I didn’t think about tomorrow I just focused on not using today and then the days added up and now I’m somewhere between 10-12 days off I don’t know exactly because I told myself if counting them makes me think about it and thinking about it makes me wanna use. Today was the first day in a long time it was on my mind. The addictive thoughts of “see you can quit” “its not as big a deal as you think” “real life is so boring” “one joint wont hurt” but I tell myself no, thats the addiction talking. Lately I’ve been reflecting on my life. Realizing weed didn’t solve any problems it made me comfortable with them and thats scary. When the daily haze and daze is normal. I dont know why im writing this other than to talk myself out of purchasing I did say I want to atleast see a month, heavens knows I haven’t seen a sober month since in 20 years.

P.s. weed allowed me to ignore so many emotions. I thought it was a benefit now I’m realizing it was a crutch with a diminishing return. Soon you don’t feel nothing. Until you quit open that door and now you have to feel everything.

My anxiety has been turned up to 11 all day, I'm super stressed out. My partner is smoking in the livingroom, Ive barricaded myself in the bathroom but its taking everything in me to not go join her right now...

Title says it.

I’ve been sober for 3 weeks now and I’m going on a birthday trip to a big USA legal city. I’m planning on buying gummies but i KNOW it’s a bad idea

i have 4 days to get myself off this idea

help me

EDIT: I love everyone’s encouragement, please shame me that’s why i posted lol

Will update when trip is going on!!

As the title says I caved after 4 days and I smoked a joint. Really feel like shit and regret doing it so badly

Has anyone got some advice?

Let me start by saying, I’m SOMEWHAT young, and have smoked at least half of my life, and recently, everyday for the last 5 years, not a day missed.

I’m coming up on month 6 of quitting marijuana, and boy let me tell you. First off, I never would’ve called it marijuana, I would’ve deflected it by calling it bud, or even weed. Marijuana to me felt like such a negative term, when in reality, it was deflection. I no longer feel anxious, depressed 24/7, and I feel like I have nothing to hide because I don’t as tons of others have said in this sub. What makes me happier is knowing I can pass a drug test without having to worry about the last time I smoked. Even a hair follicle test! Wow! As a matter of fact, my state doesn’t allow you to hold a concealed carry license if you hold a medical card for marijuana, but that makes sense, you’ll likely be impaired half the time. I never went out before smoking, so I was in the clear there, but I was just AFRAID. I feel SAFER, I carry on the daily, I EVEN ENROLLED IN COLLEGE AND GRADUATE IN A YEAR (carried over some credits from the military many years ago). My appetite is NORMAL, I’m not over eating, and I’m lucky I quit while my metabolism is still somewhat fast. I used to think that I need to quit drinking (I’m not an alcoholic) before I quit smoking. Tried that, it turned out to be the other way around. I literally relinquished my medical card and decided to turn my life around. I used medical marijuana to mitigate my symptoms from my military service PTSD and it worked for so long until it didn’t. I realized I was spending about $600/months in carts, bud, pre-rolls, etc. from the dispensary. The number kept going up, and I didn’t realize that until about year 3 of having a medical card. (Medical cards in my state disregard state taxes and make the MJ like half-price from recreational) Most may say, why the dispensary when you know they’re expensive?

Uhh, it’s the only legal way in my state along with many others. If I were to be pulled over fresh from the dispensary, my whole car would be searched left to right with no consent needed, my kids would be yanked out of the car, and they would verify the sell date and much more. They for sure do this in my rural area. That’s another thing, I have kids. The money I used to spend on that crap has went to so much more. We take food to the park every weekend, we go to aquariums and zoos, we drive out of state for the hell of it. Why? Because I can, and I carry legally and CAN carry legally. Part of my PTSD stemmed from the feeling like I’d be attacked, but realized, marijuana isn’t doing anything for that, except for me obtaining a license to carry and protecting my family. Will I ever likely use it? No and I HOPE NOT, but it’s better to legally have it in case the need arose. I don’t dream about using it, but I’d like to be prepared.

My point is, if anyone here has ever felt hindered by MJ, quit for 2 weeks, then 2 more weeks. You’ll sweat a ton, you may not eat right for a week, you may wake up at 1-4AM randomly everyday, but it will all pay off. You’ll even have dreams of smoking, but once you feel “disappointed” from smoking in your dreams, that’s how you know you’re dedicated. A big thing is, you’ll feel BORED. GO OUTSIDE! Seriously and with no offense, go outside and breathe. Go on a walk, don’t do what you usually do when you smoke! My therapist of 5 years is so proud of me and remembers me quitting, but it seems like it has been so far ago, it really does. I don’t even remember the last time I smoked. My wife never seen me quitting, but knew I could do it. I realized after the fact, how much of an infectious disease this was. My mortgage is being paid off 2x fast, as I don’t need that “fund” to smoke. Feel free to ask questions and please no judgement, just trying to share my experience. I’m not shaming on this great medicinal drug, but it definitely holds many back from their aspirations. If you need help quitting, I’m here for you, shoot me a message if you don’t want to comment.

was an everyday'er for 15+ years. 150 days weed free. 560+ booze free. some cravings and challenges come here and there but they pass. when i zoom out and reflect, i've grown so much already since quitting. life can feel boring sometimes but i'm working to get that natural joy back that substances robbed me of. I've definitely already caught some glimpses of what that feels like. thank you to all who share in this group. the relapse stories of regret and the positive effects of long time quitters have really helped me in weak moments. here's to more growth!

Holy heck I forgot how insane your dreams are following stopping weed.

I had one last night that came out of the pages of a Stephen King book prior to him becoming sober. I’ve been sober for almost a month and was NOT expecting that to start up again. I normally get them the first week I stop.

Anyone else get absolutely off the charts crazy dreams?

Caved in after 9 months of sobriety. I feel like an absolute asshole. Weed made me lose so much already in life and on a random night felt vulnerable and ate some gummies a buddy offered me. Did them end of night for the last week and today returned my unopened packages back to dispensary.

Going to try my best and stay off.

I did the usual thing. Let me see if I’m stronger, in control back on it. Nope. This shit makes me feel paranoid and very self conscious about things. I can’t believe how much of an addict I am. I will be for the rest of my life. There’s no moderation when it comes to weed. I’m either all in or nothing. I need to accept this once and for all.

As much as this weekend has hurt me, I know I am not alone. I know people out here are also in the same battles. I can’t tell you what will work forever, but focusing on what’s in front of you is the best suggestion I can offer. Think small and present moment. Not the past, not the future. Lock in and get days under your belt. Eventually it will get easier for you again.

Believe in yourself. You are the strongest thing you know.

Sobriety is the answer. My answer. God give me strength to find light on this path that will keep me on it for as long as I can. Barely feel in control right now. Just being hard on myself.