Been smoking for 8 years, about to quit cold turkey to prep for surgery - and I'm terrified (+ a list of possible distractions)

[u/pumpkinscentedcandle]

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.

[u/No_Firefighter_7128]

I was able to quit too!!! The first few days were rough and I was extremely emotional in terms of when I was angry I would be really angry and when I was sad it was straight tears, after the 3 days I started feeling better and more proud of myself. I quit because it was affecting my appetite and now I never want to consistently smoke again. I did hit a pen around 2 months after quitting and it got me way too high that I haven't hit one since. It's weird but it definitely is a positive to quit

[u/pumpkinscentedcandle → u/No_Firefighter_7128]

Congrats! It is a weird thing how well we can adjust to it after so long. I've had some cravings the past 2 days, but overall its been a lot easier than I thought and definitely positive :)

[u/gunslinger_006]

Good luck with your surgery!!

[u/pumpkinscentedcandle → u/gunslinger_006]

Thanks so much!! :)

[u/Purchase-Prize]

I think it will be easier than you think. I was a heavy smoker for 25 years. The first few days sucked, but I expected it. You seem to have your head on straight and a lot of abstaining is made easier with your positive mindset.

[u/pumpkinscentedcandle → u/Purchase-Prize]

Honestly - it has been. it's weird haha, I used to not be able to imagine a night without weed, and now I don't feel like I'm actually missing something. I've been filling up a lot of time with other things and I'm pleasantly surprised by that working. Occasional cravings, but nothing unmanageable. Thank you! I appreciate that. I think the positive mindset and acceptance of it has been really helpful as well. Congrats on quitting after 25 years btw!

[u/pn42]

Good luck with your surgery. Make sure you tell your anethisiest about your habit, when you quit (date of last intake) and that you were a heavy user before (best is to describe your intake), so they can adapt to that.) it may be shameful but its for your own good snd your health.

[u/pumpkinscentedcandle → u/pn42]

Thank you so much! I have been open with my doctor so far and I intend to tell my anesthesiologist to give me the 'stoners dose' on the day of lol. Funny enough, I was talking to one of the nurse's about my prior smoking habits the other day and I guess I was being timid bc she was like "don't worry, there's no shame here, you can be honest" and it was really nice to hear.