The Skinny: Cannabis (commonly referred to as marijuana or weed) can be hard to quit, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. We’ve compiled some first steps and helpful tips for people looking to quit cannabis, including alternatives to quitting cold turkey, what withdrawal symptoms to expect and links to resource directories that can help.
Read more about how you can take the first steps toward quitting cannabis.
Why should people who use cannabis consider quitting?
People should abstain from all mood-altering substances because they’re addictive and change the format of your brain. Also, if it’s being smoked, cannabis hurts your lungs. We wrote a blog about the effects of cannabis on the body that goes into more depth on these subjects..
The hard thing about substances is that if they “work” for people, they will keep using them, even if they know the negative health effects. However, if someone uses them in a way that they think is positive, there are healthier alternatives for coping that they should explore.
What is the first step someone should take when quitting cannabis?
Any time somebody stops using a substance, it’s important they let their healthcare provider know. That way, the provider can help monitor the effects of withdrawal, which, while not as intense for cannabis as for other substances, is still a factor. They can also help people wanting to quit cannabis come up with a plan that is healthy and realistic for them.
What plans of action exist for people wanting to quit cannabis?
Some people have no problem quitting cold turkey, while others take more incremental approaches. For the latter, it’s important to set tangible goals and milestones. Those can be monetary, meaning you can go from spending $50 on weed a week to $30 and so on until you’re no longer spending money, or you can incrementally cut down on the actual amount you are smoking per week, or the number of days per week you smoke.
What can people quitting cannabis replace it with?
Unlike nicotine, for which there are replacement therapies, there is no equivalent for THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. This can make quitting difficult. The biggest thing is not to replace cannabis with another substance but instead find healthier habits. A lot of people’s dependence on cannabis has to do with having formed habits, so coming up with alternative habits is key. This can include exercise, new hobbies, spending time with friends or other healthy outlets.
Are there any withdrawal symptoms from quitting cannabis?
The main symptom we hear people mention when quitting cannabis is irritability, especially for the first week or two. Others may lose their appetite and have a hard time eating without smoking beforehand. Another common withdrawal symptom is sleep interruption because many people use cannabis right before bed, so they may need to come up with another nighttime routine that supports healthy sleep.
Withdrawal is where it is key to consult a healthcare provider, especially if lack of appetite and sleep interruption become issues. They can point you in the right direction in terms of how to eat and sleep better without the aid of cannabis.
What triggers should people quitting cannabis avoid?
The biggest thing people wanting to quit cannabis should do is surround themselves with supportive friends who respect what they’re trying to do. Cannabis can be social, so finding friends that are willing to not smoke around you can help, especially considering the smell of cannabis is strong and can be a trigger. Also, because cannabis is legal in Missouri, advertisements can be a trigger that is hard to escape. While there isn’t much you can do to avoid them, remember the reasons why you want to quit when you come across them or feel the urge.
What resources are out there for people quitting cannabis?
There are cannabis/marijuana anonymous groups that people can join and meet virtually as well as in person. We keep an updated treatment manual that highlights some of these groups along with other resources. Start Here also has a St. Louis Area Resource Directory for substance use treatment.
If you or someone you know is struggling with cannabis misuse, our PreventEd counselors are here to assist. Please fill out this form to get in touch.
