The Golden Phoenix

Marijuana Addiction?

, 6th January 2011 at 06:17 PM (393 Views)

So, I've heard lots of opinions and read a bunch of articles about marijuana and addiction. Some say that one cannot become physically addicted to weed the same way one would with crack cocaine, meth, or heroine. Others say that weed and alcohol are no different, and people can in fact become physically dependent on them. And still others say that while one cannot become physically dependent on weed, people can become emotionally and mentally addicted to the high.

This is a relevant topic to me because I am struggling with marijuana. I have for some time now. When I was in high school, I didn't think much of it because I was young and dumb, and smoking weed was a 'cool' thing to do.

As I grew older, I got caught up with the wrong crowds. I was selling weed to make money, using that money to buy more weed, and I was just in such a vicious cycle.

Today, I still smoke weed almost daily. I don't let it interfere with my career, my personal life, or my family; I only smoke right before bed and think of it as a similar habit to drinking a glass of wine to help put me to sleep.

I also find that weed helps me with some aspects of life. Pain relief is an obvious one. Also, I find that it helps my creative juices flow during my writing.

However, I am fearing that I am addicted because the past few nights I've been really trying to go without smoking. I realize that it's a whole heck of a lot healthier to not do it, and I'd like to try to clear this stuff from my life once and for all.

But alas, the past few nights have been failures in that regard. I found myself lying awake for hours until I finally caved and sparked up a joint to put me to sleep. The craving I felt for it was similar to that of cigarettes, which I have since stopped smoking during the past year.

So what do you guys think? Are groups like Marijuana Anonymous and other support groups beneficial? Do you guys have opinions on addiction and weed? And I addicted or simply weak-willed?

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Comments

Ivysaur - 6th January 2011 06:30 PM
You're not weak-willed. I've never been addicted to weed, but then again, I've only smoked it three or so times. And I do know quite a few people, including some close friends, who are addicted to it. It's a hard habit to stop, but keep in mind that the longer you do it for... the harder it'll be to finally drop it. I don't know about the support groups, but I'd give them a shot. But suffering with an addiction is not an option...

I really hope everything works out for you.
Sarcastically Insane - 6th January 2011 08:04 PM
If you're trying to stop, then, every time you find yourself lightng a joint (or having lit one absentmindedly, or whatever) for whatever reason, take a stickynote or something similar and put it everywhere you would do the task you lit up for, and have it say something encouraging you to stop smoking.

Also, support groups help. You can't do everything on your own, and help is always good if it's done right.
Angad - 6th January 2011 08:11 PM
Give yourself a small challenge before you allow yourself to smoke Marijuana. Make it thought-provoking, and hang them-up so you have a reminder how many times you've given it, and make try to cut it down. Good Luck, You can do it.
Lugion - 6th January 2011 09:18 PM
Well, it's possible to become addicted to anything. Humans are naturally creatures of habit, so, quite literally anything can become addicting.

If you really want to quit, I'd say it's best to get support, whether that's through a so-called "support group" or through your friends. Another option (although less likely to work in the end) is what Sarcastically Insane mentioned. Every time you feel like lighting up, find something else to take your mind off of it. The best way to do that would be to form another, less harmful habit.

And before anybody comes in and says that pot isn't harmful- yes, it does indeed have its negative effects. While not nearly as detrimental as nicotine (along with other chemicals in cigarettes), any kind of smoke inhaled into the lungs prevents oxygen from reaching your blood cells, which, after prolonged exposure, can cause brain damage. Now, Legacy, this isn't necessarily directed at you, just those who prefer to think of pot as purely a beneficial thing.
Legacy - 6th January 2011 10:44 PM
Thanks for the advice everyone. It's a hard thing for me. For health reasons, motivation-based reasons and just for my reputation, I want to kick this habit, but I just LOOOOVE the way I feel after I toke up. And again, I find that smoking the herb helps my writing, so there's that to consider.
Kayi-chan - 6th January 2011 11:49 PM
I'm very sorry to hear that, Legacy, darling, but people like you are the main reason my country is falling apart.

...again, I'm very sorry. I hope you can find a solution soon.
Legacy - 7th January 2011 12:16 AM
Originally Posted by Kayi S. Rowling

I'm very sorry to hear that, Legacy, darling, but people like you are the main reason my country is falling apart.

...again, I'm very sorry. I hope you can find a solution soon.

What do you mean?
Sarcastically Insane - 7th January 2011 05:19 PM
Kayi lives in Mexico.

i.e., cartels.
Lugion - 7th January 2011 05:20 PM
Pot, being one of the most wide-spread illegal drugs in the US, is one of the biggest markets for Mexican drug runners. El Cartel and all that.
Hellion - 7th January 2011 07:02 PM
Any addiction is hard to break, but as they say, the first step is admitting that you have a problem. I can't really give you any advice on how to go about breaking this habit, I can only say that I support you and think that if you're serious about kicking the habit, the best thing to do is reach out to people and create a system of support around you.

Best of luck!

PS: You're a great writer and you don't need pot to help you with that.
CuboneKing - 7th January 2011 08:41 PM
My suggestion? Get rid of all available aspects of weed to you.
Ultra Pidgeot - 7th January 2011 10:07 PM
Find some way to get negative reinforcement each time you toke up, like a slap across the face or something. I don't know.

Over time, you'll associate the negative thing with the pot, and you will (hopefully) stop.
Legacy - 8th January 2011 01:57 AM
Hey thanks for the advice guys, so far tonight I haven't smoked. Just trying to keep my mind busy until I get tired
Lugion - 9th January 2011 10:35 PM
Just remember, you've gotta stick to it.

The only other way would be to scour the Earth searching for the seven magic Dragon Balls, and that's hard enough normally! I hear North Korea's got the three-star Ball, so you might as well not even go for it.