There has been a lot of controversy about weed lately. It’s legal in many states and is being talked about in the news and by politicians. Overall, it may be harmless. It might even be beneficial to those suffering from terminal illnesses.
For you, weed might be fun and provide an escape from the stresses of life, but, in the long run, are the side effects really worth it? The paranoia, the inability to function like you used to, the distorted view of life? Or the restlessness you feel when you can’t get it? The feeling of not being okay without it? These are all in addition to the negative physical and mental effects of weed.
The first step in overcoming any sort of addiction in your life is deciding to do so. The fact that you are here, says you may have already gotten over that most important hurdle. Read on to find out how to stop smoking weed.
1. Get Rid of It
The best and most important way to stop smoking weed is to get rid of what you have. If you no longer have it, it will be a lot harder for you to smoke it. You can throw it away, give it away, or sell it. Whatever you decide to do, you will feel a lot better not having the substance in your house.
2. Change Your Habits
Avoid the people, places, or things that make you want to smoke weed. If you have friends who smoke weed, find other people to do things with who aren’t using it. If you watch “stoner movies,” find something else to watch. Don’t go to places where you know people will be smoking weed.
3. Eat Healthily
Eating healthy is a great way to cleanse your body of toxins. This will also help with the withdrawal symptoms. Drugs rob the body of vitamins and minerals, particularly B complex, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium. Once you start finding nutritious meals you like, you may get the desire to start cooking more as well. All of this will help keep your mind active and curb the desire to start smoking again.
4. Start Exercising
Along with eating healthy, exercise is another great way to help the body get rid of toxins. You will be able to sweat the weed out! Research has shown that exercise can help to reduce addiction cravings. It can also help restore healthy brain function. In addition, exercise is extremely helpful in stress reduction. If you turn to weed because of stress, exercise can serve as a healthy alternative coping device.
5. Find Hobbies
Many people turn to weed out of boredom. If you need something to do instead of smoking weed, you should find some activities you like. There may even be something you enjoyed before you started smoking that you had forgotten about. Get out and see the world you’ve been missing!
6. Build a Support System
The support of family and friends is one of the best tools to lean on when getting over any kind of addiction. Let your loved ones know that you are trying to stop smoking. They can help you avoid people and situations that could be dangerous. Your family and friends want what’s best for you.
7. Set Goals
Setting goals will ensure that you keep going on your mission to quit smoking weed. To help you stop smoking weed, set yourself a goal date for when you’ll be completely off of it.
You can also set goals for what you want to able to do with your life now that you’ve stopped smoking. You’ll find that you’ll be able to achieve so much more without weed in your life.
8. Find Counseling
Therapy can be a great, albeit expensive, tool for helping overcome addiction. It can also help improve other skills such as problem-solving and lifestyle management. There are a few different types of mental health treatments that are particularly useful for those attempting to stop marijuana use: cognitive-behavioural therapy, contingency management, and motivational enhancement therapy.
Through therapy, your drug addiction can be treated and overcome in a safe environment. However, it should be noted that since marijuana isn’t technically considered a drug, your insurance will most likely not pay for rehab as there is no proof yet that it is a medical necessity.
Conclusion
There are many ways to stop smoking weed. However, be warned, some people experience withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit. These include irritability, sleeping difficulties, depression, night sweats, and loss of appetite. Some also suffer anxiety and fatigue. Many are drawn back to smoking pot because of the distress of withdrawal, which can last as long as a few days to a week, or even longer. Don’t let this be you! Follow the advice above and you will be in good shape and on your way to quitting weed forever.