How to Quit Smoking Weed After Years

Though marijuana is less addictive and physically endangering than many illegal substances, it can still very easily turn into a harmful habit, which is difficult to control and causes damage to everyday activities, social interactions and physical abilities. This is especially true for long-term users, who have been smoking for years. If you or somebody you love is one of these people, you should know that quitting marijuana is completely possible and, in fact, much easier than with most other addictive substances -- all starting with Step 1 below.

Making the Decision

Know how marijuana affects you. Cannabis intake normally causes lack of initiative or laziness, an unwillingness to participate in many social situations (especially when interacting with non-smokers is involved), as well as damage to internal organs like the heart and lungs. These reasons are why the number of people deciding to quit smoking weed is progressively increasing. How has it changed you?

·         Having an addiction does not only destroy one’s physical health, but also makes one more prone to psychological disorders like schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.

·         Consumption of weed increases the release of serotonin in the body which is a chemical produced in the brain that gives feeling of pleasure. Unfortunately, the longer you smoke weed, the less and less serotonin gets produced, the less "pleased" you feel, and the more you're left with additional cravings.

Have an honest conversation with yourself. Clear a few hours (or even a whole day) of your schedule and find a calm, serene place – settings which you enjoy and where you can be by yourself. Turn off your phone so that you won’t be disturbed or distracted by it and think about your use of marijuana. Some helpful questions to ask yourself are:

·         When did you first try marijuana and why did you do it?

·         For how long have you been smoking and how often do you do it?

·         What do you feel before and after smoking? (Try to especially concentrate on whether you are trying to ease negative thoughts or avoid dealing with problems by smoking.)

·         Were there times when you neglected your duties (to yourself, family and friends, school or work) because of smoking?

·         Are there activities that you want to take part of or would like to excel at but haven’t done so yet because you were not feeling very motivated?

Figure out your motivators. The closer you get to these, the easier it'll be to stop. Once you figure out your motivations to smoke, you can figure out what might motivate you to stop. Come up with corresponding goals -- something that will motivate you to kick the habit. That can be anything ranging from applying to a good college or taking better care of your family through excelling at a sport or a craft.

·         If you want to quit smoking cannabis, it is crucial to be certain of your motivators – the stronger they are, the better chances you have.

·         Often it is easier to quit one thing by substituting it with another. In this case choose something better, and If you have cravings try chewing a piece of gum (regular or nicotine) or having a drink of water each time that urge surfaces. It can help change the often habitual act of smoking, and at the same time provides you with something healthy to do.

Realize that this decision is final. Most of the people who have an addiction feel that they want to quit every time they smoke. They make a commitment to themselves each time for quitting and then end up doing it again. You need to know that this time your decision is final. In order to heal, the first step is to accept that you have a problem.

·         At the same time, don't dwell on the past of your addiction, and focus on how much better you can be (physically and mentally), without getting high. Remember, it is a choice to smoke weed, not an automatic way of life. If you need to, say to your friends, "I can't smoke - it makes me paranoid," "I feel dizzy when I blaze," or "My job has random drug tests," whether they do or do not test. Provide a strong barrier verbally to those who "egg" you on when your excuse is simple, like "No, Im trying to quit."

·         In this case, accepting that you have a problem is not just it -- you also need to accept that it is a problem and not a pleasure. Problems need addressing before they get any worse -- which is exactly what you are doing.

Don't blame anything or anyone else. Another essential point is to avoid blaming the substance, other people, or your living situation. To be successful in quitting, you have to try to take responsibility for your own actions – both positive and negative. This will aid you in the process as you will be more likely to praise yourself for success and work harder when things don’t turn out exactly the way you imagined.

·         Blaming others will only give you an "easy out" when things are difficult and will make you more likely to start smoking again. Even though the first step of quitting is being honest with yourself, you don’t have to complete the whole process on your own. Some techniques, especially psychological help, can aid your efforts tremendously.

Know the side effects. As much as weed is a great thing to experience, it comes with severe side effects that could last a long, long time. Knowing what could befall you could help clinch your decision. Here are a few effects that you might be facing after long-term addiction:

·         An increased heart rate

·         Lack of coordination in sensory organs

·         Anxiety

·         Hyperactivity

·         Hallucinations

·         Irritability

·         Mood swings

·         Lack of fertility

·         Isolation

·         Suicidal thoughts

·         Aggressive behavior

·         Intolerance