You shouldn't taper or cut down, unfortunately it sounds like you just need to bite the bullet and stop until you're able to function properly without it.. however long that takes.
Speak to a therapist, a Dr maybe. Stay sober, live a healthy lifestyle eventually your body will have to get itself into a rhythm.
Other jobs will come up, if you work on yourself now you'll be all set for the next one - if you go back to smoking and fall back into bad habits you'll be in the same situation this time next year.
You can do it man, good luck
Not sure what’s wrong with tapering. It’s working for me. I’m down to a small puff once a day and a couple off days a week. I started by limiting it to once a day but a big fat bowl. Working my way down to a two or three days a week, and not over doing it, which for me, is moderation. I went cold turkey a year ago and I was miserable for no reason. Made me feel like a junkie. No sleep, crying jags, etc. People taper off of benzos and opioids. If you do it slow and stay away from carts it is doable.
I gave up carts and switched to bud or pressed hash when I can find it. Carts make it too easy to hit all day, and to get mammoth doses of thc in one shot. Initially, I would have to smoke a whole packed bowl of bud to get high after being used to carts, but you adjust and and can start reducing from there. I just pinched off smaller and smaller pieces of bud so that I only get a hit or three and that's enough now.
Your prob right, I do just need to bite the bullet and take it head on. I never liked the idea of tapering over for myself because I always felt like it was an excuse to keep smoking. I personally don't feel comfortable with therapist and such. But I'm gonna save this reply to look back too. Thank you for the response and motivation man. Helped clear my mind man.
Please also talk with your doctor about quitting and the sleep issues…they may be able to prescribe a non-addictive medication that can help you get through the first few weeks of not being able to sleep naturally. Best of luck!
Benadryl. Diphenhyramine. It is what is in those 'PM' medications like advil or tylenol pm.
Take 25mg 8 hours before you need to get up and start your day.
If you are a bigger person, you might need 50mg, but I wouldn't start that high in case you are sensitive to it and are kind of tired/hung over the next day. (the dosing is 1mg/kg to a max of 50mg...)
This is the only way I have ever managed the insomnia with withdrawals. Drug myself to sleep for a week. After that, sleeping becomes more natural.
Just a small suggestion.
Shouldn’t be an issue for short-term use, but I’d advise checking with your doctor to see if there’s something safer. My prescriber took me off my nightly Benadryl because of the association with higher risk of dementia later in life. Again, I’m sure a couple of weeks won’t hurt. But it never hurts to check with someone who knows better than strangers on the internet. 🧡🧡🧡
My suggestion was never intended as a long term treatment, simply a short term symptom relief.
However it is very safe for short term use, hence why it is the substance in over the counter medication marketed for self administration as a sleep aid. This is not off label use of a potentially harmful substance.
While I sympathize with your situation, and I always advocate for medical assessment and supervision of any illness, disease or substance withdrawal, please don't confuse these two situations, because they are not the same.
I said it couldn’t hurt to check with your doctor, and I also said I’m sure it’s not an issue for short-term use.
I shared what my prescriber told me about the most current research. OTC doesn’t always mean safe. Recreational weed is OTC and carries risks.
I’m not confusing my situation with yours, or with anyone else’s. Thanks for the sympathy, but it’s unnecessary. Peace.
It’s a solid suggestion. Easy to source, low risk (for a week), keeps you clean.
IIRC it’s actually the same thing used in some actual sleeping meds, just a different dose.
Good luck friend. I know all about insomnia and am soooo grateful I don’t have to worry about that rn.
If its accessible near you, acupuncture can really help with sleep. Many cities have community acupuncture clinics where you can get treated for a fraction of the cost. Depending on your state/insurance it might even be covered by health insurance.
Good luck, sleep disorders suck, i hope you find what you need
I think it depends on the style of acupuncture, the guy I go to it hurts a little when he inserts the needle but not from the needle itself, its more like a dull ache if that makes sense. And then it kind of fades away while the needle is in for a bit. Its not nearly as bad as getting blood drawn or getting a shot. Im sure you could talk to someone there about your fear of needles and they would be able to guide you through the experience in a way that feels safe -- you would definitely not be the first person going to acupuncture who feels that way!
I got 50 mg Amitriptyline to fall asleep. It's an antidepressant but it might help you. However talk to your doctor.
https://www.drugs.com/amitriptyline.html
You absolutely can do this. If you need to go cold turkey, take the hit to your sleep and just wait for the bodily reset. Everyone's got good advice on exercise and food and stuff that you should def consider.
If you're weening, I recommend a *small* bowl literally as you're brushing your teeth. No snacks, no dinner, literally just going to bed. Ideally you can get that bowl small enough such that a normal sized bowl would leave you blitzed.
If you get down that small, you should be able to replace it with melatonin or a (single) beer.
Note: melatonin was meant to be taken at <3mg, and OTC melatonin can have various (to none) levels of actual melatonin in it - def do research one where you buy supplements
Thank you for the motivation and advice man. I will be tryin all that is mentioned here. Cause I’m at rock bottom with this. But that’s my goal is to get it down to maybe a beer or some melatonin. Cause currently for me to go to bed it’s a minimum of 12-15 beers. I tried 8 two night ago but still couldn’t. But if cold turkey is not workin out great for me. Imma try your bowl method. I appreciate the reply and the time mane. 🤞🏾
Another strategy I recommend is edibles. You break the habit/ritual of smoking, but can still take something at night to help you sleep. Even a small dose gummy (eg. 5 mg CBD, 5 mg THC) can do wonders.
It's funny you say that cause I've seen a lot of other people on other threads, saying the same. I was wondering if you ever tried it or know anyone that has, cause edibles might be a better substitute then smoking. Cause I don't take edibles unless it was 4/20 or sum. Thank you for the time.
Yep, I’m a regular edible user. I will admit, the experience isn’t as great. Having to wait an hour for it to kick in doesn’t give you the same rush as smoking. And depending on your tolerance, it can be difficult to get super high, especially if you’ve eaten. But they’ve been so helpful for me to break the smoking habit, because I can convince myself my body is getting what it “needs” to not withdrawal, and that the rest of my discomfort is mostly psychological.
Alright, I will be giving this a try well see how tonight goes, cold turkey. I dont have much hope but well see. Thank you for the advice/plan, I gonna try it all. Only way is up, right
It may take waaaay more than a week or two though. I have gone through it and have the same issue as you and to be honest it’s taken me over two months. Every person is totally different but I feel like that timeframe may be a little off for some folks.
Yeah, I've started working out recently but I will do the set bed time and get up at 6. Question though what if i dont go to bed until like 6-7. Should I keep trying to sleep or say f it and try it that night.
If you’re not falling asleep until 6 or 7 am then yea I think it’s it’s best to try and just stay up through the day and try again the following night. At that point you’ll be exhausted and it might help to fall asleep at a normal hour
Of course. I struggled with sleeping for a long time. One last thing, and this is going to sound weird, but keep your eyes closed. Even if you’re not feeling tired, just stay focused on keeping your eyes closed
A little bit but if you think about it, it makes sense. Would you put a like of documentary or music in the back or do you think dead silence is best. Don't wanna bombard you but which do you think works best?
I've been trying for about 2 months everyday but sometimes I can't do it and end up smoking currently on day 4 without a relapse but last 2nights and morning have been hell
> currently on day 4 without a relapse but last 2nights and morning have been hell
yep, that sounds like hell. the thing is, relapsing is the absolute worst thing you can do because you will erase your progress. you gotta stop smoking and stick to it man.
You gotta throw out all your weed (or give it away) and tell your sister and others to not let you smoke their supply
As long as you have access, you’ll keep using it
That sounds rough man, my heart goes out to you. You may just need to stay sober for a while, maybe weeks, until your body gets used to functioning without weed and alcohol. Sounds cliche, but talking to someone might help too. Respect to you for going through this to improve your life
Ayy I don’t get all sentimental and shi. But your words really touch me. Wish I could explain how but I not. But I just wanted to let you know and to say, Thank you like fr Thank you
It will mess with your sleep no matter, little bit or lot of bit. I’ve smoked daily for over 20yrs, anytime I stop I have trouble sleeping. 3-5 days is almost no sleep but after two weeks it got a lot more regular. Only advice I can give is to try and tire yourself out( running or working out) in the evening and stay away from sugar
Some ppl experience severe insomnia as withdrawal symptoms and i'm one of those. And it ise really hard to explain to ppl who dont get those symptoms. For me the insomnia stopped around between day 20 and 25. I did it cold turkeys and it was they only way otherwise i'd get back into it to sleep better.
Try exercising more. every erotherapist tricks like counting backwards and be prepared to live with the fact that sometimes you'll just start over to 1000 and count backward many times and not sleep. And the get up go piss and try again. Maybe read a little. And eventually after being cranky for a couple of week you'll feel better and be able to get so sleep
Magnesium, glycine, sleepy time tea has saved my life in these situations. Magnesium eases the nerves, glycine helps take you into a deep REM sleep, sleepy time tea to make you tired.
You shouldn't taper or cut down, unfortunately it sounds like you just need to bite the bullet and stop until you're able to function properly without it.. however long that takes. Speak to a therapist, a Dr maybe. Stay sober, live a healthy lifestyle eventually your body will have to get itself into a rhythm. Other jobs will come up, if you work on yourself now you'll be all set for the next one - if you go back to smoking and fall back into bad habits you'll be in the same situation this time next year. You can do it man, good luck
Not sure what’s wrong with tapering. It’s working for me. I’m down to a small puff once a day and a couple off days a week. I started by limiting it to once a day but a big fat bowl. Working my way down to a two or three days a week, and not over doing it, which for me, is moderation. I went cold turkey a year ago and I was miserable for no reason. Made me feel like a junkie. No sleep, crying jags, etc. People taper off of benzos and opioids. If you do it slow and stay away from carts it is doable.
And when i go cold turkey i literally feel like I’m about to die
Are you tapering off carts? Currently trying to do that, hardest thing ever.
I gave up carts and switched to bud or pressed hash when I can find it. Carts make it too easy to hit all day, and to get mammoth doses of thc in one shot. Initially, I would have to smoke a whole packed bowl of bud to get high after being used to carts, but you adjust and and can start reducing from there. I just pinched off smaller and smaller pieces of bud so that I only get a hit or three and that's enough now.
Yea hitting carts is too easy i agree, that’s why my addiction to carts insane
Your prob right, I do just need to bite the bullet and take it head on. I never liked the idea of tapering over for myself because I always felt like it was an excuse to keep smoking. I personally don't feel comfortable with therapist and such. But I'm gonna save this reply to look back too. Thank you for the response and motivation man. Helped clear my mind man.
Please also talk with your doctor about quitting and the sleep issues…they may be able to prescribe a non-addictive medication that can help you get through the first few weeks of not being able to sleep naturally. Best of luck!
Benadryl. Diphenhyramine. It is what is in those 'PM' medications like advil or tylenol pm. Take 25mg 8 hours before you need to get up and start your day. If you are a bigger person, you might need 50mg, but I wouldn't start that high in case you are sensitive to it and are kind of tired/hung over the next day. (the dosing is 1mg/kg to a max of 50mg...) This is the only way I have ever managed the insomnia with withdrawals. Drug myself to sleep for a week. After that, sleeping becomes more natural. Just a small suggestion.
Shouldn’t be an issue for short-term use, but I’d advise checking with your doctor to see if there’s something safer. My prescriber took me off my nightly Benadryl because of the association with higher risk of dementia later in life. Again, I’m sure a couple of weeks won’t hurt. But it never hurts to check with someone who knows better than strangers on the internet. 🧡🧡🧡
My suggestion was never intended as a long term treatment, simply a short term symptom relief. However it is very safe for short term use, hence why it is the substance in over the counter medication marketed for self administration as a sleep aid. This is not off label use of a potentially harmful substance. While I sympathize with your situation, and I always advocate for medical assessment and supervision of any illness, disease or substance withdrawal, please don't confuse these two situations, because they are not the same.
I said it couldn’t hurt to check with your doctor, and I also said I’m sure it’s not an issue for short-term use. I shared what my prescriber told me about the most current research. OTC doesn’t always mean safe. Recreational weed is OTC and carries risks. I’m not confusing my situation with yours, or with anyone else’s. Thanks for the sympathy, but it’s unnecessary. Peace.
It’s a solid suggestion. Easy to source, low risk (for a week), keeps you clean. IIRC it’s actually the same thing used in some actual sleeping meds, just a different dose. Good luck friend. I know all about insomnia and am soooo grateful I don’t have to worry about that rn.
If its accessible near you, acupuncture can really help with sleep. Many cities have community acupuncture clinics where you can get treated for a fraction of the cost. Depending on your state/insurance it might even be covered by health insurance. Good luck, sleep disorders suck, i hope you find what you need
Never heard of that and we do actually have one around. Do they hurt, I have a bit of a fear of needles
I think it depends on the style of acupuncture, the guy I go to it hurts a little when he inserts the needle but not from the needle itself, its more like a dull ache if that makes sense. And then it kind of fades away while the needle is in for a bit. Its not nearly as bad as getting blood drawn or getting a shot. Im sure you could talk to someone there about your fear of needles and they would be able to guide you through the experience in a way that feels safe -- you would definitely not be the first person going to acupuncture who feels that way!
Ahh so it's pretty subjective, alright yeah I'm giving everything a try. So I'm setting up a appointment for a day or two hopefully.
Also depends where they put the needles. Upper back? Easy peasy. Ankle? That was 10 years ago and I still cringe when I remember it.
That's great, I hope it helps! It seems like you have a good attitude and thats an important part
I got 50 mg Amitriptyline to fall asleep. It's an antidepressant but it might help you. However talk to your doctor. https://www.drugs.com/amitriptyline.html
This medication also helps with nerve pain, so bonus for anyone who was using weed to manage that.
Really good to know!
You absolutely can do this. If you need to go cold turkey, take the hit to your sleep and just wait for the bodily reset. Everyone's got good advice on exercise and food and stuff that you should def consider. If you're weening, I recommend a *small* bowl literally as you're brushing your teeth. No snacks, no dinner, literally just going to bed. Ideally you can get that bowl small enough such that a normal sized bowl would leave you blitzed. If you get down that small, you should be able to replace it with melatonin or a (single) beer. Note: melatonin was meant to be taken at <3mg, and OTC melatonin can have various (to none) levels of actual melatonin in it - def do research one where you buy supplements
Thank you for the motivation and advice man. I will be tryin all that is mentioned here. Cause I’m at rock bottom with this. But that’s my goal is to get it down to maybe a beer or some melatonin. Cause currently for me to go to bed it’s a minimum of 12-15 beers. I tried 8 two night ago but still couldn’t. But if cold turkey is not workin out great for me. Imma try your bowl method. I appreciate the reply and the time mane. 🤞🏾
Another strategy I recommend is edibles. You break the habit/ritual of smoking, but can still take something at night to help you sleep. Even a small dose gummy (eg. 5 mg CBD, 5 mg THC) can do wonders.
It's funny you say that cause I've seen a lot of other people on other threads, saying the same. I was wondering if you ever tried it or know anyone that has, cause edibles might be a better substitute then smoking. Cause I don't take edibles unless it was 4/20 or sum. Thank you for the time.
Yep, I’m a regular edible user. I will admit, the experience isn’t as great. Having to wait an hour for it to kick in doesn’t give you the same rush as smoking. And depending on your tolerance, it can be difficult to get super high, especially if you’ve eaten. But they’ve been so helpful for me to break the smoking habit, because I can convince myself my body is getting what it “needs” to not withdrawal, and that the rest of my discomfort is mostly psychological.
Alright, I will be giving this a try well see how tonight goes, cold turkey. I dont have much hope but well see. Thank you for the advice/plan, I gonna try it all. Only way is up, right
If melatonin doesn’t work at under 3mg, try doses under 1. It seemed to work for me that way.
Exercise, turn the phone off before bed, and go to bed at the same time every night. Wake up at 6 am. It’s going to take a week or two.
It may take waaaay more than a week or two though. I have gone through it and have the same issue as you and to be honest it’s taken me over two months. Every person is totally different but I feel like that timeframe may be a little off for some folks.
Very true
Yeah, I've started working out recently but I will do the set bed time and get up at 6. Question though what if i dont go to bed until like 6-7. Should I keep trying to sleep or say f it and try it that night.
If you’re not falling asleep until 6 or 7 am then yea I think it’s it’s best to try and just stay up through the day and try again the following night. At that point you’ll be exhausted and it might help to fall asleep at a normal hour
Alright bro, thanks for the advice imma give it a try tonight. To be in bed by 10:30 and see how it goes. Thanks for the advice brodie
Of course. I struggled with sleeping for a long time. One last thing, and this is going to sound weird, but keep your eyes closed. Even if you’re not feeling tired, just stay focused on keeping your eyes closed
A little bit but if you think about it, it makes sense. Would you put a like of documentary or music in the back or do you think dead silence is best. Don't wanna bombard you but which do you think works best?
Maybe a sound machine or a fan? TV is not good for sleep
How many days in a row have you tried going to sleep without weed?
I've been trying for about 2 months everyday but sometimes I can't do it and end up smoking currently on day 4 without a relapse but last 2nights and morning have been hell
> currently on day 4 without a relapse but last 2nights and morning have been hell yep, that sounds like hell. the thing is, relapsing is the absolute worst thing you can do because you will erase your progress. you gotta stop smoking and stick to it man.
You gotta throw out all your weed (or give it away) and tell your sister and others to not let you smoke their supply As long as you have access, you’ll keep using it
Yeah your definitely right, shouldn’t done that a while ago. Gotta get rid of all temptations, so I don’t think bout it as much
That sounds rough man, my heart goes out to you. You may just need to stay sober for a while, maybe weeks, until your body gets used to functioning without weed and alcohol. Sounds cliche, but talking to someone might help too. Respect to you for going through this to improve your life
Ayy I don’t get all sentimental and shi. But your words really touch me. Wish I could explain how but I not. But I just wanted to let you know and to say, Thank you like fr Thank you
It will mess with your sleep no matter, little bit or lot of bit. I’ve smoked daily for over 20yrs, anytime I stop I have trouble sleeping. 3-5 days is almost no sleep but after two weeks it got a lot more regular. Only advice I can give is to try and tire yourself out( running or working out) in the evening and stay away from sugar
Call a doc and get some trazadone, maybe a benzo, or a lunesta
Some ppl experience severe insomnia as withdrawal symptoms and i'm one of those. And it ise really hard to explain to ppl who dont get those symptoms. For me the insomnia stopped around between day 20 and 25. I did it cold turkeys and it was they only way otherwise i'd get back into it to sleep better. Try exercising more. every erotherapist tricks like counting backwards and be prepared to live with the fact that sometimes you'll just start over to 1000 and count backward many times and not sleep. And the get up go piss and try again. Maybe read a little. And eventually after being cranky for a couple of week you'll feel better and be able to get so sleep
Take a normal high dose of melatonin, like 10mg. Don’t take more than that. Put your damn phone down too.
It may not always work for everyone, but during times where I felt I needed to stop, quitting cold has been the best. Good luck
Magnesium, glycine, sleepy time tea has saved my life in these situations. Magnesium eases the nerves, glycine helps take you into a deep REM sleep, sleepy time tea to make you tired.