Addicted to various things for many years

[truthiness]

I started quite young with food, and spent most of my childhood obese. Then at 17 I started smoking marijuana. Now I feel hopelessly addicted. I've tried quitting several times with no luck of making it past a day on my own without lighting up. There have been some moments recently where I feel like I'm losing my mind, thinking the craziest paranoid thoughts. I've also studied the various theories on addiction and how to treat them with no luck. What can I do outside of inpatient treatment which I currently cannot afford?

[truthiness]

Thanks you two. I have every single symptom on that list, but I also found out last night how long it will last (should start subsiding in two days and completely wear off in a few VERY LONG weeks). I wouldn't compare it to the addiction associated with opiates, as there is no risk of death for me from the physical withdraw symptoms. I also found where much of the confusion about marijuana's addiction comes from is the changes in THC content over the past few decades (what was easy to quit in the 70s is really hard to quit for some now). I'll look into the use of sleeping aids as that would really help right now.

Oh, and now that I'm a little more informed, I'd like to know if anyone has a source for some good motivation building resources? Years of MJ use has lowered my motivation levels to a deplorably low level and I'd like to rebuild that part of my mind ASAP.

[spacecadette]

Although many people will disagree, marijuana is very real when it comes to withdrawls.  You will experience similar withdrawl symptoms as those coming off of opiates.  Night sweats, high blood pressure, loss of appetite, insomnia, severe depression/anger, hot flashes, irritablility, sensitivity to smell, touch, sound, light.  Anger, anxiety, and depression are the most common symptoms of marijuana withdrawls but often times can be accompanied with the symptoms stated above.  I know Ativan helps, clonodine, and sleep aids are among the few remedies I am aware of used to ease them.  Good luck and keep posting

[Missy31]

Maybe you could try CT or tapering dow how often. I'm not sure about weed, and what meds there are to help, are you suffuring from WD symptoms when you don't smoke? There will be someone on here soon that should be able to help ya, Best of luck!