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1134902 tn?1296066144

Dealing with pot withdrawl

My husband is Pot head.  He's 41 yrs old, and has smoked it since he was a teen.  When he hasn't smoked in even a couple hours he starts withdrawling, within a day without he becomes severely angry, flu like symptom including the chills, irritability, lethargy.  What's the best way to deal with the withdrawals caused by smoking pot?  He is also a sober alchoholic for years at a time before relapsing for one night of binging.  He is also on a prescription for percs for chronic pain which he limits himself to a max of 3 a day when needed... He also smokes a pack of day ciggarettes.  
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Avatar universal
People DO suffer from physical withdrawals from pot. I've smoked daily for 15 years now, and within HOURS of not smoking, I am nauseous, anxious, horrible headaches, body aches, flu-like symptoms. I am soooo tired, yet cannot sleep. Night sweats to the point of soaking my clothes and bed. The nausea and vomiting is the worse as it seems to come on in sudden, severe waves. A couple puffs and it all goes away instantly. Don't say it's in my mind, because my "mind" has wanted to quit for years, but my body is weakened by it and I have not been able to take the time to just lay in bed and suffer it out for a week. Work & home life won't allow for the time off. I am now in the process of weaning to ease the symptoms and hopefully beat this once & for all. But just because YOU didn't experience physical symptoms, please do not tell people that it doesn't happen, because it most certainly does!
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1235186 tn?1656987798
I didn't even want to touch this one.   Amen.     enough said
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707563 tn?1626361905
Everyone, let's tone it down.  As you all know, it is against the Terms of Use to insult, call names, etc., and that seems to be what this thread has descended to.

The debate about marijuana being physically addictive can go on and on, and that's not the point of this forum.  The important thing here is that missfiveday's husband has something happening, and missfiveday is affected by it, and needs support from our members.  Please be mindful that name calling, insults and endless debates are not supportive.

If it continues in this way, we will have to close the thread.

Emily



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Avatar universal
As missfive said, this link can explain to all the doubters (like I was) and to all those going "maybeeeee?".

http://hubpages.com/hub/Marijuana-withdrawal-symptoms-Insomnia--anxiety--iritability--headache

I never known anyone to have WD from marijuana, I did not have it after I stopped after more than ten years. It is known though that people have been "upping" the potency of marijuana. To the guy who called her husband a r********, please read the link.

I am not saying anyone is right, I am saying I was wrong in the way I approached this and it was because of my disappointment in myself that I was able to open my mind to maybe her husband does have this problem.

IT dosen't matter, as a couple people have said, it's that her husband gets the help he needs, and it don't matter what substance it is, if someone wants help with an addiction, you support them, not laugh or belittle them. This includes myself, I was wrong in how I handled the post at first.
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Avatar universal
They are getting ready to legalize medical marijuana here in Az. The anti-drug people are feverishly trying last minute reasoning to stop "the devil weed". The neighbors thought they'd run their own experiment, to find out the "truth behind the controversy". After several hours it was determined that if a squirrel smokes 700 joints a day, he tends to play with his nuts instead of store them. It's possible he is getting smoked up and "just forgets" he took his percs, maybe thinking they were tic tacs or something? I know "back in the day" we'd run out of weed [$10, for a 3 finger bag} we'd drive all over town trying to find more, thus elliciting "drug seeking behavior". I know last night I ran out of vanilla, Haggan Das, ice cream and fell into a panic, I was irritable, and found it hard to sleep, so I snuck into the refer and got my wife's chocolate. It does seem possible that the new strains are not your daddy's weed anymore, obviously people can abuse anything, I know my wifes not happy about her ice cream missing. You would think with 6 thousand years of experience on cannabis, that there would be some conclusions on whether or not it's harmful. Working people since time began, even in the most remote parts of the world have after a long hard day of trying to survive have sought out some type of relief. Seriously, anything can become habit forming and people can get attitude when their habits get changed, unwillingly. I vote, it's the perc's.
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242912 tn?1660619837
My husband does no drugs except smoke pot and that link hellc@mst left describes exactly what he's like for at least 72hrs or longer from last smoke.  He is very combative and hard to live with.  I've also been a pot smoker a long time up until this year and each time I quit, I'd get hot flashes, depression, anxiety increase, unable to sleep, etc.  The pot of today is Nothing like the pot of just 15yrs ago.  

IMO, if you didn't mention your bf using pills, I would say his behavior is entirely due to w/d from pot.  Pot can also change ones personality.  I've known my husband for 32yrs.  He quit smoking pot for one yr from 07 - 08 and he was a Completely different person!  Unfortunately, he returned to smoking and his Jeckle and Hyde personality returned in full also.
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1481358 tn?1288295091
If hes been on percs for awhile and they  DONT up his script, hes wding from percs. We all know you build a tolerace to pills. It doesnt take long either. When you start 1 pill will last for half a day. Then a month later that same pill lasts only 1 or 2 hours. Then 2 hours later the wds start. So if he hasent upped his percs Im sure thats whats happening. The longer I took pills the more I needed. Then I couldnt even last through the night without  waking up with wds. I know you dont want to think it but its those nasty percs. Even if hes not wding they change your personality over time. Ive smoked for years and know others who have as well. The only thing Ill say about quiting pot is its alittle harder to get to sleep. You dont loose your appetite you loose the muchies. For me, I felt better when I quit smoking pot.
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1405544 tn?1331918701
There is a possibility that there is something else in the pot he gets. I smoked pot from the time I was 15 and there were definitely different 'grades'. Some batches were darker than others, some were stickier, some tasted just plain funny and each batch gave off a different type of "buzz". It is possible the pot he gets is laced with chemicals of some sort, or even another drug, which is causing the wd. Though it sounds more likely, like the others are saying, that it's from the pills.

Either way, not fun. Hope you guys get through this ~Liz
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Avatar universal
Miss--Sometimes we all need to "color outside of the lines".  I know I need to. Not everyone fits into a standard that is acceptable and agreed upon.

I have to agree with Jeremy. (Not that there's a contest here).  But,his post got me thinking a bit.  Nothing with addiction is constant and average,many times.  Each individual has their own set of chemicals inherit to them.  We can only "guesstimate" what
an outcome will be,on any given day. We're human and we vary...

So,maybe it's pot but does it matter?  It's something and it's significant in his life. "Something" is causing him to have these symptoms. I would try to work from there as I'm sure you are. How is he today?
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1134902 tn?1296066144
I was sent this message which helPed an immense amount in understanding what my hubby is going through. http://hubpages.com/hub/Marijuana-withdrawal-symptoms-Insomnia--anxiety--iritability--headache
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1569058 tn?1333227624
I have had the same symptoms of irritability, having trouble sleeping, having trouble to do anything besides watch TV. That was way before I got my trafic accident that got me hooked on painkillers of the opiate-kind. But since were not doctors here, at least I know I'm not a doctor, there could be some interference between the pot and the opiates. I remember that when I stopped drinking, I could make do with a lot less painkillers.
The liver works in mysterious ways.
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185545 tn?1331074866
Hello again. I found this article and thought it was extremely interesting. It described all the symptoms you mentioned and more.

....."What has emerged in the past ten years is a profile of marijuana withdrawal, where none existed before. The syndrome is marked by irritability, restlessness, generalized anxiety, hostility, depression, difficulty sleeping, excessive sweating, loose stools, loss of appetite, and a general “blah” feeling. Many patients complain of feeling like they have a low-grade flu, and they describe a psychological state of existential uncertainty—“inner unrest,” as one researcher calls it."

Here is the link
http://addiction-dirkh.blogspot.com/2007/10/marijuana-withdrawal.html

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Avatar universal
Rich, pot is not a  physical adiction, but it does stay in your system for a period of time.  But it doesnt have the ill effects as opiates does.....
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Avatar universal
pot is also NOT an opiate, so even if there is a remote chance of withdrawal it is nothing like coming off opiates.  i am a regular pot smoker on and off for 15 plus years, and when i dont smoke for a lenghth of time all that happens to me is that i eat allot less, sex is not as intense, and i dont sleep as well as if i would have smoked.
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185545 tn?1331074866
Here in NZ it is not uncommon for doctors to prescribe small doses of valium for 1-2 weeks as a way to minimise the anxiety and stress pot addicts describe when tring to stop. Few people acknowledge the intensity that some may experience when ceasing to abuse marijuana and minimise or make light of marijuana WD with the infamous "it is only mental" line

My response is, psychological cravings/addictions are far more problematic and severe than the transient symptoms involved in physical dependance. Just look at a methamphetamine addict Our minds are able to manufacture all manner of real, detectable, treatable symptoms if allowed. This should never be underestimated and i expected more empathy and compassion on an addiction forum.

I have to concur with other posters about the symptoms being more similar to opiate WD but i believe anything is possible with regards to substance abuse and addiction. Does he not have any pot left at all? I would be curious to see if his symptoms are relieved if he were to imbibe. Chance are that there may be more than just marijuana WDs at play.

Here are some links. The second link has some interesting articles about the phyiology of cannabis WDs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_withdrawal

http://www.wellsphere.com/wellpage/marijuana-addiction-withdrawal-symptoms
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Avatar universal
maybe they are the percs... but i have  once had myself withdrawls from pot... for a week i would get chills with every motion and felt like death... no energy nothing... i smoked for probably 6 yrs then quit cold turkey for a job... but percs will do the same just much worse.... pot w/d for me lasted 4 or 5 days... not 4 weeks.. thats bs.... most likely percs
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1134902 tn?1296066144
Valiums...
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1134902 tn?1296066144
Yeah, I'm for certain it's from his pot.  He's never bought any p's... But all this started way before he had the pills.  I know he's not on anything else, cos his dr does pee tests every couple months and all that comes up is his pot n percs.  I have access to our garage where he hangs out with everyone.  I have a sister, a good friend and an inlaw who have addictions to pills, percs and oxys mostly.  I don't see any of the same behavior patterns.  And as soon as he smokes a joint he's fine.  He's very honest with me, and I've been seeing this for 8 years.  He has even talked to his dr about it.  His dr says he'd rather him be smoking the pot then to have him on values or anything.
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Avatar universal
My husband is 33 and he has smoked since he was about 13, he just recently quite to pass a drug test for a job since it seems like everyone wants one these days!! I will say he was a bit of a grouch for a few days but that was it. His energy was a little lower, he is one of those weird people who smokes and then gets crazy energy. We just came off of vics after 2 yrs and that was horrible sounds like what you are discribing but who knows people have side affects when they stop drinking diet pepsi or coffee?
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Avatar universal
""""Pot is NOT a physical addiction, its just mental""""
I sure don't agree with this.   Pot builds up in your cells and hangs in there for a long time (like bad tenants who refuse to leave their apartment) even after you stop using.      It takes quite a while to dissipate.
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Avatar universal
I didn't notice any physical withdrawal from pot but it did have a psychological affect on me    
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Avatar universal
I have to agree with what everyone else has said. I am 52 and have smoked pot daily since my teens only on occasion have I stopped for a few weeks and never have I had any kind of withdrawal from it, I don't think that it's even possible. Perhaps it's all in his head and he's convinced himself that he will feel bad so he does but I too am more inclined to think the symptoms you described in your first post sound very much like opiate withdrawal.
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1481358 tn?1288295091
I think Dane74  is on to something.
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Avatar universal
Pot is NOT a physical addiction, its just mental.  It is the opiate from the percs that are making him withdraw.  I have smoked pot for many years and never had any withdrawal issues, unfortunately i cant say the same about percs.  I suggest trying to stop the percs, and worry about the pot after all the withdrawals are over.
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