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I'm severely addicted with no end in sight. I desperately need advice.

My name is Mike and I'm 24 years old. I'm severely addicted to Marijuana, and the withdrawal symptoms of trying to quit are too much for me to handle. I need help. Advice. Something.

Let's go back in time for a little bit. As a child, teen, and young adult, I never once tried any drugs, and that includes alcohol and nicotine. I just never touched the stuff. I had no desire to. On my 21st birthday, however, my life changed completely. My friends and family took me to the bar for my first time. I started slow, just a beer. It tasted terrible. I think it ended up taking me an hour to finish it. After that, it was time for my birthday shot: the Three Wise Men; Jack, Jim, and Jose. That shot changed my whole night. The alcohol in my bloodstream felt so good. The rest of the night was spent bar hopping. Shot after shot. I got so drunk that I started stealing random drinks from the bar and tables. If people went to the bathroom or something, I drank their drink. Nobody got angry with me; it was my birthday, my first time, and I was plastered. Walking back to my house at the end of the night, I passed out face first in the middle of a road. I had to be carried inside. I spent the next 24 hours in the worst pain I had ever experience, puking my guts out every few minutes.

I likely had alcohol poisoning, but that didn't stop me. For the next two years I blew my checks at the bar every weekend. I have a wife and three children (two at the time, however). Rather than get them what they needed, I spent my time and money drinking on weekends. I never did drink during the week very often, and I rarely kept alcohol in the house.

Before long I became a violent drunk. For no reason at all I would get so drunk and start fights with people. I would come home bloody; sometimes it was mine, sometimes it was theirs. After two years my family and friends told me that they thought I was an alcoholic and I needed help. I didn't believe them. How can I be an alcoholic? I'm not dependent, I don't constantly think about drinking, I don't drink at home, and I only drink on weekends. Not long after I acknowledged that I was an alcohol abuser, but it wasn't an "aha!" moment. It took a truly terrible act of drunkeness for me to come to reality.

My mother began to fear my drinking and told me to never show up at her house drunk again. Well, I did, and she told me to get out. I snapped. I started smashing windows and throwing decorations at her head. I went outside and smashed her van windows out and punched her door in. I went on the run and was tackled by police a couple of hours later. After I sobered up the following day in jail, reality hit me. I started bawling at the horrors I had committed over the last couple of years, especially what I did to my mother. These days I rarely drink, and if I do, it's only a couple of beers or wine. I avoid liquor.

In March of this year, I picked up another drug: Marijuana. Wow, is this stuff awesome. Smoking Marijuana completely killed my desire for alcohol, even during those rare moments when drinking is an option for me. I just didn't want to. Alcohol makes me sick and angry; weed makes me feel good and happy. The first month of my smoking was completely innocent, for a lack of a better word. I only took a few hits a few days a week after work. About two weeks after that, I began to smoke everyday after work, and every weekend. At the two month mark I began to think about weed all day, every day at work. I couldn't wait to get off so I could go home and smoke. Those thoughts and desires led me to smoking at every break at work. Every. Single. Break. And that's how it has stayed. I only smoke what is called "dank", high quality, high THC weed. I smoked this stuff all day, every single day. GRAMS of weed a day. I was spending so, so much.

There was a time over the summer that I went "dry" for my first time. I ran out of weed and all of my guys were out too. It was like that for a couple of days, and those days were some of the worst I've ever had. I made sure that I never again ran out of weed. Those couple of days were spent depressed, anxious, sleepless, and irritable; I was nauseous and having diarrhea. I couldn't fall to sleep at all. I work with one of my drug dealers, so when he told me that he was "good" and he'd bring it in to work for me, I was so relieved. I went to work, grabbed my weed, went to my boss and said I was sick and needed to go home. I went home and smoked most of what o bought from him that day. Of course he brought in a lot more the next day.

Two weeks ago I quit my job because the MERE HOURS inbetween breaks was too much for me to handle. That was too long of a time period between smoking. I used the excuse that they were harassing me and treating me unfairly, and I just needed to get out of there. I spent my final check on weed, all of which I have smoked as of three days ago. I have no money, no job, and my family and I live with my mother-in-law. These three days have been the worst days of my life. I physically and emotionally hurt. I lay in bed shaking and crying while my wife rubs my back. I just so tired and I can't sleep. I'm so hungry and I can't eat. I've lost 10 pounds already. I can't even drink water without gagging. I spend the first 3-4 hours of my mornings with extreme nausea. It dissipates after awhile, but comes back periodically throughout the day. I have stomach cramps and aches, and diarrhea. I'm having suicidal thoughts because of severe depression that has set in. My days seem to be getting darker and darker. There is no light at the end of my tunnel. People say that you can't become addicted to weed and when you quit you don't experience withdrawal. Lies! I'm living proof! I never experienced any of this when people were calling me an alcoholic. This is horrible, and has ruined my life. I've even sold my of my possessions to buy weed because my checks just weren't enough to keep up. I don't know what to do. I can't live like this and need help.

Another thing that has happened to me is I've lost all desire for the things I used to like, such as hobbies, sports, etc. My only desire is buying, smelling, examining, grinding, packing, and smoking weed. That's all I desire to do, and I hate it.
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Avatar universal
On another note, I'm quite embarrassed; I just realized I'm listed as a female and I don't know how to change it!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello everyone! I'm on day 5 and I'm feeling so much better. Every day has its own challenge, but every day things are also looking up. My symptoms are down to: nausea only for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour at night, down significantly. No more vomiting. Diarreah is still a problem, but getting better. My main challenges now are insomnia, which is getting better -- I was able to sleep 6 hours last night, up from 2-4. Eating is still a challenge but improving. I at some bacon, eggs, and toast yesterday, and I've had some chicken noodle soup and tomato soup today. As the severe symptoms improve, minor ones are now appearing: I'm sweating all the time now. It's gross, but better than feeling like I have swine flu! I had my first dream in as long as I can remember last night, and it was a using dream, but unique in that my drug dealer was trying to get me to buy some and I refused. I can smile today. Thank you all so much, everyday is better.
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10623623 tn?1414292089
I was curious about withdrawal related to marijuana, so I asked my husband's friend because he is a daily smoker. He said that one time he went on vacation with his wife, and he decided to not take any weed with him. He got sick really fast after they got to their destination. He said he was throwing up and had bad diarrhea. Pretty much he experienced the same symptoms that you have experienced. It was awful. I just thought you would like to know that you are not the only one this has happened. to. I am keeping you in my prayers.
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Avatar universal
Hi Mikei just wanted to say my brother who has smoked weed 20 plus years has tried coming off it but he too suffers the W/Ds like u are expeiencing now,and that has stopped him from getting off the weed he  can't sleep he gets angry,vomiting etc etc.........Goodluck Mike hope u can do whats best for you i too have my own D/C  that i am STILL trying to get off of take care Debbie  :)
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10623623 tn?1414292089
I don't have any great advice, but I have to say that I wish my husband would read this and realize that smoking pot can be an addiction. Just because it comes from a plant does not mean that it is OK. I don't believe people who smoke pot should be imprisoned or anything, but I don't think addicts in general should be imprisoned every. Addicted people need help, not prison.

I really hope that you are feeling better. I am an opiate and Ambien addict,  but it really is all the same. A drug is a drug, you know? I will pray for you. You will be OK. You will. You are doing great! Keep going because you are making the right choice for your kids.
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Avatar universal
Hi Mike:

I believe you.   Weed these days is TOTALLY different than in was when I started smoking in high school (late 1970s.)  Back then an ounce costs $20 and was like tobacco compared to the stuff that is being cranked out these days.

Louis CK, the comedian, even does about this; about how scary and strong the drug now is.    THC is tricky stuff; cannibinoids can be comprised of over 400 different chemicals, only varying every so slightly in molecular structure, but having WHOPPING physical effects on the body.

You sound like you have a tendency towards addiction; i know I do.   Almost every, and I am NOT exaggerating, EVERY member of my family, is addicted to something (mostly alcohol, but definitely a few heavy pot users, and a few hard-core drug addicts.)  I'm personally convinced this is genetic.

If ever I heard of someone who would do fantastic in AA or NA it is you.  NA members, in my opinion, might tell you that they've never heard of anyone having withdrawals from marijuana.  AA is much gentler..and truly, you DO have an alcohol problem.....you substituted the pot for the alcohol, and it quickly took over your life, the way the booze did.  

But I recognize that for now, you are having a hard time with the physical symptoms. Don't give up.  Just grind through every day and know that you WILL turn a corner.  Post here constantly about each symptom...the folks here are wonderful.

THC is fat-soluble, and has a long half-life.  You will feel better each week but may not get good sleep for 3-4 weeks.  Marijuana suppresses dreaming, so when you quit after heavy, daily usage, you can get what is called "REM Rebound Sleep."  This is very, VERY vivid dreaming, sometimes so much so that it can be scary.

The pot being grown for dispensaries these days is so strong, I think it should have a different name.    You are very smart for choosing to quit.  

See a doctor...I beg you.  They will not judge you; they hear stories like this all the time.  Take the research you've done WITH you and show them.  Younger docs may be a bit more knowledgeable.

You have children who need you to stay alive.   If you truly feel like you might hurt yourself, go immediately to ANY hospital and walk into the ER...tell them exactly those feelings.    Just do it...trust me, I'm your parent's age, and I want to see you LIVE your life.    

The best and most valuable things in your life will come with a struggle.  And the strongest souls are covered in scars.   One day, your children will see you for the brave, amazing man you are.  

You got this.  You can do this.   Never call your dealer again.  NEVER.   Stick to your wife, kids, any sober friends, and do NOT be afraid to get medical help.    This is a very REAL illness...if you had cancer or diabetes, or pneumonia, you'd see a doctor, right?   No different.

Please keep posting.  WE care!  #TeamMichael!!!
Helpful - 0
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