Many people from around the world enjoy smoking weed from time to time. It’s a great stress reliever and it helps a lot of people relax and clear their minds from whatever might be bothering them. While weed isn’t harmful when used in moderation, too much of it can lead to addiction.
Contrary to what many believe, quitting weed isn’t as simple as quitting a simple habit. It’s a vicious battle against your will and the temptation of giving in to your own urges. In fact, marijuana dependency strengthens over time so the more heavy a smoker you are, the harder it is to quit. Conditioning your mind and taking your own baby steps are crucial keys to overcoming addictions.
If you want to quit smoking weed for a while, here are the best steps to overcoming your addiction for a short period of time:
First, you have to realize and be aware of your addiction. You have to be willing enough to accept that quitting does include a lot of work and it isn’t something that could be done overnight.
Second, you must also make an effort to throw out or give away all your pot and smoking paraphernalia. Empty out all your pockets and get rid of any lighters, matches, roach clips, bongs, and containers. Having these around will only make resisting the urge to smoke harder—you’ll be less likely to give in to your cravings once you remove the things that make it easy for you to start smoking again.
Choosing the right support system is also important when you want to quit smoking weed. Tell friends and family about what you’re doing and ask for their support. Having friends and loved ones to talk to offers a release to the stress and overthinking you’ve been going through while quitting. Avoid friends who continually smoke or still have unhealthy addictions. It may sound harsh, but it is better this way than continue to be with friends that may lead you back to smoking weed.
A change of routine and daily activities can also do you some good during your recovery. Finding a replacement activity or hobby to devote your time to can take your mind off of smoking, especially when the temptation to smoke kicks in. A few common things that could take your mind off weed are engaging in sports, taking walks, cooking and making art. You can turn to doing these activities whenever you’re bored or sad, but especially when you’re tempted to smoke.
Lastly, it’s important to acknowledge that withdrawals do come with quitting addictions. Experiencing withdrawals is normal—it’s your body’s way of saying that change really is coming. Marijuana withdrawals usually occur the first day after you quit smoking weed and reach a peak 2 to 3 days later. However, do know that it is temporary and will eventually level off after 1 or 2 weeks.
Overcoming an addiction has never been easy, but it is possible if you really want to. It’s going to be hard at first, but you’ll get used to it. Keep your eyes on the prize and constantly remind yourself that it’s for your own good.