Weed, like all other drugs, has always been hard to quit once used in excess. While most people claim weed isn’t addictive, quitting pot can be difficult; especially when your body has gotten used to the feeling of being high. When that happens, you’re going to feel withdrawal symptoms that are uncomfortable enough to make you want to smoke again. Most people relieve the symptoms by seeking comfort in other activities, like going to the gym or investing in a new hobby. However, some people prefer other means like drinking alcohol or vaping to forget about their cravings even for a little while. But the real question is: will quitting weed lead to an alcohol addiction instead?
People wanting to quit smoking weed usually do all sorts of weird things to counter the effects of withdrawals. One of the most common practices people do nowadays is replace marijuana with alcohol. You might have heard about the controversial Marijuana Maintenance program, but this is the exact opposite of what the program teaches. People with marijuana addictions often turn to alcohol to help them relax, ease the pain they’re feeling, and to somehow get through their day without falling apart.
The choice, however, of replacing weed with alcohol, depends on whoever’s quitting weed. Quitting weed can sometimes lead to alcohol consumption, but that isn’t always the case. If you quit smoking weed, you won’t automatically become reliant on alcohol. You can look for other things to do instead of smoking or drinking. Common activities to do to avoid cravings involve talking long walks, switching up your daily routine, engaging in sports and exposing yourself to the great outdoors. You can drink to keep your mind off of things, but you could also opt to do something else.
If you really want to drink while quitting weed, you can. Many people replace weed with booze and are in a way better place than where they were when they were addicted to weed. It’s all a matter of how you use the substance. Drinking can indeed distract you from smoking weed, but like all distractions, its effects are temporary. You can drink every day to counter all your weed cravings, but alcohol also has a strong tendency of being addictive. If you’re drinking to calm yourself and to forget about smoking, drink in moderation. Stick to the recommended limit and don’t let yourself get dependent on the feeling of being drunk.
In the end, quitting weed may lead to alcohol consumption, but only if you choose this route. The decision of whether to replace weed with alcohol is ultimately yours to make. As long as you’re aware of your limitations and as long as you aren’t going to be heavily reliant on another substance, you can certainly replace pot with alcohol and quit smoking weed for good. There are different ways of coping with addictions—it all depends on what the person is most comfortable with and what helps the most.