Seeking Honest Advice: I Gotta Cut Out..

[Eric!]

Guys? I come to y'all, cuz I trust you more than the rest of the internet.

I have an issue. With burning...something. Something good at making you forget all your worries. But also makes you love music and food truckloads more.

I've been forcibly ignorant of this being a problem, until recently. I've really let it go on for far too long. And I've done other regrettable things, while under the influence of and as a result of often being influenced by, well, that stuff.

Any tips? I'm trying to basically fix my life from the bottom up. And kicking this stuff is the first step.

[Waterpilot]

Realizing, understanding, and admiting there's a problem is the first step. Without going into the obvious treatment/NA advice, ultimately it is a decision by you to use or not to use. There are TONS of influences in that decision but you have ultimate responsibility. If your friends use, you may want to drift away for a little while. Find something interesting to do with your time. Eat well and exercise does wonders too.

[Deltaphoenix]

Just remember that life is fun after quiting. In fact it is more fun because you have more money to do what you want with and don't have to worry about what is in your pocket or in your car. Freedom!

[dubkitty]

i've been on both sides of the to smoke, or not to smoke? question and support anyone who chooses to stop, even though i'm still continuing at this time. if it doesn't work for you, it doesn't. i've working on cutting down from the truly fearsome smoking level i was at when my ex was still here.

like smoking cigarettes, some people find it easier to taper off their smoking gradually. if you're like me, though, it'll just make you more anxious and aware of the process. your choice. if you smoke cigarettes, you can distract yourself with them somewhat, but they won't serve as a substitute. if you can get a minor tranquilizer such as Valium for a few days it'll help with the nervous system symptoms you'll have if you're as habitual as you say, which will probably include depression and nervousness/agitation. quit over a weekend so you can sleep through as much of the unpleasant feelings as possible. if you do activity stuff like walking, running, or cycling it'll also help get your body into producing natural endorphins. and once you're a few days through the process you'll feel TONS better, physically and mentally. the last time i quit i felt really great, but the stress i was dealing with once i bought the house was too much.

[alexa.]

Yeah, nowadays it comes to like, 3-4 days a month MAX, and the rest of the month I'm feeling great regardless. Just came to the point that over-use made me feel bad, numb and my mind was pretty much clouded. A week after stopping the abuse, I felt better. Also, smoking this little from time to time just made me appreciate it more, and I have no desire to pummel myself silly anymore. It's just like craving pancakes. You love them, but you can't eat them all the time cuz it'll make you sick and you really won't enjoy them as much that way.

Props for the first step

[tuffteef]

straight pedge

the banana milkshake to your life hangover

[behndy]

oof. i got zero useful advice. i never rokked the green that much. but you're a strong dood with a lot going on. just stay focused on other stuff that maales yu hapy and stay busy?

*squishy hugs*

[Jwar]

I went to rehab for a similar problem. Mostly booze but pot was a big thing for me as well for a long time. I suggest trying out some meetings Eric. NA kind of sucks because crack heads are fucking nuts high or sober, but AA can help you be more level headed. At least it did for me.

I'd also suggest finding a drug/alcohol counselor or better yet psychologist.

[skullservant]

MORE MONEY FOR PEDALS>>>>>>>>>>>>>

But yeah, I agree that admitting and confronting is the first step! Just take it slow man, you can do it!

[jfrey]

Exercise a lot. Everyone I know that has had those kind of issues has been helped by exercise.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

if i can do it, anyone can!

[excane]

NEver been a user of the stuff myself except for a handful of times, but sheer will power can go a LOOONG way.

If calming down/anxiety/etc.. is an issue, there are other alternatives *doctor* that would help without the side effects of being under the influence.

[excane]

Exercise a lot. Everyone I know that has had those kind of issues has been helped by exercise.

THIS.

And sex. I'm not joking. Exercise and sex *orgasms* are probably the two best and NATURAL ways to calm you down.

Both of those activities trigger a huge spike of neurochemical activity in the brain - namely the release of endorphins.
The primary ones being dopamine and serotonin. These are the same ones that are lacking in people who might feel anxiety/depression/edgy/etc....

[Adoom]

yo, one thing. I had to stop for the first time in seven straight years recently due to wisdom tooth extraction. worrying before the fact will only make a mountan out of a molehill. i was concerned, and i found it okay. smoke when you have your shit for the day done, if you want. be the boss of yourself.

and that is after seven years of almost all day. every day. just get used to the feeling of sobriety rather than that fuzzy feeling behind the eyes. normality ain't that bad.

[Derelict78]

I have all but quit just because I have no way of getting "it"
dont hang around people that have it. and you will be fine