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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by christopher1 on January 5, 2003, at 4:37:16
I need to know a safe and effective way to stop smoking marijuana. I have been smoking for about 4-5 years and have been steadily increasing. Sometimes at night, I cannot go to sleep. It make me stay up and want to do things. I have tried some ADD's but the side effects(moody) have no one around me very happy.
Posted by JohnL on January 5, 2003, at 6:23:53
In reply to Marijuana, posted by christopher1 on January 5, 2003, at 4:37:16
I saw a research report that stated Lithium was able to prevent marijuana withdrawal symptoms. Whether it would work for you or not, who knows.
Generally speaking though, I don't think there are any meds out there that are going to help a whole lot, other than perhaps Amisulpride (as marijuana leaves your system, dopamine drops dramatically, and Amisulpride lifts dopamine back up).If you have any history of psychiatric problems, then quitting marijuana should be done carefully. There are two ways to quit.
You could go cold turkey. You'll have some intense withdrawals, such as dry mouth, lack of appetite, insomnia, feelings of despair and panic, and cravings. But the good part is it only takes three days to get through it. After three days, withdrawals should be nearly gone. For a psychiatric patient, it would be scary but short.
Another way would be to ween off of it slowly. It took a while to get where you are, so it could take a while to undo it. This is probably safer and less painful than cold turkey, but will take longer.
I wish there was an easy way!
JohnL
Posted by catmint on January 5, 2003, at 15:13:55
In reply to Re: Marijuana, posted by JohnL on January 5, 2003, at 6:23:53
I have quit cold turkey and the first day is definately tough. I have recently read that L-Tyrosine (an amino acid) is helpful. Make sure to take it on an empty stomach in the morning. Also, some L-tyrosine products combine it with B-6 to help assimilation. County life is a good brand.
Also, try St. Johns Wort.
For the first day, pound a glass of water every time you get a craving.
In my experience, once I got past the first three days, I really began to enjoy life not being stoned. No more fog!
You can do it if you set your mind to it *and* you are prepared with your supplements and water ready to go.
As for weaning off slowly, as the previous poster stated was the other option, I would not suggest this, because marijuana is kind-of an insidious addiction. Most addictive personality types can not do this.
Get a support group.
When you have made it and have quit for a good chunk of time, watch out for "euphoric recall", that rememberance of all the good feellings marijuana brought you. If you slip again, then evaluate your reasons for smoking. Are you depressed? Then get on a AD. Are you just trying to feel mellow? Then try Kava Kava, or valerian, or even a benzo. And lastly, does marijuana give you energy? Well, that's what it did for me. I then realized that the lack of energy was due to depression.
I took a while to get on the right meds and I still smoked off and on. I always wanted to quit for good, and this last time has held the longest(9 months). I am currently on Lamictal which is very good for my depression and it is activating kind-of like the feeling I got from pot.
Good luck! Hope this helps.
Amy
Posted by Michael D on January 6, 2003, at 13:53:10
In reply to Marijuana, posted by christopher1 on January 5, 2003, at 4:37:16
You might want to try EEG Biofeedback.
http://www.adhd-biofeedback.com
http://www.eegspectrum.com/Applications/SleepDisorders/SleepDisordersIntro/
Haven't tried it yet, though.
Michael D
>I cannot go to sleep. It make me stay up and want to do things. I have tried some ADD's but the side effects(moody) have no one around me very happy.
Posted by Joanie on January 7, 2003, at 13:29:35
In reply to Marijuana, posted by christopher1 on January 5, 2003, at 4:37:16
For goodness sake. Just quit. I smoked for 10 years and when I got ready to quit, I quit. Just like with cigarettes. Why does everyone think they have to have "something" to make it easier to quit? I don't mean to sound bitchy, but if you really want to stop, you can do it on your own. Good luck.
Posted by catmint on January 7, 2003, at 13:48:31
In reply to Re: Marijuana, posted by Joanie on January 7, 2003, at 13:29:35
> For goodness sake. Just quit. I smoked for 10 years and when I got ready to quit, I quit. Just like with cigarettes. Why does everyone think they have to have "something" to make it easier to quit? I don't mean to sound bitchy, but if you really want to stop, you can do it on your own. Good luck.
It is not that easy for some. Even though the addiction is mainly a psychological one, that doesn't make it any easier. Many heroin addicts will tell you that dealing with psychological addiction is a life-long problem.
Many people who smoke marijuana are self-medicating. For some it is their "prozac". That "something" that people need to quit is totally legit.
I hope this changes your opionion.
Posted by Noelle on January 7, 2003, at 22:22:32
In reply to Re: Marijuana, posted by Joanie on January 7, 2003, at 13:29:35
Joanie, yes you are acting BITCHY and thank you catmint!!!!!!!!
Posted by Joanie on January 8, 2003, at 8:55:23
In reply to Re: Marijuana, posted by Noelle on January 7, 2003, at 22:22:32
Sorry you feel that way. You have your opinion and everybody else has theirs. My opinion is that smoking pot isn't an addiction and if you want to quit you can. When I was younger I took acid, smoked pot, drank, took qualudes, cocaine, meth, and anything else I could get my little hands on. That's a hell of alot stronger shit than pot. When I wanted to quit, I did. I didn't need to take any medication to "help me through it" especially something like pot. If you think I'm a bitch, so be it, but have YOU ever had any experience with the shit? If not, maybe you're the bitch for opening your mouth in the first place. I only voiced an opinion.
Posted by noelle on January 8, 2003, at 11:52:04
In reply to Re: Marijuana- Noelle, posted by Joanie on January 8, 2003, at 8:55:23
Joanie,
I am very concerned because I did not post this and if someone is using the same name I ask that they change this. I would never penelize someone for their views, and I that the person who wrote this needs to fess up!!!
Posted by oracle on January 8, 2003, at 12:54:22
In reply to Re: Marijuana, posted by Joanie on January 7, 2003, at 13:29:35
> For goodness sake. Just quit. I smoked for 10 years and when I got ready to quit, I quit. Just like with cigarettes. Why does everyone think they have to have "something" to make it easier to quit? I don't mean to sound bitchy, but if you really want to stop, you can do it on your own. Good luck.
What works for you may not work for others, so it is a mistake to assume differently. Nor is it very sensitive to our differences.
Posted by Joanie on January 8, 2003, at 13:20:32
In reply to Re: Marijuana- Noelle-I did not post this!!!!, posted by noelle on January 8, 2003, at 11:52:04
You're right, someone shouldn't be using your name if they are. Don't worry about it, because I didn't mean to start WWIII here. If someone needs help to quit smoking pot, then, I guess they need help. Who am I to say differently. Sorry to anyone offended. Oh, and Oracle, I AM a very sensitive and loving person.
Posted by oracle on January 8, 2003, at 19:22:18
In reply to Re: Marijuana- Noelle-I did not post this!!!!, posted by Joanie on January 8, 2003, at 13:20:32
, I AM a very sensitive and loving person.
Great, then do not assume things that are easy for you are easy for others
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 8, 2003, at 21:26:54
In reply to Re: Marijuana- Noelle-I did not post this!!!!, posted by noelle on January 8, 2003, at 11:52:04
> I am very concerned because I did not post this and if someone is using the same name I ask that they change this.
Does anyone else use the same computer?
Bob
Posted by Noelle on January 8, 2003, at 22:13:29
In reply to Re: I did not post this!!!! » noelle, posted by Dr. Bob on January 8, 2003, at 21:26:54
I found the culprit, I was still logged on sorry for the confusion
Posted by Joanie on January 9, 2003, at 7:34:08
In reply to Re: Marijuana- Noelle-I did not post this!!!!, posted by oracle on January 8, 2003, at 19:22:18
Ya know, I did apologize. What more do you want?
Posted by hp212 on January 10, 2003, at 10:54:11
In reply to Marijuana, posted by christopher1 on January 5, 2003, at 4:37:16
Why not try a little xanax? It will take the edge off and help you sleep. Get yourself a small prescription for a low dosage. It helped me a lot. It also helps people quit smoking.
Posted by christopher1 on January 10, 2003, at 20:44:31
In reply to Marijuana, posted by christopher1 on January 5, 2003, at 4:37:16
I apologize to all and wish no harm or offense. Joanie thank you
Posted by haese100 on January 15, 2003, at 4:05:49
In reply to Re: Marijuana, posted by Joanie on January 7, 2003, at 13:29:35
First of all you have to truly understand why you want to quit. Is it just because it's keeping you up at night? Solution, if you've been smoking MJ for 4-5 years you know that there are several thousand different strains of MJ out there. Maybe try a more Indica heavy hitting body high that makes you want to sleep and dream. Yes, they are out there and yes you might have to grow a plant to yourself, but MJ has been used for centuries as a topical solution, an antidepressant/anti anxiety agent, sex enhancer, eye disease stabilizer, even the fishermen in Jamaica drink a MJ/Rum tonic that is legend to help see at night. If you feel it's holding you back well, that's a different issue. MJ cannot be regarded as an escape goat. Once we give these attributes to the plant, habits form followed by excessive smoking and then the quandary of quitting. MJ is a recreation, it?s a religion for some, a psycho stimulant, a botanical anomaly, a creator and a healer. Regard the plant NOT as a drug, not as a party intensifier and think of it as your therapy. Otherwise just quit. MJ itself has no known addictive properties, but they have found that the users will feel slight withdrawal symptoms and depression characteristics for a few days after chronic use seizes.
This is the end of the thread.
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