I’m a 22 year old female, living overseas. Since I was 16 I’ve been a regular weed smoker, my mother (heavy smoker) introduced me to it. I am productive but there are underlying issues I think.
I told my therapist that I smoked and how much and that I wanted to change my habits. She advised me to make a doctors appointment. I’m scared and not sure what they will ask me.
I get overstimulated often. I have very bad mood swings. Crying and lashing out over not very serious things. I will hit myself, rip my hair out, and punch walls when overwhelmed. It doesn’t get that bad very often. Maybe 3 times out of the year.
I work with special needs individuals. I owe it to myself and my clients to stop being so dependent on weed, but my job revolves around being patient.
I talked to my dad about it and he told me that pharmaceuticals are bad and weed is natural. Upset and not talking with my mom because it’s kicking in that she’s the one who introduced me to the drug I’m so dependent on. I have no responsible adults to talk to about this. I’m just scared.
Thank you to anyone who spends the time to read or reply.
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Hey friend.
go hang out in r/leaves. It is people trying to quit and they may be helpful for you!
weed is great. I love it! I smoke daily. I think it is super important to do so with information on your belt. In the last few years, since legalization has become more widespread, some of its medicinal effects have been challenged, and rightly so. Even its affect on cancer is being re-verified! It is known to cause anxiety in long-term users. It has negative affects on birth weight and fetal development. It is also known to decrease dopamine production over time, which is why stoners seem unmotivated, dopamine is responsible for the feelings of reward and motivation. This part might be particularly relevant for you. Especially if you’ve been a long-term smoker, it is very likely you produce very little dopamine, and you havent in a while. I see potheads try to deny the facts all the time, but that’s irresponsible. Know the science, know what you are doing to your body.
I think the truth lies somewhere between your parents and the doctors. I have similar parents, and I don’t tend to take marijuana advice from them honestly. They’re the type to encourage pregnancy with marijuana. I tend to sway away from therapists who are very anti-marijuana, but if I find one who is pro marijuana and still recommends that I quit, I’d likely take their advice.
if you do quit, know that the dopamine will heavily affect you. You will face withdrawals. I take tolerance breaks at least once a year, and it is hard. I can definitely feel the lack of dopamine for at least a month, though they say the dopamine recovery is very dependent on your brain and how much your chemistry has been altered.
I wish you well. You are taking the right step working with a professional on this!
I dont wanna sound cruel or hurtful, but have you ever though about maybe being on the spectrum?
I was undiagnosed aspergers for the longest time and I had the excact same issues. Meltdowns due to overstimulation. Less tolerance to outside stimuli than everyone else – which drove me to substanse abuse (recpvered npw). Of cpurse I dpnt know enough about you ornyour sltuation tp assess this via internett bit pleaze be sure to mention tjesr episodes as reasons for your habit
Do you live with your mum? It maybe helpful to go low contact and or move out until you are stable.
Info needed. Did you have these mood swings and episodes of being overstimulated before the weed?
It sounds like these were preexisting issues that are separate from weed use. Look, I used to use weed a lot. And I stopped because I wanted to use it less. So wanting to smoke less is commendable but it won’t solve all your problems.
You do in fact have a responsible adult to talk to. Even better than that you have both a mental health and physical health expert. Utilize those resources and find methods that work for you in the meantime to use less weed.
Ask your doctor about BPD. Do you get migraines before you lash out?
Don’t be scared but be honest. They want to help you meet your goals to be healthy and they can only do that if you are honest about how much you use.
It is important to really think about if you have had meltdowns before smoking weed. If so, I agree that an autism screening may help you understand yourself better.
For what it’s worth I am proud of you, it takes courage to be honest about ourselves and to try to make changes.
A LOT of undiagnosed folks with ADHD and autism self medicate with weed or alcohol. I think you owe it to yourself to find your root cause and see what you want to do. I applaud you for recognizing that you want to change. Don’t be afraid of doctors. And, if your first visit is not a good fit, it’s ok to seek a different doctor.
I’m not demonizing weed in any way…just bc something is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s good for you personally.
Even though you are nervous about the appointment, try to reframe it a little by realizing that on some level you are ready to make some positive changes in your life starting with your doctor’s appointment this morning. Remember to take deep breaths and stay hydrated. As the saying goes, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” All the best.
It sounds like you’re on the spectrum. Any sensory sensitivities or meltdowns as a young person?
The doctor is going to assess you to see what problems and conditions you don’t know you have, but you’ve been using weed to self-medicate. Then, they suggest medication or lifestyle changes to meet the same needs that weed has been meeting. You’ll talk, and they’ll probably do blood work and possibly a physical exam if there’s something specific you mention, like back pain or headaches or joint pain, but it’s mostly talking.
It’s actually kind of neat – I used to work in a mental health clinic and humans are very good at finding symptom relief on their own – for example, people with ADHD tend to gravitate towards stimulants like cocaine but so do people with chronic fatigue and sometimes social anxiety. Weed is a little trickier because it works for a lot of stuff. In my case, I had undiagnosed scoliosis, an eating disorder, insomnia, and PTSD, but no one really noticed because the weed was masking my symptoms (ironically, 30 years later, I’m on medical pot but now I’m on specific strains that target my symptoms and complement my other medication and are prescribed by my specialist).
Your doctors want you to be honest so they can help you, I promise. It’s also important to be honest about your fears about quitting/ reducing. The docs can help you sort that out— if you get judged, or dismissed without a thorough conversation, time for a new doc. I’m sorry you got hooked so young. The brain doesn’t stop developing until around age 25 and studies have shown that cannabis can affect that (before you tokers downvote me, hear me out). I’m not opposed to cannabis use but any drug can cause problems if abused. It sounds like you’re starting to question if you’re using or abusing it. Good for you! That’s excellent adulting! I also love that you want to be emotionally and mentally responsible for the sake of yourself and you clients. Seriously, that is awesome.
First off, you’re incredibly brave for taking this step, and it’s okay to be scared. The doctor is there to help you, not judge you. They’ll likely ask about your substance use, your mental health, and how it’s affecting your life, so just be honest with them. It’s good that you’re aware of the issues, and it’s okay to ask for help. You don’t have to do this alone. Don’t let the fear of what they might say stop you from taking control of your life. You deserve support, and I hope this appointment leads to healthier options for you. You’ve got this!
This is a great thing to do! Just be aware you’ll need to replace it with something – it’s a habit/compulsion and you’ll crave it. So when the urge hits, go for a walk, go do pushups, clean your bathroom countertop, go drink water – whatever, but you need to replace this with something(s) healthier. This has been a big part of your life and just stopping it without filling that void will make things harder. You got this!!
Your dad is right about the prescriptions, but also CBN ( not cbd ) has been the one thing that legit helps me not crave weed and feel like I just smoked . I get them in capsules from my local weed store. Basically weed has thc, cbd and cbn and each one connects to your brain differently and cbd in my opinion is like a perfect mix of thc + cbn but cbn is just great 😊
Drs literally don’t care whatever stupid shit you’ve done, they’ve seen worse. What they do care about is that you take their advice seriously.
You’ll be fine.
you definitely need a psychiatric diagnosis based off of your symptoms. i have bipolar disorder. when i wasn’t medicated, i lashed out a lot. put holes in walls, pulled out my hair, etc. i smoked weed to help as well! I still smoke, but i dont feel the need to smoke near as often! I now usually only smoke before bed (i have ptsd & this helps with nightmares). medications helped my mood swings dramatically. there is a handful of mental illnesses that match your symptoms. so pls talk to your dr about the mood swings & they will most likely recommend you to a psychiatrist to get a clear diagnosis! you got this! just breathe. & it’ll be over before you know it.
Weed can help manage multiple mental health problems, like anxiety or depression. However, the reason that it hasn’t been turned into a pharmaceutical is that there are other pharmaceuticals and treatments that can do a better job of managing mental health with less side effects.
It will probably be a long process that might not be easy, however, you have a good chance of ending up in a better mental health place than you’re at now, without dependence on a drug that gets you high.
You can do this. Be honest with your doctor about how much you use and why.
Hey, Dr’s appointments can be so intimidating, but they are here to help you.
Quick concerns: pharmaceuticals are dangerous: chemically speaking, everything is made of chemicals. I could give you the ingredients for apples and it would be a much less natural sounding list; still doesn’t make the apple any less safe. Medications are tested to ensure that they are safe, and if you are prescribed them, the doctor will ensure that it is the right medication for you and will answer any and all concerns you may have.
Secondly, it may be that they find there is a neurodiversity or condition going on. Some of these can be managed with pharmaceuticals (some ADHDers use medication), others can’t and it’s much more about coping mechanisms (Autism is one of these). Whichever it is, if there is something going on, it is imperative, not just for your own knowledge but also for your medical history, that you know.
Just know this: whatever happens next, you have nothing to be ashamed of, and you still ultimately have the choice of what path you want to take.
“Pharmaceuticals bad and weed is natural”. That line of thinking is complete bullshit. Tobacco is “natural”. Nobody thinks it is good. There are all sorts of natural things that will kill you. And today’s weed is light years from what your parents grew up with.
People with substance use disorder are self medicating mental health issues. Your therapist should be addressing those issues. And they may require medication, at least in the short term. Unless your dad is a professional, licensed doctor, don’t take medical advice from him.
It is rarely a good idea to self medicated for mental health. You may not even need it, weed can make people have those symptoms sometimes. Don’t be afraid, you are moving in the right direction!
Okay here we go. Im in a similar boat. First off. Meds. Im not saying meds are bad and if you need them you need them. Unfortunately i was just a stressed teenager and didn’t need them. Ive quit meth, alcohol, cigarettes, and opiods. But antidepressants were the hardest to quit. I suggest Hydroxyzine or something similar to help anxiety. Its a antihistamine but works great for anxiety.
For the weed itself. Im not sure what they will say but this is what im doing. You can order hemp online. Its smells and tastes like weed without the thc. ( i think it technically has .04mg or something insanely small) it has kept the worst withdrawals mild and i highly suggest it. Its also extremely beneficial to some things and is a lot cheaper if you live in a legal state.
As a neuroscientist working in the field for the past 10 years, I can tell you that cannabis is not good for you. It messes with the receptors on your cardiovascular tissue throughout your brain and body and leaves you more susceptible to problems with high blood pressure and increased likelihood for heart attack. That, and current research also shows that if you have any family history of mental illness, such as Schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, using cannabis can actually exacerbate these symptoms in you.
I agree with others that you lashing out behaviors are not typical. It is possible that you may need to be assessed to find out if you are on the autism spectrum or possibly have something else going on.
Either way, it is going to be okay. Your business is your business and what happens is between you and your doctor. But I would trust your doctor.
The problem with any drug, pharmaceutical or recreational is that they never target what we need them too exactly. It’s much like needing to change the oil in a car, and you open the cap to the engine, but instead of dumping the oil in the engine hole, you just dump the oil all over the engine and hope some of it makes it in the hole. It’s not the best system. Some oil will get where it shouldn’t and cause problems. That’s why we have side effects.
But drugs are manufactured to become better targets for specific areas and will continue to get better over time. Cannabis won’t ever work that way. Cannabis will always be dumping oil all over the engine.
Doctors are very used to helping people with substance abuse so try not to worry. Just tell them what’s been happening. They’ll probably ask things like – what substance you’re having trouble with, how long you’ve been using it, how use of it is affecting your life and what you’d like to happen next. They should explain some different treatment paths to you.
I was going to a doctor to talk about depression which I’d never done before and I was nervous about the appointment. I googled the doctor I’d been booked in to see to see what she specialised in and one of her main areas was substance use/addiction treatment. People had left Google reviews of the GP practice and a few mentioned that she’d been great at helping them when they felt like they were a wreck and had big substance issues. I was surprised to see how many people at my fairly small GP practice had got treatment for substance use so it’s definitely something doctors see a lot.
The doctors I’ve seen aren’t phased by anything. I was terrified of telling my doctor that when I was really depressed it felt like nothing was real and that the world just looked like a weird 2D picture and human faces looked like scary aliens. I was sure she’d want me sectioned and sent off to a mental health hospital but she just casually said ‘yes, that’s derealisation, it can happen with anxiety and depression’. So don’t be afraid of telling them about things that might seem weird or shocking because they’ll have probably seen it all before! I followed the treatment plan and I feel loads better now. Good luck with your appointnent 🙂
Hi, it’s commendable that you are taking steps to improve your life. Please read this post. It’s important. ❤️ in fact take notes of any good suggestions that people post, and come back and read the answers again another day. They’re helpful. 🙂
I wouldn’t hold a grudge against your mom, because almost all of us were introduced to weed at some point in our lives, by somebody.
What we do with it after that is actually on us. It’s our responsibility to make our own life choices and daily choices. We can always change our mind, and seek help if needed to create a better life. Like you’re doing now. It might have even helped you get through some difficult times, and now you’re looking for a better solution.
I know a young lady who has ADHD, and for a while she started a weed habit that turned into literally chain smoking until her mom had a non-judgemental talk with her. Then she quit completely. So it is possible to quit.
But you might need to start some healthier habit to keep your hands busy when you’re stressed. Like crocheting or rock painting or watercolor painting or doing puzzles, or coloring books or something. Anything to keep your hands busy as a replacement habit.
Don’t be scared. It’s normal to be a little nervous. Remember to tell them :
“You MIGHT be neurodivergent because you have pretty big stress responses sometimes. And that’s probably why you had the habit of smoking, was to lower your stress response.”
It might help to see a NEURODIVERGENT SPECIALIST who can give helpful suggestions for lowering stress, and ways to calm yourself and self sooth once it starts etc. Plus any possible helpful medication.
Good luck to you and let us know how things go. Also, if you’re not happy with the results of this doctor visit, you can politely ask for a different doctor. Sometimes that’s helpful.
A counselor to talk to might help too.
If your job is not a good match for you, a counselor might have a better suggestion if it’s too stressful.
❤️ Also, ashwaganda and rhodiola help with stress. Those are natural in vitamin stores or online. If you can, Make sure to take a good multivitamin That has METHYLCOBALAMIN, (specifically) and extra vitamin D. Those all help with stress too.
Get enough sleep. Sugar can cause emotions to run high, so don’t have lots of junk food.
Get some coloring books and maybe some fidget gadgets and stress balls. Jumping on a rebounder ( a little trampoline) helps get stress out and also boost endorphins ( feel good hormones.)
I hope you feel better and do well. REMEMBER to start some NEW HABIT ( one that’s not bad for you) to do every time you feel stressed, or have the urge to smoke. LIKE COLORING BOOKS. ❤️
((( You can also ask in reddit ASK DOCS, or DIAGNOSE ME, to get ideas from actual medical doctors and nurses etc.)))
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Being nervous about your appointment tomorrow is so normal.
I am a healthcare professional. We ask questions like what you’re using, and how long you’ve been using. We ask some questions with each visit because we monitor for changes over time. We don’t mean to judge, we just need to know so we can come up with a proper plan to take care of you. We look for ways to 1) be safe 2) implement ways to stay safe while reducing and then (if possible) eliminating substance use. Often, when someone uses they are trying to self-medicate. Part of the plan may include providing medications to help the symptoms you have been medicating. I’m not in agreement with your dad, but I have taken care of many people who have similar beliefs. Part of good treatment is to help people understand the plan. Some of the plan may be to provide medications that help with some of your symptoms. How you reconcile this is part of your own journey.
My niece smoked for over a decade and didn’t believe she could function without it. She had social anxiety, depression and back pain and didn’t think that she would be okay without smoking. Her life circumstances changed. She wanted something different but didn’t even know where to start. I encouraged her to trust the process. She did. She got plugged into both proper mental health care and medical care. It took months to sort things out, but she is now 100% weed free. In exchange, she is on a mood stabilizing medication and something non habit forming for her back (Gabapentin). Her quality of life is (by her report) the best it has ever been. She has stable employment and is happier than she’d been before. Her story is not uncommon.
This doesn’t happen over night. You wanting to make a change is the biggest small step you can take. I am rooting for you!
I think you’re mostly self-medicating. Don’t fear the doctor! He’s just one part of the puzzle on the way to a better life.
It’s okay to be scared. It took a lot of courage to talk to your doctor. You also followed through with this appointment. I am genuinely proud of you for that. We have all done stupid things. You recognizing there is a problem and getting help is huge. It’s also possible you are self medicating and a doctor can help get you treatments, like medication and therapy, that could really help. You’ve got this!
If you have even a mild mood disorder, but especially bipolar, weed ultimately exacerbates it even if it makes you feel better in the moment. I didn’t know this at your age and was self medicating often, 2 years later I ended up in the psych ward. Much better now without weed, and the knowledge of its downsides helped me to stop