I’m not like a wake and bake pot smoker or anything like that at all. But for the last year or so I’ve smoked nearly every night before bed. If I don’t smoke I’ll take a gummy. It helps me sleep. During horrible mental health swings, I’ve taken up to 100mg just to calm down. Due to my lack of great health insurance, it’s been a pretty great substitute for the medications I used to take for anxiety and racing thoughts as well. It’s stopped me from serious meltdowns and panic attacks more times than I can count. On top of ALL of this, when my endometriosis flares, it’s the only painkiller than isn’t a huge no no that works for me. Otherwise I could be in the ER or unable to walk and function.
So that’s fun. But I’m also 22 and trying really hard to actually make something of my life after years of screwing up and battling my mental health. I got an email from my college after applying for nursing school. I greatly exceed all of the criteria in order to be accepted/put on the waitlist. All I have to do now is pass a criminal background check and you guessed it, pass a 7 panel drug screen that includes Marijuana. I’m incredibly dedicated to health care and really found my calling in it when I started as a tech a few years ago. It’s something I’m willing to give up but I’m struggling really hard.
I’ve basically had to quit cold turkey. I’m having a really hard time with this. I’m not sleeping very well, my anxiety is horrendous, and I’m absolutely dreading the endo flares that are to come because there will be nothing that can provide me relief (no, ibuprofen does not work. I’ve maxed out on the daily dosage and still struggled. I already have GI problems, not trying to make them worse). I’m so high strung and miserable. On top of that, I never expected worsened depression to be a symptom after quitting. I’m crying daily, not motivated to do anything and just wasting away in bed. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. Due to daily use and me being slightly overweight (thanks birth control lol), it’ll take a good 40+ days for it to clear my system minimum.
Has anyone else, ESPECIALLY nursing students or current nurses struggled with this?? Again, PLEASE don’t judge me. I know what people think when they hear nurse + weed. When I was a tech, I made sure to never ever smoke within 48 hours of a shift. I hated it but I’d never risk the safety of my patients for a quieter brain and some extra sleep. How can I get through this???
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INFO: Nursing is extremely stressful, both in school and as a career. It can also be mentally difficult if you actually care about the people that you are trying to help. How do you intend to navigate that day to day?
Honestly from your description of yourself, it doesn’t sound like this career path is a good match for you.
Sounds like you are making a lot of excuses. Time for you to grow up and make choices about your future.
I have endo as well so I know how excruciating it is. I’m currently on the depo shot, which stops me from having a period entirely. It doesn’t take away all endo pain, but it’s like 10% of what it was before.
For stress, have you tried any OTC supplements like Relora or L-Theanine? They obviously won’t be as strong as prescription meds but they do help a lot of people.
It doesn’t sound like nursing is for you. I’m not trying to be rude or mean but you say you have serious anxiety that you struggle to manage without cannabis – if you get sober and get into nursing school how do you plan on managing your anxiety in a high stress career?
You’re simply going to have to quit. You’ve developed a dependency. It is going to take time and withdrawal is gonna suck, but if this is really what you want. You’ve just got to do it.
This sounds more like you’re addicted to it. You need to see a doctor that can help prescribe you something for your anxiety and pain. If you really want to pursue nursing then you need to push through. It’s not going to be easy.
This is a difficult situation and i’m so sorry. Going cold turkey is rough no matter what. If you get health insurance through the school (some colleges offer this), maybe you can find a different pain and anxiety management system that works for you. Maybe that can be something to look forward to. Also know that you are not alone.
I wish I had better advice to offer. Your struggle is very real and very difficult.
r/herbalism would probably have some helpful advice on things you can infuse to relax and distress and help with insomnia AND with endo pain. I lurk there as I’m not very educated yet. If you have adried herbs shop in your area, they can also provide useful advice! (In the off chance you live in NYC, I have a good rec!)
I feel you with the struggle though. THC helps me a lot with my chronic illness and the chronic pain that results and idk what I’d do without it especially on really bad days. I’m sorry you’re struggling. Try to extend yourself some grace; it sounds like you’re doing the best you can and that is a good start.
Seek out alternatives though! There are good options out there; it doesn’t need to be weed+ibuprofen or nothing. Also talk to your doctor! 🙂
You’re incredibly strong for pushing through this. Quitting weed when it’s helped with pain, anxiety, and sleep is no small thing. Don’t be ashamed — you clearly care about patient safety and have what it takes to be a great nurse.
First off, I have debilitating endo that has utterly fucked up my life and use cannabis as a pain killer for it too.
I haven’t personally tried one as they’re pretty pricey, but look into a TENS machine, I’ve heard good things. Capsaicin cream is a game changer, it’s like a heating pad in ointment form but go easy, it’s potent.
I’m sorry, this isn’t easy, and it really sucks that you’re in this boat. Happy to chat more if it would be of any help.
I think there is a 12 step program for this, if not use NA….I got sober decades ago in AA. It worked, and helped me get off after about 30 years, I don’t do meetings there, I will go to Ala non. I needed it when I was active, I just don’t anymore. I told you because it can help you get off mj, it is a drug. It will give you tools to process past, pain, and how to cope with life. As you recover make sober friends, and over time you just live differently. This is for you work, so know you can’t go back.
Start vaping or smoking cigarettes, from the description of yourself, youre gonna need one of those to survive nursing without weed
Either 1. Quit and hope for the best (I understand that some people don’t come off of it so well)
Or 2. See a psychiatrist. Get meds prescribed legally. Not saying abuse the system. Just saying it’s the most “ethical” route.
Girl I wish it wasn’t this way. But it is
Even when you get done with school, if a resident has an accident and needs investigation- you can easily be subjected to a drug test.
Its really going to be a choice- weed or school.
I believe you should be able to, but i dont write the laws or rules.
Can you get a prescription and medical exemption for it in your country? (or state, I’m guessing you’re american form the health insurance mention) If it’s recreational legally could you just pull the old “I only smoke a little on weekends”?
Might get downvoted for this lol but I think a lot more professionals and people in high stress jobs smoke weed than people wanna admit. Especially being on the rise with people using it medically. As long as you’re not stoned at work it shouldn’t be a problem and drug tests are kinda dumb for it because it doesn’t measure how much or how often you use weed.
You don’t sound mentally capable to take care of yourself let alone patients. However I understand your hesitation with quitting smoking weed, I smoked for 2 years straight to help me sleep. I quit cold turkey and stayed for 3 months where it wasn’t legal and that forced me off it. No excuse to use if it’s a crime!
I grew lots of weed and smoked literally an ounce a week weekly for years, and had to quit to be my best at work.
You got this, you just have to commit. After the first 3-5 days it gets 10x easier. Do it for your future family, not just yourself.
I’d highly recommend trying to see a psychiatrist ASAP, or even just your primary care doctor if not.
There are meds that can help you sleep and help you adjust to living without THC. And meds that can hopefully address your anxiety in a way that doesn’t cause legal issues.
Aside from that, definitely pursue the therapy that your school offers. Make sure they’re bound to confidentiality.
You’re using 10x a recreational dose. While I understand it’s for reasons that are considered valid by you (I’m not saying they aren’t valid), you’re addicted which makes this so hard. I wish you well.
Not trying to sound judgemental or mean but nursing is a high stress job that has a lot of unique challenges that can be very difficult to overcome. Maybe there’s a different pathway for you to reach your calling to help others?
Same boat my friend, I smoked to sleep and for pain. I’m on meds but I haven’t found the right ones to help me calm enough to sleep at night. I’m sober right now for nursing school, and struggling at nighttime. Lots of these comment sound like they don’t get it at all, I function just fine sober all day and I already work in a hospital where I would absolutely never put my patients at risk. Marijuana can be medicinal for a reason.
ETA I forgot to give you any tips! The most helpful things right now are my psychiatrist and a good bedtime routine. Hot shower, a podcast, essential oils, a book, whatever you figure out that helps. A good nights sleep is a world of a difference.
If they ask for a hair sample you’re toast unless you have it cut off.
r/QuittingWeed is a good place to go to talk to other people quitting. But it boils down to willpower and self-discipline.
Get some fake pee (eg Quick Fix) & take the test. You can work on quitting when you’re more stable.
I was in the same boat, I had awful anxiety and insomnia and I kept doing the same thing, disguising substance abuse as a temporary fix to get some sleep. Marijuana every day is not a good thing. it is devastating for your short and long term memory, dials your whole personality down, really stunts how social you are, and increases paranoia. it’s not a solution of any sort. I think trying to get to the bottom of what’s keeping you up at night can help, and even if it’s not a specific life stressor, there are many things you do now that are contributing to your insomnia. I had to hunt it down but this is a really good list of things to keep in mind to try to sleep better : https://www.reddit.com/r/sleep/comments/1lcsxdk/guide_to_getting_79_hours_of_sleep_a_day_no_bs/
Your insomnia is just a symptom of either your daily behavior or some mental health issues you are putting on the backburner. to be the best you can be for your future patients, prioritize yourself like a patient. get some psychiatric help, try to figure out why you feel this way. possibly get some medications for your anxiety (?), but i would really stay away from sleep pills. they are not a long term fix and don’t give you the best quality sleep/you’re tired the next day. just like marijuana
I also struggle with endo, monthly birth control helped somewhat but my IUD (hormone releasing) really stopped the pain.
You are absolutely capable of quitting! 💪 I have faith in it. If you want to help people, I think you have it in you!
Have you been on r/leaves? Really good and supportive subreddit for quitting weed. So many people who have been in a similar situations there and will absolutely not judge and likely have some good advice.