Can You Successfully Quit Smoking Weed Cold Turkey? Here’s What Reddit Users Say

Quitting marijuana cold turkey is attempting to stop using it abruptly, without gradually tapering off or using replacement medications. While it may seem like an easy and tempting option, quitting weed cold turkey can be challenging and comes with withdrawal symptoms. So is it actually possible to quit smoking weed cold turkey successfully? Let’s explore what science and real reddit users say.

Overview of Marijuana Withdrawal Syndrome

When someone who regularly uses marijuana suddenly stops, they can experience a range of withdrawal symptoms. This cluster of symptoms is known as cannabis withdrawal syndrome or marijuana withdrawal syndrome.

According to the DSM-5 the diagnostic criteria for cannabis withdrawal syndrome includes

• Cessation of heavy and prolonged cannabis use that has been psychologically or physically problematic
• Three or more of the following signs developing within a week after stopping use:
  • Irritability, anger, or aggression
  • Nervousness or anxiety
  • Sleep difficulties
  • Decreased appetite or weight loss
  • Restlessness
  • Depressed mood
  • At least one physical symptom causing significant discomfort like stomach pain, shakiness, sweating, fever, chills or headaches
• The symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other areas of functioning
• The symptoms are not due to other physical or mental health conditions

Studies estimate that around 50% of regular marijuana users experience withdrawal when quitting. Symptoms tend to peak within the first week after quitting and last around 1-2 weeks on average. However, some symptoms like sleep disturbances, anxiety and cravings can persist for longer.

So what causes these marijuana withdrawal symptoms? Regular cannabis use leads to alterations in the endocannabinoid system the system of receptors in the brain and body that THC binds to. Stopping heavy use abruptly leads to a drop in endocannabinoid levels causing imbalance and unpleasant symptoms.

Is It Possible to Quit Weed Cold Turkey?

With cannabis withdrawal being a real phenomenon, is it actually possible to quit marijuana cold turkey successfully?

The short answer is yes, but it may be challenging. Quitting marijuana cold turkey means stopping all use abruptly without any medical assistance or tapering down dosage. This contrasts with gradually reducing marijuana intake over weeks/months or using replacement therapies.

Studies show that around 20-55% of people trying to quit cannabis relapse within 1-3 months. Going “cold turkey” is generally considered more challenging than gradually tapering off marijuana use.

However, some habitual users have reported successfully quitting weed cold turkey through willpower alone. Factors like someone’s genetics, mental health, reasons for quitting and environment play a role in how easy or hard it is.

While cold turkey is possible for some, it often leads to more severe withdrawal effects that raise relapse risks. That’s why most doctors don’t recommend quitting marijuana all at once. Still, with enough determination and lifestyle changes, it’s achievable for some individuals.

Tips From Reddit Users Who Quit Weed Cold Turkey

To get an inside look, let’s see what tips reddit users who succeeded in quitting weed cold turkey share:

• Make a firm decision – Many say firmly deciding to quit and sticking to it no matter what helped them power through cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Having strong motivations also helped solidify their resolve.

• Go completely cold turkey – Quitting all at once instead of slowly cutting back prevented them from prolonging withdrawal effects or relapsing. Removing all access to marijuana sources was crucial.

• Wait out cravings – Accepting that cravings will come on strong but not act on them allowed intense urges to pass. Distracting themselves with other activities helped them ride out temporary cravings.

• Stay busy and active – Keeping busy with work, hobbies, exercise or socializing prevented boredom and dwelling on weed. Focusing energy elsewhere eased the transition.

• Avoid triggers – Steering clear of people, places or situations triggering weed cravings in the initial weeks prevented relapses during weak moments. Changing daily habits and routines helped reduce exposure to triggers.

• Connect with support – Support from friends, family or marijuana addiction forums helped reduce feelings of isolation. It provided accountability and encouragement to push through temptations.

• Address underlying issues – Tackling any mental health issues, emotional problems or dependence motivations helped minimize relapses. Counseling gave coping strategies.

• Make lifestyle changes – Improving diet, exercising more, meditating and introducing new hobbies improved mood and reduced cravings. Making sobriety rewardingly prevented the desire to use weed as a coping mechanism.

• Accept relapses may happen – Understanding that slips may occur took off pressure and shame around having “failed” if they occurred. Not letting singular lapses snowball into full blown relapse was key.

What Science Says About Cold Turkey Marijuana Cessation

While anecdotal reports shed light on real people’s experiences, what does scientific research say about cold turkey marijuana cessation?

Some key points:

• Going cold turkey leads to more severe and persistent withdrawal symptoms compared to gradually tapering down use. This makes relapse risks higher.

• Medications like gabapentin, N-acetylcysteine, and CBD oil can help ease cold turkey withdrawal symptoms. This improves success rates compared to no medications.

• Withdrawal symptoms tend to peak within the first 1-2 weeks and decline after that. People who can power through the worst early symptoms have better success rates.

• Cold turkey cessation works best for those with lower dependence levels and no underlying mental health or dependency issues. Highly dependent users fare better with medical assistance.

• Younger users quitting weed cold turkey are more susceptible to relapse. Older users undergoing major lifestyle changes have higher success rates.

• Poor sleep, stress, and negative mood states increase risks of returning to marijuana use after quitting cold turkey. Managing these issues improves outcomes.

• Supportive social structures, reasons for quitting, and substituting weed use with rewarding activities predicts success in sustaining cold turkey abstinence.

So while the cold turkey route is challenging, the scientific consensus is that it can be done with enough willpower, lifestyle changes and addressing risk factors leading to dependence. But medical assistance improves success rates for highly dependent users.

Tips to Successfully Quit Weed Cold Turkey

Based on user experiences and scientific studies, here are some tips to optimise your chances if attempting to quit marijuana cold turkey:

• Make sure quitting weed is a firm personal decision, not external pressure. Identify your motivations and remind yourself of them when cravings hit.

• Go 100% cold turkey – continuing occasional use prolongs withdrawal. Remove all access to marijuana and paraphernalia. Avoid risk situations.

• Tell close friends/family you’re quitting for support and accountability. Consider informing marijuana-using friends to avoid tempting offers.

• Distract yourself with new hobbies, social visits, exercise or work when cravings hit. Practice mindful breathing exercises when urges arise.

• Stay active and busy to minimize boredom and dwelling on weed. Channel energy into rewarding activities instead of marijuana use.

• Improve your diet with nutrient-dense foods and stay hydrated. Consider supplements like CBD oil or NAC to ease withdrawal.

• Make time for sufficient high-quality sleep, relaxation and stress management. Irritability and mood issues can trigger relapse.

• If underlying mental health or dependency issues are present, seek counseling for healthy coping strategies. Address root causes.

• Expect setbacks but don’t let singular lapses spiral into full relapse. Guilt can worsen the situation. Just resume abstaining.

While challenging for many, quitting marijuana cold turkey is possible with determination, lifestyle changes and a good support system. Success rates are higher for those without heavy dependence and mental health comorbidities. While medical assistance can make it easier, cold turkey cessation works for some – especially with strong motivations and coping strategies. Users wanting the best chances of sustained abstinence should weigh up whether going cold turkey or more gradual tapered reduction suits