Quitting weed cold turkey can be challenging, but it is possible with preparation and support. This article provides tips and encouragement for Reddit users looking to stop smoking marijuana without gradually tapering use.
Why Quit Weed Cold Turkey?
Some people prefer quitting marijuana abruptly rather than slowly decreasing use over time, Here are some reasons why Reddit users may choose to stop weed cold turkey
- Want to stop immediately to meet an important goal or deadline
- Tried to moderate or cut back unsuccessfully in the past
- Find it easier to abstain completely than limit intake
- Don’t want withdrawal symptoms to drag out over weeks/months
- Want a clear-cut end date and “ripping off the band-aid”
Quitting cold can be tough but very doable. With commitment and support you can stop smoking weed and move forward with a weed-free life.
How to Mentally Prepare to Quit Weed Cold Turkey
Quitting marijuana cold turkey starts before you stop smoking. Proper mental preparation can help you stick to your quit date and push through challenges. Here are some tips:
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Set a quit date – Choose your exact quit day and mark it on your calendar. This creates accountability.
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Tell friends and family – Enlist loved ones to support you through weed cravings and withdrawal
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List your motivations – Write down all the reasons you want to quit smoking weed. Refer to this often, especially when cravings hit.
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Envision your new life – Imagine how great you’ll feel without being dependent on weed. This can strengthen your resolve.
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Remove weed paraphernalia – Get rid of your marijuana, pipes, bongs, vapes, lighters, etc. This eliminates temptation and sends a message that you’re serious about quitting.
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Plan to stay busy – Have lots of activities lined up for the first few weeks off weed to distract you from cravings.
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Know withdrawal timeline – Understand that withdrawal peaks in the first 1-3 weeks but can last months. The discomfort is temporary and gets easier over time.
How to Physically Prepare to Quit Weed Cold Turkey
In addition to mental preparation, take these steps to physically prepare for successfully quitting marijuana cold turkey:
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Choose a healthy quit date – Don’t quit right before a stressful event or during an illness, as you may relapse. Pick a start when you’re feeling well.
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Stock up on oral hygiene products – Dry mouth is a common withdrawal symptom. Have extras of your favorite gum, mints, mouthwash and lip balm on hand.
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Get OTC medications – Stock up on OTC aids for other withdrawal symptoms like headaches, nausea and insomnia. Melatonin, ibuprofen, Pepto-Bismol, etc can help.
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Buy healthy snacks – When quitting weed, it’s normal to have increased appetite and cravings for junk food. Satisfy munchies with fruits, veggies and nuts instead.
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Clean your space – Deep clean your home, car, office, etc to eliminate smells that could trigger weed cravings after you quit.
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Establish an exercise routine – Working out can reduce many withdrawal symptoms. Slowly ramp up your exercise in the weeks leading up to your quit date.
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Practice relaxation techniques – Try deep breathing, meditation, yoga, etc to help stay calm through weed withdrawal. These tools will continue to help in sobriety.
How to Get Through the First Week After Quitting Weed Cold Turkey
The first week off weed cold turkey is usually the hardest part. Here are some tips to stay strong and resist relapse during this critical period:
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Stick to your normal routine as much as possible. Don’t take a week off work just to quit weed. The structure and distraction of regular activities will help.
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Spend time in locations where you can’t smoke, like the library, a restaurant, the movies, etc. Avoid tempting environments.
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Drink lots of water and 100% fruit juice. Staying hydrated can minimize some withdrawal symptoms.
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Exercise every day if possible, even just going for a short walk. Expending energy can relieve moodiness.
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Take hot baths and relax with a good book or podcast during moments of particularly strong craving.
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Call a supportive friend or family member when you feel an urgent need to smoke. Talking it through can help you ride out the urge.
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Remind yourself constantly that withdrawal is temporary. The intensity will decrease rapidly after the first week.
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Reward yourself each day you make it through without smoking weed. Small daily treats help motivation.
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Avoid people who smoke and spend minimal time in locations where you frequently used weed. Steer clear of temptation.
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Go to bed early each night. Withdrawal often disrupts sleep initially. Logging extra hours helps compensate.
How to Cope with Weed Withdrawal Symptoms When Quitting Cold Turkey
Quitting marijuana cold turkey can cause uncomfortable physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Here are constructive ways Reddit users can cope:
Mood Changes
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Irritability, anxiety, depression – Practice calming activities like breathwork, meditation, yoga. Talk to supportive friends and family about what you’re feeling.
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Boredom – Explore new hobbies and interests to fill time previously spent getting high.
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Loss of enjoyment – This is temporary. Natural enjoyment will return over the next few weeks. For now, participate in activities even without feeling like it.
Physical Symptoms
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Headache – Take OTC pain relievers, use cold compresses, massage pressure points.
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Insomnia – Maintain good sleep hygiene. Avoid screens before bed. Try herbal tea, melatonin or warm baths.
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Night sweats – Layer bedding so you can easily remove layers if you get hot flashes during sleep. Keep towels on hand.
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Digestive issues – Drink plenty of water. Eat small, bland meals. Take antacids, antidiarrheals if needed. Ginger and mint tea can help.
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Sugar cravings – Eat fruits and complex carbs to satisfy sweet tooth. Avoid heavily refined sugars which can make cravings worse.
Psychological Symptoms
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Cravings for weed – Call supporters, meditate, exercise, take a shower or nap, distract yourself with a task requiring focus.
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Difficulty concentrating – Be patient with yourself. Make lists and reminders. Tackle one task at a time. Take breaks to move around.
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Anxiety about quitting – This is your addiction trying to convince you to relapse. Stay the course. The discomfort is temporary and leads to a better life!
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Anger – Try not to take it out on loved ones. Release anger safely through exercise or loud music. Communicate feelings assertively, not aggressively.
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Depression – Remind yourself these are withdrawal symptoms, not reality. Make yourself socialize and stay active, even when you don’t feel like it.
Timeline of Weed Withdrawal Symptoms When Quitting Cold Turkey
Quitting marijuana leads to varying withdrawal timelines depending on level of past use, genetics and other factors. However, here is a general overview of which symptoms emerge when[1]:
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First 1-3 days – Agitation, anxiety, depression, headaches, irritability, mood swings, nausea, nightmares, sweating. Cravings likely very strong.
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First week – Decreased appetite, diarrhea, insomnia, mood instability persists, restlessness. Cravings remain very frequent.
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Weeks 2-3 – Boredom, difficulty concentrating, disrupted sleep, intense dreaming may start, increased temper. Craving frequency declining.
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1-6 months – Cravings may still strike but are more manageable. Energy and natural enjoyment increase. Sleep normalizes.
Understanding that symptoms peak rapidly then gradually improve can help you stick it out when quitting weed cold turkey. The first week is the hardest! It keeps getting better.
Tips to Avoid Relapse When Quitting Weed Cold Turkey
Quitting cannabis cold turkey takes tremendous willpower. Avoid slipping into old habits with these tips:
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Exchange phone numbers with other Reddit users quitting weed. Have someone to text when struggling.
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Keep your motivations for quitting at front of mind. Re-read them when tempted to smoke “just once”.
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Identify your triggers and have a plan to deal with them. Boredom? Call a friend. Stress? Take a bath.
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Avoid people and places associated with your marijuana use. Steer clear until you have long-term sobriety.
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Throw away any weed, paraphernalia or accessories you come across while cleaning/organizing. Remove remnants.
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When a craving hits, delay and distract. Tell yourself you’ll reassess smoking in an hour after doing something else. The urge will pass.
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Keep your hands and mind occupied. Take up knitting, model building, puzzle books, playing
