Weed—also known as marijuana—is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). In a typical month, 22.2 million people use the drug at least once.
Since many states have declared the drug legal for adult recreational use, many people assume that the drug cannot cause harm. Unfortunately, some people discover how addictive weed can be when they attempt to quit “cold turkey.”
Quitting marijuana cold turkey is stopping all use abruptly without gradually tapering down. While some people can successfully do this, quitting cold turkey can be challenging and lead to withdrawals for frequent, long-term users. There are pros and cons to quitting weed cold turkey versus gradually. Ultimately, the best approach depends on your habit, reasons for quitting, willpower and support system.
How Marijuana Addiction Forms
Marijuana contains THC a compound that acts on cannabinoid receptors in the brain to cause euphoric and relaxing effects. With repeated use over time, the brain gets used to having large amounts of THC stimulating these receptors. It then starts reducing its natural cannabinoid production and becomes dependent on marijuana to avoid negative effects.
People who use marijuana daily or almost daily for weeks, months or years can become addicted Addiction risk increases with higher doses, more potent forms like concentrates, starting young and having underlying mental health conditions
Withdrawal Symptoms From Quitting Marijuana
When addicted users stop marijuana suddenly, they can experience withdrawal symptoms from their brains and bodies readjusting to less stimulation of cannabinoid receptors.
Common marijuana withdrawal symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depressed mood
- Restlessness
- Sleep difficulties and strange dreams
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Sweating and chills
- Stomach pain and nausea
Symptoms tend to peak within the first week of quitting and can last around 1-3 weeks on average. However, some users report dealing with symptoms like irritability, sleep problems and cravings for months after quitting.
Pros and Cons of Quitting Marijuana Cold Turkey
Pros
- Avoids a gradual tapering process that can be challenging to stick to.
- Rip the bandaid off approach can work well if you have strong willpower.
- End withdrawal symptoms and detox faster rather than dragging it out.
Cons
- Increased likelihood of more severe, uncomfortable acute withdrawal symptoms.
- Higher risk of relapse from intense cravings and having no marijuana in your system.
- Needs extremely high motivation and self-control.
- Not recommended for long-term, heavy users who are at risk of serious withdrawal issues.
Is Cold Turkey Right For You?
Cold turkey can work for some people, especially those with less severe addictions. But it can be hard and set you up to fail if you’re not ready. Consider the following:
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Dependence Level – Frequency of use, dosage, potency and length of time using all factor in. Cold turkey is riskier with heavy, long-term use.
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Reasons for Quitting – If quitting for serious health issues, a gradual taper may be safer. Cold turkey needs willpower.
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Support System – Do you have people to support you through withdrawals and cravings? Abruptly quitting alone can be hard.
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Relapse Risk – How likely are you to relapse if withdrawals get severe? Gradual tapers can help avoid this.
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Withdrawal History – If past cold turkey attempts failed due to uncomfortable withdrawals, a taper may work better.
Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. You have to consider your unique situation to decide if cold turkey marijuana cessation is right for you.
Tips To Quit Weed Cold Turkey
If you want to quit marijuana cold turkey, here are some tips to set yourself up for success:
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Pick a Start Date – Choose a specific day 1-2 weeks out to prepare mentally and get your environment ready. Quitting abruptly without planning tends to backfire.
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Get Support – Tell close friends and family you’re quitting to rally their support. Consider joining a marijuana recovery group. Counseling can also help.
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Remove Paraphernalia – Get rid of any marijuana, pipes, bongs, vapes or other triggers to avoid temptation.
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Change Routines – Rearrange your daily schedule to avoid old triggers linked to your marijuana habit.
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Try Stress Relievers – Have go-to healthy activities ready to help cope with stress and cravings like exercise, meditation or hobbies.
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Limit Alcohol & Other Drugs – Avoid all substance use early in marijuana withdrawal, including alcohol. Cross-addiction and relapse risks are high.
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Acknowledge Milestones – Mark your progress and achievements, like hours, days and weeks off marijuana. This boosts motivation.
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Seek Emergency Help If Needed – Severe withdrawal symptoms like suicidal thoughts warrant urgent medical care. Don’t go it alone.
Other Ways To Quit Marijuana
While cold turkey marijuana cessation works for some, other options include:
Gradual Tapering – Slowly reducing your marijuana intake over weeks makes for a more comfortable transition and lower relapse risk. But this takes discipline.
Rehab Programs – Inpatient or outpatient rehab provides a structured environment, counseling and support to quit. This offers the highest level of care but can be costly.
Support Groups – 12-step programs like MA (Marijuana Anonymous) use group support and 12 steps to achieve abstinence from marijuana. This is free but requires meeting attendance.
Counseling – Working with an addiction counselor provides professional guidance and support. This can be very helpful but involves regular appointments.
Medications – While there are no FDA-approved medications to treat marijuana addiction yet, some medications can help ease withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor.
When To Get Professional Marijuana Withdrawal Help
It’s always smart to consult a doctor or addiction specialist before quitting marijuana, especially cold turkey. But it’s essential to seek professional treatment if:
- You’ve tried quitting cold turkey multiple times unsuccessfully
- You have a history of severe withdrawal symptoms
- You have a mental health condition like depression or anxiety
- You’re at risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts during withdrawal
- You have a co-occurring alcohol or other drug addiction
Rehab programs, inpatient detox centers and addiction psychiatrists can provide the highest level of medical care, supervision and behavioral support when quitting marijuana. Don’t be afraid to get professional help.
Can I Quit Weed Cold Turkey?
For heavy, frequent marijuana users, attempting to quit cold turkey is often extremely difficult both physically and mentally. While possible for some with strong willpower and support, cold turkey cessation can be miserable and lead to relapse.
But for milder or more intermittent users, going cold turkey can be a reasonable approach. Setting yourself up with the right mindset, tools and backup plan is key though.
Ultimately, deciding between cold turkey versus gradual marijuana cessation depends on your unique situation. Considering pros, cons and your ability to cope will help determine the best method for you. And don’t be afraid to opt for professional treatment – having support can make all the difference.
Frequency of Entities
SAMHSA: 1
Oxford Treatment: 2
Marijuana: 20
Cold turkey: 16
Quitting: 10
Weed: 6
Cannabinoid: 2
THC: 2
Withdrawal: 8
Symptoms: 6
Rehab: 1
Counseling: 2
Professional: 3
Gradual: 5
Taper: 4
Treatment: 1
Addiction: 5
Receptors: 1
Dependence: 1
Detox: 1
Relapse: 3
What is Cold Turkey?
Research suggests that the term “cold turkey” has been associated with the cessation of drugs because a turkey’s skin, with its bumps for feathers, is similar in appearance to the goosebumps people may experience when they stop using heroin. In time, the term has expanded to refer to the abrupt cessation of almost anything, not just heroin.
For some people, cold-turkey cessation is the most effective way to achieve and sustain sobriety. But cold turkey can cause dangerous symptoms from certain substances, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines.
Fortunately, marijuana withdrawal symptoms are not physically dangerous like some other drugs.
Side Effects of Quitting Weed Cold-Turkey
People who quit weed cold turkey may experience withdrawal. Common weed withdrawal symptoms include:
- Irritability.
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
- Insomnia.
- Anorexia.
- Strong cravings for marijuana.
These are very real symptoms, and when they appear suddenly, they can be overwhelming. It is very difficult to move away from a drug people are accustomed to taking each day. Some people may relapse simply to avoid these symptoms.
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms like depression and anxiety are often linked to underlying mental health problems in people who smoke or consume weed. “Self-medicating” with drugs like marijuana is common and, sadly, drug use can exacerbate these psychological conditions.
Someone who has long been accustomed to using weed to mitigate their depression or anxiety might not have the tools to cope with these feelings while sober. The rebound of anxiety or depression after quitting weed can potentially lead to relapse.
How I Quit Smoking Cold Turkey (all mindset)
FAQ
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