Should You Quit Weed Cold Turkey? Asking Reddit for Advice

Quitting weed cold turkey is stopping all cannabis use abruptly, instead of gradually tapering off consumption While some swear this is the only way they could quit, others argue it’s an overly difficult approach that sets you up for failure and relapse So what’s the verdict – should you quit weed cold turkey or not? I turned to the experts of Reddit for advice.

The Debate Around Quitting Weed Cold Turkey

On forums like r/leaves, r/Petioles, and r/BPD, Redditors have extensively debated whether going cold turkey is the best method for successfully quitting weed long-term.

Pros of quitting cold turkey:

• Forces you to push through withdrawal symptoms all at once rather than dragging them out. According to some, this makes it easier to stay committed to quitting.

-Completely removes your access to weed, preventing chances of relapse or “cheating.”

• Detox happens faster when you cut out weed completely. Within days to weeks you’ll start feeling cognitive improvements.

Cons of quitting cold turkey:

• Withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, mood swings, irritability, nausea, sweating, and loss of appetite can be severe when stopping all at once.

• Cravings may be more intense without tapering consumption slowly. This can lead to quick relapse.

• For heavy daily users, completely stopping use can be a shock to the system and harder to stick to.

So with compelling arguments on both sides, what method do Redditors actually recommend? Below I summarize the top tips from real redditors who quit weed cold turkey.

Tips from Redditors Who Quit Weed Cold Turkey

Here are the best bits of advice from redditors who successfully quit cannabis use suddenly:

• “Make a list of reasons you want to quit and re-read it when cravings hit.” Having a physical reminder of why you want to stop can strengthen your resolve during challenging moments.

• “Remove all weed and paraphernalia from your home.” Don’t keep temptations nearby when trying to quit. Throw away any weed, pipes, rolling papers, lighters, etc.

• “Ask friends/family to support you through quitting.” Tell the people close to you that you’re quitting so they can cheer you on and help you avoid triggers.

• “Keep yourself busy.” Boredom and idle time can make cravings worse. Stay active with hobbies, exercise, social events, etc. Fill your schedule, especially during high-risk times like nights and weekends.

• “Consider changing your routine.” Alter daily habits and activities associated with using weed, like hanging out with certain friend groups or watching certain shows. This reduces conditioned cravings.

• “Avoid other substances too.” Don’t drink alcohol or use nicotine/tobacco for the first 1-2 weeks to avoid replacing one addiction with another.

• “Be prepared for more vivid dreams.” Weed suppresses REM sleep. When you quit, vivid dreams often rebound. They’ll normalize after a couple weeks.

• “Stay hydrated and eat nutritious meals.” Withdrawal can suppress appetite. Drink plenty of water and eat fruits, veggies, protein, and Omega-3s to power through.

• “Find a new, healthy stress relief outlet.” Yoga, meditation, journaling, massage, and exercise can help relieve stress without weed.

• “Join a social support forum.” Connect with others quitting weed on Reddit forums like r/Petioles, r/leaves, and r/BPD for peer support and motivation.

• “Consider therapy or counseling.” If underlying mental health issues make quitting harder, speaking with a professional can help. Many rehab facilities offer counseling for weed addiction.

• “Remind yourself withdrawal is temporary.” It can help to look back at other times you pushed through hardship or illness. This too shall pass.

While everyone praised the effectiveness of going completely cold turkey, they also emphasized it should only be done if you have the right mindset, environment, and support system to handle intense withdrawal. Otherwise, reducing use slowly before quitting completely may set you up for greater success.

Should You Go Cold Turkey or Taper Off?

Here’s a summary of factors to consider when deciding between cold turkey and gradually tapering weed consumption before quitting completely:

Consider cold turkey if:

• You have relatively mild dependency without major withdrawal symptoms
• You possess strong willpower and commitment
• You have a supportive environment free of triggers/temptations
• You need to detox quickly for an obligation
• Tapering just drags out the pain

Consider tapering if:

• You have used weed heavily/daily for years
• Your attempts to go cold turkey have failed before
• You have strong cravings and lack willpower
• You don’t have external support to get through withdrawals
• You benefit from making incremental progress

At the end of the day, whether to quit cold turkey or taper comes down to what you feel capable of handling and committed to. Listen to your body and be honest with yourself.

As redditors emphasized, set yourself up for success by having support systems in place, removing temptations, and filling your time with healthy activities beforehand.

And remember that whatever path you take to get there – going cold turkey or tapering – staying quit long-term is an enormous accomplishment to be proud of. Getting through the most difficult initial period is huge progress, however you accomplish it.

In Summation – Cold Turkey Quitting According to Reddit

While opinions differ on whether quitting weed cold turkey is the best approach, one thing all redditors seem to agree on is that you need determination and willpower to push through either way. Having the right mindset and environment sets you up for success.

For heavy, chronic users, tapering consumption slowly before fully quitting may ultimately be more sustainable. But for those with less severe dependency, going cold turkey can help power through withdrawal quickly and forcefully break habitual use.

If you’ve tried and failed to quit weed before, it may be time to take an honest look at what derailed you last time and make a plan to set yourself up for a different outcome. Leverage the support of redditors who have been through the same experience.

And remember to be patient and forgiving with yourself. Quitting an addictive substance is incredibly difficult. There may be slips along the way. The important thing is continuing to move yourself in the direction of your goal.