A Guide To Quitting Marijuana

March 10, 2009

This guide is aimed at assisting people who are seriously considering quitting the use of cannabis and need some help to do so.

Cannabis is the general name given to a variety of preparations derived from the plant Cannabis sativa. Other names include marijuana, grass, dope, pot, weed, mull, hash, hash oil etc.

There are many reasons for giving up. The following have been identified by users, ex-users, researchers and health professionals.

Respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis.

Changes to cells in the body which may signal the development of cancer.

Problems with attention, concentration and memory which get worse with continued use of cannabis and only partially improve upon quitting.

An increased risk of developing cancers in the mouth, throat and lung.

An increased risk of birth defects or leukemia in children exposed to cannabis during pregnancy.

Poor educational achievement and difficulties in learning.

An increase in symptoms of illness in persons who suffer from heart disease, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema or schizophrenia.

When you use cannabis you are establishing a link between the situation and getting stoned. This means that certain situations, people and places, which were present on a number of occasions when you smoked may, in the future, trigger your desire to get stoned.

From the previous illustration you should be able to identify a number of strategies you can use to help you quit cannabis, especially in the initial stages.

On the day that you give up, and for a week or more after, some people can feel out of sorts.

These are a normal part of giving up.

How do I stay off?

Once you have set a date and you have made the initial steps toward quitting marijuana, you will experience times when you want to break your contract. Read more