Subject: Addiction

I am trying to quit 30 years of addiction to weed. So far I have made it 3 days without smoking. It seems the only time I really enjoyed making music was when I was high. I am hoping that in being sober I will find the urge and love to make music again. I just figured I would post this as I am sure I am not the only one here who has been in this situation and it makes me feel better to talk about it.

after a while, you will feel more profoundly, see more and brighter colors. life is better without it (on a daily basis). when focussed music will sound way better. making it will be more fun. Turtle can testify to that, wholeheartedly. Unambigious too. Keep your focus, remember that the depressed feelings are truly temporary. You can always contact me if you feel the need to share more on this subject. A proud turtle!

I think it is absolutely one of the best things that has ever been said here. Because it really seems that you have a sincere desire to improve your lifestyle. And 3 days is very commendable I would think.
I am no expert in marijuana, though I did try it once decades ago when I was about 19. But I sure have received an incredible amount of joy with my little studio and playing the guitar. Keeping those hands busy, an as creative possible with playing music is to me a great way to overcome or at least get your mind on things that can improve your intellect. Especially working on uplifting pieces of whatever your musical style is.

I am really impressed that you posted this and wanting to better yourself!

Way tO Go ! Really! Best of blessings to you !

Congratulations on renewing your approach to the world, freshly, just the way you came into it.

I also suggest, that it might be helpful, to add something like meditation to your lifestyle, in order to maintain that freshness.

Though initially it may be hard to incorporate something like that into your schedule, you will be rewarded with both reduced stress levels and increased creativity.

Good luck in pursuing your art in an unadultrated fashion.

It's similar to any other addiction: you have to have the willpower to find something else to occupy yourself with and stick with it every minute of every day. Easier said than done, but worth it in a big way.

Go for it man! Takes a great deal of character to do what you are doing.

I can attest to that. You need to find a way to be relaxed in a structured way, learning to meditate is a good way of remembering how it went before smoking the doobster.

BTW: my main means of quitting cigarettes was practice time on guitar and a big increase in exercise.

awesome decision. i was a drug addict for a long time, and although our chosen vices were different, you can expect much of the same:

1. mood swings, irritability, maybe changes in your sleep, energy level, and ability to focus.

2. at some point you will most likely start to think that you don't really have a problem with weed and try to rationalize smoking just a little ("i must not have a problem, it's been a week since i smoked. if i had a real problem, i couldn't have gone this long without it"). don't give in; if you do, don't beat yourself up, just try again.

3. you will most likely experience overwhelming cravings at some point. don't give in and focus on something that's good for you (take a walk, call someone, take a shower, anything).

I have found that it's much easier and the success rate is much higher for people who get some sort of support group going. there are marijuana anonymous groups available:
http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/
and you can also attend online meetings of alcoholics anonymous (don't worry about the fact that you smoke weed, a drug is a drug is a drug):
http://www.aa-intergroup.org/

you need to learn all new routines. your mind is always going to choose the familiar path. think of smoking weed as the well worn path that leads out of your camp site, it's easier to walk that way obviously. you are going to have to pick up a machete and hack out a new path. a pain in the butt for sure, but you will get to see a whole new take on the world when you start walking anotyer direction.

i don't want to preach, but when things get tough (inevitable but always temporary), just remember that it is easier to stay clean than to get clean again. you're doing great. as an ex-addict (and a substance abuse educator), i am more than happy to extend my hand should you need any encouragement or help. i would wish you luck, but it's more about making a decision and sticking with it. :)

Great post! This is a great start! I liked all the replies as well. I'm here for only three months now and it always amazes me the quality and humanity of everybody here at MacJams! This is a very unique community!

There's also the financial benefit of quitting any drug. Do the math and you'll see that you can probably buy a decent guitar (or other equipment) with the money you used to spend with weed in 6-12 months. I believe that's an incentive as well.

I quitted cigarette smoking about 16 months ago. Bought a guitar when I was around month 8... to get and additional boost... :)

All the best!

First off, my hat, if I had one, goes off to you. Quitting an addiction is never easy. It takes an immeasurable amount of willpower. It takes strength of character. When I quit smoking, everyone said I would be back. They told me the first time something stressful happened, I would light up. But, I knew it was time to quit. I had been smoking for about 8 years, and I was done. Tired of the cost, as I am sure you can relate, and tired of something running my life like a cigarette. One bit of advice, though, and I mean this in the most heartfelt way;
Go see your doctor. Ask him/her, if perhaps your need for weed stems from a chemical imbalance in your brain. A lot of people unknowingly self-medicate, and when they quit, for whatever reason, they can get really depressed, or worse, have breakdowns. It is important to make sure your use was not a self-medication for a larger issue. For some, pot use is a way of handling ADD, or ADHD. For some it is a way of handling mild clinical depression. I am wholeheartedly proud for anyone whom decides to stop smoking something, cause it saves your body. Just make sure your are well, mentally and physically. My two cents is done.
Allen

Man, I can relate to you whole heartedly! I had 2.5 years clean and sober, in fact, I had over a year when I first joined.... Like you, I couldn't seem to reach that desired musical plato, so to speak, without my "Chinese Eye's" Lol! You can do this if you want to quit, more than you want keep token. I'm a hard core addict, and if I can do it , anyone can! The crazy part, is that I quit everything all at once, even cigarettes! Breathing was about all I had left. It gets easier with time, and believe it or not, your music will be even better, albeit, your the last one to notice..... So, more power to you my friend. If you can't stop on your own, there's always M.A. (Marijuana Anonymous) I know? However, you'll find people in the same boat! It helps... I must follow tour lead and get back on the straight and narrow my own self! So thank you for this much needed topic. I was needing a boost back in the right direction my friend! If you drop the ball, don't be hard on yourself, merely pick it back up and sally forth! Oh, and listen to the advise given here, your among those who share your plight.

I got your back,

Alvin

I don't look back too hard to those days, but I was pretty much into everything for over fifteen years. Through the fog I missed reality and childhood.

Spent a bit of time in depression. Stole valium and speed for a while.

I never got addicted to alcohol, though. Thank goodness! I love beer!!!

You know, I try not to have regrets about my past. But I do find myself thinking I was a loser. But I know I wasn't.

I'm certainly not judgmental of others. Life is hard enough to figure out, but BEST when you can see what's going on!

After I continued on with my life, I found I got my childhood back! Not only that, but within the last decade, I had the realization that I feel like an adult (I'm 46)! I quickly brushed that aside. Nobody else needs to know...

My advice is do things. Get outside a bit. Breath. Write. Read. Rock!

PS I do miss it from time to time... why?

A lot of people have addictions... like for instance, macjams.

Hell ya, I so agree with you Texas Feel. Doctor, what is your plan for this addiction? None? Fine! I'll go on then.

Wow!
Thanks everyone! It really makes me feel good to know that I have support from all of you. I am looking forward to being able not to have these urges or cravings anymore. It really is quite tough. I pretty much have done everything high for the last thirty years. You name it and I have done it under the influence. I am looking forward to moving on with my life now and getting this monkey off my back for good. I am not sure why I felt I had to post it on macjams but I now feel it was the right decision and has made me feel a whole lot better about myself.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Carl

If God wanted you stoned all the time he would have made you that way naturally. Believe it or not you have been missing out on allot of life. Your relationships, business dealings, how you keep your house, your level of education, both formal and street smarts, and more, have all been affected. Embrace the excitement of what your new life will be. Rebirth is a good thing and a natural process. Don't fall back and kill that spirt that wants to get out and move in a different direction. Be at peace with yourself and the new direction will emerge if you have faith in the process....Spirit is calling......Peace to you, Norman

Been there done that. If you truly love music it will be there when you finish detoxing,,,,, yes I said detoxing.. the chemicals that are very rarely washed from street bud (fertilizer and pesticide) will take about a month to leave your system. If you have been growing and smoking your own then it will be sooner. With that said (out of experience btw) I have a deeper passion and focus for my art now. I have one song in the 4 that I have posted that was written straight, and from the feedback I have received (not just here) from everyone it usually is their favorite. I would be curious to see if anyone might know which one it is lol. I recorded them all straight and I am still learning about the digital medium. The biggest benefit I have experienced since quitting a 1/16th of an ounce or more a day habit, is the TOYS oooooooooohhhhhhhh the TOYS lol. I just bought some more today lol. I digress, its a bit rough at first, but so very much worth it, and I'm sure you'll find if you try, you will be a stronger artist. Pot is in many ways more dangerous than others because of its subtleness. You won't see the damage until you have removed yourself far enough from it. It might not be apparent to you for a long time, but it will be apparent one day trust me on this. I smoked for 20 something years and the best thing I ever did for my music was to quit and start recording it for myself instead of paying someone else to screw it up lol. Don't give up mate. Good Luck!!!!!

I get together to jam with some guys who get high to play.

For many years now I play to get high.

You're on the right track.

Hi Carl,

Way to go. One thing I know is that there's a stretch of time, and you might be in it now, when the THC is kicking out of your system, and out of your liver, and there's a tendency for the days to seem grey and boring and colorless and depressing. The mind has a tendency in those moments not to "get" that this is a sort of "kick-back" depression from the pot, and to think, "Gosh, if I was high I wouldn't feel like this."

If you know what's going on you don't have to take it so seriously--no, God did not wake up in a bad mood this morning and decide to rain on your parade/life--and you can know that it's just a low mood brought on by stuff leaving your system. It'll pass.

Stick with it.

And hey, I haven't forgotten that tune of yours... still plugging away...

Ed