Is It Better To Quit Marijuana Little By Little Or Suddenly?
Marijuana is the most consumed illegal drug in the world, partly due to the low risk awareness of its consumers (who still consider it a “soft drug”). It is an addictive drug (no matter how much its users or those who benefit economically from it want to deny it).
People who develop addiction to marijuana and become aware of their problem ask themselves a question: what is the best method to quit marijuana? Is it better to quit joints all at once or little by little? In this article I will answer that question.
To understand whether it is better to quit marijuana slowly or suddenly, it is essential to understand how marijuana withdrawal syndrome works. The main obstacle to quitting this drug is usually the symptoms of marijuana withdrawal syndrome Like any addictive substance, cannabis consumption produces addiction, so the body and mind become accustomed to the presence of the substance and its effects.
On the one hand, the body gets used to a certain dose of THC frequently, so when the person tries to quit, the body notices. In the same way that the body activates the feeling of hunger when blood glucose levels are low, the body also activates the physical withdrawal syndrome or “mono” when the person has not consumed for a long time (days or hours).
Physical withdrawal can last from a few days to several weeks (depending on the person, their level of consumption, their genetics and their metabolism, etc.). And the symptoms also vary from person to person, but in many cases they consist of:
These sensations can be so unpleasant and distressing that the person, despite feeling very motivated to stop using marijuana, will be able to throw themselves back into the joints in the hope that the withdrawal symptoms will end quickly.
On the other hand, there is also psychological withdrawal syndrome. This emotional dependence on the effects of marijuana can last from months to years after finishing using The person became accustomed for years to using marijuana in different daily situations, helping them escape from unpleasant emotions such as stress, boredom, sadness or loneliness.
So, after so much time depending on marijuana to deal with difficult situations, the person is left without tools or strategies to cope with life without smoking a joint.
This is when the greatest suffering and anguish usually occurs, this is when most long-term relapses occur: when the person is overwhelmed by unpleasant emotions and turns to use in the hope of feeling better quickly (and promising themselves that “this will be the last time”, in most cases in vain).
Pros and cons of quitting marijuana little by little
Many people think that by trying to quit marijuana little by little they will have an easier time. Their logic is usually that, if they gradually reduce their consumption (for example, going from 5 joints a day to 3 joints a day) they will avoid the withdrawal syndrome and that, with sufficient willpower and discipline, they will be able to eliminate consumption completely.
But Trying to quit marijuana little by little usually fails in most cases On the one hand, it takes a lot of discipline and control to gradually reduce consumption. Most people get stuck or give up after a few days when they lose motivation.
Plus, they don’t realize that if they smoke just one joint, it will be much harder for them to stay in control that day. The effects of marijuana make the person forget about their goals, become demotivated, and think that they need to consume it and light the next joint. That is why it is so difficult to quit marijuana in some cases, because the moment you smoke the first joint of the day, you lose control.
Pros and cons of quitting marijuana cold turkey
On the other hand, people who try to quit smoking marijuana cold turkey do not suffer from this problem. There is no “ambiguity”, the objective is clear (not smoking marijuana) and they do not have to negotiate with themselves when deciding whether to smoke a little more or a little less… No smoking, period.
This clarity of objectives usually also helps in abstinence planning. If you have decided that you will no longer smoke marijuana, it becomes obvious that you have to stay away from other people who smoke, focus on reinforcing other alternative daily activities, ask for help from family and friends, etc.
The only big “con” of trying to quit marijuana cold turkey is the withdrawal syndrome. The person will have to face the “monkey” from one day to the next , and in some cases you may feel overwhelmed by the strong change. Therefore, in some cases it is important to have pharmacological support, going to the psychiatrist and taking some medications that help the person go through the withdrawal syndrome without relapsing into consumption.
What is clear is that marijuana causes addiction, and overcoming it is not easy. The best thing you can do is consult with a professional to evaluate your case and give you guidelines and recommendations adapted to your needs.
My name is Luis Miguel Real , and I am a psychologist specializing in addictions. I have helped thousands of people overcome their addiction problems to marijuana, alcohol or tobacco. Contact me and we will start working on your case as soon as possible.
