Many people think that quitting marijuana use is as easy as simply stopping. However, it can quickly turn into a long and arduous battle. Marijuana addiction can make you crave the drug, often leading to relapse. This makes it hard to quit using marijuana once you get started. The key is to make a commitment and do everything you can to overcome it. Here are ways to quit smoking pot quickly and painlessly.
Acknowledge the problem
The first step to quitting marijuana is acknowledging that you have a problem. Many people refuse to see that they are addicted to marijuana because they don’t see the effects of the drug on their own lives. This is often referred to as being in denial. To quit smoking pot, you have to accept that it is a problem in your life before you can do anything about it.
Set a goal
One of the best ways to quit smoking pot is to set a goal. Make it very specific, and try to always keep it in mind. The more specific you make the goal, the more likely you are to achieve it. Try not to be too ambitious when making your goals; otherwise, you will set yourself up for failure. Another advantage of making goals is that they give you something specific to focus on when you feel cravings for marijuana coming on.
Make a commitment
Every time you take a puff, your body changes physically. When you smoke marijuana, THC enters your bloodstream and binds to receptors in the brain responsible for regulating pleasure, memory and concentration, and movement coordination. This makes it very hard to quit smoking pot once you start. A commitment is a promise made to yourself that you will no longer smoke marijuana.
Get support
The biggest problem with cravings for marijuana is that they come on quickly and unexpectedly, making it very hard to resist them. Having other people willing to help you quit smoking pot can give you strength and support when cravings strike. You need people who will be positive and supportive, even if they have never shared your desire to stop smoking pot before now.
Establish a routine
Quitting smoking pot is not as simple as just stopping once and for all. You need to implement routines that will help you stay off the drugs and out of relapse. A good routine should include daily showers, exercise, hobbies, a healthy diet, meditation, yoga, etc. These things help remove your desire for the drug. Then when you relapse the following day, it’s easy to hit rock bottom and deal with your addiction.
Remove the trigger
The thing most likely to have you relapse is a reminder of smoking marijuana use. Try to avoid people or places that are likely to trigger cravings for marijuana in the first few weeks after you quit. For some people, this may mean distancing themselves from friends and family members who smoke pot regularly or pressuring them to restart using again. For others, it may involve quitting smoking cigarettes too.
Replace the trigger
You can avoid things that trigger cravings for marijuana by replacing them with other activities. If you only have time to smoke a joint before you leave home, you can use that time to get out of the house and do something fun. The same goes with getting high in public – instead of smoking pot in a park, hang out with your friends at a bar or club instead. Plenty of other activities can take the place of the smoking pot when it’s impossible to avoid it completely.
Instill fear of relapse
One of the most effective ways to overcome marijuana addiction is to always be fearful of relapsing. The best way to do this is to commit not to using marijuana and enforce it as much as possible. If you slip up, don’t wait for the urge for a joint before you quit again – get back on track tomorrow. Are you struggling with marijuana addiction? Contact us today to learn how to quit smoking pot and regain control of your life. We offer guidance and support to help you overcome marijuana addiction and develop a life without it. Call 844-844-3463.