What Are the Benefits of Quitting Weed?

What Is Marijuana Dependence?

Like any addictive substance, regular to chronic, near-daily, or daily use of marijuana can mean developing a tolerance for it, so you’ll need to use more to get the same high or match the same effects as before. This is when marijuana dependency on the drug can form — when the brain becomes accustomed to regular use, leading to cravings and withdrawal symptoms when the person tries to quit smoking weed.

While marijuana is not as physically addictive as substances like opioids or nicotine, dependence can still make it challenging to stop.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that perhaps “the strongest predictor of cannabis use disorder is how often someone uses it, but other factors, like a family history of drug use and how long a person has been using cannabis, can also play a role.”

Signs Someone Is Dependent on Marijuana

Cannabis use disorder is clinically defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as having a pattern of marijuana use that can create significant examples of impairment or stress in one’s life. According to Yale Medicine, for someone to be diagnosed with cannabis use disorder and considered dependent or addicted, they must meet at least two of 11 established criteria. Signs you might be dependent include:

• Strong cravings for marijuana
• Failed attempts to quit smoking weed
• Devoting a great deal of time to smoking marijuana
• Turning away from family or friends in favor of cannabis
• Consuming more marijuana than ever before
• Continuing to consume the drug despite obvious physical/mental distress
• Developing a higher tolerance — needing more weed than before to get high
• Issues with learning, memory, or attention span
• Engaging in risky behavior while high (like driving)

Long-Term Risks of Marijuana Use

Over time, chronic marijuana use can begin to impair you physically, cognitively, and mentally, posing several long-term health risks, illustrating why it’s important to quit smoking marijuana and pursue a healthier lifestyle. Some of the more clinically recognized effects include:

• Affecting brain development: Marijuana can impair brain development, especially neural pathways for attention, memory, or learning. This occurs when using marijuana in adolescence or early adulthood before one’s brain has developed fully.
• Lung damage: Smoking marijuana can increase your risk of developing bronchitis, small blood vessel scarring, stroke, heart disease, and other vascular disorders. Vaping is also linked to lung injuries and death.
• Increases risk of mental illness: Regular marijuana use is tied to a higher risk of schizophrenia and other related psychoses in people predisposed to them.
• Vomiting fits: Chronic use may also trigger the onset of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome or frequent, severe vomiting.
• Pregnancy complications: marijuana use can also cause pregnancy complications, including fetal growth restriction, premature birth, stillbirth, and brain development issues.

What are the Benefits of Quitting Weed? 

Physically and mentally, the benefits of quitting weed are almost innumerable for one’s quality of life. And while symptoms of quitting weed — like anger/aggression, restlessness, decreased appetite, depression, insomnia, and nervousness/anxiety — can prove challenging, the pros of weaning oneself off weed for good far outweigh the negatives.

Physical Benefits of Quitting Weed

1. Improved lung health: Quitting marijuana can result in better lung capacity and function. Akin to tobacco smoking cessation, your lungs, over time, will begin to heal, and you may experience easier, deeper breathing and fewer respiratory issues.
2. Increased energy levels: Lethargy or a lack of motivation are two feelings symptomatic of using the drug. To stop smoking marijuana, you may notice a marked improvement in your energy levels, allowing you to engage more fully in your day-to-day life.
3. Better sleep: Though weed and its effects may induce sleepiness, long-term use and withdrawal can disrupt natural sleep patterns. After quitting marijuana, many former users find their sleep is restored to a restful place.
4. Reduced risk of chronic health conditions: As mentioned earlier, chronic marijuana use can prompt a host of long-term negative effects. Curbing and ultimately ceasing usage can go a long way to reducing your risk of developing these conditions and more.

Mental and Emotional Benefits of Quitting Weed

1. Improved mental clarity: Arguably, the most significant benefit of quitting weed is the return of mental sharpness. Chronic cannabis use can cloud thinking and impair judgment and memory, but after removing the drug from your life, embrace the return of better focus and cognitive function.
2. Reduced anxiety and depression: Cannabis’ calming effects can dampen anxiety and provide short-term relief for depression, but those symptoms may return palpably and be exacerbated when one develops a dependence on the drug. Quitting marijuana works to stabilize your mood purely, without the help of substances.
3. Better relationships: Cannabis use disorder and chronic marijuana use can place an unnecessary strain on relationships due to shifting behaviors or placing greater priority on the drug in your life. After quitting, individuals often find that they are more present, at the moment, engaged with family and friends for renewed, strengthened connections.

Tips for Quitting Weed Long-Term

Successfully quitting marijuana — or any substance, for that matter — is more than just giving it up. It requires a lifelong commitment to change and a sober mindset, both mentally and physically. To cultivate and sustain sobriety, start by learning how to quit smoking weed by implementing actionable, realistic strategies to remove your dependence on cannabis in any form.

Lifestyle Changes

Pursue a sober path free of marijuana abuse with clear intentions. What types of obstacles are standing in the way, and what types of lifestyle changes should you need to make? To stay away from marijuana long-term, you need to develop healthier ways of managing stress, anxiety, and boredom. Consider these coping mechanisms:

• Understand the reasons to stop smoking weed: Make a list of the reasons why you want to quit smoking weed. Has chronic usage gotten out of hand? Have the benefits morphed into negatives? List all the ways it has impacted your well-being and all the outcomes you hope to achieve by quitting.
• Make a plan: How to quit weed depends on the individual. Will you go cold turkey? Will you seek therapy? For the former, you may decide to discard your stash and paraphernalia; for the latter, it could be slow weaning off and replacing your marijuana usage with healthier, more productive lifestyle choices or hobbies.
• Find a physical outlet: Physical activity is one of the best ways to manage stress and improve your mood. Whether it’s running, yoga, or lifting weights, exercise can reduce your cravings and improve your overall well-being.
• Mindfulness and meditation: Mindfulness practices like meditation or deep breathing can help you manage anxiety or stress without turning to marijuana — practices that enable you to focus your mind and build emotional resilience.
• Creative outlets: Engaging in creative hobbies, such as painting, writing, or playing music, can be a great emotional release and a healthy distraction from cravings. These activities can provide you with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that marijuana once did.
• Lean on your support system: Spending time with loved ones, family, and friends who are aware you want to quit can provide encouragement and presence when cravings or withdrawal symptoms of quitting weed take hold.

Avoiding Triggers

It may not seem like much at first mention, but a significant challenge when you aim to quit marijuana is avoiding common triggers — the situations, the people, or the reminders — that make you want to light up a joint or reach for some edibles. Be mindful of these triggers when they arise:

• Social environments: If your friends or social circle revolves around marijuana, it can prove difficult to avoid temptations. That doesn’t mean you need to cut anyone out of your life but consider taking a break from these situations or setting boundaries with your friends to avoid the pressure to partake.
• Emotional stress: Managing stress, anxiety, depression, etc., are key reasons many people turn to marijuana — and one of the reasons those problems return after chronic drug use. To quit smoking marijuana, be mindful of the moments you begin to feel this way, and instead pursue another activity at that moment to cope with the feelings.
• Boredom: It can be a common trigger for substance use; something to do to pass the time. New, engaging activities like those listed above can help keep you occupied and away from the temptation to use marijuana.

Setting a Routine

Bad habits can be hard to break, but setting new ones can provide you with purpose and meaning free of marijuana. If you don’t have a daily routine, consider starting one today. Consider this sample schedule:

• Start each day with purpose: Establish a positive morning routine that gets you moving and motivated. It could be something as simple as going for a short walk, doing a quick meditation, or writing down goals for the day. Setting structure in the a.m. can help set a positive tone for the rest of your day.
• Fill your day with productive activities: One of the benefits of quitting weed is the extra time and mental clarity you’ll gain. Use this time to pursue new hobbies or interests, such as learning a skill, exploring creative outlets, or engaging in volunteer work. Staying active and productive helps keep your mind off cravings.
• Prioritize sleep: Marijuana is often used as a sleep aid, but quitting can initially disrupt your sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. Combat this by establishing a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed, wake up at the same time every day, and practice good sleep hygiene by avoiding screens or heavy meals right before bed. Aim to get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

Marijuana Detox Programs

Don’t feel pressure about quitting marijuana on your own. Entering a marijuana detox program can offer all the support you need to reduce your dependency and end your addiction to marijuana. The first step to getting sober, detoxification, is a process of cleansing the body of toxins from addictive substances. By employing professional help, you begin a gradual reduction of the drug under medical supervision instead of cutting off your supply abruptly and throwing off your body and brain, which have become accustomed to marijuana.

Detoxing from marijuana also involves managing symptoms of quitting weed, and a professional program can offer medications and therapies to ease withdrawal, making the process less overwhelming.

Recovery Support Groups

A support system is invaluable to getting sober — a key, integral ingredient to anyone’s recovery recovery. Alcoholics Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous, and other support groups offer a safe space to open up about your struggle with addiction to people experiencing similar struggles and working to quit smoking marijuana; especially important for people who have few, if any, friends who have struggled with substance abuse. Seeking out a recovery support group is one avenue in an addiction treatment plan to stay motivated and committed to your goals.

Drug Abuse Treatment Near Me

FootpRecovery Recovery offers four distinct addiction treatment centers in New Jersey, Colorado, and Illinois, with a compassionate, comprehensive approach designed to help you stop smoking weed and take the Recovery recovery from marijuana addiction. From inpatient to outpatient care, our evidence-based addiction treatment plans include behavioral therapy, dual diagnosis, counseling, and ongoing aftercare support, equipping you with the strength and tools to part ways with marijuana and live your best, clean, and sober life.

If you feel you’re struggling with cannabis use disorder and don’t know where to start, please contact us today. We’d love to hear from you and want to help.