Is it better to quit Marijuana little by little or all at once?

Marijuana is the drug The most widely consumed illegal drug in the world, partly due to the low risk awareness of its users (who still consider it a "soft drug"). It is an addictive drug (no matter how much its consumers or those who benefit financially from it want to deny it).

People who become addicted 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 suddenly or gradually? In this article I will answer that question.

marijuana withdrawal syndrome

To understand whether it is better to give up marijuana gradually or all at once, 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 use is addictive, 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 The body also activates the physical or “mono” withdrawal syndrome when the person has not consumed for a long time (days or hours).

Physical withdrawal syndrome 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 it consists of:

• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Insomnia and sleeping problems
• Nightmares
• tremors
• Headaches
• Fever
• sweats
• Paranoia
• feeling of anguish
• loss of appetite

These sensations can be so unpleasant and distressing that the person, despite feeling highly motivated to quit consuming marijuana, you will be able to hit the joint again in the hope that the withdrawal symptoms will pass fast.

On the other hand, there is also the psychological withdrawal syndrome. This emotional dependence on the effects of marijuana can last from months to years after finishing using it.. The person got used to using marijuana in different day-to-day situations for years, helping you escape unpleasant emotions such as stress, boredom, sadness, or loneliness.

So, after relying on marijuana for so long to deal with difficult situations, the person is left without tools or strategies to face life without smoking a joint.

It is there when the greatest suffering and anguish usually arrives, it is when most long-term relapses occur: when the person is overwhelmed by emotions unpleasant and resorts to consumption hoping to feel better quickly (and promising herself that "this will be the last time", in most cases in vain).

• Related article: "Marijuana: science reveals its long-term effects on the brain"

Pros and cons of giving up marijuana little by little

Many people think that trying to quit marijuana little by little will make it easier. Their logic is usually that if they gradually reduce their consumption (for example, go from 5 joints a day to 3 joints a day) will avoid the withdrawal syndrome and that, with enough willpower and discipline, they will be able to eliminate consumption completely.

But trying to give up 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.

Also, they don't realize that if they smoke just one joint, it will make it much harder for them to stay in control that day. The effects of marijuana make the person forget their objectives, become demotivated, think that they need consumption and light the next joint. That's why it's so hard to quit marijuana in some cases, because by the time you smoke your first joint of the day, you lose control.

• You may be interested in: "3 Negative Effects of Joints on Personality"

Pros and cons of quitting marijuana cold turkey

On the other hand, people who try to quit smoking weed cold turkey don't have that problem. There is no “ambiguity”, the objective is clear (not to smoke marijuana) and they do not have to negotiate with themselves when deciding whether to smoke a little more or a little less… You don't smoke, period.

This clarity of objectives often helps in abstinence planning as well. If you have decided that you will no longer smoke marijuana, it becomes obvious that you must stay away from other people who smoke, focus on reinforcing other alternative daily activities, ask family and friends for help, etc

The only big “con” to trying to quit marijuana cold turkey is withdrawal. The person will have to face the "monkey" from one day to the next, and in some cases you may feel overwhelmed by the sharp change. For this reason, 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 the consumption.

How to quit marijuana

What is clear is that marijuana causes addiction, and overcoming it is not easy. The best thing you can do is consult a professional to evaluate your case and give you guidelines and recommendations tailored 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. Get in touch with me and we will start working on your case as soon as possible.