A couple of quick questions... - Addiction & Recovery Message Board

StormGirl · 11-28-2004, 01:00 AM

Is it common for someone who has stopped smoking marijuana (after a very prolonged period) to go into a depression, and how long should withdrawal symptons persist?

Thanks for your help!!

feelbad · 11-28-2004, 05:32 AM

It is very likely that you were already having problems with depression before you started smoking the pot and have actually been self medicating your depression with the pot all this time.A very common occurance.talk to your doc regarding your depressive symptoms he may be able to Rx something if he feels it is needed.Good luck,marcia

goddessgrl65 · 11-28-2004, 07:30 AM

Yes-its normal..
and i definitely agree w/ marcia..Hi Marcia!

I know i used pot for many years off/on-and it definitely was my "medicine"...
You might want to seek out some short term-therapy/anti-depressant..while you transistion..wellbutrin is excellent for cravings..
The pot these days-is very strong..
thankfully-you don't have the physical w/d-but mentally..its tough-
try to stay busy..and do some nice things for yourself..
also-accupuncture..is really incrediable-in helping w/ depression/addiction..
if you really want out-its yours..you can do it.
check out-Feel good-by David Burns..x-cellent book-
peace..ggrl

Ruth6:11 · 11-28-2004, 07:35 AM

In case it is not you who has stopped smoking, my experience with someone who stopped is 'yes' -

My brother smoked pot daily from high school until his oldest two girls were toddlers. (About 10 years) Then he quit cold turkey. Of course there are no physical withdrawal symptoms, but psychologically there definitely was an effect. He didn't go to a doctor, In his case a job, a highly motivated wife & 2 small children seemed to give counterbalance to the effects of quitting the pot.
He's fine now except for a really really strong interest in Astronomy & The Cosmos Out There... And has 2 more kids by the way...

StormGirl · 11-29-2004, 12:18 AM

Thanks for your input guys... it is not actually me, but a friend. He stopped smoking in about May this year, cold turkey after about 10-15 years of very regular use. I am REALLY proud of him, I didn't really have the faith that he could do it, but he did. And on his own. Just asking because he has sunk into a depression, and although there are other causes, I just wondered if this would be having an additional affect? I agree that he may have always had this, but escaped by using the pot. He does not seem to be having huge cravings or anything, and never mentions it, but I just thought that perhaps it was common to feel very depressed and not able to handle things very well after giving up.

Again, thank you for your posts... it is much appreciated!!!