These feelings have begun to creep back to the point where they are becoming almost unbearable without weed.
Hey guys, my question is simple. I have been smoking pot now for about 5 years. The longest break i have had is 4 days in that entire time. I started smoking to combat feelings of inadequacy and to deal with negative feelings that were becoming increasingly overwhelming in my life. However these feelings have, over the last few months, begun to creep back to the point where they are becoming almost unbearable without weed. I can't stop smoking but by the same token i can't keep going the way i am going for long. Please, any advice anyone can give me would be much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Hi, thanks for writing in. Sounds like things have moved to a point where it is really important for you to reach out and get some support so it's great you took this first step.
At the moment you are ambivalent about changing your cannabis use: you've been using cannabis for a long time to help you cope with unpleasant emotions and it has worked to an extent to mask those feelings but not to deal with them, but now it seems it has stopped even working as a mask. You feel you can't go without cannabis although you have sometimes gone as long as 4 days without it, but also feel like you can't keep smoking in this way, especially if it's not working for you anymore.
I think it would be good to explore your goals around your use with a professional. In my experience its best to lay off the weed when you have strong negative emotional feelings because once this is happening the cannabis only exacerbates these feelings.
If you have tried to cut down on your own and been only partly successful I think it would be a good to start to get some more support and there are lots of options out there to help you get unstuck. You could start by having a chat to a counsellor at the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for up to 25 year olds) or Lifeline on 13 11 14 (where counsellors are also trained to help people look at their cannabis use). Calls are free and confidential.
Other support options which i think would be beneficial at this point would be to see someone face to face, either through a headspace centre (see link below) or through asking your GP to help you to locate a local psychologist. All of these options are low-cost or free and completely confidential.
Feelings of inadequacy and overwhelming negative thoughts can be linked to depression so it's important to get them checked out. In the meantime you could take some simple steps to feel better like doing some gentle exercise such as going for a walk or ride each day; distract yourself from the thoughts by doing things you enjoy such as reading, watch your favourite TV show or going to the movies; and by spending time with supportive family or friends. Try to spend time in places and with people where you don't usually smoke cannabis because this might help you reduce the amount you are using.