I have stopped smoking in the past but always end up going back somehow. How can i stop this pattern?
Hi, one of the previous questions was about feeling guilty about smoking and consequently having negative thoughts about self and what you are doing in life. Part of the answer was about how even in 6 months time THC can be re released into the system and you still feel these negative effects.
I am at this stage. I have stopped smoking in the past for a month or 2 but always end up going back somehow. How can i stop this pattern? I want to do it myself—i really don't want to talk about it or "get help" from a professional. A lot of things have stopped in my life this year (seeing friends, continuing to further my career) but my mojo use has continued. I'm always emotional when i quit and i'm over it. It makes me sad that i can no longer deal with my own emotions.
Hi thre, it sounds like you have been very successful before in making changes to quit your cannabis use-it is sticking to them in the long term has been hard.
It is not unusual for some people to try several times before achieving long term success so don't give up. The main goal is to develop more strategies for staying stopped. It is very common that the initial reaction to quitting is feeling more emotional for a while, but the longer you stay stopped the lesser these feelings usually become.
I hear you that you don't want to see a professional at the moment but perhaps some support in the way of good information, and maybe some Internet or casual phone support when things are tough will assist you. The booklet What's the deal on quitting? A do-it-yourself guide for cannabis users, which is available from the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC), could be helpful in giving you new strategies to help you achieve your goal of staying off cannabis.
If you don't want to talk directly to someone there are programs sent by mail and or online. You could look at CounsellingOnline or for those over 18 years, another program for cannabis users only is available from NCPIC. They also provide a phone service which can give you confidential, free and anonymous support, as brief as you like. You can phone there whenever you like, wherever you are, if you need extra support when you feel like you're having trouble sticking to your quit plan. Cannabis Information and Helpline: 1800 30 40 50. Take care and good luck.