Having a goal you dont want to compromise is a very powerful tool in combating compulsive behavior. I have driven past the gas station that still sells the synthetic several times without much of any temptation at all. Today I drove past and forgot to even look over at it!
Another theory about the synthetic and why it messes with sleep. If , like marijuana, the synthetic suppresses adrenaline. And once you stop the adrenaline will flood back causing brief periods of anger, and also restlessness at night. Then when you consider that the synthetic is 20 - 800 times as strong as marijauna it makes sense that this adrenaline surge would be greatly exaggerated with the synthetic.
If the actual high last an average of 30 minutes and you are smoking really strong synthetic , then when the high wears off the adrenaline comes back full force. So if you use this drug to sleep,it will put you to sleep. Then , when the adrenaline surge happens it affects your dreams, making them really intense and vivid. The result is you will wake up every 1 1/2 to 2 hours as a result because you cannot achieve deep sleep with your body running off of adrenaline. So then you smoke more, and the process will just repeat itself all night long depriving you of much needed rest.
The last synthetic I smoked was really strong , and I smoked it with a really low tolerance. Even after a short 8 day stint I was awaking every hour! Sometimes 7 and 8 times a night!! Because marijuana was so much weaker by comparison, when I smoked pot I would sleep like the dead. The adrenaline surge with MJ was much weaker and it didnt really affect me much til days after I quit , and even then it was just not that bad.
But if you keep running on adrenaline for extended periods of time you will experience the same problems that soldiers do when they are in combat situations for a really long time. You start to crack! Our bodies are not designed to run at such a high level for extended periods. When we do it takes its toll. Mentally and physically!
Just more theories...
If the actual high last an average of 30 minutes and you are smoking really strong synthetic , then when the high wears off the adrenaline comes back full force. So if you use this drug to sleep,it will put you to sleep. Then , when the adrenaline surge happens it affects your dreams, making them really intense and vivid. The result is you will wake up every 1 1/2 to 2 hours as a result because you cannot achieve deep sleep with your body running off of adrenaline. So then you smoke more, and the process will just repeat itself all night long depriving you of much needed rest.
The last synthetic I smoked was really strong , and I smoked it with a really low tolerance. Even after a short 8 day stint I was awaking every hour! Sometimes 7 and 8 times a night!! Because marijuana was so much weaker by comparison, when I smoked pot I would sleep like the dead. The adrenaline surge with MJ was much weaker and it didnt really affect me much til days after I quit , and even then it was just not that bad.
But if you keep running on adrenaline for extended periods of time you will experience the same problems that soldiers do when they are in combat situations for a really long time. You start to crack! Our bodies are not designed to run at such a high level for extended periods. When we do it takes its toll. Mentally and physically!
Just more theories...
hi everyone,im so glad to see this site and lucky my wife found it for me,im on day 6 and find the worst symptoms are not sleeping,ive prolly have 5-6 since i quit,i do find the lose of appetite as well is annoying as want to eat,feel hungry but even a kids meal is to big to look at.Im blessed to be in a part time job i love working 7.30-midday which is really helpful as i think full days of unemployment i couldnt do it.I have heard around day 19 is the worst,i find my moods are that bad hopefully they arnt,i find i am burying myself into trying positive things like getting into politics and trying think of ideas and work in help my local community.I had been a 20yr pot smoker and managed to quit that until a friend brought the imitation weed around and since it was legal,i didnt think it would be worse the pot,but now regret ever touching it,and after talking to healthcare workers am so upset that our government actually lets this stuff get sold.The manufacturers are evil and making money of peoples misery and destroying families and i actually hate the people who sell it.I have a friend who has no intention of quitting and loves the intense hit and is a heavier smoker than I was.I have avoided him as i never ever want to touch it again.Again I would like to thank everyone for this site as its tough as hell to keep positive sometimes and sometimes i just want to go "screw it,lets go buy some" but i wont and will never again.
matt
If you are on day 6 you are doing very well. The sleep thing does suck, but just know that the more you smoke the synthetic the worse that will get. So stopping should slowly bring that back to where you can get some rest.
Eat fruit, get lots of liquids, and stay busy. You are already doing so many of the things that will speed up your recovery. Staying involved with people, working, and most importantly staying positive. Develop good habits and you will find quitting easier. You will have mood swings, just dont start thinking of the quick fix to solve these. Stay committed to the long term!
If you are on day 6 you are doing very well. The sleep thing does suck, but just know that the more you smoke the synthetic the worse that will get. So stopping should slowly bring that back to where you can get some rest.
Eat fruit, get lots of liquids, and stay busy. You are already doing so many of the things that will speed up your recovery. Staying involved with people, working, and most importantly staying positive. Develop good habits and you will find quitting easier. You will have mood swings, just dont start thinking of the quick fix to solve these. Stay committed to the long term!
I have been reading a lot of these posts and they are really helping me. I have all the withdrawal symptoms you talk about every time I've tried to quit or have run out. I get severe rectal bleeding. Or I don't know if that is what you'd call it. Anyway, it feels like I am going to have diarrhea and instead of feces, it is the most horrifying amount of blood. This will continue until I get more and then it goes away as if by magic. Does anyone else have this? This is what is scaring me about coming off. I had planned to quit in a few more days (I couldn't just quit and get sick I have responsibilities). Very ironically, everything is setup and ready for this, but now just today the cops shut the shop down. Now, I am going to have to deal with these withdrawals before I have my support in place. I am REALLY scared that I will die trying to come off because of the bleeding. I would feel stronger to know that this is a symptom others have experienced. Thank you everybody for sharing! You don't know how much this is helping me!
Here's my two cents worth. Mother of 3 under 7, husband has been smoking this GARBAGE for weeks. He started using this synthetic to pass drug tests at work. Little did he know he might as well be smoking METH. NOTHING like marijuana, not natural, ALL CHEMICALS. Now me n kids suffer pure HELL as he tries to quit. Nastiest, mean prick you can imagine. Unreal the pain and suffering it has caused this family. It's chemicals people, chemicals like acetone, wake up...
Thanks for the survival kit Josh. This stuff is serious, I want to quit so bad that I hope the store selling get caught for the illegal sale. Every time I turn around I am need of synthetic. On Day 2 , can't keep food down, hot and cold at the same time. I know where I can get weed everyday but I started synthetic so a drug test won't ding me. Weed was not this hard to stop! What is this ish doing to our bodies? HELP I AM SUFFERING!
Chris
You are right when you say the synthetic is not weed. It really is not much like weed at all when you really look at what this drug does to your personality and behavior. Pot isnt really addictive physically, the synthetic is VERY addictive. The synthetic will also mess with your sleep , increase the depression you feel when quitting, and will make the mental temptations to resume use very hard to resist.
There are tips to deal with the suffering , but the only thing to do in order to get better is to just stop smoking it. I am lucky that it is illegal in my state. I have only smoked about 5 grams in the last 8 months now and in a lot of ways I can tell a huge difference in my thinking from when I really tried to quit for good in February. I dont get as upset - or depressed - or as anxious about the problems I face. When smoking? I would have told you that is calmed me down, put me in a good mood, and made the problems easier to deal with......the exact opposite of reality!
Many of us had a lot of experience with marijuana and thought we knew what we were doing when we smoked the synthetic. And most of us have found out the hard way that it is not the same drug at all. The synthetic will produce acute psychosis when smoked a lot. This goes away after use, but when smoking it will make ordinary problems seem overwhelming.....not when you are smoking - but when you are sober and realize the severity of the problem.
I used to thing there were positives about smoking. I didnt know , and still dont, what chemicals were actually in the stuff I was smoking. I've heard everything from acetone, nail polish remover, and many other things you would never knowingly smoke if you knew it was there.
Just know that a relapse wont fix the mental duress you are under. It will only make it worse - so stay away from it!
You are right when you say the synthetic is not weed. It really is not much like weed at all when you really look at what this drug does to your personality and behavior. Pot isnt really addictive physically, the synthetic is VERY addictive. The synthetic will also mess with your sleep , increase the depression you feel when quitting, and will make the mental temptations to resume use very hard to resist.
There are tips to deal with the suffering , but the only thing to do in order to get better is to just stop smoking it. I am lucky that it is illegal in my state. I have only smoked about 5 grams in the last 8 months now and in a lot of ways I can tell a huge difference in my thinking from when I really tried to quit for good in February. I dont get as upset - or depressed - or as anxious about the problems I face. When smoking? I would have told you that is calmed me down, put me in a good mood, and made the problems easier to deal with......the exact opposite of reality!
Many of us had a lot of experience with marijuana and thought we knew what we were doing when we smoked the synthetic. And most of us have found out the hard way that it is not the same drug at all. The synthetic will produce acute psychosis when smoked a lot. This goes away after use, but when smoking it will make ordinary problems seem overwhelming.....not when you are smoking - but when you are sober and realize the severity of the problem.
I used to thing there were positives about smoking. I didnt know , and still dont, what chemicals were actually in the stuff I was smoking. I've heard everything from acetone, nail polish remover, and many other things you would never knowingly smoke if you knew it was there.
Just know that a relapse wont fix the mental duress you are under. It will only make it worse - so stay away from it!
Hello,
I am not too sure whether this thread is still active, but it doesnt really matter.
After reading through the posts and replies on this thread, I am glad there are some similar stories and situations which are helping to open my eyes a little wider.
I am 29 and have smoked weed consistently since I was around 17. I have been smoking synthetics pretty much every day for the past 2 3 years. The only time I have had a break from getting high is when I go on holiday, where I would experience no withdrawals (perhaps because my mind was kept busy away from temptation).
I have been smoking like a trooper, 30 joints a day, like I am invincible. I always saw myself as a highly functional user. Fit, healthy, no worries in the world, laid back, love life for what it is, every problem is a first world problem and thinking everyone needs to see the greener side of life.
I have always been employed, earned my own money, never borrowed, graduated from university, enjoy reading, listening to music, playing sports basically enjoy everything in life.
The negative; everything I do or have done in my twenties, has been done stoned or very close to it.
I was a late bloomer, didnt finish high school, but went to university as a mature age student. I studied stoned, completed my University exams stoned, I would have a joint before, during and after work. I would have a joint while resting in-between exercise sets.
I actually cant remember life not stoned. In the last 10 years I cannot remember having more than 2 weeks off.
The only person who knows how long its been going on for is my partner of 9 years. Unfortunately, I have sucked her into my stoned life and I am pretty sure she is at her wits end with it as well.
I am now becoming a serial piker because I cancel plans last minute to stay home and get stoned rather than socialise.
I have tried to quit around 5 times in the past month, I have yet to succeed in taking a day off. I always find an excuse to buy more. I will purposefully start an argument with my partner just so I have an excuse to buy some so that I calm down.
I have bought bags, smoked a cone or a joint and chucked it away thinking that all I needed was one hit. One hour later I would be back at the shop for more, or rummaging through the bin or sink pipes to save what was thrown.
I hope that one day I will go to the smoke shop and they tell me they no longer sell it. Easy way out? Yes. I live a 5 minute walk from the shop that sells it.
I guess this post is more about reflection, the feeling that I am coming close to kicking this bad habit, eliminating it from my life.
But how can I kick something that I actually enjoy?
more-so,Do I actually enjoy it? or is it just part of the addiction telling me I enjoy it?
I cant remember the last time I had a day off getting high.
One of the biggest fears I have is that I dont actually know my non-stoned self, I cant remember him.
I hope that before I reach 30 I find him again, start afresh and live a life of real fulfillment.
I respect all of you that have quit and succeeded and I wish the best to those that are still trying.
Hopefully I can succeed and post again to let you know how it all went.
Cheers for reading.
I am not too sure whether this thread is still active, but it doesnt really matter.
After reading through the posts and replies on this thread, I am glad there are some similar stories and situations which are helping to open my eyes a little wider.
I am 29 and have smoked weed consistently since I was around 17. I have been smoking synthetics pretty much every day for the past 2 3 years. The only time I have had a break from getting high is when I go on holiday, where I would experience no withdrawals (perhaps because my mind was kept busy away from temptation).
I have been smoking like a trooper, 30 joints a day, like I am invincible. I always saw myself as a highly functional user. Fit, healthy, no worries in the world, laid back, love life for what it is, every problem is a first world problem and thinking everyone needs to see the greener side of life.
I have always been employed, earned my own money, never borrowed, graduated from university, enjoy reading, listening to music, playing sports basically enjoy everything in life.
The negative; everything I do or have done in my twenties, has been done stoned or very close to it.
I was a late bloomer, didnt finish high school, but went to university as a mature age student. I studied stoned, completed my University exams stoned, I would have a joint before, during and after work. I would have a joint while resting in-between exercise sets.
I actually cant remember life not stoned. In the last 10 years I cannot remember having more than 2 weeks off.
The only person who knows how long its been going on for is my partner of 9 years. Unfortunately, I have sucked her into my stoned life and I am pretty sure she is at her wits end with it as well.
I am now becoming a serial piker because I cancel plans last minute to stay home and get stoned rather than socialise.
I have tried to quit around 5 times in the past month, I have yet to succeed in taking a day off. I always find an excuse to buy more. I will purposefully start an argument with my partner just so I have an excuse to buy some so that I calm down.
I have bought bags, smoked a cone or a joint and chucked it away thinking that all I needed was one hit. One hour later I would be back at the shop for more, or rummaging through the bin or sink pipes to save what was thrown.
I hope that one day I will go to the smoke shop and they tell me they no longer sell it. Easy way out? Yes. I live a 5 minute walk from the shop that sells it.
I guess this post is more about reflection, the feeling that I am coming close to kicking this bad habit, eliminating it from my life.
But how can I kick something that I actually enjoy?
more-so,Do I actually enjoy it? or is it just part of the addiction telling me I enjoy it?
I cant remember the last time I had a day off getting high.
One of the biggest fears I have is that I dont actually know my non-stoned self, I cant remember him.
I hope that before I reach 30 I find him again, start afresh and live a life of real fulfillment.
I respect all of you that have quit and succeeded and I wish the best to those that are still trying.
Hopefully I can succeed and post again to let you know how it all went.
Cheers for reading.
JM
I am 46 now, but my twenties were a big blur to me as well. I too was very functional when high, took exams while stoned, even maintained a B average while doing so. But what started out as something social quickly isolated me in many of the ways you have described.
The problems with the synthetic were not as bad while I was smoking it. The real trouble seemed to be in the weeks and even months following the cessation of my most extreme use. The synthetic is a different ballgame from mj. I still dont really consider myself 'addicted' to pot because I can put it away for weeks and months and even years if I really want to. I have done this many times over the years. And for a long-term pot smoker who gets entwined in the synthetic nightmare? Pot actually helped smooth out the long term withdrawals.
The synthetic is illegal where I live, has been since July. But I actually know a 'manufacturer' of the stuff they sell in the gas stations - through a friend. He said that he once had to mix a batch quick because of high demand, and he didnt let it dry thoroughly. He said the synthetic disolved the ink on the bag....Because it is unregulated they take a lot of shortcuts - you really should stay away from the synthetic at all costs. No telling WHAT is really in this poison!
Its the habits that are hard to break....Get high to eat, get high to watch a movie, get high to work....etc. Breaking free of the mental dependence is much harder than the physical addiction. But even when smoking the most, I could stop for a day or two (failed attempts to quit) fairly often.
Do what you can to quit. Even if you have to compromise by smoking some Mj during this time, you need to get away from the synthetic. You are playing russian roulette with your mind!
let us know how it goes
I am 46 now, but my twenties were a big blur to me as well. I too was very functional when high, took exams while stoned, even maintained a B average while doing so. But what started out as something social quickly isolated me in many of the ways you have described.
The problems with the synthetic were not as bad while I was smoking it. The real trouble seemed to be in the weeks and even months following the cessation of my most extreme use. The synthetic is a different ballgame from mj. I still dont really consider myself 'addicted' to pot because I can put it away for weeks and months and even years if I really want to. I have done this many times over the years. And for a long-term pot smoker who gets entwined in the synthetic nightmare? Pot actually helped smooth out the long term withdrawals.
The synthetic is illegal where I live, has been since July. But I actually know a 'manufacturer' of the stuff they sell in the gas stations - through a friend. He said that he once had to mix a batch quick because of high demand, and he didnt let it dry thoroughly. He said the synthetic disolved the ink on the bag....Because it is unregulated they take a lot of shortcuts - you really should stay away from the synthetic at all costs. No telling WHAT is really in this poison!
Its the habits that are hard to break....Get high to eat, get high to watch a movie, get high to work....etc. Breaking free of the mental dependence is much harder than the physical addiction. But even when smoking the most, I could stop for a day or two (failed attempts to quit) fairly often.
Do what you can to quit. Even if you have to compromise by smoking some Mj during this time, you need to get away from the synthetic. You are playing russian roulette with your mind!
let us know how it goes
my husband is tyring to stop smoking, as a wife what can i do to help him overcome this. im dealt with him like this for the past 2 years and im just ready to throw in the towel but i dont see myself giving up hime.
I am an addict and a half. All of these symptoms I am having. All the stuff that goes along with going to get it and having it all the time. I am scared, sick, alone, tired, totally fed up with being fed up; My stomach is killing me and my body feels numb and tight and my sex life, which used to amazing is GONE I have a large p**** and it is gone, won't get up cuz of the spice. I'm scared everyone.
Tonight is the first night that I have ran out of synthetic weed. I have been on it for about a year and a half. I am worried about my health but will say anything to justify it. I want it so bad. My boyfriend is the one who gets it for me and my mom doesn't like him, but she doesn't know we are on it. I smoke cigarettes too. She caught me once and I was supposed to quit I need help with my addiction but I make it sound like its no big deal.. It's only getting high.. No. Its going to kill me. Help?
needhelp
Quitting spice is not easy, or comfortable, but most of the physical discomfort subsides after 3-4 days. Just know that if you dont like how you feel now it will be worse if you put it off til later. If you have smoked nonstop the last year and a half you will experience fever, upset stomach, headaches, vivid dreams. You will have no appetite whatsoever. One thing that I relied upon was reading about addiction and coming to this site and writing what I observed. I think the act of writing things out helps to clarify your convictions.
Quitting spice is not easy, or comfortable, but most of the physical discomfort subsides after 3-4 days. Just know that if you dont like how you feel now it will be worse if you put it off til later. If you have smoked nonstop the last year and a half you will experience fever, upset stomach, headaches, vivid dreams. You will have no appetite whatsoever. One thing that I relied upon was reading about addiction and coming to this site and writing what I observed. I think the act of writing things out helps to clarify your convictions.
Hi. I was wondering after quitting were any of u guys dizzy and weak at all?
My husband found this site for me because after over 4years I am quitting for good.
Its great to see DAC and others come back and continue to share. I hope to do the same but now just have to start this journey. I'm getting my survival kit together and I'm scared as Hell but I know I have to do this. I start at midnight.
Its great to see DAC and others come back and continue to share. I hope to do the same but now just have to start this journey. I'm getting my survival kit together and I'm scared as Hell but I know I have to do this. I start at midnight.
Tristan. When I ran out I would get weak and have awful stomach cramps. I haven't completely stopped yet I'm setting today as my last day to use. I'm scared but have my husband.
The stomach cramps, fever, and diahrea all go away after 3-4 days. You will still not feel GOOD at that point , but it shoud be manageable. Once you go a couple of days without eating much you will start to develop normal cycles again. After a week you should be able to eat fairly normally again. Withdrawals are like getting a case of the flu. Just make sure once you recover from the 'flu' you dont get 'sick' again.
Made it through day1. Not really awful physically but mental. I had to pass the store I bought from and it was hard. I mostly used in my bedroom so I moved outta there until I'm stronger. Got chillow (as seen on tv) for sweats, but havent really had any yet. I can smell spice/k2 (whatever u wanna call it) on everything that comes out of bedroom. My husband has been my absolute ROCK!! I know I'm bitchy but he just brushes it off an keeps helping me. I'm still scared but I know I have to do this. Still not sleeping well but I do use natural sleep aids until I get through this. Appetite sucks but I got soup. I got joshs survival kit and ready for battle. I'll post when I can. Is anyone else quitting now. Love to hear about it. This site helps so much. DAC thanks for keeping up and all ur advice.
Reading through this has helped so much truly grateful. Im on day 6 now of giving up this man made devils drug and its the hardest thing ive ever had to do the 1st 3 days defiantly being the worse no sleep at all constant cold sweats but my biggest problem is the anxiety that wont seem to budge even on day 6 can anyone shed some light at to when this horrible feeling will go ive been signed off for 2 weeks but if the anxiety doesnt go i really dont think i could ever face going back to work im really scared ive done permanent damage. Ive always seen myself as a confident person but thismorning failed to even take my fog out due to my anxiety levels
