I know IBU. Don't know how to stop smoking marijuana

[HelloImAnxious]

Have suffered a great deal these past few years. It's been very traumatic. I am currently on anti depressants and have very bad anxiety.

I am in counselling and I have seen my GP but for the past about 6 months I've taken to self medicating with weed.

It's not something I ever really did before except try out a few times in my teens and I imagine a lot of my friends / family would be completely shocked by it but I'm not sure how to stop or even if I want to though I know I should.

It's as though it's an escape. It lets me forget how shit I feel for just a few hours. I feel like I don't really care about what's going on in my life for a little while.

I've suffered with fertility problems which have resulted in the loss of a few pregnancies, some at later stages which have been so awful. I just enjoy the escape from going over and over it in my head all day.

Can I have a hand hold please MN?

If it's actually providing you with some relief then why stop it?

There are better ways to be for sure, but there's also worse ways to be, although if it's concerning you then maybe you do want to do something about it

I don't know I guess I would think it's not doing my anxiety any good. I also don't want to become reliant on it which I think is already the case to be honest.

You can from me OP I've had my own battles with weed and it's as clear as day to me that it won't solve your problems and may well make them worse, but I also understand the need for escape so no judgement here. PM me if you think it would help.

You can self refer to your local Drugs and Alcohol services.

Trouble with self medicating alongside counselling is it can numb the feelings you need to work on. It's a bit like putting foundation on a rash before going to see your gp about it.
Why not contact your local drug service? Or NA? Or speak to the counsellor.

I use it too.
I became addicted to scrip drugs inadvertently and now I avoid codeine and instead smoke.

Are you dealing with day to day stuff ok?
Depression stable?
Is it having a negative impact on anything?
Is it escalating?

Is it escalating?

At first it was a 'treat' every so often. Now it's like I get really annoyed if I can't have it one night for whatever reason. It's like it's the only thing I want to do when I get home because my head won't be quiet otherwise. It helps me sleep too.

I'd say day to day I'm okay. Work is fine.

I will look into the local drug services although I feel so embarrassed about it

You need to see the GP about your mental health and anxiety so why not mention it?
If it's escalating it could be more to do with an escape than a destress which just highlights you need a bit more help than AD.
Also you can get the smoking bollocking too

The thing with using weed to self medicate may work well initially, then you become dependent on the weed.
It may not be physically addictive it is definitely mentally addictive, all addictions escalate anxiety.
I am a weed addict 20 years. I don't know the answer to stop my crutch that ruins my life it keeps me awake at night, loving the relaxed feeling of getting high doesn't encourage me to quit either.

Do you know exactly what it is? whether it is an indica or sativa strain? Some strains will exasperate anxiety more than others. Maybe a full-spectrum CBD (not pure) would be better to relieve your tensions.

My SIL was where you are about 30 years ago. Despite all the best advice she did not seek any help or support. She is long addicted, anxious and socially isolated and you can see the effects of THCs on her as her anxiety gets higher and higher.

There ar so many high standard studies that show that whatever the user thinks about cannabis reducing depression, anxiety and stress it actually increases them.

Do look up your local drug services. They won't judge you!