Marijuana, commonly referred to as pot, is the most commonly used controlled illicit drug in the United States, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Unfortunately marijuana can be addicting for some people, and marijuana contains many of the same cancer-causing ingredients that tobacco does. If you're ready to quit and take the first step towards living a healthier lifestyle, there are a few tips to get you started.
Step 1
Avoid friends, places and situations that have encouraged you to smoke pot in the past. Although this can be difficult, these aspects of your life can become triggers that intensify your cravings, or may even cause you to light up a joint without even thinking about it.
Step 2
Consider scheduling an appointment with a behavioral therapist who can give you alternative coping mechanisms. If you use marijuana as a way to relax or reduce stress, a behavioral therapist can teach you alternative ways to deal with your stress without lighting up. A therapist can also act as a sounding board during withdrawal or stressful times in your life where you may be more tempted to smoke.
Step 3
Treat underlying conditions for which you may be using pot to self-medicate. Many marijuana users utilize pot as a way to self medicate anything from anxiety and depression disorders to problems with chronic pain. Talk to your doctor about other medications or treatment options to help deal with these problems to remove the need to smoke.
Step 4
Build a support system of friends and family or join a support group. Having a support system gives you people to turn to when the temptation to smoke arises. A support system may also give you more motivation to successfully quit.
Step 5
Seek out residential or out-patient treatment. When you feel you can't quit pot on your own, a residential or out-patient program may be appropriate. These treatment programs combine group therapy, individual therapy, and other programs to help better increase your chances of quitting. Residential treatment allows you to live on the treatment campus with 24 hour supervision, while out-patient allows involves only day treatment and not overnight.
