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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Smoking Weed
Question: Hi, I'm 19 years old, male, athletic (workout 6 days a week, play basketball 5 days a week), studying Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa and my goal is to become a doctor. I smoke weed and I started in grade 10 but I only smoked once a week, if that. Around the end of grade 11 I started smoking more frequently and grade 12 I was smoking nearly 4 or 5 times a week. At the start of University I was very motivated (writing notes, studying everyday for hours, going to class/social activities) and this lasted all the way until after the first midterms (i got an 88 in Human Anatomy & Physiology, my hardest class) but then I started hanging out more with my stoner friend and now I smoke weed everyday from morning until night and I like to stay in my room and lay in bed all day on my laptop. I only get the motivation to workout and play basketball. I don't have any to do my work or even go to classes. No matter how much I tell myself I shouldn't be laying down or I shouldn't be smoking, the end result is me in bed. I don't believe I am depressed and I am definitely not socially challenged or anything like that. I believe i have amotivation syndrome; why do i have no guilt from my degrading marks and lack of social activity? I really want to change, I NEED HELP, i beleive I have the potential to be an extraordinary man when i grow up. I am creative, funny, athletic and smart but I am unable to stope destroying my life.
Brief Answer:
Amotivational syndroma
Detailed Answer:
Hello Welcome to HCM
I have read your query and I can understand your concern. You are a young 19 years old male with good health. You love to play basket ball. You have started smoking weed (cannabis/marijuana) since last 2-3 years and you lost your motivation.
Most likely cause of your lack of social functions, poor motivation, poor functioning is Amotivational Syndrome. It is a common finding in some chronic smokers of weed that with chronic use they develop amotivational syndrome. The syndrome is characterised by lack of motivation, apathy, poor functioning and other side effects.
Best way to improve from amotivational syndrome is to stop using weed. The syndrome should not be overlooked at in long time it may result in more and more negative symptoms and will worsen the condition. Fortunately weed don't cause physical dependence so its easy to wean off from that drug. This is definitely not depression and yes if you will stop using the drug you will become a good successful man. You still love to play basketball, so give more and more time in playing basket ball. This will increase your confidence and you will start taking interest in other things also.
Drugs like amisulpiride which increase dopamine (pleasure hormone) which is also a good drug is negative symptoms can help in such situations. But for proper prescriptions you need to visit a Psychiatrist. As per my opinion stop the use and exercise daily. Take diets rich in vitamin B12, Omega 3 fatty acids and rich in carbohydrates and proteins, low in fats. Such changes will help in early recovery.
Don't feel low, you will be alright.
Hope this helps you.
Thanks, you can ask again if you have more doubts.
Amotivational syndroma
Detailed Answer:
Hello Welcome to HCM
I have read your query and I can understand your concern. You are a young 19 years old male with good health. You love to play basket ball. You have started smoking weed (cannabis/marijuana) since last 2-3 years and you lost your motivation.
Most likely cause of your lack of social functions, poor motivation, poor functioning is Amotivational Syndrome. It is a common finding in some chronic smokers of weed that with chronic use they develop amotivational syndrome. The syndrome is characterised by lack of motivation, apathy, poor functioning and other side effects.
Best way to improve from amotivational syndrome is to stop using weed. The syndrome should not be overlooked at in long time it may result in more and more negative symptoms and will worsen the condition. Fortunately weed don't cause physical dependence so its easy to wean off from that drug. This is definitely not depression and yes if you will stop using the drug you will become a good successful man. You still love to play basketball, so give more and more time in playing basket ball. This will increase your confidence and you will start taking interest in other things also.
Drugs like amisulpiride which increase dopamine (pleasure hormone) which is also a good drug is negative symptoms can help in such situations. But for proper prescriptions you need to visit a Psychiatrist. As per my opinion stop the use and exercise daily. Take diets rich in vitamin B12, Omega 3 fatty acids and rich in carbohydrates and proteins, low in fats. Such changes will help in early recovery.
Don't feel low, you will be alright.
Hope this helps you.
Thanks, you can ask again if you have more doubts.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Today I did not smoke until 5pm but up to it all i could think about was smoking. I was out shopping with my roommate and when i got home i smoked right away. The problem with playing too much basketball is then i am not doing any school work. How can i become motivated to do school work, not smoke, and wake up and get out of bed?
Brief Answer:
Psychological dependence
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
You was only thinking about smoking till 5 pm. This was due to psychological dependence on weed only. As you have mentioned that playing basketball result in loss of work, but for some time in order to stop weed you have to prioritise the tasks from more tolerable to less tolerable. During class work you suffer more anxiety and there is need for smoking but during play you feel a little motivated. So shift yourself from weed to play. After some time you will stop using weed and then you can start doing your classes with priority.
Exercise release endorphins and this result in improvement of mood.
Take activating drinks like Coffee, chocolate drinks to improve wakefulness.
Modafinil is a drug that is specifically useful to increase motivation and it increase wakefulness. The drug is also free of side effects and don't carry abuse potential. But for prescription you have to visit a psychiatrist for help. Doses of even 50-100 mg result in improvement.
Thanks, hope this helps you.
You can as again if you have more unresolved doubts.
Psychological dependence
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
You was only thinking about smoking till 5 pm. This was due to psychological dependence on weed only. As you have mentioned that playing basketball result in loss of work, but for some time in order to stop weed you have to prioritise the tasks from more tolerable to less tolerable. During class work you suffer more anxiety and there is need for smoking but during play you feel a little motivated. So shift yourself from weed to play. After some time you will stop using weed and then you can start doing your classes with priority.
Exercise release endorphins and this result in improvement of mood.
Take activating drinks like Coffee, chocolate drinks to improve wakefulness.
Modafinil is a drug that is specifically useful to increase motivation and it increase wakefulness. The drug is also free of side effects and don't carry abuse potential. But for prescription you have to visit a psychiatrist for help. Doses of even 50-100 mg result in improvement.
Thanks, hope this helps you.
You can as again if you have more unresolved doubts.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Wow, thank you doctor Bishnoi for your incredibly helpful and thorough feedback.
I want tonight to be my last night smoking weed and being unproductive. I would like to start waking up early and doing everything I need to do everyday (clean, cook, shower, attend meetings, etc). Can you tell me how i should prepare for tomorrows first day of being sober and what i should do tomorrow as far as being productive or seeking help? Should I have a final smoke tonight for closure? should i play basketball all day? Also i have midterm in few days should i use addarral? Thaank you so much by the way Dr. Bishnoi i wish to become a good doctor like yourself one day.
I want tonight to be my last night smoking weed and being unproductive. I would like to start waking up early and doing everything I need to do everyday (clean, cook, shower, attend meetings, etc). Can you tell me how i should prepare for tomorrows first day of being sober and what i should do tomorrow as far as being productive or seeking help? Should I have a final smoke tonight for closure? should i play basketball all day? Also i have midterm in few days should i use addarral? Thaank you so much by the way Dr. Bishnoi i wish to become a good doctor like yourself one day.
Brief Answer:
Stop from today only
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
You are a young healthy man and this will help in early recovery.
Why do you want to wait for tomorrow. If possible quit from today only.
Start your day with your daily routine and exercise hard to decrease the anxiety and craving. You can play basket ball. Listen music and keep your motivation alive.
No don't use adderall. The drug has abuse potential. For some days you will feel better but again after some times you will become dependent on it. As per my opinion don't think about starting adderall.
I hope to see you in medical fraternity one day. Don't loose your confidence and study hard.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Best of luck.
Stop from today only
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
You are a young healthy man and this will help in early recovery.
Why do you want to wait for tomorrow. If possible quit from today only.
Start your day with your daily routine and exercise hard to decrease the anxiety and craving. You can play basket ball. Listen music and keep your motivation alive.
No don't use adderall. The drug has abuse potential. For some days you will feel better but again after some times you will become dependent on it. As per my opinion don't think about starting adderall.
I hope to see you in medical fraternity one day. Don't loose your confidence and study hard.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Best of luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
What about when I am in my room and i crave smoking, or when i can't sleep. Or what if i give in again
Brief Answer:
Keep yourself motivated
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
As I have mentioned earlier, this has no physical dependence. It has only psychological dependence. So I understand you might have mild to moderate craving. Keep yourself motivated for your future and this will help.
You can take lukewarm milk which will help in sleep and will keep you relaxed. Strain yourself and there will be no craving. Light music with dim lights in room will help. Talk to any close friend or family member to keep your confidence alive.
Thanks, if still have more uncleared things you can ask again.
Regards
Keep yourself motivated
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
As I have mentioned earlier, this has no physical dependence. It has only psychological dependence. So I understand you might have mild to moderate craving. Keep yourself motivated for your future and this will help.
You can take lukewarm milk which will help in sleep and will keep you relaxed. Strain yourself and there will be no craving. Light music with dim lights in room will help. Talk to any close friend or family member to keep your confidence alive.
Thanks, if still have more uncleared things you can ask again.
Regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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