Habit-forming or addictive?

Addictive, maybe not, but definitely habit-forming, was the response from anyone who wanted to challenge me. That's where I was wrong. Specifically, 1 in 10 people who try cannabis develop an addiction, and I was among that statistic.

It started at parties

I found a new group of friends who enjoyed indulging a bit more. Many in the group weren't particularly fans of alcohol but liked to smoke instead. It seemed logical and more intellectual to choose cannabis over alcohol. Maybe it is for some people, but for me, it was the beginning of something more.

I started hanging out with this group more frequently, even outside of parties. I entered an environment where weekends were spent on weed, snacks, and movies instead of partying and drinking. I was in my own high where I felt better than everyone else. Because this was something else.

Easy to choose something that brings good feelings

There came a day when every weekend turned into every evening, and every evening turned into every day. Everything I did was influenced by the feeling that it would have been more enjoyable if I were high. Later on, it developed to the point where nothing was fun unless I was high.

I couldn't even think about sleeping if I hadn't smoked a joint. But I couldn't possibly be addicted because it wasn't possible. Still, I felt the urge to buy more the moment I ran out.

I lost the ability to feel things that were painful, and I lost the ability to be bored. Why should I subject myself to negative emotions or boredom when I could replace them with a joint? I asked myself this in the same breath as I asked myself, "Where have all my friends gone?"

It didn't happen quickly, but it felt that way

Time became distorted. Suddenly, six months had passed where I had declined beers in the park with friends, skipped exercise after school, and said no to Sunday family dinners, all in favor of being high and alone in my room.

Change is possible, and it feels good after a while

he change for me happened when I googled, "How do I know if I'm addicted to cannabis?" The answer I received was, "If you've googled this question, chances are you probably are." That's the answer I give to anyone who wonders the same.

You're not alone, even though it may feel that way. You're not hopeless either. I tried quitting cannabis for a year. It was isolating, frustrating, and difficult. I felt bored a lot, and I experienced negative emotions. But it passed, it's possible!

It's possible to regain love, motivation, and joy in life without substance use. But it first requires being honest with yourself and those around you. Life may seem dull without drugs right now, but believe me, there's a whole spectrum of colors waiting beyond the haze of addiction.