Quitting cannabis: what happens and what helps
Many people think that quitting cannabis "is nothing", or, on the contrary, fear they won't manage it. The reality is more nuanced: after regular use, stopping can cause a withdrawal syndrome, usually not life-threatening but uncomfortable, and one that eventually goes away. Knowing what to expect is already a way of helping yourself.
Why stopping is felt
With frequent use, the brain adapts to the presence of THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, which acts on the endocannabinoid system, involved in sleep, mood, appetite and stress management. When the supply stops, this balance has to be restored, and that work is what causes the symptoms.
There is a second effect on top of this: if cannabis was used to sleep, to calm down or to cope (see the article on cannabis as a support), stopping brings back what it was covering: anxiety, insomnia, tension. It isn't always simply a "lack" of the product: it is also a need that has to find another answer.
What you may feel
The most commonly described effects are:
- irritability, nervousness, impatience;
- anxiety and low mood;
- sleep problems: trouble falling asleep, waking up, intense dreams or nightmares;
- reduced appetite, sometimes headaches, sweating;
- difficulty concentrating;
- a strong urge to use (craving).
Not everyone feels everything, and the intensity varies with how often and for how long someone has used, the context and the person's starting psychological state.
How long does it last?
Symptoms generally appear within 24 hours of stopping, peak between the third and seventh day, then fade over two to four weeks. Sleep problems and intense dreams can last longer than the rest. These durations are rough guides: they vary from person to person.
What helps you hold on
Without making it a protocol, some pointers help.
- Choose your moment and prepare it: a slightly less busy period, a date in mind, telling someone you trust.
- Reduce access: throw out or give away your stock, stay away from the situations where you usually use.
- Protect your sleep: regular hours, no screens just before bed, physical activity during the day. Drogues Info Service (a French service) also recommends getting back to physical activity or trying relaxation techniques to ease the tension that returns.
- Move, eat, drink water: the body is going through a period of readjustment.
- Watch for substitutions: replacing cannabis with more alcohol, tobacco or medication only moves the problem.
- Ride out the cravings: they rise, peak, then fall within a few minutes. Changing place, calling someone, keeping your hands busy helps you get through the wave.
- Be kind to yourself: one difficult evening doesn't mean the attempt has failed.
When to get help
Support is particularly useful if:
- use is daily and long-standing, or combined with other substances;
- several attempts to stop have failed;
- anxiety, mood or sleep are disturbed for a long time, with or without cannabis;
- you feel the need to understand what cannabis is regulating for you;
- you are a young person or the parent of one: the free youth consultations for cannabis users (CJC, in France) exist for this.
A doctor can offer, depending on the situation, help with sleep or anxiety during the period of stopping. An addiction specialist can also help you understand the place cannabis has in your life and prepare for what comes after. The Cannabis addiction page presents the support offered, and the cannabis quiz lets you test your knowledge.
Need to talk right now? Écoute Cannabis: 0 980 980 940 and Drogues Info Service: 0 800 23 13 13 answer anonymously (these are French numbers).
Further reading
- Withdrawal: why it can't be improvised, and how to prepare
- Relapse in addiction: what it tells you, and what helps you start again
- Cannabis: when use becomes a support for sleeping, coping or calming down
- Craving: understanding the irresistible urge, and how to get through it
Frequently asked questions about quitting cannabis
Is stopping cannabis dangerous?
Generally not: cannabis withdrawal is uncomfortable but not life-threatening, unlike withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines. It can, however, be hard on the mind. If your mood collapses or suicidal thoughts appear, ask for help quickly.
How long does the craving last?
Symptoms generally peak in the first week then ease over two to four weeks. Sleep and intense dreams can take longer to settle. Occasional cravings can come back later in certain situations: they pass too.
Should I stop all at once or cut down gradually?
Both approaches exist, and the right choice depends on the person, their use and their goal. Gradual reduction suits some people, a clean stop suits others. A professional can help you choose, especially if use is long-standing or daily.
Why is my sleep so disturbed since I stopped?
Cannabis changes sleep, and stopping causes a phase of readjustment: trouble falling asleep, waking up, intense dreams. This is common and most often temporary. If it lasts or becomes distressing, talk to a doctor: solutions exist.
To prepare for stopping with a professional, you can book an appointment.
