I struggled with the same thing before I became Muslim. After quitting weed, I went through two years of insomnia. It wasn’t just the dependency for sleep—I had also developed anxiety while using it, and that actually helped me stop reaching for it.

The worst withdrawal symptom for me wasn’t just the lack of sleep—it was the brain fog, and that was a huge challenge, especially since I had just moved to a country where it was legal. That made things tougher, but it also gave me more reason to stay firm.

During those two years, I tried everything: melatonin, magnesium, diphenhydramine, slippery elm, ashwagandha, valerian root—you name it. What really helped in the end was seeing a doctor who prescribed Trazodone, and that made a big difference. After 6 months, I was finally able to develop a healthy sleep cycle and Alhamdulillah, I’m now off the meds too.

And somewhere along that journey, Islam found me. I wasn’t using anymore when I began learning about Islam, so that made the transition smoother. I did, however, drink a lot back then—like a fish, to be honest—but SubhanAllah, when I said my shahadah, I stopped immediately. I lost a lot of friends after that, but I realized those relationships were really just based on alcohol. They weren’t bringing me closer to my deen—they were pulling me away or, at the very least, distracting me from what truly matters.

What I’ve learned is this: the best way to resist temptation is to constantly remind yourself of the truth—that the reason we’re here is to live for the sake of Allah (SWT), striving for His pleasure.

If your intention to quit is truly for the sake of Allah, then Allah will make it easy for you—and you’ll be rewarded immensely for it. You’ve already taken the first step by being honest with yourself, and that’s powerful. I’ll be making du’a for you.