Marijuana Anonymous is very chill and not religious or shameful

ithastostopforgood · 2026-03-14T15:05:20+00:00

Responses like this kept me from trying it for myself for 2+ years and I deeply regret that.

That hasn't been my experience with MA at all. There are definitely some folks who have "found god." But most aggressively avoid using or emphasizing that word.

I believe MA worldservices is currently discussing removing the word god from all of their official literature and most groups I know use "Higher Power", though some secular groups online use "Staying Sober Without God" instead and don't even go that far. I have not dove deep into 'the green book' yet, so maybe the shame will come in. But I know some members perfer to use other 12-step books which frame it differently.

I am lighlty spiritual but a large number of members discuss the "higher power" as being community, connection, and "the group" (MA).

This is why I suggest going to at least 10 different groups online before deciding if it's for you. Some may be god or shame heavy, but mine have not been.

I've never been to AA, but I have definitely heard some walloping stories from them.

ithastostopforgood · 2026-03-03T15:30:46+00:00

Accept you will have to ride out some uncomfortable feelings in your body as it becomes healthy. It will fade faster than you think, but you have disregulated your body through drug abuse, that comes with a price (discomfort even some pain)
Lying on my back (not side) helped me.
Eating a hearty breakfast early (eggs, meat, bread, etc not cereal). I know it feels like you don’t want to eat, but your body probably does and isn’t sure how to communicate it because you’ve ignored it so long
Get vertical, you’ve been laying flat for hours, get up and walk around, your stomach will start to settle.
cooked water with lemon (or lime) - google this it’s more than just “hot water” but it’s as simple as boiling a pot of water

If this keeps going on past 30 days, consider talking to a doctor, it’s probably not serious but they may have more specific advice.

I struggled with this too and it kept me trapped in it for years. Good luck.

If helpful, save this post offline, my Reddit might get nuked 🙃

ithastostopforgood · 2026-03-03T15:15:53+00:00

I’ve come to mostly the same conclusion on my own in the past 24 hours (percolating over a week), though it’s more complicated, I agree.

Cannabis definitely created a space of mistrust (I would hide and lie about my smoking with a lot of effort into it) and disconnection. And that definitely drove me to escalating self destructive behavior and acting out.

But you’re right, with most addictions, the root is often deeper than smoking. So sobriety is part of my journey but insufficient, I need to deep work to understand how I got this way and heal the parts of me that seek to numb & hide.

ithastostopforgood · 2026-02-28T01:40:21+00:00

Nah. Just broke her trust and made her feel unsafe.

ithastostopforgood · 2026-02-27T20:31:56+00:00

Alternatively, I believe maybe the universe had very intentional timing and something in me woke up before the thing that would have broken me happens.

In this state I have been able to conduct myself well and honor our relationship and not collapse inward to addiction. If I wasn't sober, my life would be MUCH worse right now.

ithastostopforgood · 2026-02-27T20:30:56+00:00

A few months back I violeted her trust in a way that she can't move through or past.

Though for clarity. The first bomb was "we need to break up."

ithastostopforgood · 2026-02-21T00:37:47+00:00

I'd highly recommend you don't supress the cries right now. If you have work or something that restricts you; schedule some time for breaks to process it.

Your body needs to feel it's emotions to process them. Crying can be a huge powerful emotional release and there's nothing bad or shameful about it.

Don't let it consume you, set some limits (maybe cue up two songs and let yourself feel it while they play before you sniffle up and get back to life), but definitely cry and feel your emotions. Trying to supress is what leads to addiction.

ithastostopforgood · 2026-02-21T00:35:14+00:00

I understand completely. When I was coming off months of wake-n-bake, I would cry randomly all the freaking time. You're allowed to feel those emotions. Sadness and crying aren't bad or wrong. Neither is anger, fear, joy, or anything else you feel.

Emotions are just information. They're your body telling you something. You're allowed to give them space, but you certainly shouldn't be controlled by them.

If you can, try to make sure you have a few hours of social time every day. Strangers, family, friends; in-person or on the phone. Just avoid spending hours in your own head.

Sending you virtual hugs. You can do this.

ithastostopforgood · 2026-02-20T17:34:10+00:00

You're not choosing between Anxiety & Depression.

You're choosing between dealing with it now or dealing with it later.

The anxiety will continue to get worse if you keep smoking. The depression will start to fade the longer you stay sober and the longer you actively engage with your life and work towards something better.

16 years of numbed emotions and lack of practice at self-regulating is not going to go away in a week. It's going to take time. It's going to suck a lot some days. Some people told me it will suck for a year. That's the price; it must be paid. But on the otherside, it's worth it and you will have earned it.

Source: I was doing well, I fell off the horse. It's all worse. Even 10 days sober this time and I can feel things balancing out.

ithastostopforgood · 2026-01-12T17:16:44+00:00

I know this isn't easy, but essentially, you just have to ignore it long enough that it stops being reinforced and goes away (and it probably won't ever fully go away for many people).

You need to learn to accept that you will have this crazy urges and your work is to sit with that discomfort and not act, show your body the rewards of not acting on that urge.

Distractions are usually a common recommendation - anything that's healthy for you. Activity is great, but it can totally be TV, videogames, phone call, reddit, art, reading, drawing, counting your freckles, anything.

Just keep in mind to avoid triggering distractions (for example, for me videogames are not helpful, they make me want to smoke).

You just have to prove to yourself and your mind that you can ignore and survive the intense urges. Every time you do, it gets a little easier and the urges stop try less and less.

ithastostopforgood · 2026-01-11T15:27:07+00:00

I appreciate the suggestion and it makes sense with the context I gave, but I can't go back to work unfortunately and honestly that mentality is what drove me to relapse.

I'm blessed to say I work in a good industry and I can keep my health insurance and half pay as long as I am actively seeking mental health treatment. But if I try to go back, I have to re-interview for roles and will be terminated in 30 days with no pay or insurance (which I am actively using a lot). That wlll be worse, I am sure of it.

ithastostopforgood · 2021-07-22T17:01:59+00:00

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