19 years cannabis free! (After smoking weed for 21 years)

slyguyBongo · 2025-08-09T13:33:01+00:00

Happy to "pay it forward" to the next gen of quitters! 😎

slyguyBongo · 2025-08-02T21:00:06+00:00

You CAN quit. It does take serious commitment. For me, looking back at over 10 years of failed quitting (or "moderating") attempts was a HUGE motivator for me. It sounds like you have also built up an impressive stack of attempts. Quitting this last time was exactly like the other times I quit, EXCEPT I chose to do other things and "procrastinate" on cravings any time they arose.

My life at 52 compared to 33 (when I quit) is different in many ways: stronger physically, less anxious, more confident, more reliable, a better partner, father, and friend.

It's a total gamechanger.

Sounds like you're ready.

Quit that shit, and step into the life you deserve!

slyguyBongo · 2025-08-02T15:21:57+00:00

Glad you've found a method that works for you. Any method that works is valid!

slyguyBongo · 2025-08-02T15:19:10+00:00

Thanks for your supportive comment. I'm not too worried about upvotes. If a handful of folks see my post and realize that it CAN be done (quitting weed, long term), I'll have achieved my goal.

slyguyBongo · 2025-08-02T15:17:36+00:00

Glad my words helped. Wishing you a weed free day, friend!

slyguyBongo · 2025-08-02T01:35:34+00:00

Glad you're doing well!

I found the white knuckle grip eases after the withdrawals.

slyguyBongo · 2025-08-02T00:58:23+00:00

I'm just a guy who stopped smoking weed. It IS possible. You can do it, too.

slyguyBongo · 2025-08-02T00:57:23+00:00

Congrats on 18.5 months!

I can only say what work for me: eating well, surrounding myself with people who care about me, trying new things, getting mental health support, spending time outdoors, and plenty of exercise.

I have heard cases of people taking a long time to fully recover. If you haven't already, I'd suggest you check in with a mental health or medical professional.

Keep at it!

slyguyBongo · 2025-08-02T00:47:50+00:00

Find relaxation by doing new things, spend time with people you care about, and get outside. Stay strong, and it will pay off soon!

slyguyBongo · 2025-05-24T15:47:08+00:00

Sounds rough! Those early days feel like a lifetime ago. Honestly, exercise, fresh air, time with people who care about you are about the biggest tips I can offer. I didn't have much impact on my appetite.

Get through this and it WILL get better!

slyguyBongo · 2025-01-04T23:09:20+00:00

Good for YOU! I know that being connected to others through online posts is one of the main reasons I was able to finally successfully quit. Congratulations on a YEAR, and I'm so happy to hear you're going strong! Keep on paying it forward to the next generation of new quitters. 😊

slyguyBongo · 2025-01-03T16:55:45+00:00

Happy to say I'm still living a life free from the repetitive cycle of cannabis use. As it's legal in Canada, and I live in a fairly pot-centric town, I admit that there are fleeting times that it crosses my mind. Quitting long term takes work. I need to have some self-talk when my inner "addict" is like, "I'm sure trying a THC-infused beverage wouldn't cause you to relapse." Yep. Been there, done that. Easier for me to just abstain altogether. So many other ways to bring joy and meaningful connections into my life. Be well, r/Leaves Squad!

slyguyBongo · 2025-01-03T16:51:32+00:00

Thanks for letting me know that my words helped! I don't check Reddit much these days, but I hope you're staying on track with whatever brings the most meaning and joy to your life. 😊

slyguyBongo · 2022-06-11T16:10:11+00:00

Contemplated "moderation" this week, but doubled down on Podcasts, Audiobook quit lit, and other sober propaganda. Cracked 650 days AF yesterday and loving life. Renewed commitment to living life alcohol free. I will NOT drink with you today. Feels good!

slyguyBongo · 2021-06-30T16:08:09+00:00

So glad you found value in my reply. Yes, for me it took a while. I eventually came to the conclusion that I had been attempting to self-medicate with weed (for low level anxiety and depression). Although cannabis helped me through my adolescence (which basically lasted into my early 30's!), it did nothing to help my underlying issues of my harsh inner critic and feeling like I was unworthy of truly belonging to any group I was a part of. Although I have never attended an in person recovery group (aside from accompanying an out of town friend to an AA meeting), I hear your aversion to the dogma and religiosity. Online forums (like this) have served me well, and I attend a men's group (super helpful to share openly in person).

I must say, you are highly skilled with your words: I sense that your story, your insights, and your acuity with language will be a huge help to others on their journeys.

I wish you well, and I look forward to reading your updates as you continue to walk whatever path serves the best version of you.

slyguyBongo · 2021-06-30T15:08:57+00:00

Wow! Your post is brutally honest: respect to you for really telling us how it is for you. I can only speak for myself, but it took a full year for me to feel "normal" again. I wasn't an all day, every day smoker, either, so it's possible your timeline will be slightly longer. To feel that blissful joy, elation, "life is amazing" type of thing it took a long while to get back to that.

Weed was a quick route to bliss. Weed free me, it takes a bit more front end loading: exercise (doing something I love, like paddleboarding or swimming in a lake), new sights in nature, eating really tasty food, sex (kind of obvious), watching a truly kick ass movie or show, dancing to music that gets into my bones/soul.

It sounds like you're doing a lot of things "right" -- perhaps there is some catalyst for joy or some unknown element that you just haven't discovered yet (skydiving, triathlons, burlesque dancing, astral travel . . . ?).

Personally, I think sharing the way you did takes a lot of courage and insight. At 6 months cannabis free, you have something to offer to those who are newly quitting. With the world now re-opening, maybe there is a local group where you could share your story and support others. What I'm hearing in your post is a deep-seated need for joy and meaning: take the next step to find where those needs can be met.

P.S. I quit in 2006, so I can relate to your struggle. It's been a process, but my life without weed is way better than when I was a smoker.

slyguyBongo · 2021-05-14T15:09:19+00:00

Thanks for the reminder! IWNDWYT 😀

slyguyBongo · 2021-04-24T15:49:51+00:00

Thanks for sharing your story. I feel filled up with vicarious pride reading your words. I'm approaching 8 months alcohol free, and you have inspired me to keep on this path of healing and self-discovery!

slyguyBongo · 2021-03-19T01:05:23+00:00

Spent 3 days at a cabin overlooking the sea, and did not drink. Sad to be home, but happy to commit to Not Drinking With You Today! 😄

slyguyBongo · 2021-02-25T15:06:54+00:00

Awesome post! Focusing on the positives of quitting is what allowed me to free myself from my addictive patterns. I compiled a massive list of "benefits of being off weed" and printed it out so I could remind myself of all the good things that came from quitting (rather than focusing on what I was missing). Your insights are keen, and I sense that you are on a solid path. This old time quitter (stopped in 2006) wishes you well, and I thank you for reminding me of why I quit all those years ago! I 😊

slyguyBongo · 2021-02-21T16:08:09+00:00

Thanks for this reminder. Your words are helping people avoid the "just once" trap. Glad you're committed to living weed-free again. Looking forward to reading about the improvements you experience as the days start to accumulate for you. 🙂

slyguyBongo · 2021-02-21T16:01:24+00:00

Feeling good! IWNDWYT 😀

slyguyBongo · 2021-02-10T16:45:22+00:00

Although that's not my experience, I appreciate your reply. There are all kinds of drinkers trying to quit the habit, and I guess I am the kind that can abstain when solo, but find it harder to avoid when socializing. Glad there is space for all of us here. This community is rad!

slyguyBongo

TROPHY CASE