Psychological addiction

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Originally Posted by LazySmoking420

I'd say a good 90% of the members here have a psychological addiction to Cannabis, For the simple fact that we love getting high, And we seek ways to ecape. I believe human beings have an innate need to alter consciousness. It's a drive much like the sex drive. Children spin around in circles which is a form of altering consciousness. Food, television, sex, and driving a fast car can alter consciousness too. Which can become a psychological addiction as well.

I'm not saying everyone who smokes has a mental addiction, It's something that is formed over time of repeated use... Just like any other thing that takes your mind off your troubles and screens out reality. Personally I am mentally addicted..I love cannabis..It was love at first toke..I knew I found what I was looking for. Started out as a fun thing to do, Years go by, I realize it takes away my pain and problems and use more and more. Become addicted. Weather it's a good or bad addiction is beside the point.

My question is who has a mental need to get high and how hard would it be to quit cold turkey?

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I think this was a really good statement.

I quit cold turkey for about 3 months. Then one night at work I was like "You know self. I think I would like to toke up tonight and turn on some great tunes and just chill." And that is how it all started back(but I too love the buddha)

I use to smoke basically everyday for a few years in HS and my first year in college. Now I've been out of HS for a few years...and while I still love the buda as much as always...I never buy trees anymore hardly..here and there..or just go over a friend's house, but I never go out of my way for it. I have the money, the connects and all that...I just don't see the point to be puffing all day anymore. Sometimes I forget about it..so that's one reason..but sometimes I just have too much else going on. I'm getting into music as a potential career now though, and trees will certainly help in that respect. Other than that, I feel you gotta live most of your life solving problems on your own, without the cover up...that can get unhealthy at some point.

I think when you're younger, it's new and exciting..you want to endulge as much as possible...plus you don't have too many worries, and not much else to do. But then you grow up a bit..and you just don't have time to be getting trees and smoking all the time...it moves wayyy down on your list of priorities...we'll for me anyway. Plus I'll be of legal age soon...so I doubt, at least for this year...I'll be smoking much...maybe for the day after hangovers lol.

But to answer your question, I guess I use to have a mental want (not need...it's never a need..food is a need)...but as your life expands...that kinda goes away. So if you're worried about it now...just wait a few years (I'm guessing your in HS..maybe not), and you'll be so occupied with other things, it'll be far from you mind.

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Originally Posted by MacWQ33

I use to smoke basically everyday for a few years in HS and my first year in college. Now I've been out of HS for a few years...and while I still love the buda as much as always...I never buy trees anymore hardly..here and there..or just go over a friend's house, but I never go out of my way for it. I have the money, the connects and all that...I just don't see the point to be puffing all day anymore. Sometimes I forget about it..so that's one reason..but sometimes I just have too much else going on. I'm getting into music as a potential career now though, and trees will certainly help in that respect. Other than that, I feel you gotta live most of your life solving problems on your own, without the cover up...that can get unhealthy at some point.

I think when you're younger, it's new and exciting..you want to endulge as much as possible...plus you don't have too many worries, and not much else to do. But then you grow up a bit..and you just don't have time to be getting trees and smoking all the time...it moves wayyy down on your list of priorities...we'll for me anyway. Plus I'll be of legal age soon...so I doubt, at least for this year...I'll be smoking much...maybe for the day after hangovers lol.

But to answer your question, I guess I use to have a mental want (not need...it's never a need..food is a need)...but as your life expands...that kinda goes away. So if you're worried about it now...just wait a few years (I'm guessing your in HS..maybe not), and you'll be so occupied with other things, it'll be far from you mind.

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Definitely well stated,

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Originally Posted by LazySmoking420

I'd say a good 90% of the members here have a psychological addiction to Cannabis, For the simple fact that we love getting high, And we seek ways to ecape. I believe human beings have an innate need to alter consciousness. It's a drive much like the sex drive. Children spin around in circles which is a form of altering consciousness. Food, television, sex, and driving a fast car can alter consciousness too. Which can become a psychological addiction as well.

I'm not saying everyone who smokes has a mental addiction, It's something that is formed over time of repeated use... Just like any other thing that takes your mind off your troubles and screens out reality. Personally I am mentally addicted..I love cannabis..It was love at first toke..I knew I found what I was looking for. Started out as a fun thing to do, Years go by, I realize it takes away my pain and problems and use more and more. Become addicted. Weather it's a good or bad addiction is beside the point.

My question is who has a mental need to get high and how hard would it be to quit cold turkey?

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I have a book at home and it has the following quote in it:

"Is marijuana addictive? Yes, in the sense that most of the really pleasant things in life are worth endlessly repeating."

I consider it habitual, and I generally reserve the word "addiction" for people who cannot function without a substance. I hold down a full-time job and go to school with no repercussions. If cannabis was some how eradicated tomorrow I doubt any member here would check themselves into a hospital nor would their lives go into a tailspin. However, and unfortunately, the same cannot be said for some methamphetamine and opiate users.

If one finds themselves skipping work or school to smoke cannabis and "escape" this is likely addiction and one might want to consult a mental health professional.

I am mentally addicted. When I have it, I smoke after I come home from work, so I can relax and let that damn stress go. I also use it to help myself get to sleep, as I have insomnia. Though, the last 3 weeks or so have sucked, considering I haven't had any. Hopefully today, though.

Personally, i think i could stop instantly. BUT, i wouldnt be able to keep it up for long as i need it to stop my head aches and stop the pain from other ailments.

I use it medicinally and recreationally at the same time, but if i was only using it recreationally i think i'd be able to stop straight away. But i dont want to, i enjoy it, and it's not causing me any trouble, so even if i am addicted im happy to be addicted.

But i dont think its an addiction, more of a habbit. But it's like riding a great roller coster... why not do it again?

My take on it is that cannabis is habit forming just like sex, video games, internet, etc, but not addictive. Addiction being physiological like heroin or nicotine, where your body reaches equilibrium on the drug then is out of balance without it. Those of us that smoke a lot or have rituals surrounding getting stoned are experiencing psychological dependency, not addiction. Dependency can still be unhealthy no doubt, take sex for example. If a person is "addicted" to sex, they might obsess over it and modify their behavior significantly to obtain it, but they aren't going to be sick if they don't. Dependency is learned, through conditioning ourselves with the reward process. If you get an impulse to get blazed, then go on the hunt, find some good herb, then go home and burn, you experience a feeling of reward for that impulse. This is way different than addiction.. Most people that smoke cigs daily don't like the habit and want to quit, but they simply can't overcome the physiological addiction. Pot smokers usually don't even want to quit, because there is no feeling of self harm or the feeling of being controlled by addiction. It's kind of frivolous, but I think terminology is extra important here because cannabis already has such a bad reputation. This is an issue of lifestyle, or discipline to those that think overindulgence in pot is a bad thing. Personally I haven't had that experience.

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Originally Posted by Natural Revolution

My take on it is that cannabis is habit forming just like sex, video games, internet, etc, but not addictive. Addiction being physiological like heroin or nicotine, where your body reaches equilibrium on the drug then is out of balance without it. Those of us that smoke a lot or have rituals surrounding getting stoned are experiencing psychological dependency, not addiction. Dependency can still be unhealthy no doubt, take sex for example. If a person is "addicted" to sex, they might obsess over it and modify their behavior significantly to obtain it, but they aren't going to be sick if they don't. Dependency is learned, through conditioning ourselves with the reward process. If you get an impulse to get blazed, then go on the hunt, find some good herb, then go home and burn, you experience a feeling of reward for that impulse. This is way different than addiction.. Most people that smoke cigs daily don't like the habit and want to quit, but they simply can't overcome the physiological addiction. Pot smokers usually don't even want to quit, because there is no feeling of self harm or the feeling of being controlled by addiction. It's kind of frivolous, but I think terminology is extra important here because cannabis already has such a bad reputation. This is an issue of lifestyle, or discipline to those that think overindulgence in pot is a bad thing. Personally I haven't had that experience.

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Good post! Like a glass of wine is good for your heart, a bowl of weed is good for your mind. :S5:

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Originally Posted by Natural Revolution

My take on it is that cannabis is habit forming just like sex, video games, internet, etc, but not addictive. Addiction being physiological like heroin or nicotine, where your body reaches equilibrium on the drug then is out of balance without it. Those of us that smoke a lot or have rituals surrounding getting stoned are experiencing psychological dependency, not addiction. Dependency can still be unhealthy no doubt, take sex for example. If a person is "addicted" to sex, they might obsess over it and modify their behavior significantly to obtain it, but they aren't going to be sick if they don't. Dependency is learned, through conditioning ourselves with the reward process. If you get an impulse to get blazed, then go on the hunt, find some good herb, then go home and burn, you experience a feeling of reward for that impulse. This is way different than addiction.. Most people that smoke cigs daily don't like the habit and want to quit, but they simply can't overcome the physiological addiction. Pot smokers usually don't even want to quit, because there is no feeling of self harm or the feeling of being controlled by addiction. It's kind of frivolous, but I think terminology is extra important here because cannabis already has such a bad reputation. This is an issue of lifestyle, or discipline to those that think overindulgence in pot is a bad thing. Personally I haven't had that experience.

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Your take is beautifully written my man. I believe your take is the truth. This paragraph should seen as a rule of thumb when it comes to 'addiction' and weed. But..people never take 2 seconds to actually think about it like you did here. Good going man...this shit should be spread around...send it to all those anti-cannabis motherfuckers.

Patrick Henry, nice fuckin profile haha! and you are right for sure, herb is the medicine for mind and soul.

Mac, I really appreciate the compliments bro. It really is cut and dry like that, and unfortunately the only people that actually understand the drug are us stoners. it just blows my mind how people still act the same as they did during the fucking witch trials, mass panic about drugs and addiction. Honestly I think most of the problems in our society could be eliminated if more people starting smoking. And not just taking a puff here and there, I mean chronic.