Hi Pam - I'd say it is better to go cold turkey instead of cut down. But I've heard other opinions.

I've been smoking for about 18 years. If I add together all the miscellaneous times I've wanted to quit, it would be about 6 accumulative years.

During those 6 years, there were maybe 2 and a half years total when I didn't smoke at all. I only achieved those years by going cold turkey. (It is a different story altogether about my relapses. In short: Lack of support group/role model sponsor; lack of plan; attachment to old self-image as cool self-destructive guy).

Of the 3.5 years that I wanted to quit but didn't go cold turkey, I kept trying to cut down. Didn't work AT ALL for me. I'd maybe go a couple of days, thinking I'd wait for the weekend, but always could justify a reason to seek "relief" sooner than the weekend. Or I'd think, "only in the evenings", but as soon as I had a job I didn't like, or a job where I know I could get away with being high, or a day off from work, I always justified smoking anytime.

While under the influence - even leftover from the night before, I believe the mind is weak, and the body craves that mellow sensation. So as long as the drug is lingering in my vicinity, I am apt to grab for it.

Another reason cutting down in order to quit didn't work is because addiction always only wants more. And addiction builds tolerance. And addiction is afraid to go without.

Can you admit to yourself that you are afraid to go without? If so, then you also know that cutting down is not an option for you.

Regardless, you will need a plan, and you will need some sober people whom you care about to which to be accountable.

I think addiction means there is inability to control use, it is easier to go cold turkey than to try to control it for me and many other addicts I know. I use marijuana anonymous program to stay clean and AA to stay sober.

I went cold turkey. "Cutting back" never worked for me.
I stay away from those who still smoke, and I now know who my true friends are. I've been called names like I couldn't repeat here when I turned down the weed. There is victory in turning it down.

I could not have succeeded without my Christian faith, Celebrate Recovery, and a supportive family, although at first they didn't think I could stop, and really neither did I. I had stopped several times for a few weeks or months, and always went back, more than once from a traumatic experience of one sort or another. It ultimately came to the point of the question of which I wanted, my home, job, and family, or the dope. I got to the point where I could no longer have both.

This is the longest I've been smokeless in over 30 years. It's still a challenge, still a battle, but I can see now what an ass I was, the damage to my family, and that helps keep me going the right way this time, with God at my side.

For those of us vulnerable to depression, pot makes it worse, and all the while we think it helps.

That is great to read, Fretless. I marvel about how you gathered support from not just your convictions, but from outside and above you. And also, how much of the turning point came from a final, logical knowing that you couldn't have your good life and the dope at the same time. Thanks!

One of the many lies from the enemy I bought into was that I couldn't be a creative musician without the weed. That has now been proven a lie.
I get more requests to play now than while I was still in the Stoned Age. Weed is a drug of deceit and illusions, like many drugs are.

I nearly lost everything dear to me because of the weed. It's a long road back to trustworthiness that I am still traveling on.

I could not have made one day without My Lord beside me.

Me too Fretless,

I used the excuse of "enhanced creativity" to keep on smoking. I am more creative the longer I am clean, and now I actually finish projects. Getting high was a waste of my time and my talent.

Blessings to us all,
Lucy