The long road to sobriety (READ FOR MOTIVATION)

Six months ago, I made the life-changing decision to quit cannabis after almost 5 years of addiction. Today, I can confidently say that quitting for good was the best decision I have ever made. My life has improved in every way possible, physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially—and I want to share my story to inspire others who are struggling with the same battle.

When I was deep in my addiction, I convinced myself that cannabis was harmless. What started as occasional use quickly spiraled into a daily habit. At my worst, I was consuming 3 grams of cannabis oil every 4-5 days—equivalent to 600-700 puffs (Trust me I know how bad that sounds). It consumed my time, my energy, and my happiness. Despite multiple attempts to quit, I found myself relapsing over and over again, caught in a cycle of withdrawal and regret.

Finally, after a relapse on 11 days sober and reaching my breaking point, I committed to quitting for good. The withdrawal was tough—I faced mood swings, night sweats, headaches, and a rollercoaster of emotions for well over two weeks and then accute withdrawels after which for another couple of weeks. But I pushed through, knowing that the discomfort was temporary compared to the long-term benefits I would gain.

Relapsing after two weeks of sobriety was a hard lesson. I thought I was in control, but that one decision set me back mentally and physically. However, that moment of regret became the turning point for me. The next day, I destroyed all my remaining cannabis products and made a promise to myself: I would never let a substance control my life again.

Now, six months later, I feel like a completely different person. My mental clarity has improved drastically. Science backs this—chronic cannabis use can impair cognitive function, memory, and decision-making. Since quitting, I’ve noticed sharper focus, better problem-solving skills, and overall clearer thinking.

Physically, my energy levels have skyrocketed. The fatigue and brain fog I once accepted as normal have vanished. My sleep has also significantly improved, as cannabis disrupts REM sleep cycles, which are crucial for restorative rest. Now, I wake up feeling genuinely refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

Emotionally, I’ve regained control over my life. The constant mood swings and anxiety have subsided, replaced by a sense of stability and peace. Cannabis use can alter the brain’s dopamine system, which impacts motivation and emotional regulation. Quitting allowed my brain to heal, restoring my natural balance of happiness and motivation each and every day.

Financially, the impact has been astonishing. I was spending on average $120 a week on weed—money I can now save or invest in experiences that genuinely enrich my life. It’s incredible how much wealth I’ve preserved simply by eliminating this unnecessary expense and my only regret is that I didn't have the strength to quit sooner.

To anyone reading this who feels trapped in the cycle of addiction, I want you to know that freedom is possible. Quitting isn’t just about removing a substance—it’s about reclaiming your life, your health, and your happiness. There will be challenges, but every moment of discomfort is a step toward a brighter future. Understand that it can take up to 30-90 days to fully reset your THC levels in your body and what helped for me was taking at home piss tests that gave me THC/mg readings and as I watched them fall month by month it made it all worth it knowing this substance was truly leaving my body.

You are stronger than you think you are. If myself and so many others can do it, so can you. Stay committed, stay positive, and remember—there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. You deserve to live a life full of clarity, peace, and genuine joy. Keep pushing forward. The best version of yourself is waiting on the other side. To everyone apart of r/leaves who helped me keep pushing by coming back here and reading these motivational stories, I can't thank you enough! I hope my journey helps you continue to find that motiviation you need to quit beacause it was stories like these that did it for me when I had my back against the wall thinking it was impossible, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!