I was a major pot head from age 14 until 32. I was definitely addicted. I quit everything at that age and have been clean and sober since.......except for pot. A few years ago I decided to try it for depression. That did not work. I decided a few years later to try it for anxiety. That works to a certain extent but it has to be the exact right strain and I don't think I am willing to get a medical card and find the right one. I am not addicted now because I easily go 6 or 8 months without thinking about it and then will smoke a little.

Weed is such a grey area because as a substance it is not really addictive. But as we know you can become addicted to it. I was for sure. And now we get all these messages about medical and recreational use being ok. And lets face it as one of my friends said no one ever gives a bj to score pot like happens with heroine.

Given your family history, and mine too, I would say it is a big concern. You say it has effected your life and want to come clean and relieve the shame and burden you have been carrying. Self medicating for mental illness plus a family history of addiction is a double whammy.

I would encourage you to come clean to the people that can help you. Maybe not at work if that will jeopardize things. A tell all is a big relief I can tell you that but be careful who you tell. It doesn't have to be the whole world.

So giving it up would require learning other coping mechanisms and a good deal of help in my opinion. I wish you the best of luck in quitting and staying quit. Sorry just kind of thinking out loud here.