[Arcane's Box]

I have been an avid smoker for years, finding it helps me with my anxiety and depression. Alas, still not legal in my state, so in order to get another job, as most all test for drugs, I must quit. I suppose it is time.

Any suggestions for those whom may have dealt with this/dealing with this?

[kaliope]

well it is going to be most easy if you find other techniques for dealing with your anxiety and depression. try staying away from alcohol as that would be just switching one drug for another. maybe you could get some anxiety meds.

[highd]

this will be difficult because you haven't started viewing Marijuana in a negative light yet so I suggest you make a list of all the ways in which marijuana has done you harm, directly or indirectly. And then maybe you can make a list of things you enjoy doing without being high...and try and do more of those things.

I have been a heavy drug user for over 7 years and although I still smoke marijuana but have managed to quit everything else, even alcohol so trust me I know how difficult it can be.

Best of luck bruv

[trying2survive]

Originally Posted by Arcane's Box

I have been an avid smoker for years, finding it helps me with my anxiety and depression. Alas, still not legal in my state, so in order to get another job, as most all test for drugs, I must quit. I suppose it is time.

Any suggestions for those whom may have dealt with this/dealing with this?

actually it's not that hard, i quit in 2009, haven't smoked since..it can be done

[Arcane's Box]

You are right, I do not see it negatively. I keep hoping it'll become legal everywhere. The downfall is people's negative attitude's towards it. But I'm biased.

[highd]

well if you don't see it negatively it's going to be impossible to quit, might as well move to a state where it is legal and honestly any drug is bad only if it is abused, if you feel that marijuana does not impair your ability to live life to it's fullest but rather enhances it and if you are 100% certain that you are not using marijuana as a form of escapism then I see no reason for you stop.

Best of luck

[Arcane's Box]

Yeah, I see your point. Moving not an option, unfortunately.

[Rainbowfairy]

Dear Arcane's Box,

from my own experience, I have been very resistant to giving up anything that serves me in some way (no matter how unhealthy) unless I have other things in place to replace it. So, perhaps it would be helpful to reflect on other ways to treat your anxiety and depression so that you are not left with no coping method. I would recommend this is done under the supervision of a clinician, since you state that you have anxiety/depressive disorder, but perhaps this isn't possible for you, hence medicating with cannabis. Perhaps it would be advisable to let someone you trust (who is not a user) know what you are doing, so you have support.

There are many therapies that can successfully treat anxiety and depression, cannabis is not your only option. Many people also find/develop their own self-care methods, such as meditation, exercise, writing, hobbies.

So, like someone else also highlighted, it would help to have another (non-harmful) method ready prior to quitting. And I know you say you don't see it in a negative light, however, it's not exactly positive if it forms a barrier between yourself and the career you want.

[MissMonster]

Hey there, I'm kind of in the same boat. I wish it was legal everywhere too. It's helped me similar to how it has helped you and I wish more people would see it as a legitimate treatment. Especially since I'm paranoid and scared to take a lot of prescription drugs. Sadly, until it is legal in our areas we have to find other ways to help us cope. Were you planning on quitting forever, just until you pass the drug test or until it becomes legal?

I too have been an avid smoker for at least twelve years starting consistently around age 14, but lately I like to quit from time to time just to build my tolerance levels back up, though admittedly I've never quit long enough to pass a UA drug test.

What works for me is keeping myself really busy. Usually the internet helps me a lot (like right now) because if I can keep my hands busy typing then I don't even think about it as much. I don't know how healthy this is but I also try not to eat a lot because I always want to smoke afterwards (leftover side effect after quitting cigs) so I stick to light snacks that don't make me feel too over-full. Also exercise!!! Fitness DVDs are great when I get the urge to smoke. Similar to weed it helps me to feel not so down or anxious, and I get a small confidence boost when I'm able to get the exercises all done. It also helps to wear me out. If you have problems sleeping exercise seems to help with that too.

I don't believe anyone should suffer or live in poverty because they smoke/have any addiction so if you absolutely are having too hard of a time and you really need the money there are still ways to pass a drug test. If you don't mind having someone else's pee strapped to your thigh, I've had friends who buy the synthetic urine and dump it out and have someone clean refill it with their urine. You have to keep it a certain temperature though so if you buy the synthetic kit make sure it is one with a heating element and a thermometer. Don't use the synthetic urine. Everyone I know who has used it said they failed, even the really expensive $100+ kits.

I also have one friend who smokes up a storm and swears the swab method doesn't work and she often gets those jobs easily, and she also gets bored easily and changes jobs on pretty much a monthly basis. If you can, try to find a job that uses the swab. She claims you only have to abstain from smoking for 24-48 hours depending on how heavy you smoke regularly. Of course this is second hand information. I've only ever had one temp job and they didn't drug test.

I know it is hard to even think about quitting when you know how it helps you. The first time I skipped a day smoking I couldn't remember when the last time I didn't get high was and I was sure I was never going to make it the. entire. day. but I did and once I did I knew that I could and that was an empowering feeling!

Good luck! I really hope you find a solution that works for you. Don't be discouraged if you can't quit right away either. Some people do really well cold turkey and some people need to wean themselves off. Whatever works for you!

[Altered Moment]

In recent years in the construction trades drug testing has become standard. It never used to be that way. I know plenty of guys who cheat and drink clear all (don't know if that is a sure thing) or wear a bladder with fake pee in it. Lots of guys don't smoke long enough to to pass a test and then start again. They take the risk of getting hurt and getting tested dirty as they test right away if you get hurt.

I have been clean and sober 19 years but I have experimented with pot for depression and anxiety. it does not work for me for depression. anxiety it works but it has to be the exact right strain. I have debated getting a card so I could find the right strain for anxiety. the medical card don't count for a job drug test as far as I know.

[Arcane's Box]

I haven't quite quite yet. Probably will only long enough to test, to be honest. There are so many people on meth and whatnot around here, testing is almost a sure thing nowadays. I'd been fortunate thus far to not be tested; I am very discreet about my smoking and you would likely know none the wiser if you met me. I wonder if I just think that, sometimes, though... heh.

I'm so paranoid about trying to trick the system. I can see me spilling the pee all over me beforehand or something.

SO I vote when it applies, and support marijuana legalization wholeheartedly. Feels good to voice that!

[inanimateobjects]

i know how you feel. a few years back i had to quit for a job and honestly it sucked, but it was worth it for the job. after being stoned 24/7 for about 3 years straight sobriety was jarring. i never realized how anxious and paranoid i was until then. i needed it just to leave the house and deal with the public, even just doing laundry and going grocery shopping. but in the end i needed the job and things got better over time. honestly though that lasted about 3 months in to the new job and i gave up being sober. i already got in and i wasn't worried about getting popped with a random, just figured it would be a wake up call for me if it happened, though it never did. now i'm in the same situation because i moved across the country and i need to find a new job. haven't smoked since 5/23 but it was easier this time around, i didn't get back in to it as heavy as before. sadly in my line of work i doubt it will ever be allowed for me. even in the legal states your place of work has the right to disqualify you since it's still federally illegal.

anyway i actually want to thank you for posting this. this is something i've wanted to get out of my head and it's been weighing on my mind for a while now. in the end you can get through it, it doesn't have to be forever. i'll be right there with you.

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by Arcane's Box

I haven't quite quite yet. Probably will only long enough to test, to be honest. There are so many people on meth and whatnot around here, testing is almost a sure thing nowadays. I'd been fortunate thus far to not be tested; I am very discreet about my smoking and you would likely know none the wiser if you met me. I wonder if I just think that, sometimes, though... heh.

I'm so paranoid about trying to trick the system. I can see me spilling the pee all over me beforehand or something.

SO I vote when it applies, and support marijuana legalization wholeheartedly. Feels good to voice that!

Seems like the best plan of action, I personally disagree with drug testing but that isn't going to make it go away. But yeah quitting for long enough to pass the test is probably better than trying to fake the test...that can likely be easier said than done though when you find cannabis helpful.