Weed Withdrawls??
Here to share my story in hopes someone can relate. I was heavy drinking (about half a fifth to myself) 5-6 times a week. I had been drinking for roughly a year and a half straight when one random day I had my first ever panic attack and ended up in the ER to be told it’s alcohol withdrawals (i mean it probably was) never picked up a drop of alcohol since that was truly a terrifying experience and never want to feel a panic attack again. The first few days after the panic attack were ***, this is where i started staying home and not going out. Eventually i started to feel better, but the lingering thoughts of having another panic attack still continue to eat me alive. I do however still smoke weed, and i still get anxiety spikes, impending doom, and paranoia. It was recently really bad yesterday (I’ve been smoking weed for over a year and daily). I really just want it to be the weeds fault 😩 Does anyone have experience with this or had a similar situation with weed?
I’ve always had social anxiety as a kid growing up, but nothing crazy. Never had a problem going out shopping alone and all day. But ever since that panic attack I maybe leave my house 1-2 times a week if i’m lucky… and each time i’m so eager to get back home.
Just hope i’m not alone or if someone can help me make sense of this 😪
@ArticFox1210
Im sorry you experienced such severe panic attacks but I'm glad you got off the alcohol, but the weed most definitely is causing the paranoia and has become a replacement for the alcohol. Anxiety needs to be managed not hidden, because ultimately it will just continue to surface. When you feel like you are having an attack, sit down, count your breaths, keep counting until your heart rate slows and then tell yourself, you are safe, you got through this, so you'll know, there's nothing to fear. Sending you my best wishes 💜💕
Calm down I am with I can help you
I would guess that the weed is triggering panic attacks. I've had the same experience.
The answer I remember my doctor giving me (this was quite a while ago) is that after you've had one panic attack, anything thay mimics the symptoms of a panic attack can trigger another one. Weed raises your heart rate quite a bit, so when I felt that, my body would go into panic mode.
What helped me was getting on antidepressants. Once my doctor figured out the right combination of meds I rarely get panic attacks when sober. Weed however can still trigger it.
If you can just stay away from the weed, that is obviously the best, but we all know that's easier said than done. Taking a really big hit is what usually sets it off for me. When the weed hits me really hard all of a sudden I start to freak out. Instead maybe try taking smaller hits and getting stoned gradually. Also using a cbd strain helps if you have one available.
Hope this is useful friend and I hope that you find some peace! Stay strong!
I have had the very same experience. I know now what was triggering it, but cannabis in general can start those panic feelings. I was working on getting sober when I quit every other substance, and I really do think it helped me in that situation. I knew that if I stopped alcohol, I would just smoke more cannabis and make worse the anxiety I was already having. I hope your journey with alcohol reduction goes well!
