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Substance Struggles

FlorenceeCasual Contributor28 Apr 2023, 1:29 pm AEST

Substance Struggles

Hi there,

So I’ve been struggling with using cannabis over the past 2 years, I would use it to relax, deal with uncomfortable emotions etc. And it’s come to the point in the past 3 months that I have realised I am reliant on it (especially in times during uncomfortable emotions), I have a psychologist, drug & alcohol councillor and additional support to assist with abstaining from smoking. I’ve been sober for 1 month now, I’m currently struggling as I’m getting the flu which is making me feel like shit. I have ADHD so relaxing when I’m unwell is really difficult for me, usually when I would get sick, I would medicate using cannabis to help my body relax and recover. As my goal now is to abstain from smoking, I'm struggling to stay sober whilst feeling so physically awful.

Any advice on how to cope with this?

4 replies

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In response to: Substance Struggles

FloatingFeatherSenior Contributor28 Apr 2023, 2:10 pm AEST

Re: Substance Struggles

Hi @Florencee,

Welcome to the Forums. My name is FloatingFeather and I am one of the peer support workers at SANE. It is nice to have you with us.

It sounds like you are doing really well abstaining from cannabis - I sure it would be a struggle, particularly when things are hard plus whilst also staying sober. You should be really proud of yourself and I hope you recognise how far you have already come. I honestly don't know much about this but I am wondering if the flu likes symptoms you mention might be linked to you becoming sober and not smoking?

It's great that you also have a professional team in place including a drug and alcohol counsellor who I would imagine would have some good practical advice to help you during this time. I wish I could offer some ideas or suggestions. Maybe some other members have some wisdom / lived experience to share with you?

I wish you all the best with your recovery - just one foot in front of the other.

Warm wishes,

FloatingFeather

In response to: Substance Struggles

StuFSenior Contributor28 Apr 2023, 2:29 pm AEST

Re: Substance Struggles

Hi @Florencee

I've not got a lot of advice other than to use the supports you have.

My experience with giving up weed was very different to yours.

That said, a month sober is Awesome!

Keep at it.

(Also, what @FloatingFeather said about your flu symptoms possibly being related to your not smoking any more might well at least partly true. Do you smoke cigarettes?)

In response to: Re: Substance Struggles

FlorenceeCasual Contributor28 Apr 2023, 2:43 pm AEST

Re: Substance Struggles

thanks FloatingFeather, I appreciate your message. I’ve also gotten a vitamin C shot today to help avoid the flu symptoms increasing, the shot has caused intense pain in my leg which is part of the struggle as well to reach for cannabis.

My gf has had a bad cold all week, I’m assuming that is where I have caught it. I wasn’t a full time smoker so flu symptoms or withdrawals aren’t something I experience.

In response to: Re: Substance Struggles

FloatingFeatherSenior Contributor28 Apr 2023, 2:54 pm AEST

Re: Substance Struggles

Hopefully the vitamin C shot will help @Florencee - probably the last thing you need when you are trying to quit is the flu. I hope you feel better soon.

Just a couple of tips to help you around the forums:

Tip 1 - if you want to directly chat with someone on the Forums use the @ symbol and then start typing their name directly after it. A dropdown box should appear, and you then select their name. This ensures that they are notified of any posts you mention them in.

Tip 2 – the most recent posts are the latest page numbers.

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