Content warning: This article discusses drug use.
Belle remembers days when she wouldn’t eat so she could afford to smoke enough weed to keep the withdrawals at bay.
The student was spending upwards of $100 a week on the habit. And even though she couldn’t afford it, she put it before just about anything else.
“I wasn’t even smoking to get high, I was just smoking so I didn’t have the cravings and could just maintain that level. It was really intense, like all-consuming. It was the only thing on my mind,” she says.
Cannabis is illegal in New Zealand, but 7.7% of 15-24 year olds and 8% of 25-34 year olds use it weekly or more, according to Ministry of Health data.
Belle, 20, who asked us not to include her last name for privacy reasons, has smoked weed daily since she was 13 years old.
She says she wanted to stop because of her health and how much cannabis was “controlling” her life.
“When I tried to quit I would end up just smoking again because of the withdrawals.
“I could not eat for the life of me, it made me feel so sick. There was probably about a week where I just could not keep any food down.
“I also couldn’t sleep and felt really mentally unstable and irritable. I had some crazy vivid dreams…I didn't want to be around people because I felt like I was going to lash out at any minute.”
Cannabis dependence in New Zealand
New Zealand research shows 4-10% of users are at risk of developing a cannabis use disorder.
This is where constant use of cannabis negatively affects someone’s mental state or ability to function socially or at work.
This is often recognised when someone has strong drug cravings, develops a high tolerance, and continues to use despite negative consequences.
After some failed attempts, Belle has managed to stop smoking weed for the last four months - the longest she’s been without weed since she was a teenager.
But despite being diagnosed with cannabis use disorder, she says she felt on her own when she was trying to quit and says more information is needed so people know what to expect.
What does cannabis withdrawal feel like?
NZ Drug Foundation’s deputy executive director Ben Birks Ang says it wasn’t long ago people didn’t believe cannabis withdrawal was real, even though the symptoms can be similar to withdrawing from alcohol and other drugs.
He says for most people cannabis withdrawal will be mild but withdrawal symptoms can be more pronounced for daily users and people can feel anxious and irritable, have difficulty sleeping, vivid dreams, no appetite, hot and cold chills and feel nauseous and vomit.
“They tend to be most prominent within the first two to four days. But for some people it can last up to four weeks,” he says.
“I've worked with a few people who are two or four weeks in and feeling quite angry and aggressive. They are feeling frustrated and fed up with the situation and think ‘Is this my life now? I may as well go back’. But the more people are prepared with what to expect the more manageable it is.”
‘I didn’t realise how severe the withdrawals would be’
Michael Atkin started smoking weed when he was 14 years old and says he smoked every day up until a couple of months ago.
The now 21-year-old says he knew stopping would have an effect but didn’t realise how severe it would be.
“It was horrible, I actually felt like I was sick. I had really bad insomnia, really bad cold sweats, chills, and shivering. I felt dreadful.
“When I first tried to quit a while ago and experienced withdrawals, I think I went about 11 days before I relapsed again because it was so hard.”
Michael says more awareness is needed about how hard it is to stop smoking weed.
“Everybody knows at least someone who smokes daily but nobody talks about how hard it is to stop. People talk a lot about being addicted to nicotine or other drugs, but no one talks about weed addictions because it's so normalised to smoke.”
Belle says the growing normalisation of weed makes it harder to quit.
“I've had that experience of being dismissed and being told things like, ‘Oh, weed isn’t even an addiction’. [But] it is, and it does impact people’s lives. I think how normal it has become prevents people from getting help.”
Advice with coping with cannabis withdrawal
Ben Birks Ang from NZ Drug Foundation says it helps to mentally prepare yourself that it could take up to four weeks to stop feeling withdrawal symptoms.
In this time he recommends having a packed schedule to help distract you from cravings.
“Rather than having nothing planned throughout the day and going, ‘I'm craving now’ and just focusing on the craving, which makes it so much worse.”
He also recommends staying hydrated to help with cold sweats and getting medication to help with nausea and sleep.
He recommends telling someone you trust so they can support you and check in with you. You can also contact Drug and Alcohol helpline for guidance and support, he says.
“It does take a little bit of planning for things like telling unsupportive friends not to come around to the house, or avoiding places where you will be tempted.
“It’s like when we are sick it can take a couple of weeks to feel better. If you know how long it's going to take and that you will get better, and there's an endpoint, then it's so much easier to stick with it.”
Here is a complete guide to drug and alcohol withdrawals with more tips and information on withdrawal, produced by Te Pou, a not-for-profit focussing on mental health, addiction and disability in New Zealand.
Where to get help:
- Alcohol Drug Helpline: A 24/7 telehealth service providing confidential advice, information or support about drinking or other drug use. Free call on 0800 787 797 or free text 8681.
- Narcotics Anonymous: A global organisation of recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. Meetings are free. Free call on 0800 628 632.
- Alcoholics Anonymous: A fellowship of people who share their experiences with alcoholism and help others to recover. Membership is free. Free call on 0800 229 6757.
- Primary Health Care Services. You can start by talking with your GP or practice nurse. Usual fees will apply.
- 1737: The nationwide, 24/7 mental health support line. Call or text 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor.
- Suicide Crisis Line: Free call 0508 TAUTOKO or 0508 828 865. Nationwide 24/7 support line operated by experienced counsellors with advanced suicide prevention training.
- Youthline: Free call 0800 376 633, free text 234. Nationwide service focused on supporting young people.
- OUTLine NZ: Freephone 0800 OUTLINE (0800 688 5463). National service that helps LGBTIQ+ New Zealanders access support, information and a sense of community.
More stories: