Patricia’s Reviews > Quitting Weed: The Complete Guide > Status Update

‘Remember, a functioning addict is still an addict; you might be functional, but you are still going through life with the brakes on’.

‘Healing toxic shame requires you to practice self-compassion. Rather than being critical and demanding of yourself, you must learn to treat yourself with kindness, support, and patience.
Instead of critical, belittling thoughts like those above, try talking to yourself more compassionately.’

‘Healthy shame is what you feel when you fail to measure up to your own standards and values (..) Toxic shame, however, is where you feel shame to such a high degree that you end up experiencing innate feelings of worthlessness, inferiority, pessimism, and self-loathing. You believe there is something profoundly wrong with you, that you are not worthy of love or respect.’

For all of humanity’s progress, biologically, we are still just as vulnerable as the moth. Similar to the moth who dies in pursuit of an electric light, as addicts, we are powerfully drawn towards cannabis, despite the deep damage it causes. Chronic use has re-wired our brains to find cannabis irresistible. Just like the moth is unable to resist bright lights, we are unable to resist the allure of getting high.

“Weed addiction can, to some degree, be concealed. You may have a steady job or a relationship; outwardly appearing to be ‘successful.’ As a result, cannabis addiction is shrouded in mystery, half-truths, and misinformation. Many deny that it even exists.

‘You can’t be addicted to weed – it’s not heroin.’
‘It’s not physically addictive – it’s all in your head.’

‘ “Addictions ... started out like magical pets, pocket monsters. They did extraordinary tricks, showed you things you hadn't seen, were fun. But came, through some gradual dire alchemy, to make decisions for you. Eventually, they were making your most crucial life-decisions. And they were ... less intelligent than goldfish."*
— *William Gibson” ‘