It's clearly less damaging and chemically addictive than alcohol or whatever, but I wouldn't necessarily equate it with collecting Pokemon. I had a roommate who'd been persistently stoned for probably 30 years. A girlfriend convinced him to only use it on a few evenings a week, and he quickly realized that he'd entirely lost the ability to handle urgent negative emotions-- anger, frustration, disappointment, etc. He was still a great guy, but man did that put him through the ringer.

Normally steadfastly mellow, one day I heard him stomping up the stairs to our apartment, then stomped into the living room, looked at me and exasperatedly said "THE WHOLE WORLD IS STUPID. EVERYBODY IS STUPID. EVERYBODY SUCKS" and then went into his room, slammed the door, and literally screamed at the top of his lungs 4 or 5 times. About half an hour later, he came out, apologized and said he got blocked for maybe 45 seconds taking a left into our driveway because someone who'd stopped at the traffic light right there either rudely or obliviously didn't leave an opening, which pushed him right over the edge. I knew what he was going through, and knew he was talking to a therapist about it, so I wasn't worried for him... but I sure felt bad for him!

I want to thank you for sharing this story. I've struggled with my own THC addiction, using it as a crutch for trauma and anxiety, but your comment helped me realize that, like your roommate, the addiction has wrecked my ability to (responsibly and maturely) process negative situations. Enduring those situations is one thing, but seeing how they're connected to other parts of a more complete life is different.

Sometimes it helps to see it described by someone else before you really see what you, yourself are in.

Thanks again for helping a stranger connect some dots. You've given me more to think about in my approach to kick this habit.

That's another element I can add, but didn't want to as it's not something I've experienced and know, but have friends in this area.

Regardless of the drug you use, many are used to alleviate whatever problem you have e.g. Stress, Anxiety, Disorders, and then it becomes part of you, and you no longer have the need to address the root cause of why you need the drug. Again, not a doctor, but I think the poster above put it best as a "crutch". It's ok for short term, but long term, you allow yourself to ignore the root cause, which has long term effects.

check out /r/leaves for community and resources. you're not at all alone, I've been using weed as a crutch since I started during the pandemic and it became habitual--don't think I've quit for more than two weeks since.

it's great that people are discussing this, some people can definitely use weed responsibly and stop easily, but others really, really can't--and the sooner we recognize it as addiction the easier it is to get out.

Rad! Glad I could help! He worked through a lot of stuff using CBT exercises developed with his therapist to build up his emotional processing skills.

I've stopped using weed about 3 weeks ago and my first week was rough. The emotional roller coaster I had is exactly what you described in your story. I didn't go as far as screaming or doing anything over the top, but inside I was boiling with anger and resentment.

It's definitely gets better with time but making sure you don't trust yourself and your emotions while going though withdrawal is a key. I didn't have anybody to support me while I was going though this but it's great that some people can understand this and don't take it personally is good to hear.