One of the biggest struggles throughout the entire cessation period is mood disturbances, which affect up to 75% of those experiencing withdrawal1. Early on in the withdrawal process, mood symptoms can range from irritability and feeling on edge to depression and anxiety.
There are several reasons you may be experiencing these symptoms. First, irritability and anxiety are common across all substance use disorders, reflecting a shared neural mechanism underlying removal of a potent positive stimulus. Second, you may have used cannabis as a tool to mitigate the negative feelings of stress or sadness in your everyday life, making those experiences even more heightened now.
These symptoms can be quite distressing, and the desire to mitigate these symptoms is a frequently cited reason for resuming cannabis use during this early period. Stay strong, though! It may feel gloomy or even scary now, but it will pass.
Try to find ways to naturally reverse these negative feelings. When feeling anxious, consider a way to relax your body (exercise, stretching, etc.), or to relax your mind with meditation or yoga. Alternatively, it may be better for you to remain social, connecting with friends, family, or support groups to quell some of the anxiety and loneliness. Speaking about what you’re feeling and having that feeling validated can provide immense relief.
”One of the biggest struggles throughout the entire cessation period is mood disturbances, which affect up to 75% of those experiencing withdrawal1. Early on in the withdrawal process, mood symptoms can range from irritability and feeling on edge to depression and anxiety.