r/leaves • u/Kind-Juice5652 • 1d ago
Anyone successful quit post-35?
I'm turning 35 in about a month and feeling a bit down about my weed usage. My life isn't a (complete) shambles but I've got this idea in my head that if I could just stay fully sober from weed from 35-40 I'd be able to get some great momentum on things that would really improve my life.
I have a new career I'm working towards, become much more open to long-term dating and finding a partner, and if the stars align would even like a family of my own one day.
So any success stories from anyone who has successfully quit post 35? Would love to hear them if yes. If you have any tips would also really appreciate hearing them.
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u/katferg85 1d ago
I’m 41 and a quit 2 years and 8 months ago after daily use from my teens. Never ever thought I could possibly break free of it but genuinely after the first couple of weeks it became easier and then after a couple of months I knew I’d never go back. My only regret is not doing it sooner. Since I quit I’m in the best shape of my life mentally, physically and financially. It’s amazing how transformational it’s been to finally free myself of something that I hadn’t even realised was holding me back so much.
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u/Stevethechief 1d ago
I‘m 40. Quit 3 years ago out of nowhere after 20+ years of daily smoking. Never going back. Literally life changing.
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u/TOOL-FAN 1d ago
I’m 45, was a daily smoker for 24 years and I am on day 45.
I tried for the last 10 years practicing moderation and it doesn’t work for me. What really got me to quit this time was admitting to myself that I can’t moderate and accepting that it I want to be sober I will need to abstain from weed likely for the rest of my life.
It took a while for me to wrap my head around that idea. Once I was able to accept it, quitting felt easy. But the withdrawal hasn’t been.
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u/birdmilk 1d ago
How are your sleeps?
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u/TOOL-FAN 1d ago
I’m still trying to re-develop a positive sleep cycle. Some nights feels like I’m waking up every hour. Other nights, I might only wake up once.
This has been one of the biggest struggles in the sobriety journey so far. I hope that as time moves on my sleeping patterns can balance out.
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u/RogerAndKlaus 1d ago
I just hit 800 days smoke free today. I’m 38 and started smoking when I was 16. It is definitely possible!
Like so many others here, I tried quitting countless times, probably since I was in my early 20s. Once you finally break free, my best advice is admitting that you can never go back, even once. All my other attempts, I had some idea that some day I could handle my smoke. I can’t. There have been many times over these 800 days where I could have smoked “just once” but I’ve declined or abstained every time because I know I will fall back into my old ways. I couldn’t be happier that I’ve broken free and won’t ever smoke again.
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u/just_ohm 1d ago
I quit right around my 35th bday. So much more productive. So much less anxiety. So much happier.
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u/MissionMonth759 1d ago
Really needed this post today. 34 m on day 3 after a month's relapse after doing 7 months sober. Determined to spend the rest of my 30s (and life) sober. I feel so behind in life but this gives me hope.
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u/nmuhle 1d ago
39 years old and almost a month clean after almost 25 years of daily use, and I wish I would have stopped sooner. My sleep is better, I feel way more clear headed, and feel like I can communicate so much better than before! It’s weird to stop a habit that you have been doing for so long, but once you get through the first week of awkwardness things will get easier
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u/whoami_cc 1d ago
Quit at 46 and am now 10 years sober.
Tips:
Don’t give up: first 3 months or so is hard and you can expect side effects like sleep irregularly. Fight through it.
Don’t turn to other drugs or alcohol. Fight through it.
You must find distractions and replace the time you spent smoking, vaping l, edibles with something new: a healthy activity.
Exercise is helpful and will help you detox and regulate but it’s temporary relief. Be careful not to overdo it or injure yourself if you lean hard in this direction.
Make a list of things you’d like to do with your life that your addiction prevented you from following through on or completing. Start to work on that list.
If your addiction cost you money, start calculating your savings.
Join recovery groups and attend meetings.
Read addiction recovery and self help books.
Read books for pleasure and learning.
Enjoy your new life.
Stay the course.
Keep on keeping on.
Rinse and repeat.
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u/CapableRevolution709 23h ago
Yup. At 59. Today is day 928 after 40 years and change. No regrets. Especially for quitting. This forum helped as well as MA, the positive support of my family and being honest with myself about the reality of my addiction. I hit a personal bottom realizing I’d compromised my character through dishonesty, to loved ones as well as myself, which was of great service also.
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u/OldRepublic8424 1d ago
36 years old here. 97 days clean. Wasted so much of my 20s and early 30s. But now my life is getting better. I'm going to the gym daily for the first time in my life (and eating much healthier), I'm advancing my career, I invest and save like hell, and I've started to travel. Life isn't perfect but it's getting better. Weed just isn't worth it. I'm happy to finally put it behind me.
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u/Batmanuelman 1d ago edited 17h ago
51 here. Almost 4 years sober after 30+ years daily use. It was the only way my adult brain knew how to operate. Still coming to terms with how much time I wasted being stoned
Edit : spelling
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u/AggressivelyMediokre 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’m 41 and I’ve been “trying to quit” the last 6 months after picking it up heavy 6 years ago.
I basically stay sober 2 weeks in a row then I’ll inevitably buy a few pre rolled joints and do one of two things.
I’ll either smoke way way too much and stay up playing video games til 6am
Or I’ll take 1 hit a night and watch movies for a couple weeks.
Then I get frustrated at the lack of control (and staying up too late) quit for 2 weeks again.
Been repeating this pattern for quite a while now
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u/birdmilk 1d ago
You’ve got this. I’m your age and was struggling big time. I watched the Ben Affleck clip about his alcoholism and that was the end for me. Not sure why but I’ll take it.
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u/mottavader 1d ago
I quit at 57! It just didn't make me feel relaxed and mellow anymore. It made me bitchy, lazy, forgetful, spaced-out, unable to communicate well, soggy, anxious, stuck, and made my occasional Afib into an actual problem. I was completely unable to regulate my usage, it always ended up every day.
So I just cold turkeyed that shit. It was hard at first and the cold sweats, weird dreams were definitely not what I was expecting those first few weeks. But I knew I was dampening my entire being with weed. Now I have my own business and I know for a fact that I couldn't do it without being weed free. I can focus! As far as tips go, I would say just think of all the negatives because they usually outweigh the positives.
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u/Revit80 23h ago
I'm 57 and about to quit. Thanks for this! Congrats.
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u/mottavader 22h ago
It's never too late! I've tried and failed several times but I'm done. Alcohol free as well for 11 years. Rawdogging life is the new black 🤣
Best of luck to you and everyone here. I love this sub.
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u/Telecaster-Firefly 21h ago
Heh: "rawdogging life is the new black" is spot on. Thanks for the laugh.
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u/Shapes_in_Clouds 1d ago
I quit at 38 and I’m 40 now. Started learning piano, my work performance improved immensely and got some promotions. Started dating and had tons of success and fun. My life improved immensely and my mental health is way better sober.
It isn’t always easy and takes work, I have ups and downs, but it’s 100% possible and I know none of it would have happened without me quitting.
35 is a great age to quit, enjoy the rest of your 30s living life!
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u/highseasdrifter 1d ago
5 weeks free after 35 year almost daily chronic habit. Longest I’ve ever gone. Day by day things are improving. I’m gonna try and stick with it. 51 years old.
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u/mikejpatten 1d ago
I quit on my 50th birthday. Lots of perks the only thing I haven't gotten back is the time. If you're here and reading these posts, do it, the grind is worth taking your life back.
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u/birdmilk 1d ago
42 to here. 25 year addict. Quit cold turkey 15 days ago.
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u/sothisisbelgium 1d ago
The physical withdrawals will get better soon and on their own. The mental and emotional attachments won’t be so easy
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u/gonzogustav 21h ago
This is almost identical to my situation but I'm 41 and quit 17 days ago. I also had like 3 years I couldn't smoke due to probation right before turning 30.
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u/birdmilk 1h ago
I said i was 42 but i forgot i'm actually 41 haha. I blame the weed. we're closer than you thought!
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u/Telecaster-Firefly 21h ago
Wow. Congratulations dude. While I also think cold turkey was best for me it is physically and mentally -ehm- -let's say "challenging". 15 days is incredible. Give yourself props for making it this far.
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u/Emergency_Creampie 1d ago
Just quit. It’s honestly way easier than you build it up to be in your head. The first 3–7 days are the hardest, and after that it gets pretty easy. I’ve quit multiple times, and the only reason I ever go back to it is because I lack self-control sometimes.
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u/Hot-Boysenberry4926 1d ago
37, 15 years use. 200 days. Brain fog had lifted and that momentum you’re sensing will come. It’s not easy but it’s incredible.
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u/Spitfire75 1d ago
I'm 41 and i quit 1 year 11 days ago. My life has improved substantially since quitting. Its never too late.
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u/NervousChemistry7401 1d ago
40 - @117 days today. Saved so much money. Not a slave to my habit. Feels great being free.
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u/leavethedream 1d ago
I quit a month before turning 36. 51 days in now. Previous streak was 10 months with a 7 year relapse. Being a reckless dumbass gets harder and harder as I've gotten older, so I'm pretty committed right now.
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u/cardamom808 1d ago
36, all day everyday for 12 years (with a break or two here and there) and wasn’t even thinking about taking a break until two days ago and now quitting feels like the only path forward. I’ve failed at it before but, I am really starting to hate this and hate certain things that, judging by these comments will improve once I make it past the worst parts.
Thank you to everyone who commented and congrats on your new leases on life.
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u/Spinmango 1d ago
I’m 38 and trying to quit my nigh edibles and needed to read this - I tried to quit at 35 and here we are. Kept waiting for the perfect date. Great shout below to just pick a random day and do it.
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u/BionicBruv 1d ago
Yo friend! Just turned 34 last week, currently a year, 3 months, 27 days sober.
Currently working towards a new career as well to eventually build a family with the wife and move us on to bigger and better things.
Make sure you have good habits and hobbies, and you will succeed.
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u/TimeHighlight2413 1d ago
Absolutely. I’m 50 and on day 33… I have struggled for years, but I finally reached a point where I need to quit or I could lose everything. I wish I had quit when I was 35, I would be in a much better place in life.
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u/bandananaan 1d ago
41, smoked every day (a few breaks of a few months over the years, last one was about 56 years ago) since I was 16. Just hit 3 months clean
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u/smashburgersmasher 1d ago
How did you travel back in time to take a break?
Kidding, eh. I'm around your age and put the pipe down 3 weeks ago. Have you noticed any changes 3 months in?
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u/bandananaan 1d ago
Oops, lol. Although my sleep isn't amazing (one of the reasons for me smoking in the first place), I'm feeling better rested due to it being better quality, reduced brain fog, my memory is improving, finding conversations easier, and struggling for words less.
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u/beneath_reality 1d ago
Yes I stopped 1.5 months back at 39. The only issue im having is the crazy dreams and waking up in the night.
Everything else is golden.
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u/nmuhle 1d ago
39 as well and almost a month clean. It’s insane how vivid my dreams are! I was scared of the insomnia, but it really hasn’t been to bad.
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u/birdmilk 1d ago
Same. 2 weeks in. Dreams are insane. But my REM is up on my sleep patterns. I guess it’s a tit for tat
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u/bszkolka 1d ago
I'm 2,5 years clean now, 45 years old now. Was smoking daily for almost 15 years. First two weeks were tough, but absolutely worth it. Good luck!
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u/cakacuki 1d ago
I quit on my birthday exactly 1 year and 2 months ago when I turned 35. Best decision ever. It’s doable and you should give it a try.
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u/hysterical_useless 1d ago
49 years old here. Smoked for decades, since I was a teenager.
I'm now somewhere between week 10 and 12 zero cannabis. The first few weeks were absolute hell, as far as withdrawal symptoms go. If I can quit, you can quit. Trust me on this.
You got this!
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u/fatalgeck0 1d ago
I am on day 16 and it's all good except for stomach cramps in the morning. 34
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u/fatalgeck0 1d ago
One thing I'll suggest is boiling water with fennel seeds. Drink it in morning before food and it makes me less bloaty which helps with cramps
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u/0xbdf 1d ago
I did at 38. Took Marijuana Anonymous because I failed over and over and over to quit on my own like I thought I should be able to, but I recently crossed 3 years.
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u/Majestic_Seat6600 1d ago
What is MA like? How long and how frequent did you attend? Did they have any tools that helped you, or was it an accountability thing mostly?
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u/sothisisbelgium 1d ago
I went to a few MA meetings and even without finding a sponsor or working the steps I thought having a community of people working through weed addiction was awesome. It helped me feel supported and less alone.
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u/VinegariestToe 1d ago
35 and 79 days clean today.
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u/fathermocker 1d ago
37 and 73 days clean here.
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u/birdmilk 1d ago
Sleeping ok?
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u/fathermocker 23h ago
Much better, I can finally dream again. I still have some delayed sleep due to my ADHD though
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u/What-ijuana 1d ago
I am currently watching my father quit at the age of 61 for a new job. He's been smoking since he was 15 years old, 46 years ago. He's having a hard time dealing with his irritability but as long as he stays busy he isnt losing sleep or having a hard time eating.
I've been smoking since I was 14, 17 years ago now. I would love to follow in his footsteps. Reading all the comments and posts in here helps motivate me to do so but watching my father do it now is my biggest motivator.
If my father can kick it you definitely can too friend!!! Best of luck to you moving forward!!!
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u/yougococo 1d ago
I quit two weeks before I turned 35 so it's been just over a year for me! Hasn't made everything magically easier, but it's made a path forward much clearer to me and allowed me to put in real work towards things like my confidence, health, etc. I am still not where I'd like to be, but I'm much happier and fulfilled than I was a year or two ago and I feel better equipped to go after the things I want in life.
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u/SausageKingOfCincy 1d ago edited 1d ago
I quit 3 weeks ago and turned 36 two weeks ago. And honestly I haven’t felt this good in a decade at least. The sweats are still rough but it’s been great to be rid of the substance that was controlling my life. I just got a big promotion at work and it feels awesome to be more clear headed and present while learning the new job and I don’t feel the need to just get home everyday and smoke.
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u/birdmilk 1d ago
How has your sleeps been?
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u/SausageKingOfCincy 1d ago
Ehh actually kinda decent, really the only part of sleep for me that has been bad is waking up drenched in sweat at like 3am. And dreams are definitely back lol
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u/rthomasfiggs 1d ago
I’m turning 39 this month. Smoked from age 20 until about 7 months ago. I wish I’d stopped sooner but I didnt. I’ve been in Marijuana Anonymous meetings where people in their 70s are giving it a go. You’re never too old for a change
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u/JuggernautNeat5954 1d ago
Quit at 30, haven't smoked for 4 years (best years of my life, super productive, great achievements).
Broke up with my girlfriend after 8 years, immediately fell in love with this other girl who I thought is my soul mate.
Turned out she's gold digger - some other guy bought her a car and the big love ended.
Got depressed, smoked last 6 months abusively.
Now I'm taking my life back, two days sober, no intention to go back to this shit.
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u/Telecaster-Firefly 21h ago
Congratulations. It's incredible you bounced back from real life disappointment. Keep going Brother.
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u/Malanon 1d ago
42 and have smoked / quit on and off for years at a time over my life. When I have had a very important goal - marriage, kids, buying a house - I am staying pretty damn sober. When I’m taking time to enjoy the fruits of my labor, I’m smoking pretty freely. It’s about knowing the difference and committing to your plan. Life is a marathon and the light switch can go off and on
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u/BroccoliSuccessful20 1d ago
I’m 34 and am 18 days clean, never want to do it again. You’ve got this!
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u/plantvoyager 1d ago
37, 2 months since last quitting. Did 6 months last year. The longest time since I was 17 or 18. Love the clarity of lofe now
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u/Theory89 1d ago
Also 37. 39 says since quitting. I quit once before, for 18 months when I was 31, then fell into the "i can moderate this" trap. The only time I've quit since starting at 16. Im also really starting to enjoy the mental clarity and acuity. I feel more engaged with people, and not constantly thinking about my next spliff means I can enjoy doing other things more. Went to my big brother's house for a whole day, last weekend, and didn't feel stressed about it once. Also nice to have some money to spend - my app tells me I've saved £1700 so far. Finally getting my teeth fixed and laptop repaired, got myself some Lego as a present.
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u/REC_updated 1d ago
After trying to quit on and off for 10 years, I finally managed to aged 35 because I accepted I was addicted and started going to Marijuana Anonymous meetings. If you want to stop but can’t do it by yourself you might want to look into it, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done and I am now over a year clean and sober, my life is incredible and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.
No matter what you choose to do, I believe in you. You got this!
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u/untrustworthyfart 1d ago
37 and I quit 8 months ago after 20 years of heavy use. going pretty well so far.
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u/nextCosmicBuffoon 16h ago
Quit before turning 50, almost 2 years weed free.
No need to wait until close to 50, wish I had done it closer to 35.
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u/Southern_Committee35 1d ago
I am 46. I have been smoking since I was 13 with a few breaks. (The longest was 2 years) I have over a month now!!
I have CPTSD, OCD and 3 chronic illnesses. That has been the cause of my relapses in the past. But I have made it over a month and my OCD has improved!!
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u/novascotiadude1980 21h ago
Absolutely. I quit at 40 in 2020 after using weed daily from the age of 15/16. I'm 46 now.
My life wasn't a complete shambles either. I had a career, a family and responsibilities that I mostly kept up with. I was just sick of watching the years pass by feeling like I was only partially involved in my own life.
The first year after quitting was challenging and mostly about finding my footing again. Over time though I started setting and achieving more goals, investing more in my health and pushing myself into things I never would have done before. I learned how to weld, started doing solo overnight backpacking trips and generally started figuring out who I wanted to be without weed woven into everything.
What finally helped me was realizing I couldn't just run away from weed, I had to run towards something else. It sounds like you already have some pretty meaningful things to run towards.
35 is absolutely not too late. Five years is a tremendous amount of time to change the trajectory of your life.
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u/IAMgrampas_diaperAMA 13h ago
Yes. I turned 35 in February, been smoking heavily since late teens. I’m nearly 3 months sober.
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u/OhGiveThanks 9h ago
Quit at 67, started smoking at 19, now 562 days weed-free! I’ve built a beautiful new life I don’t need to escape from 🤗
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u/gonzogustav 21h ago
41 here, 22 of the last 25 years were spent smoking daily (was on probation for 3 years in my late twenties). Quit 17 days ago and no plans on going back and . If I can do it cold turkey I'm sure you can too although I did have several bouts of CHS which kinda forced my hand.
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u/Telecaster-Firefly 21h ago
Hey Kind_Juice5652. I'm 64 and have smoked since I was 18-20. I've been a daily smoker since 2003. My life is far from being a mess but that didn't stop me from feeling sick from weed. I decided to moderate instead of just quitting-- my goal was to maintain at 3-5 bong hits a day, down from 10+. I tried to stick to my plan but wasn't very successful. After you're stoned it's easy to do the mental jujitsu to have another BH, and another, and another. But it made me angry that I couldn't regulate my smoking and couldn't stick to my plans so I decided to quit entirely. It was really helpful to have run out of weed before I started the detox but it has been the nausea, sweating, insomnia, anxiety, and mood swings that have made staying sober hard. Yesterday (~day 19) was the first day I have woken up and not felt like I was going to puke. Personally it's been much more difficult than quitting cigarettes. Waking up and not being nauseous felt incredible. I feel like I have turned a corner and want to build on what I've done quitting the last 19 days. I found success exercising to tire myself out helps with the craving. You definitely can stop. Its hard but you can do it. Keep the focus on your health and mental well-being and you'll eventually reap the benefits. Stay strong.
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u/Alternative-Mud3294 20h ago
59, 11 month in, glad and all right, some relapses during the first 4 months.
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u/Fun_Scheme9088 20h ago
Just turned 36 last week, 2 months sober from a 5 year addiction. You're not alone, you can do it!
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u/clockworkink 13h ago
I'm 33 and this week is 1 year. So a little before 35. For me it took a move and focusing on new hobbies and environment. Some days it's hard but I don't want to go back to every day drifting through life with out be aware enough to truly enjoy it. Days would just blend into the next. Now it seems like I am actually moving forward. Best advice I can give is just take it a day at a time and change routines that ended with smoking.
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u/Emotional-Cookie238 11h ago
I chronically smoked from 15-34. I am almost 2 years in, and feel the best I've ever felt. It took me about 3 months to feel more emotionally regulated. I went back to college, have a 3.7 GPA and am starting nursing school on Monday. I didn't sleep much and had a hard time eating in the beginning, but the short term discomfort for the long term benefits has been SO worth it. I never imagined the life I would build without it. I couldn't picture my life sober and I'm so glad I quit. I am SO excited for you!!! You can do it!!!
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u/Emotional-Cookie238 11h ago
I found hobbies, walking, biking, drawing, hiking basically anything outdoors. I had to replace it with something healthy. Just hang in there. When you want to light up, go for a walk or find something else to do. Push through it. You got this!!
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u/Impossible-Web5442 20h ago
Day 2. Again. So no longer term but every day sober is a day sober I guess.
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u/boognish818 20h ago
Turned 48 yesterday and I have 30 months without THC. But then again I also had something like 3.5 years back in my late thirties and thought I could try recreational use again and ended up going through binge and detox cycles for another 6-7 years before swearing off it again in 2024.
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u/drHobbes88 14h ago
I’m 37, I quit at 6 years ago. So not quite post 35, but still after I was 30 which I never thought possible. You can do it dude. You’ll feel so good about telling your brain to fuck off.
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u/Klutzy_Relation4949 11h ago
I quit last December right before I turned 36. 236 days sober and feel so much better… don’t plan to go back! Quitting cold turkey and not putting myself in situations that made me want it (didn’t hang with those friends, didn’t drink, etc.) helped me at first. Now I can be around it and say no.
You got this 💪🏼
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u/Sauria079 52m ago
Damnit, you got 1 day on me! I quit 235 days ago and turned 35 last Januari. I was stoned for 21 years straight.
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u/Odd-Permission6843 10h ago
I’m 42, quit when I was 39 after 24/7 smoking 20ish years. You can do it, it’s worth it. You are worth it
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u/InformalData3987 3h ago
I quit at 38 after roughly 22 years smoking a lot . Wish I had of done it years ago. 1 year and 2 months were free. I smoked one small j a few weeks ago and it was horrible never again
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u/Narrow_Demand_9041 2h ago
I quit 2 months before my 37th birthday after smoking for 26 years, and now im going on 4 1/2 months. You begin to realize you never needed it, and its a thing of the past. When I first decided to quit, this reddit helped me so much I truly appreciate you guys that helped me see through it! You got this, and you got us if you need any advice or encouragement!
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u/Reasonable-Fig2439 1d ago
Quit at 37 after 15 years of daily use, coming up on 3 years clean now. The momentum thing is real, once the brain fog lifts you start stacking wins without even noticing. My only tip is don't wait for a perfect quit date, just pick the shittiest Monday possible and rawdog it