Chapter 14 - Casual Users

Heavy marijuana users often envy casual users, who claim: "Oh I can go days without smoking, it doesn’t bother me." But no user enjoys addiction, so all lie to justify their stupidity.

If marijuana is enjoyable, why brag about doing it as little as possible? Wouldn't the ideal be abstaining completely? Saying you easily go without something implies you don't enjoy it. So why make the claim at all? Casual users are trying to convince themselves and you that they don't have a problem. But doing so reveals the opposite.

Casual users are actually more hooked than frequent users. Their illusion of control is greater, so they have less incentive to quit. They blame occasional dysfunction not on marijuana but other factors.

Remember, the "pleasure" of marijuana is just relieving cravings caused by previous smoking. An imperceptible itch is scratched, releasing dopamine. But as tolerance builds, you need larger hits, more potent strains, or higher frequency to scratch that itch.

Three main factors limit intake:

Time - most cannot smoke all day. Health - capacity to handle high-THC strains varies. Discipline - self-control or rules imposed by family/work.

Heavy users shouldn't feel weak compared to casual users. Many lack the time, health, or money for frequent use. Some once heavy users now think they can't fully quit but try controlling intake. Don't envy these sad cases.

Let's examine some common "casual" addict types:

The "Once-A-Day" User

If marijuana is so enjoyable, why only smoke once a day? Why not more? This user gets a short daily dopamine fix, suffering withdrawal the rest of the time. They know frequent smoking risks addiction, so limit hits.

The "Social-Only" User

Friends smoking makes it hard to resist partaking. But if marijuana adds so much joy, why only smoke socially? Don't use friends as excuse. Social settings often trigger abusive drinking too.

The "Weekends-Only" User

As with dieting, spacing use just aggravates craving in between. Non-addicts don't plan their weeks around substances. Addiction makes marijuana the focus of existence.

The "Only High-CBD" User

Cannabis addiction creeps up regardless of strain. Soon only potent high-THC strains satisfy. You build tolerance to high-CBD strains, too, and end up smoking more to compensate.

The "Only When Stressed" User

This lie suggests marijuana relieves anxiety. In reality, withdrawal causes edginess that smoking temporarily "fixes." Relying on a substance to cope guarantees worse future stress.

The "Tried Quitting But Now Have Occasional Hits" User

These users are the saddest - lying to themselves that they can control it. Soon one hit returns to full addiction. The mental addiction remains long after the physical.

Other casual users start with occasional hits at parties. Non-addicts feel no pull to keep doing a substance recreationally. Addiction lures you to increase frequency.

Understand: Addiction cares only about relieving withdrawal, not enjoyment. No casual using is controlled, only rationed by external factors. Don't envy these users - their slavery is no less miserable.

Casual users often gradually escalate when lies wear thin. Heavy users should feel hope, not inadequacy - their plight is no worse, and freedom no harder won.

All users wish they never started. Stopping is equally easy for all once seeing through the illusions.