Is Smoking Weed Alone OK?

There’s an unwritten rule about drinking: Never drink ALONE. Because drinking alone seems sad and lonely, as if your goal is to get drunk and anesthetize yourself. A behavior many experts believe is a gateway to alcoholism.

Now, plenty of people have a beer or two or a couple of glasses of wine after work to relax, which is not a big deal.

We’re talking about drinking daily to the point where you’re totally drunk and turning to alcohol to “hide" from or “forget about” your problems. If you’re doing this, you’ve likely struggling with emotional issues and using alcohol to self-medicate, which can lead to addiction issues. You’re also probably doing a fair amount of drinking alone. Hence this behavior is tagged as a “gateway to alcoholism.”

But what about smoking cannabis alone, is that bad? Is that a gateway to weed addiction? This is a question we often get at Cannawayz.com. And it’s a concern definitely worth exploring.

The Consequences of Physical Addiction

Though legal, alcohol is a drug. And alcohol abuse, along with abusing cocaine, meth, and opiates, which range from oxycontin to heroin, can lead to physical addiction.

Physically addictive drugs alter your body chemistry so that your body literally needs the drug to function properly. And cutting off the supply causes withdrawal, a painful and unpleasant experience in which your body reformats to operating without the addictive drug.  

Alcohol withdrawal manifests as delirium tremens (the DTs), which causes uncontrollable tremors similar to the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and can lead to seizures and even stroke. Cocaine, meth, and opiate withdrawal cause extreme nausea, vomiting, paranoia, and hallucinations and can also result in seizures and, in some cases, stroke. Worst of all, the torture of withdrawal can sometimes last for weeks.

The Difference Between Cannabis And Other Drugs

We’re laying this out because cannabis does NOT lead to physical addiction. Cannabis in no way alters your body chemistry. And quitting cannabis doesn’t cause physical withdrawal symptoms.

Sure, you can become psychologically addicted to cannabis. But guess what? You can also become psychologically addicted to food, exercise, sex, and loads of other substances and behaviors. Anything you do habitually, from running 20 miles a week to eating five bags of Oreos a day to masturbating to porn every hour, can be psychologically addictive.

And quitting anything you’re psychologically addicted to can have repercussions. Common psychological withdrawal symptoms include cravings, irritability, poor sleep, listlessness, and lack of motivation.

All of this is a long-winded way to say you’re not in danger of becoming “addicted” to cannabis in the same way many become addicted to alcohol, opiates, cocaine, and meth. No matter how much politicians, religious organizations, or the media strive to further this false narrative.

The Merits of Smoking Weed Alone

Bringing the discussion full circle, it’s OK to smoke weed alone. Maybe you enjoy sparking up a joint all by your lonesome while watching Netflix, playing video games, or just kicking back on your sofa after a hard day at work.

You may also have inhibitions about smoking weed in front of other people, particularly if they’re relative strangers you meet at parties or in some other social setting. This is especially true for introverts, who tend to be less comfortable around unfamiliar people.

Meanwhile, when you’re on your own, there are no external factors to make you feel self-conscious or distracted. You’re free to chill in peace.

Is Smoking Weed Alone Safe?

Unlike with opiates, there is no danger of “overdosing” on weed. Thus, there is nothing to worry about if you’re smoking cannabis alone.

However, there is cause for concern if you’re habitually using cannabis as a coping mechanism or to “escape from your problems.” These are signs that you’re struggling with emotional issues and using cannabis to self-medicate.

Under these circumstances, you’re better served to seek professional help. That includes talk therapy with a psychologist or accredited counselor, or potentially taking anti-depressants or other mood-stabilizing prescription drugs while under a psychiatrist's care.