From Bad to Worse

A person saying no to a joint

Written By Christine L.

Cannabis—at first harmless. A little flower lifted my mood, made me feel alive. My ex-husband and I partied, laughed, lived freely in the US. Later, alone, I used it spiritually, searching for God, the Goddess within me. I thought I’d found my true nature. I felt guided by spirit. Wrong.

My favourite plant revealed another side. When I smoked, my mood shifted. I did “irrsinnig” things—like undressing in public, thinking no one saw. I became paranoid, irrational. I hallucinated justifications: giving up my home without finding another, living on the streets for years, losing custody of my daughter, and still smoking despite the consequences.

In 2016, after my son was placed in foster care, I surrendered. Therapy in Germany confirmed it: cannabis-induced psychosis. I couldn’t nurse my son anymore. I was put on medication.

From that moment, I had to face the truth: I was addicted. Now, eight months clean, I accept every bit of help. I’m in a self-help group, have a sponsor from marijuana anonymous, private counselling, and an addiction therapist.

I’m proud to say: I never want to touch cannabis again.
My motto is: Clean until the end of my life.

“This piece was developed with the support of digital research tools to ensure accuracy and clarity.”

Published By A New Leaf – December 2025

More Articles

  • Dear Marijuana

    Written By, Kristen J Dear Marijuana, I know I’m a little late here. And as I continue these ongoing efforts of prying myself from your shackles, I know that I can say “goodbye” to the belief that you are the only one who can embrace and comfort me. I can do that for myself now;…

    Dear Marijuana
  • My New Life of Service

    Written By, Maryanne M. I entered the rooms of MA during the height of the pandemic. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe I would ever be fully sober after decades of heavy use. I had not planned on sobriety, in fact, my plan was to do the exact opposite. When I chose sobriety,…

    My New Life of Service
  • Broken Mirrors

    Written by, Lewis L. While you were in your state of vegetative,Did you feel your green roots were truly native?Did it really make you more creative?Spiritual connection in the Himalayas?Was your life orthodox like men with payos?Was it your proxy that was glitching statements?All the spending, were you missing payments?In social settings, were you at…

    Broken Mirrors
  • Speed of Light

    Written By, Andrew G. (Ace) BPM: 100 intro/ 104 onwardChords: F#, D, A, E Verse:My systems been brokeBurning up in smokeI’m begging for hope, for hopeI’m waiting to be foundCasting shadows on the groundTo the lasers and the sounds Pre Chorus:I lost my trajectoryBut I found my gravityI’m taking off to the galaxyFeel my velocity…

    Speed of Light
  • It Doobie Like That

    Written by, Roe G. Hi guys, my name is Roe and I’m in recovery. Here is the story of my CHS experience. “I was diagnosed with CHS two days ago” “When did you last smoke?” “Um, yesterday… it was for the anxiety and the nausea” “Are you confused as to what the problem is?”I felt…

    It Doobie Like That
  • Finding the Courage

    Written by, Katherine T. I want to start by talking about where I came from, because I think so much of my struggle with open-mindedness and honesty started in my childhood. Growing up, I was taught to believe exactly what my family believed. There wasn’t room for questioning, for doubt, or for my own voice.…

    Finding the Courage