Can I truly live a life without marijuana?

Two hands open and outstretched in front of a sunrise or sunset

Written By, Kat L.

At almost 11 months clean and sober, it is hard to imagine a life completely without marijuana. I smoked pot for over 30 years and tried to quit many, many times to no avail. I lived and breathed marijuana. It was what I lived for on a daily basis. I planned everything around whether or not I would be able to be high. I always had it on me wherever I went and did many things I now regret under the influence of marijuana. I never thought I would be sober and happy.

I have to stay in the day, in order for me to wrap my head around the idea that this is a forever thing for my life. This is why I am so grateful that it is a day at a time program. Because of this, I can focus on the day at stake instead of future tripping about what I’m going to do when my mom dies or my partner gets gravely ill or something.

Thank God for this program’s core purpose and 12 Steps to keep me on the straight and narrow when things happen. Thank God for the love of the people in the rooms to help hold me up when I get down. As long as I can pick up the sometimes 500 pound phone to call someone to ask for help when I need it, I just might be able to stay sober another day! I don’t need to worry about the future. I have no control over anything, God does that for me. But I do need to really work the program as it’s meant to be done and use my sponsor for the advice and wisdom I don’t yet have to be successful for many more years to come.

Published in A New Leaf – April 2026

More Articles

  • Growth, and Small Changes

    Written by, Ernest F. I went and helped someone move into a new place. I had been friends for years, we were co-workers. I would always expect good work, and good conversation, when we were placed together to work. I had left the company some years before. The move was good, and we talked. After…

    Growth, and Small Changes
  • I’m Moving Out (My break up letter to Marijuana)

    Written by, Charlie L. Dear MJ, I didn’t know it then, but I was looking for you my whole life before we met.I never knew how to exist in my body.How to quiet the loud busy streets of my mind,I never knew how to make any choices, I didn’t know how to feel anything.I didn’t…

    I’m Moving Out (My break up letter to Marijuana)
  • Heard in a Meeting

    “Don’t make a permanent decision based on a temporary feeling!” Published in A New Leaf – August 2026

    Heard in a Meeting
  • Cannabis Induced Psychosis (CIP)

    Written by, Connor B. I had my first psychotic episode at the age of 21 while away at college. While taking a bath, I was suddenly afraid I was going to drown so I called campus authorities and ran in the cold in only my pajamas to make it to the security booth. I hadn’t…

    Cannabis Induced Psychosis (CIP)
  • Surrender & Serenity

    Written by, Bella Even as a child I was inclined to argue and be stubborn. My skills of rationalizing and manipulation were part of my character makeup. I was also ready to start a game or sing-along at any given moment. But I was also shy, moody, and given to victim fantasies. I was the…

    Surrender & Serenity
  • Poem 4

    Written by, Jessyka C. It was the bee That inspired me To quit the green Been smoking so long I’m no longer ganga princess, I’m ganga queen Now I’m realising it’s only bringing me down Spending all my money on it like a clown I need to stop, give it a rest I can be better…

    Poem 4