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

  • Breath of Fresh Air

    Written By, Jules M. While meditating one day, I had a realization… I wasn’t craving cannabis, I was really craving a deep breath and the relief that accompanies it. In active using, I was constantly doing breathing practices. I would take the biggest inhale I could, hold in my breath, take a couple more sips…

    Breath of Fresh Air
  • Heard in a Meeting

    Even if I don’t get this, I may still get something.

    Heard in a Meeting
  • Sober Bell Rock

    Written By Tiffany A. Sober Bell, Sober Bell, Sober Bell RockSober bells bling andSober bells ringAbstaining while cravingAnd fighting the urgeT’is the sign that it’s time to purgeAll of the bongs and roaches you storedParaphernalia, regalia too…Sober from doja’s the Number 1 doorFor your life anew! What a bright time What a right time To write resentments down Such…

    Sober Bell Rock
  • The 12 Step Questions Mash-Up

    Written By Rich C. Is my life unmanageable? Am I powerless over marijuana? Who is God? Who is my Higher Power? Do I now believe or am I open to believing? Can I turn my will and my life over to the care of this God, that I do not truly understand? Can I take…

    The 12 Step Questions Mash-Up
  • Personal Story

    Written By Jess A. I started smoking pot my freshman year of high school. I was an off and on smoker for 40 years. When I was on, I was on. As time progressed and weed got stronger, quitting became more challenging and my ability to live a normal life got harder and harder. I…

    Personal Story
  • Heard in a Meeting

    Published By A New Leaf – December 2025

    Heard in a Meeting