Walking away from a habit — especially a bad one — can be more challenging than you think. One social media creator has now shared their honest truth about quitting smoking weed after a decade, and what happened in the harsh weeks that followed.
Bella Rose, known to millions online as OnlyJayus — who uses they, her, and him pronouns — has opened up about their difficult experience after quitting weed following more than ten years of smoking.
They explained in a YouTube video that they had reached a point where they could no longer ignore how much weed had become part of their daily life, along with the negative effects it brought. Bella Rose also pushed back against the common belief that marijuana isn’t addictive. “No matter what anyone tries to say or tell you to convince themselves… it is,” Rose said. “After ten years of smoking, I’ve finally been able to acknowledge this and decide that it’s time for me to stop.”
Weed smoker of 10 years reveals what happened in the week after quitting
Bella Rose posted the video on YouTube three years ago, but it remains just as relevant today. They shared the brutal truth about the first week without weed, explaining that it wasn’t as easy as many people assume.
Although some believe it’s simple to stop smoking, withdrawal symptoms can hit hard for those who have used heavily or for a long time.
According to the American Addiction Centers, symptoms begin within 24 to 72 hours. Common symptoms include trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, feeling down, or experiencing anxiety. Others may deal with sweating, headaches, nausea, stomach pain, or shaking. Depending on how frequently someone used cannabis, the intensity of symptoms can vary.
Fortunately, most people start feeling better within two weeks. “By the time the second week [of detoxing] is over, most people are feeling stable and strong again,” the American Addiction Centers notes.
Praised for her honesty
For Bella, the beginning of the process was the hardest. They said the first three days were especially rough, bringing both physical and mental symptoms that were difficult to ignore.
“My appetite was non-existent,” they said. “I was trying to force myself to eat and it just wasn’t happening. My insomnia, that I thought I had beaten a year ago, came back.”
Bella continued, “My energy levels were just on the floor, I couldn’t get through any of my workouts and that was extremely frustrating for me. I was also extremely irritable, every little thing was setting me off.”
After the first, very challenging week, things began to shift. Bella admitted they were “feeling better… but not great.”
Meanwhile, many praised the YouTube star for their openness and willingness to reveal the harsh reality of quitting.
“Sobriety is a flex within itself! Be proud of taking the step away from needing a substance to help you live day to day,” one person commented on YouTube.
Another added, “It takes insane willpower and determination to really quit something that you have been addicted to for years. If you are able to accomplish it, nothing can stop you.”
A third wrote, “Kicking the bud is going to be a marathon. If you can only take a couple steps a day, it’s still progress. You got this.”
Experts say anyone planning to stop using cannabis should give their body time to adjust and avoid being too hard on themselves during the process. Speaking with a doctor can also help, especially for people who have been using regularly for years.
The CDC notes on its website, “If you are thinking about quitting smoking and would like some help, a quitline might be just what you need to succeed. Quitlines provide free coaching — over the phone — to help you quit smoking.”
When you call 1‑800‑QUIT‑NOW, you can speak confidentially with a highly trained quit coach.
