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A daily cannabis user of 2 years, now 5 days after quitting, reports unexpected erectile difficulties they never had before and asks whether this is normal and when it will resolve.

Answered by Jim LaPierre, LCSW, CCS

Question

I have an unexpected problem with quitting weed. I smoked every day for 2 years and I have decided that it just is not that much fun any more. It has been quite hard to beat the mental aspects of the habit but I have been 5 days now since my last joint.

Unexpectedly I have had sexual problems since I quit. I have not been able to get a full erection for sex since I stopped weed and this never ever happened before. From what I have always heard quitting weed increases your sex drive. I am concerned but I am sure it is just a temporary quitting effect.

It is very embarrassing. It is OK that it happened once but now when me and my girlfriend start fooling around I can feel that I am soft I have to make some excuse to stop. Is this normal and when will it go away?

Hi there and thanks for your question. Good news- you're going to be fine. It sounds like marijuana has been covering anxiety for you - this is my guess without meeting you - but it explains your symptoms. Mild discomfort mentally and physically are really the only things you should be experiencing fro quitting pot. Go see your primary care doctor immediately and get screened for an anxiety disorder. I expect you'll feel better in a week or less but if you've been smoking heavily and daily - there's a reason why it became so prominent in your life. You're making good choices and growing up - keep going!

Lightly edited for readability. This question was edited by AI for spelling, grammar, and formatting only — the contributor’s wording and meaning are unchanged. See how we moderate.

About the Expert

Jim LaPierre

LCSW, CCS

Brewer, United States of America

Specialties

Anger Management, Gay Lesbian Issues, Spirituality, Divorce, Compulsive Disorders, Trauma and PTSD, Life Coaching, Addiction or Substance Abuse, OCD, Mood Disorders, Parenting, Domestic Abuse or Domestic Violence, Anxiety or Fears, ADHD, Impulse Control Disorders, Relationship Issues, Women, Loss or Grief, Eating Disorders, Depression, Finding Your Purpose in Life

License

my_license #LC9830

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