r/leaves Community

What Is r/leaves?

r/leaves is one of the largest online communities dedicated to quitting cannabis, with over 300,000 members on Reddit. It's a space where people share their struggles, celebrate their milestones, ask for advice, and support each other through the process of leaving cannabis behind.

The name is a play on words — "leaves" as in the cannabis plant, and "leaves" as in departing. It's a community of people who have decided that cannabis is no longer serving them and are working to build a life without it.

What the Research Says

r/leaves isn't just a random internet forum — it's been studied by researchers. A study published in PMC examined the community's content and found several important things:

• 66% of posters met criteria for cannabis use disorder based on the content of their posts. This is a community of people dealing with real, clinical-level dependence — not casual users wondering if they should cut back.
• The advice shared was overwhelmingly sound and supportive. Researchers found that the community's collective wisdom aligned well with evidence-based approaches to cannabis cessation.
• The community provides key recovery supports that align with SAMHSA's recognized domains of recovery: health, purpose, community, and self-expression.

Research published in PMC found that r/leaves provides a space for self-expression, social support, anonymity, and community that aligns with SAMHSA's recognized domains of recovery. 66% of posters met criteria for CUD, and the vast majority of advice shared was sound and supportive.

PMC study on r/leaves community

In practical terms, this means that when you post on r/leaves asking for help, the people responding are likely dealing with the same condition you are, and the advice they give tends to be good advice.

Community Norms and Culture

r/leaves has a distinct culture that's important to understand before participating:

• Abstinence-focused. This is a community for people who want to quit cannabis entirely. Discussion of moderation, tolerance breaks, or plans to return to use is not welcome. This isn't about judging moderation — it's about protecting a space where people committed to quitting can get unambiguous support.
• Supportive and non-judgmental. Members are remarkably compassionate toward each other. Whether you're on day 1 or day 1,000, whether this is your first attempt or your fifteenth, you'll be welcomed.
• Story-driven. Much of the community's power comes from personal stories. Reading about someone else's experience with withdrawal, cravings, or the relief of getting through the hard part is both validating and motivating.
• Anonymous. Reddit usernames provide a layer of privacy that allows people to be more honest than they might be with family or friends. This anonymity is a significant strength of the community.

The Daily Check-In Thread

One of r/leaves' most valuable features is the daily check-in thread. Each day, a new thread is posted where members can log their progress — how many days they're at, how they're feeling, what challenges they're facing. It's a simple but powerful accountability tool.

Checking in daily does several things:

• It creates a daily commitment. Each morning you check in, you're reaffirming your decision.
• It connects you with others at similar stages. Seeing someone else at day 3 when you're at day 3 creates an instant sense of solidarity.
• It provides a record of your progress. Looking back at your check-ins from two weeks ago and seeing how far you've come is genuinely motivating.

How to Participate

Lurking Is Okay

You don't have to post right away — or ever. Many people find enormous value in simply reading others' stories. If you're not sure you're ready to quit, or not sure you're ready to talk about it, just reading can help you feel less alone and give you a clearer picture of what to expect.

Sharing Your Story

When you're ready, posting your own experience can be powerful. It doesn't need to be polished or eloquent. A simple "Day 1, I've been smoking daily for 5 years and I'm done" will get you genuine, supportive responses. The community is particularly responsive to posts that are honest and specific about what you're going through.

Supporting Others

One of the most effective things you can do for your own recovery is help someone else. Responding to posts from people who are earlier in the process than you reinforces your own commitment and reminds you of why you made this choice.

If r/leaves Isn't the Right Fit

r/leaves is abstinence-focused, which is exactly right for many people — but not for everyone. If you're looking to moderate your use rather than quit entirely, r/Petioles is the community you want. Named after the small stem connecting a leaf to its branch, r/Petioles is designed for people who want to maintain a thinner, more intentional connection to cannabis without eliminating it entirely.

There's no wrong answer here. Some people start on r/Petioles and eventually move to r/leaves. Some start on r/leaves and realize moderation is actually the right goal for them. Both communities exist because different people need different things.

Getting Started