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My story is similar, however, I was able to fix it, somewhat at least. To start, before I smoked weed I was already socially awkward and anxious. After I found weed, I felt (or possibly convinced myself that I was) much less anxious and and thus a good bit care-free. I had a lot of fun with a new group of friends and eventually weed became a centerpiece of sorts for all the things we did. Whatever we or I was going to do, sure enough, weed preceded it.

After about six months of having fun, it came to the point where I had used it enough and associated my only happiness with smoking, so in turn, I smoked a lot more. Eventually, my anxiety came back and even stronger than before. This probably lasted for a year and a half and it really got to the point where I couldn't think about how I would go about my day without weed. I was in a constant state of intoxication and the fatigue that followed. I slept a lot more, became more apathetic, and I really just felt like shit. Actually, I started considering the possibility that I had depersonalization disorder or that I was a schizoid, based on my severe detachment from everything.

Somehow, I just realized that there was no reason in continuing smoking if it gave me all this terrible anxiety and behaviors, even if all my friends still smoked and it went against my previous adherence to the popular marijuana culture. I used to find comfort in that but I just realized I wasn't my friends, nor was I interested in the same lifestyle. After time, my detachment became much less severe, I could function in society and talk to other people without forgetting everything I'm trying to say and do so much more confidently. That's not to say I'm outgoing and talkative, however, I don't feel like shit, nor am I insecure about everything I say or do.

By the way, I'm not trying to shill on weed. This is my personal experience and I'm not trying to say this happens to everyone, because it most definitely does not. One notable con though (besides not being able to get high without going crazy) does include my substitution of mj for tobacco, which I'm not exactly proud of. Having a girlfriend definitely does help, and further assistance can usually be found in alcohol ;)