Actress Sharon Stone recently reported severe withdrawal symptoms lasting months after discontinuing long-term stroke medication and cannabis use. According to a Variety interview, Stone described the experience of stopping her prescribed stroke regimen as comparable to weaning off heroin, noting a four-and-a-half-month period of illness. She subsequently experienced further health complications after quitting cannabis, a decision she made to pursue a completely drug-free lifestyle.
The Challenges of Managing Long-Term Stroke Medication
Stone, who suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2001, stated that her medical team had advised her that lifelong adherence to her stroke medication was necessary. Despite these warnings, she chose to stop the treatment last September. “They said: ‘You can’t go off of it. You can never go off of it,'” Stone told Variety. “I’m like: ‘I’m going off it,’ and it was like going off of f****** heroin.”
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Cannabis Use and Modern Health Concerns
Following her transition off prescription medication, Stone also decided to cease cannabis use. She noted that the withdrawal process lasted approximately one month. Stone expressed concern over the current composition of cannabis products, suggesting that modern iterations contain additives that differ significantly from those available decades ago. She recalled consulting her neurologist during this period, who noted having seen patients dying in the emergency room from marijuana.
Shifting Priorities: From Hollywood to Personal Wellness
Stone’s health journey has significantly influenced her career trajectory and personal life. Following her 2001 stroke, which she described to the Today show as a “massive” event that nearly claimed her life, the actress stepped back from her high-profile acting career. During the 1990s, Stone was a dominant figure in the film industry, but the stroke necessitated a pivot toward raising her three adopted sons. “When I reconsidered what value things had to me in life, I really wanted to have children and spend my time with them,” Stone told the Today show in 2025. She explained that she only worked as much as necessary to support her family during that period, and has only recently returned to full-time work now that her children have left home.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did Sharon Stone stop her stroke medication?
Stone stated she wanted to achieve a “drug-free life” and felt it was time to move past the medications she had been prescribed since 2001. - How long did the withdrawal symptoms last?
According to Stone, she felt “sick as a dog” for four and a half months after stopping her stroke medication, and for an additional month after quitting cannabis. - Did a doctor advise her to stop the medication?
No. Stone reported that her medical team explicitly told her she could never go off the medication.
Have you or a loved one navigated the complexities of long-term medication management? Share your experiences in the comments below, or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on health and wellness trends.
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