I quit smoking pot almost two years ago. I smoked weed like a drunk would drink. It took about three months after I quit to really 'come out of the fog'. It was difficult for me because I enjoyed getting high and all of my friends were stoners. But it was really messing with my emotions and my overall perception of things... kind of like I was stuck being 16 years old. I miss some of my friends, none of whom I see any more.
I don't think you need to become stone cold sober all the time for intention to work (it works anyway). There are times when an altered state of perception can give you insight into what is going on in your life. The addiction is the problem when it comes to intention. Wherever your attention is, that's where you are going to go. And if your attention is on a drug, you are liable to find yourself in some places you wouldn't want to be physically, mentally, and spiritually. Not to mention the money you're throwing away. Just make sure it doesn't own you is all I would say.
I still smoke cigarettes, albeit since my job went non-smoking, not much any more. Someone suggested to me I try natural cigarettes, like the kind you roll. I found those to really cut down on the craving. With pot, I guess it depends on whether you want to quit or not. If you do, just quit. Cutting back never worked for me. If you don't, but you want to maintain some independence from it I would recommend consciously refusing it when its offered at times or picking a certain time and place where it's ok. That way you can maintain some control, but still partake when you feel like it.
BTW, your experience with addiction can help you in a way. You have some idea of what it's like to go through any means to get something. If you applied that same tenacity in other areas of your life, you could be/do/have just about anything you want. My life is totally different now. To most people it might look like a normal life. Considering where I started, it's nothing short of a miracle to me. What a long strange trip its been
