Sharon Stone reveals painful withdrawal after quitting weed and stroke medication

Sharon Stone opened up about her decision to quit cannabis and stop taking one of her long-term stroke medications, saying the challenging process ultimately helped her reclaim a drug-free life.

The Oscar-nominated actress revealed she discontinued one of the medications prescribed after her near-fatal stroke in 2001 despite being warned by doctors that she would need it indefinitely.

Actress says withdrawal was 'like going off heroin'

Speaking in a new interview with Variety, Stone said coming off the medication was one of the toughest experiences she has faced.

Doctors advised her against stopping the treatment, but she said she was determined to live without medication after gradually reducing several prescriptions over the years.

Stone described the withdrawal as feeling "like going off heroin," adding that she was severely ill for more than four months before recovering.

She said the difficult experience reinforced her desire to live a drug-free life.

Sharon Stone also quit smoking cannabis

After discontinuing the medication, Stone decided to stop using marijuana as well.

The actress said modern cannabis products are very different from those available when she was younger and claimed she became sick for about a month after quitting.

According to Stone, her neurologist later told her he had seen patients arrive at emergency departments with serious marijuana-related health complications.

She did not provide further details about the specific medication she stopped taking.

Painting became a creative outlet

Away from Hollywood, Stone said painting has become one of the biggest passions in her life.

Although she studied fine arts before pursuing modelling and acting, she rediscovered painting during the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually transforming parts of her Beverly Hills home into an art studio.

Her artwork is now exhibited and sold in galleries around the world.

Stone joked that her sons eventually persuaded her to move her growing collection of canvases out of her bedroom and into a dedicated studio space.

Son helps manage her social media

Stone also credited her eldest son, Roan, with revitalising her Instagram presence through his social media company.

She said he redesigned her account to improve engagement, though the changes prompted complaints from people who noticed she no longer followed them on the platform.

Stone joked that some followers reacted as though they had lost a personal relationship with her.

Broadway ambitions remain alive

The Basic Instinct star said she hopes to make her Broadway debut and has been developing several ideas for stage productions.

Among them are a punk-inspired reimagining of Mame and a gender-swapped version of La Cage Aux Folles, concepts she admitted often leave people surprised.

Stone also said she believes she could play the iconic role of Margo Channing in a stage adaptation of All About Eve.

'I'm reclaiming my life'

Reflecting on the past year, Stone described the period as one of personal renewal.

The actress, who recently appeared in Euphoria, Nobody 2 and In Memoriam, said stepping away from medication, quitting cannabis and embracing her creative passions have helped her feel in control of her life once again.