Editor's Blog5 mins ago
Smoking...
57 Answers
I started having the odd cigarette a couple of months ago, mainly due to massive stress and my Dad offering me a fag! :-(
I've always been a bit of a 'social smoker', but have always been able to take it or leave it.
Anyway, I've noticed these past few weeks, I've been smoking more and more. It's a mixture of reasons...
The first, I suffer with anxiety (not all the time, just when I'm either tired or have issues going on) and I find that it calms me down a bit.
Secondly, I found that smoking completely stopped my appetite and, during these past couple of months, I've lost quite a bit of weight as I haven't really been eating much. I know that's an awful reason to smoke, but now I'm worried if I try to stop, it'll all pile back on.
Also, I've been using the cigs as a bit of a crutch with the old anxiety issues, so I'm almost afraid that if I do stop smoking, my anxiety will return.
I don't really know what my actual question is, but I do know that I would like to stop. My chest has started to feel wheezy in the morning and, I'm aware that I can now smell cigarettes on my clothes/hair... which is pretty grim in itself.
I went for four days without having one, then my Dad came round and was smoking, so I ended up asking for one. I'm now back on 20 a day, and I would really like to stop this.
I don't think I'm "addicted", just that I've gotten into a bit of a habit.
Any help/advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks :)
I've always been a bit of a 'social smoker', but have always been able to take it or leave it.
Anyway, I've noticed these past few weeks, I've been smoking more and more. It's a mixture of reasons...
The first, I suffer with anxiety (not all the time, just when I'm either tired or have issues going on) and I find that it calms me down a bit.
Secondly, I found that smoking completely stopped my appetite and, during these past couple of months, I've lost quite a bit of weight as I haven't really been eating much. I know that's an awful reason to smoke, but now I'm worried if I try to stop, it'll all pile back on.
Also, I've been using the cigs as a bit of a crutch with the old anxiety issues, so I'm almost afraid that if I do stop smoking, my anxiety will return.
I don't really know what my actual question is, but I do know that I would like to stop. My chest has started to feel wheezy in the morning and, I'm aware that I can now smell cigarettes on my clothes/hair... which is pretty grim in itself.
I went for four days without having one, then my Dad came round and was smoking, so I ended up asking for one. I'm now back on 20 a day, and I would really like to stop this.
I don't think I'm "addicted", just that I've gotten into a bit of a habit.
Any help/advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks :)
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I was like you flip. Years ago I used to smoke when I had a glass of wine (either out or home) but I never smoked any other time. Only in the evening too. I was never physically addicted - it was purely a psychological addition. I just smoked "by association". I was scared into stopping when I watched my friend and neighbour die of lung cancer. I don`t know what to suggest. Maybe you should read some scare stories on the internet. It worked for me!
Well, "habit" is just a kind of coy word for addiction :) 20 a day is addiction.
Generally accepted, I think ,that there are 2 elements to cigarette addiction - the physical / biochemical addiction to nicotine, which can usually be broken after 4-5 days.
The second element is the psychological - as you yourself have mentioned, smoking is often desribed as a kind of an emotional crutch. Often mentioned is the sense of relief from stress/anxiety that having a cigarette brings - but most of that relief comes from satisfying the bodies craving for nicotine, rather than helping with the actual stress or anxiety you are suffering from.
I gave up about 2.5 years ago now, and do not regret it at all , but I did it the wrong way - each time I felt the need for a cigarette, I would reach for a snack instead, hence putting on weight :) - If you can use something like a mint instead, or a piece of fruit, that would work much better :)
Regardless, it is probably better for you to be a bit overweight and to have to diet for a while, rather than continuing the damage to your bodies vital systems by continuing to smoke.....
And the improvement to the money in your pocket is enormous - a pack of 20 a day is what? around £6/day, or £42 /week or about £2,000 / year....
Generally accepted, I think ,that there are 2 elements to cigarette addiction - the physical / biochemical addiction to nicotine, which can usually be broken after 4-5 days.
The second element is the psychological - as you yourself have mentioned, smoking is often desribed as a kind of an emotional crutch. Often mentioned is the sense of relief from stress/anxiety that having a cigarette brings - but most of that relief comes from satisfying the bodies craving for nicotine, rather than helping with the actual stress or anxiety you are suffering from.
I gave up about 2.5 years ago now, and do not regret it at all , but I did it the wrong way - each time I felt the need for a cigarette, I would reach for a snack instead, hence putting on weight :) - If you can use something like a mint instead, or a piece of fruit, that would work much better :)
Regardless, it is probably better for you to be a bit overweight and to have to diet for a while, rather than continuing the damage to your bodies vital systems by continuing to smoke.....
And the improvement to the money in your pocket is enormous - a pack of 20 a day is what? around £6/day, or £42 /week or about £2,000 / year....
Hope you manage to get off them. Deal with any weight gain later. The smoking risks far outweigh the weight ones.
Some folks find it easier to stop if they wean themselves off...if I want a cig I can have one , but not for another 20 minutes , then tomorrow it's not for 25 minutes and so on.
Some folks find it easier just to stop altogether and not have any cigs in the house.
Not trying to be unpleasant, but don't fool yourself that if you smoke you don't smell of cigarettes. Any non-smoker can smell you yards away.
Some folks find it easier to stop if they wean themselves off...if I want a cig I can have one , but not for another 20 minutes , then tomorrow it's not for 25 minutes and so on.
Some folks find it easier just to stop altogether and not have any cigs in the house.
Not trying to be unpleasant, but don't fool yourself that if you smoke you don't smell of cigarettes. Any non-smoker can smell you yards away.
As someone who has suffered, and more or less recovered, from lung disease and not being able to breathe and all the other associated problems that come about from impaired lungs (and I have never smoked), it makes me sad that people who smoke are so blase about smoking. I swear if they knew what lung disease was like they would never touch a cigarette again.
Please stop.
(Also as a person who suffers from anxiety, I thing the best thing to stop being anxious is exercise - it really works)
Please stop.
(Also as a person who suffers from anxiety, I thing the best thing to stop being anxious is exercise - it really works)
Thanks for answering, sibton :)
SJ, That might be a good idea, actually. I have two young children and, even though I know it's really bad for you, it's hard to really make that be enough to stop you, unless you've seen first hand what it can do (like you have).
Lazygun, thanks for your answer. That's the thing, after a few days I feel absolutely fine. I was doing well until my Dad came round and I got a whiff of it again. And yes, it's true what you say.. once I've had my first puff, I almost breath a sigh of relief, as I feel it has 'helped' me in some way... when really it is just the craving being satisfied.
I will try again in the morning, I think. I tend to always look at the packet and think "I'll stop after these have gone", but then I just end up buying more.
Urghh! I really do hate it aswell, so I don't know why I am finding it such a struggle.
Good idea with regards to the mints/fruit. I was feeling peckish 30 minutes ago and really fancied a packet of crisps... but had a cigarette instead. Now I have that horrible, foul taste in my mouth.
Right. Lets try again in the morning. Thanks for your advice :)
SJ, That might be a good idea, actually. I have two young children and, even though I know it's really bad for you, it's hard to really make that be enough to stop you, unless you've seen first hand what it can do (like you have).
Lazygun, thanks for your answer. That's the thing, after a few days I feel absolutely fine. I was doing well until my Dad came round and I got a whiff of it again. And yes, it's true what you say.. once I've had my first puff, I almost breath a sigh of relief, as I feel it has 'helped' me in some way... when really it is just the craving being satisfied.
I will try again in the morning, I think. I tend to always look at the packet and think "I'll stop after these have gone", but then I just end up buying more.
Urghh! I really do hate it aswell, so I don't know why I am finding it such a struggle.
Good idea with regards to the mints/fruit. I was feeling peckish 30 minutes ago and really fancied a packet of crisps... but had a cigarette instead. Now I have that horrible, foul taste in my mouth.
Right. Lets try again in the morning. Thanks for your advice :)
Stop it now while you can, you have recognised the fact that it stinks, it costs money and it makes you ill. I know that if I have one cigarette or even half of one I will start smoking again, I was addicted to nicotine, I am so close at calling it a day and starting smoking again to get some of my post smoking weight off, but I know how difficult it is to stop and I promised myself I would never start again. Anxiety and stress take care of themselves, cigs don't take it away. Please try to give it up, cut down gradually, and ask your Dad to help you by not to smoking when he comes around.
Star, that's truly awful. I felt really sad reading that... and it made me think of my children :(
Ladyalex, I think it would probably be best for me to just try and stop altogether. I know what I'm like, and If I have them in the house, I'll just smoke them.
I also realise I must stink of tobacco, which is pretty grim. Infact, my son said to me last night (when I kissed him goodnight) "You smell like grandad". That should have been enough to make me want to stop, but I've just got into a bit of a habit now. But, it's a habit I most definitely want to break!
LoftyLottie, again, your story made me feel sad (although really glad that you have now recovered!)
It also made me feel really selfish.
I will definitely make a real effort in the morning not to have a cigarette with my morning coffee. I will try to remember your answers.
Ladyalex, I think it would probably be best for me to just try and stop altogether. I know what I'm like, and If I have them in the house, I'll just smoke them.
I also realise I must stink of tobacco, which is pretty grim. Infact, my son said to me last night (when I kissed him goodnight) "You smell like grandad". That should have been enough to make me want to stop, but I've just got into a bit of a habit now. But, it's a habit I most definitely want to break!
LoftyLottie, again, your story made me feel sad (although really glad that you have now recovered!)
It also made me feel really selfish.
I will definitely make a real effort in the morning not to have a cigarette with my morning coffee. I will try to remember your answers.
AYG, again, thanks :)
I have actually asked my Dad not to smoke around me, but I don't think he takes it very seriously and just said he won't bother coming round any more!
We're not talking about a massive weight loss here, just maybe a stone, so I guess I shouldn't be too concerned. Seems very silly now, when you hear about other peoples sad experiences.
I have actually asked my Dad not to smoke around me, but I don't think he takes it very seriously and just said he won't bother coming round any more!
We're not talking about a massive weight loss here, just maybe a stone, so I guess I shouldn't be too concerned. Seems very silly now, when you hear about other peoples sad experiences.
When you decide to come off the fags, don't tell anyone. The last thing you need is some eejit every five minutes asking how you're doing.
It is easy for non-smokers to say "don't buy them" but as an ex-smoker I know it's not that simple. It helps if you don't go out with the money to buy them. When I quit it was when the missus was out of work and the bank account was empty due to income being halved. Something had to go. And so it was the fags went for a burton. That was 13 years ago.
It is easy for non-smokers to say "don't buy them" but as an ex-smoker I know it's not that simple. It helps if you don't go out with the money to buy them. When I quit it was when the missus was out of work and the bank account was empty due to income being halved. Something had to go. And so it was the fags went for a burton. That was 13 years ago.
Thanks Ladyalex :)
LL, I know, I know. It bloody stinks!
Star, nobody smokes in my house, but I tend to sit outside with my Dad when he's having one. Will try to stay in from now on.
Spikey, that's a really good idea actually.. not to tell anyone. I always feel pressured when I've mentioned it in the past, and then people make such a big deal out of it.
Jem, I couldn't believe how much a pack of 20 cigarettes was, when I bought them a couple of months ago... £7.20!! Unbelievable. I then went on holiday, and bought 400 bag from the airport. I got through those, and have been buying them since. My goodness, when you add it all up, that's terrible. I never treat myself to anything, as I always say I'd rather spend it on the kids... but thinking about how much it costs to smoke, makes me now feel terrible!
LL, I know, I know. It bloody stinks!
Star, nobody smokes in my house, but I tend to sit outside with my Dad when he's having one. Will try to stay in from now on.
Spikey, that's a really good idea actually.. not to tell anyone. I always feel pressured when I've mentioned it in the past, and then people make such a big deal out of it.
Jem, I couldn't believe how much a pack of 20 cigarettes was, when I bought them a couple of months ago... £7.20!! Unbelievable. I then went on holiday, and bought 400 bag from the airport. I got through those, and have been buying them since. My goodness, when you add it all up, that's terrible. I never treat myself to anything, as I always say I'd rather spend it on the kids... but thinking about how much it costs to smoke, makes me now feel terrible!
Wow! £7.20 now? Bl00dy Hell!
You know you can tell us ABers about your progress when you give up, we'll try to help and encourage you. We'll talk dirty (smells & ashtrays) try to make you feel good. Try to put an amount what you would have spent monthly in another accoubt & it will soon mount up & it will make you feel good about yourself, thats what I did & all of a sudden you'll find you CAN afford that pretty little thing you saw in the High St.
GO GIRL>
Jem
You know you can tell us ABers about your progress when you give up, we'll try to help and encourage you. We'll talk dirty (smells & ashtrays) try to make you feel good. Try to put an amount what you would have spent monthly in another accoubt & it will soon mount up & it will make you feel good about yourself, thats what I did & all of a sudden you'll find you CAN afford that pretty little thing you saw in the High St.
GO GIRL>
Jem
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