Quitting smoking

Thanks for the support and advice guys, I appreciate it. I think the biggest hurdle for me before was my raging niccotine dependency. I smoked between 1 and 2 packs of Pall Mall reds a day, and last time I tried to quit, I got about 2 days into it before I started getting headaches and being real bitchy in general. I've managed to step myself down to usually under a pack a day of Carltons which are about the lowest niccotine cigarettes you can buy (one Pall Mall red has the equivallent of about 15 Carltons).

I will definitely put some of the advice you guys gave to use. I think I will try to combine exercise with quitting smoking, I could use it anyways to shed the 10lbs I gained over the holidays. I think I'll also try to avoid the bar and hanging out with my smoker friends for a little bit, just so I'm not around the smoke which tends to make me crave cigarettes even more.

Thanks again for all the help guys!

 

Go for the book. Trust me -- after trying all the methods, I'm convinced, that it is the only way. One point he makes in the book was that he was able to excercise a lot more once he quit. I was too. I actually lost weight after I quit smoking b/c I was running daily. Better quality of life, healthier, and of course, better looking.

Good Luck!

 

The risk of cancer from marijuana is kind of tricky to argue since as far as I'm aware there have been no studies done on it so no one really knows.

On one hand you have cigarettes. Most have filters but they also put in tons of chemicals put in by the companies that make them. It would be interesting to see what the cancer rates would be without all the chemicals.

On the other hand you have marijuana. I've yet to meet the pot smoker that puts filters in there joints so it's safe to say they don't have filters. Some people would also argue that it doesn’t have all the chemicals that cigarettes have going for it. Personally I think this argument is BS since many growers put chemicals on to grow better crops and who knows what those do to the body when smoked.

In my opinion (and just my opinion) I'd say that is at least as bad for you as cigarettes. Probably a little more so since they lack filters. I'd also say that this is somewhat offset though since as like other people have mentioned most people smoke far less marijuana than cigarettes.

 

I'm not sure how much truth there is to it, but I remember seeing some preliminary study that suggested that marijuana, because of the lack of filters when smoked, can actually deliver an exponentially higher amount of tar and all that other fun stuff than plain ol' cigarettes. No idea if this is true or not.

Anyways.

Kingofthelobster, your most potent weapon in your fight against addiction is - as I think Warakia mentioned - your own mind. The human mind and will are capable of great feats if you're strong enough to stick with it. "Mind over matter" is horribly cliche, but strikingly accurate. If you want to quit bad enough, set yourself to it and don't give up no matter what.
Not that it's going to be easy. Tachikoma and GaijinPunch both had excellent suggestions - joining some sort of support group and getting 'self-help' books help you to realize that there are others out there fighting the same battle, and it can also introduce you to people who could help keep you accountable in your efforts.
Replace the smoking habit with a positive one. Take up running or another form of exercise; of course you'll be huffing and wheezing for a while while you work yourself into shape, but the endorphin highs that come from sustained activities will certainly help curb your cigarette cravings.
Also, part of the struggle is going to be against your muscle memory - your fingers are going to want cigarettes to hold. Try toothpicks as ProgrammingAce suggested, or get a plastic Bic pen to carry around with you. It's about the same diameter as a cigarette, and if you hit a moment of weakness, you can always just stick the end in your mouth and pretend really, really hard. The upside to this is if you chew the pen apart in a fit of withdrawl, you're only out 35 cents or so. But seriously, good luck, and just remember that although you might use any number of methods to help you quit, ultimately you're the one who has the power.

 

The research I was talking about with smokers and nonsmokers, and the life in it self, is a Danish doctors research.

And about the cannabis, I will say this, it IS worse than drinking alcohol. And almost every body is babbling about how easy it is to stop. The addiction, but that is a very big lie. I had a former friend, who is addicted to cannabis, and must smoke it every day. And cannabis, can fuck you up the first time you ever smoke it.

I have met people who were fuckedup like that, just because of one joint. My father has met people, who were screwed because of long time alcohol abuse.


So if I should chose, even though I don´t like the choice, I would smoke normal tobacco.
And I am smoking normal tobacco. Since I have had too many VERY bad cannabis smoking badtrips. And I don´t think many of you have met psychiatric people, like I have . Since then you people would know I am not bullshitting with you guys.

Heck, where did I get the info about dangers of cannabis vs. normal tobacco ? well, I must say I read in a scientology against drugs booklets, and I am not fond of Scientology, But the small booklets were very informative, and well because Scientology made them. You could seriously, just take a speedmarker, and black the Scientology shit out.
And the small booklets had also about Ecstacy, and other different drugs.

People , I am just telling you the unsweetened truth, even though some prefer with sugar on top. But I am not telling you bedtime stories, I am telling you facts from life. That I have been witness to. And perhaps I am born a bit Knurd (read discworld to find out what it is).

But really, I am just telling the facts as they are.

 

You have to keep this in mind, look at how much tar you are smoking as well. If you quit and walk by a site where they are paving new tar, you lungs will go nuts for a smoke. Tar is pretty much what coats around your lungs.

As far as smoking cannabis, one joint is like smoking 7 cigs. There may not be as many chemicals, but it can still make you sick.

Both habbits are bad, but between the two Im happy I smoke rather then smoking chemicals and acting brain dead for awhile

 

Everyones adversion to pot due to the "health risks" is due to what we call "Propoganda". Instead of listening to your parents/teachers/bible beating buddies, do a little googling.

The smoke from pot is more irritating to your lungs than a ciggerette. This is due to lack of filter AND also because of additives to ciggerettes to make them burn smoother. From my paper in college, the equivilence is close to a pack of normal ciggerettes a day for one joint.

The problem is, ciggerettes have carcinogens:

"Substances that increase the risk of neoplasms in humans or animals. Both genotoxic chemicals, which affect DNA directly, and nongenotoxic chemicals, which induce neoplasms by other mechanism, are included."

Notice the "which affect DNA directly". I am unsure about everyones knowledge of how cancer forms, but this its manifesto. Cancer is formed when DNA "breaks" and reforms wrongly. This happens naturally. Chances are, however, that if the fragments of DNA DO in fact reconverge, that they are destroyed by your body, because they are seen as invalid (much like windows not running your EXE if you just took half of one and half of another and put them together). Every once in a while, the DNA comes back together to form a strand that the body thinks is valid. It probably isn't. This causes cells with such broken DNA to grow and grow and grow because the DNA has no blueprint of how/when to stop the process.

Now pot has MULTITUDES less carcinogens. Something along the lines of 1/50-1/100.

Also, pot is not physically addictive, like nicotine. Your body builds no dependancies on it, especially not after "one joint". Anyone falling into that category could have any number of reasons for seeming so. Pot is, like everything else, Psycologically addictive. Most people get really used to the endophin release associated with pot (which ciggerettes are known for too, just in smaller quantities). Regular use will cause neuropathways to form (known as a habit), much like biting your nails. The only thing clinically proven to cause a physical dependancy on first use is Heroin.

If anyone is interested in hearing more, Im certainly willing.

As for smoking, other than Pot, I smoke two ciggerettes a day... one on the way home from work, and one shortly before bed, for relaxation. My wife has been an on and off smoker for almost 20 years now. When she quits (she really doesn't want to, which is why she always restarts), she uses licorice to chew on. It seems to work pretty good on the habit half.

 

So everyone has to suffer just becuase of your problem? It's your Asthma - you stay at home with it. I know it's tough, but I don't see why 50 people in a bar need to stop enjoying a cig just incase you walk in. What's next? Blacks, Jews?

I've got sensitive ears, so I'm going to try and get a law passed to force people to whisper in pubs and bars.

Quitting smoking isn't THAT hard. Its all in the mind, and not becuase of it's habbit but becuase stupid fucker will keep telling you "stopping smoking is the hardest thing you will ever do". And "Smoking is REALLY bad for you". I know if someone tell me not to do something I get almost uncontrollable urges to do it.

If you like smoking - keep at it. Why refuse your self something you like? It's not that bad for you, just keep it under control. You tell me something else you can consume 20 times a day for 50 years and still be healthy.

 

Funkstar De Luxe: Whisper is really higher, than low voice talking in decibel.
So maybe you should make a law, about people should lower their voice, but not whispering

 

Agreed :-D

 

I call bullshit. Neither bouncing a few links from Google nor writing a college paper make one an expert on any subject, least of all marijuana. The simple fact of the matter is that there have been very few clinical studies conducted on the effects of marijuana smoke on the body, but what preliminary findings have turned up is that marijuana delivers an amount of tar into the lungs that's well above the amount from a similar amount of tobacco. While there have been few studies conducted thus far on the link between marijuana and lung cancer, all burning organic matter gives off carcinogens, which you are inhaling into your lungs.

On a side note, the statement concerning 'bible-thumping buddies' and aversions to marijuana is, at best, completely asinine. This sort of straw-man demonizing lends little credibility to proponents of legalization, and runs with the fictitious assumption that religious beliefs play any part in an individual's opposition to marijuana. People are wary of the drug for a variety of perfectly legitimate reasons, be it the effect it's had on lives of friends and loved ones or the simple desire to avoid mind-altering substances. The attempt to discredit these valid concerns by painting them as the result of religious brainwashing is, for lack of better words, utterly stupid. Using loaded phrases like 'propaganda' and 'bible-thumping' as some sort of scare tactic in the absence of a tangible argument is not a good way to ensure your opinions are objectively considered.

 

GSL: I seriously hope you don´t mean me, about propaganda, and bible-thumping, I am just giving you the eye witness facts, I have seen, and experienced, since I know drugs are bad. And I don´t have double standards on that subject, since I am always admitting, I have tried cannabis, and coke/speed/something that was mixed up with soap powder.

But yes I know I have some double standards, on the pirate subject, but heck it is human to have double standards, and by the way Double standards in Danish is (translated) double morale.


But well, enough of that from me for now.


Heck, where is kyuusaku ? I miss him.

 

True dat. 100%

 

Right, but I'm not the only one in the world with this "problem" (I prefer the term condition). So you expect me to stay at home forever? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I really don't give a damn if people smoke in bars. I don't go to bars. I don't drink alcohol. I actually take care of myself. It's other public places that really bothers me, such as restaurants. Not being able to smoke a cigarette... suffering... Oh man that's some bullshit.

I'm allergic to dumbasses, so I'm going to try and get a law passed to force all dumbasses be shot into the sun. If it works, we won't be hearing from you anymore.

 

Why dont you stay at home in your property and smoke your death stick there instead of forcing others to put up with your choices.

 

AWS: you are allergic to gay people, you are allergic to Mexicans, you are just a allergic to anything not being a rightwinged fanatic christian republican.

So what about you take a break , since I think many here, are allergic to you.
Heck maybe that is also the reason why
some of our members aren´t posting here anymore.

So what about it ? I think you are the one with the biggest double standards here, heck I could even go through your forum posts, heck even the locked forum topics, and qoute the shite out of your double standards, and your racistic comments. Or something else. Since I think I can live with most people here. Even you, if you learn to behave.


And to moderators, I hope you understand, if this thread gets locked, then please PM me a warning not to tell the truth, since I am, to be honest quite tired of some of AWS´s comments, and I know problerly some of my comments too. But screw it, I am here to have a good time with the members, and I am taking the fight up, since I am not a noob.

Peace.

Rogeroverandfuckingout.

 

Greatsaintlouis: I never claimed to be an expert in cannibus, but I have put a lot of acedemic and some professional time on the subject, which could mean "I almost was". I offered to give more details to those who care to learn.

I never disputed the tar fact, anyway. My focus was on the carcinogens, which I purposefully seperated from the content of smoke.

But I digress. Rather than this being a constructive conversation, my only retort will be to endlessly quelch the flames of those who don't want to listen. Thats fine. I just dont want to do it.

 

Yes. People should be able to smoke where the fuck they want to. You have no right to go around telling people where and where not to smoke. IT BOTHERS YOU. YOU MOVE.

If I was loctose intellerant I wouldn't go into a restaurant and complain to everyone drinking milk. I wouldn't drink it. I would avoid places where I was likely to encounter it. It'd be my problem.

It's morons like you that create all these stupid laws. I don't have asthma, I don't give a fuck about yours.

 

You need to learn not to start crap when someone is making a perfect and valid point. AWS please dont reply to the BS.

 

Yes, perhaps we should knock down all churches too. I can prey at home - I shouldn't force my religion on other people either, now should I?

Hasn't anyone here seen Penn & Teller' Bullshit?

Do not post links to pirate material please!