Crazy contemplation

[intricatic]

I would confirm your very eloquent discription of the addictive qualities of nicotine and the "whole brain" approach to addiction. Smoking is an intimate, very sensual excercise, obviously reinforcing the continuation (environment, memories, milieu)...very complex and not understood entirely.

I would differ (and I'm only a MS level person) with regarding the "addictive" component of nictotine. Though well tolerated (or it wouldn't be an addiction), it is a VERY powerful stimulant that chemically induces withdrawal symptoms. Cocaine, though not condoned AT ALL, is not as addictive chemically as nicotine, but the psychological effects that cause reinforcement with cocaine are signifivcnt.

Interesting. I'm just a layman when it comes to this stuff, but I had always heard that nicotine wasn't entirely as addictive [when it comes to the way it interacts with the brain] as other chemicals.

I also keep having people tell me that withdrawal is just a psychological reaction, but I have to strongly disagree - I am not just going through a psychological effect right now, it's something a lot more insidious than that.

 

[Protinus]

Interesting. I'm just a layman when it comes to this stuff, but I had always heard that nicotine wasn't entirely as addictive [when it comes to the way it interacts with the brain] as other chemicals.

I also keep having people tell me that withdrawal is just a psychological reaction, but I have to strongly disagree - I am not just going through a psychological effect right now, it's something a lot more insidious than that.

Oh NO!! Again, I'm not a bench researcher, but it is just the opposite! Incredibly addictive chemically and confounding in withdrawal because of it. I make the comparison with cocaine only because it is so abused in our society...in a sense, nicotine is more "insidious" as you so adequately put it!

 

[intricatic]

Oh NO!! Again, I'm not a bench researcher, but it is just the opposite! Incredibly addictive chemically and confounding in withdrawal because of it. I make the comparison with cocaine only because it is so abused in our society...in a sense, nicotine is more "insidious" as you so adequately put it!

I've never gotten involved with any other addictive substance [thankfully], but I can only imagine. lol

Are there any techniques that lessen the withdrawal at all?

 

[Protinus]

I've never gotten involved with any other addictive substance [thankfully], but I can only imagine. lol

Are there any techniques that lessen the withdrawal at all?

There are but I'm getting into an area that is beyond my scope here (plus, I'm just a trainee moderator!!). Stay strong with our Lord, look to medical intervention as not a "pain" but a new window for the rest of your life. I would be happy to talf to you about drug therapies via pm that are easily researched.

You have excellent questions and comments!!!

 

[intricatic]

There are but I'm getting into an area that is beyond my scope here (plus, I'm just a trainee moderator!!). Stay strong with our Lord, look to medical intervention as not a "pain" but a new window for the rest of your life. I would be happy to talf to you about drug therapies via pm that are easily researched.

You have excellent questions and comments!!!

No worries about your status as moderator. That doesn't make you any more or less of a person responding to a thread.

But certainly, if you have some advice, I'd be more than glad to hear it - I'm going nuts here... lol

 

[rnmomof7]

Having worked in addictions as a detox supervisor and as a certified counselor and former smoker I will throw in my 2 cents.

I NEVER believed that tobacco was physically addictive, I always saw it as a psychological addiction UNTIL I could not quit without help.
That help was in the form of the gum . When I wanted to smoke a couples of "hits " of nicotine from the gum took away the craving,so I had to admit the physical component .

I have come to see it as a dual addiction, psychological and physical.
Like heroin and cocaine there is a component of triggers (smoking with the morning coffee or when talking on the phone or after dinner as examples)that complicate the withdrawal

Quitting is a two pronged effort.

I have to disagree that it is an addiction on the level of Heroin or what I consider the most dangerous and difficult addictions , crack and meth.
I would liken it more to caffeine in effect and possibly pot for addictive properties ( that is simply MPO)
The initial effort needs to be great for smoking because it is in a sense it remains socially acceptable ( in some circles) and it is still legal if restricted. I think both of those features make it a more nefarious enemy.

I can only tell you that quitting will improve the quality of your life and health, it is worth the effort .

It took about 6 months for me to get to the point that the triggers no longer worked and today I can be in a smoke filled room and have not one moment where I wish I had a cigarette to light up. The desire is long gone.

A thought about the ADD. That is an interesting issue, but on the surface it would seem to me that a drug like nicotine would make the add more pronounced.

 

[Protinus]

Having worked in addictions as a detox supervisor and as a certified counselor and former smoker I will throw in my 2 cents.

I NEVER believed that tobacco was physically addictive, I always saw it as a psychological addiction UNTIL I could not quit without help.
That help was in the form of the gum . When I wanted to smoke a couples of "hits " of nicotine from the gum took away the craving,so I had to admit the physical component .

I have come to see it as a dual addiction, psychological and physical.
Like heroin and cocaine there is a component of triggers (smoking with the morning coffee or when talking on the phone or after dinner as examples)that complicate the withdrawal

Quitting is a two pronged effort.

I have to disagree that it is an addiction on the level of Heroin or what I consider the most dangerous and difficult addictions , crack and meth.
I would liken it more to caffeine in effect and possibly pot for addictive properties ( that is simply MPO)
The initial effort needs to be great for smoking because it is in a sense it remains socially acceptable ( in some circles) and it is still legal if restricted. I think both of those features make it a more nefarious enemy.

I can only tell you that quitting will improve the quality of your life and health, it is worth the effort .

It took about 6 months for me to get to the point that the triggers no longer worked and today I can be in a smoke filled room and have not one moment where I wish I had a cigarette to light up. The desire is long gone.

A thought about the ADD. That is an interesting issue, but on the surface it would seem to me that a drug like nicotine would make the add more pronounced.

What a testament and informational addition RnMom!!! You reveal that there is hope with trials and fortitude, but there's hope.

I think pot is very much a problem but not within the topic, but I 'll have my day with it!! I've done neuronal basic research with cannibas...very insidious drug!!

 

[rnmomof7]

What a testament and informational addition RnMom!!! You reveal that there is hope with trials and fortitude, but there's hope.

I think pot is very much a problem but not within the topic, but I 'll have my day with it!! I've done neuronal basic research with cannibas...very insidious drug!!

The reason I likened it to pot is unlike crack and meth there is not an immediate urge to chase the "high" .

Pot is indeed an interesting drug..

 

[intricatic]

A thought about the ADD. That is an interesting issue, but on the surface it would seem to me that a drug like nicotine would make the add more pronounced.

It definitely does. But the medication I'm taking seems to make the triggers more pronounced, as well.

Before I quit, I was smoking a lot more than I normally did, and the cravings I have for nicotine are much worse at certain points than they would be normally.

 

[intricatic]

Nuts, this is harder than I thought.