Smoking

[MAMiller]

I am a smoker and I know more and more each day that I need to quit. I have tried numerous times but can not seem to find within the will and faith to overcome this. I have been smoking for 9 years now and the longer I continue, the worse I feel and the more it takes hold. I feel ill each morning when I get up and that doesn't even scratch the surface of the guilt. My husband smokes as well and he has also expressed a desire to quit. Christian scriptures are welcome and desired. I would really like to know your overall point of view on what you feel God and Jesus say about this.

Also I would love to talk to former Christian smokers and find out what it was that led them to finally give it up for good.

I smoke outside so as not to expose my son, but who am I kidding. Everyday it becomes more and more of a crutch. I don't want my son to see his mother smoking anymore.

 

[Hydra009]

I'm pretty sure the Bible doesn't mention smoking cigarettes directly, but I'm sure there are many passages that could be interpreted as encouraging a believer to discontinue a self-destructive habit. You know, the "your body is a temple to God" kind of thing.

Nicotine is extremely addictive, and it's extremely hard for smokers to quit. But it has to be done, and there are many modern methods which have worked for millions of people. You're just going to have to find the way that works for you.

 

[MAMiller]

Irish_Guevara: Thanks for the advice. I have tried many things but it all comes down to finding the strength within. I just hope I can conquer it.

 

[- DRA -]

I am a smoker and I know more and more each day that I need to quit. I have tried numerous times but can not seem to find within the will and faith to overcome this. I have been smoking for 9 years now and the longer I continue, the worse I feel and the more it takes hold. I feel ill each morning when I get up and that doesn't even scratch the surface of the guilt. My husband smokes as well and he has also expressed a desire to quit. Christian scriptures are welcome and desired. I would really like to know your overall point of view on what you feel God and Jesus say about this.

Also I would love to talk to former Christian smokers and find out what it was that led them to finally give it up for good.

I smoke outside so as not to expose my son, but who am I kidding. Everyday it becomes more and more of a crutch. I don't want my son to see his mother smoking anymore.

MAMiller,

I feel for you. I lost both parents to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. I can send you a study that I did last year called "Tobacco Smoke . . . The Truth Will Leave You Smoldering!" Send me a PM with your e-mail address and I will be glad to send you the word document. I have sent the study to well over 1,000 people so far. I did an oral presentation of the study for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society of our local junior college last year. I added a two-page section to the study for Christians to consider. I think you will profit from it. You desperately need to quit . . . not only for your sake . . . but for your son as well. When you see the picture of a smoker's lung, it will make you realize what the smoke is doing to you . . . and what the second-hand smoke is doing to your son. I applaud your efforts to minimize your son's exposure to the smoke, but you should consider your example before him also. I just saw a short segment on TV about the effectiveness of the nicotine nasal spray versus the patch. Please let me know if I can help you in some way.

My field of study and work is in safety, health, and environmental areas in industry.

May God bless you richly in your efforts to "kick" this terrible habit,
. . . Denny

 

[Mr.Pious]

Really stupid question but have you tryed nicotine gum? I have noticed quite a few of my teachers chew that during the day, and they don't seem to be going threw any ill side effects.

 

[KittiK]

I smoked for 15 years....I quit three months ago. I used no medication. My problem with smoking is that it is a drug. Regardless of how you look it....it's nicotine. I smoked a pack and a half everyday...still miss it sometimes, but I've gone this long, and have no desire to start over and that what keeps me "quit"....I used a site call Quitnet.com...they are so sweet there. Lots of christian forums there to talk to christians who are trying to quit, thinking about quitting, or are there for support to the ones who need it! Give it a look.
KittiK

 

[BarbB]

Hi,

I quit 8 years ago (in January, on the 23rd at 7 a.m., to be precise ) after I was diagnosed with asthma and emphysema. In the meantime, my mom died of lung cancer and my dad of stroke! All brought on by smoking.

My husband and I officially quit together using the patch. We smoked low-nic cigs so we cut the patch in half and each used one. He quit using the patch in a week but I continued for 5 weeks until I became allergic to it. The beauty of the patch is that you forget that it's there and you feel no real need for nicotine. So your physical habits can change by NOT LIGHTING UP, SMOKING, TAPPING ASHES or any of the million ceremonies we make of smoking. We scheduled our stop date on a Tuesday a week away and smoked our heads off in the meantime until we were nearly nauseous!

I wasn't Christian then, but neither of us smoked again (although I still dream of it). Pray hard for support! You will get it - and let us know if you do quit - cause we'll support you lots!

 

[MAMiller]

Really stupid question but have you tryed nicotine gum? I have noticed quite a few of my teachers chew that during the day, and they don't seem to be going threw any ill side effects.

Yes, I am just so addicted that I even get addicted to the fowl gum and believe me that stuff is nasty beyond belief (the cheap stuff, I can't afford the big dollar stuff that I hear tastes better).

What is unfortunate about the gum and the patch is although it is suppose to break you slowly, I find it makes me more likely to cheat and cheat big, nearly hiding in bushes growling.

When I was pregnant, I quit cold turkey, but so did my husband, so the temptation wasn't there and the withdrawal was less problematic. However I was in my early 20's and had not been smoking long, my addiction level was lower than now, well at least that is what I tell myself.

It is not only addictive, but fiercely habitual. If you are married to a smoker, it makes it twice as hard, because that other person may give in and send you over the edge, etc. Plus you both bump heads during withdrawals.

It is a terrible mess, but I am not giving up ...

I have been on the patch (that just made me addicted to the patch, hehe)

I was on the inhaler, that is so nasty, it is like eating cigarettes whole!

I was in a smoking sensation class. That is hard because everyone is going through the same thing, and most don't succeed. You feel their tress and it constantly reminds you.

I was on the gum, again this time like chewing whole cigarettes.

The only time I have been successful was for 2 years (I know, why did I go back ... I was such an idiot, I was stressed and ... ). That was cold turkey with one on one support. Instead of an addict supporting you, a non-smoker is better. The addict is often going through the same temptation and they tempt you.

I WILL OVERCOME ... some how?!

Mrs Michelle

 

[MAMiller]

Former smokers, thanks for your advice! The resources (websites) I will check out, as well as some of the methods you used to quit. Also, for the couples who smoked, thanks for your reassurance that it is not impossible to quit, together ...

Mrs. Michelle

 

[KittiK]

Ms Michelle,
I tried the patch too, but they don't burn well.... Sorry I felt compelled...

You will prevail. An addiction is an addiction is an addiction. Mentally you can kick this....it takes constantly telling yourself WHY you are quitting, WHY it is worth it, and HOW badly you will no longer fall vitem to the addiction. PRAY, everyday and give your fear to Him. When you feel you want a cig, think of how it feels right after you take a drag. You will feel it again (mentally). Smoking for us has been associated with positive feelings. You need to work on focusing your smoking on negative feelings and make smoking in you mind associated with displeasure, instead of calm. Anyways, good luck and prayers to you. You CAN do this....you have to BELIEVE without a shadow of a doubt.

My 2cents and a nickel change,
KittiK

 

[Plodzilla]

Try hypnotism. The stats look pretty good. After all all, it is mainly a mental not physical addiction, so it's probably the best way to go about it. When I've got the cash that's what I'll do. Don't get too worked up about it though, that'll just make it worse. What do I do when I'm stressed? Have a smoke. Bit of a vicious circle really.

 

[KittiK]

Try hypnotism. The stats look pretty good. After all all, it is mainly a mental not physical addiction, so it's probably the best way to go about it. When I've got the cash that's what I'll do. Don't get too worked up about it though, that'll just make it worse. What do I do when I'm stressed? Have a smoke. Bit of a vicious circle really.

How true Plodzilla...

 

[- DRA -]

Try hypnotism. The stats look pretty good. After all all, it is mainly a mental not physical addiction, so it's probably the best way to go about it. When I've got the cash that's what I'll do. Don't get too worked up about it though, that'll just make it worse. What do I do when I'm stressed? Have a smoke. Bit of a vicious circle really.

Plodzilla,

In reality, the addiction to nicotine is more physical than mental. The body adjusts to higher levels of dopamine, epinephrine, endorphins, glumamate, and cuts backs on its production of these hormones and neurotransmitters i.e. acetylcholine. The body adjusts to the higher levels of these components and cuts back on its own production of them. Therefore, these elevated levels become the body's "normal mode of operation." Since the effects of nicotine only last about 2 hours, it becomes necessary to continually smoke, chew, or dip to satisfy the body's cravings.

Most users of tobacco are not aware of nicotine's history of use as an INSECTICIDE. Yes, that's right . . . and insecticide. It kills insects. It will also kill humans. It messes up the body's ability for the brain to communicate with the heart, lungs, and muscles. It works the same way an organophosphate (Dursban) or carbamate insecticide works today.

Once the nicotine addiction takes hold, the vicious cycle that you refer to occurs - - time, after time, after time, after time . . . . Smoking brings relaxation. The nicotine cravings are temporarily satisfied. For about 2 hours. Then the cravings kick in again. Meanwhile, every time you smoke the delicate lungs tissues (alveoli) are being exposed to hydrocarbon deposits (leaving a very black discoloration), over 40 known carcinogens, and another 20 known tumor initiators and promoters. Also, nicotine causes the heart rate to increase, the arteries to constrict, and the platelets to become stickier than normal. Combine these "ingredients" with the effects of aging, and you have the perfect "recipe" for a heart attack or stroke.

I am not a fan of statistics. But this one statistic about smoking leaves me stunned. Smoking kills more Americans ANNUALLY than the number of soldiers killed in World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam conflict combined!

I watched both my parents waste away from cancer caused by cigarette smoking. I assure you, there are some ways of dying that are just plain ugly. I saw two of those ways - - throat cancer and lung cancer. Lung cancer is complicated in the late stages by pulmonary edema. That is just a fancy way of saying that you are drowning in your own body fluids. My mother spent the last several days of her life gasping for more air. It was an ugly thing to watch. I pray that you do not meet the same demise.

Good health is to be desired, not forfeited to pad the pockets ($$$$) of those in the tobacco industry (3 John 2).

. . . Denny

 

[KittiK]

Plodzilla,

In reality, the addiction to nicotine is more physical than mental. The body adjusts to higher levels of dopamine, epinephrine, endorphins, glumamate, and cuts backs on its production of these hormones and neurotransmitters i.e. acetylcholine. The body adjusts to the higher levels of these components and cuts back on its own production of them. Therefore, these elevated levels become the body's "normal mode of operation." Since the effects of nicotine only last about 2 hours, it becomes necessary to continually smoke, chew, or dip to satisfy the body's cravings.

I'm sorry Denny, but I completely disagree. Any physical addiction can be broken in 10 days. Your body is made to adjust. I have been addicted to many things in my lifetime...and it's always the same. You create a "path" in your mind that tells you that you need a smoke. What takes time is programming your mind that you "don't" need that smoke. The experiment goes like this...if you take out all the cigs you smoke out of habit, not "need", your consumption is almost cut in half. You answer the phone....light up. Driving in the car...bad traffic...light up. Get angry and need to calm down...light up. We train ourselves to take this action when these things happen.

Most users of tobacco are not aware of nicotine's history of use as an INSECTICIDE. Yes, that's right . . . and insecticide. It kills insects. It will also kill humans. It messes up the body's ability for the brain to communicate with the heart, lungs, and muscles. It works the same way an organophosphate (Dursban) or carbamate insecticide works today.

Yes, believe it or not, we do. But if you've done your research....you'll see that the cigarette companies are guilty of putting other chemicals that are very addictive into the tobacco. Niccotine in and of itself...isn't that addictive....it's like caffine. As sad as it is...those addicted to cigs can identify with other addicts like cocaine. "one more won't hurt"
We feel out of control without the "calming" effects of a cig in your hand.

my two cents and a nickel change

 

[AdJesumPerMariam]

Also, remember, the physical addiction of nicotine is gone in about 7-10 days, its the mental addiction that is there approx 21-30 days. Drink a glass of water everytime you feel like you want a cigarrette. Take it one day at a time!!

Praying for you!

Love-n-Blessings
dee

 

[Plodzilla]

Smoking's a weird addiction, because there's so little affect. With drink and drugs and sex and stuff, at least there's a high. Smoking's all about equilibrium, as mentioned above. Mind you, I still smoke. I take it most people on this board are Americans, how's the public bans going? They're trying to do that over here, but they'll never get away with it.

 

[KittiK]

In America they are getting away with it just fine, thank you. The common arguement is that having a smoking section in a public building is like having a potty area of the swimming pool.

Have faith...if you'd like to quit smoking, you will when you are ready. Three weeks....that's what you need to set your mind on. That's what it takes. If you can make three weeks....you can make the rest of your life. Now I know that "if you can make one day" thing...but as far as the withdrawls, mental arguments, and seeing other people smoking when you can't....three weeks.

BTW, my mother died of cancer as well. She went through 4 years of breast cancer treatment, only to die two years later of colon cancer. It's not pretty, but believe it or not...that's not why I quit.

 

[Plodzilla]

'In America they are getting away with it just fine, thank you. The common arguement is that having a smoking section in a public building is like having a potty area of the swimming pool.'

It's not the buildings I object to so much, it's the street. Why shouldn't you be able to smoke outdoors? Really, whats wrong with that? Also, I don't think the tabacco companies are to blame. In every country where you can smoke, people do.

 

[KittiK]

Very true. In Houston, some areas have ordinances that require you to be "X" feet from the front door to smoke. They call it "common courtesy". They cannot stop you from smoking completely. Of course I have heard of towns where smoking is illegal.....could just be rumor, or somebody's nightmare! As far as parks, walking down the street....nothing wrong with it, except the dirty looks from non-smokers (the ones that never smoked).

 

[Plodzilla]

That's not too bad, then. As long as there are bars where you can smoke. Sometimes, even in England where everybodys smokes (secretly, every English person wishes they were dead) it feels like apartheid when you're trying to have a drink.