Struggling with addictions?

[Splayd]

Hey guys,
I've struggled with lots of addictions in the past - drugs, alcohol, porn, gambling etc...
With God's help I've worked through most of them and come out the other side alright, but I still can't shake the cigarettes. Every time I try to quit smoking I end up in a depression cycle.

I'm told it's not uncommon for people with Bipolar Disorder to struggle with addiction. Has anyone else had these problems? Anyone overcome a smoking addiction that might have some useful advice?

 

[Pats]

Hey guys,
I've struggled with lots of addictions in the past - drugs, alcohol, porn, gambling etc...
With God's help I've worked through most of them and come out the other side alright, but I still can't shake the cigarettes. Every time I try to quit smoking I end up in a depression cycle.

I'm told it's not uncommon for people with Bipolar Disorder to struggle with addiction. Has anyone else had these problems? Anyone overcome a smoking addiction that might have some useful advice?

Hello. I have quit smoking in the past...

I usually pick it back up, though.

I don't know how much I'd worry about it. I can only quit smoking if all the other stress factors in my life are very low. Otherwise, it just adds too much undue stress.

Cheers,
Pats

 

[rushingwind62]

Hey guys,
I've struggled with lots of addictions in the past - drugs, alcohol, porn, gambling etc...
With God's help I've worked through most of them and come out the other side alright, but I still can't shake the cigarettes. Every time I try to quit smoking I end up in a depression cycle.

I'm told it's not uncommon for people with Bipolar Disorder to struggle with addiction. Has anyone else had these problems? Anyone overcome a smoking addiction that might have some useful advice?

Splayd,
I too have struggles with the same addictions. It has taken time but I too have overcome most addiction, other than smoking. I have yet to figure that one out myself. I guess it is something we have to really want to overcome and lay down. At one time I didn't think I would overcome alcohol....but with God's help and a whole lot of determination I did. So I guess the answer is will power...I know I hate those words too...lol....God Bless You and EVERYONE...Rush

 

[youthwalk]

Hey guys,
I've struggled with lots of addictions in the past - drugs, alcohol, porn, gambling etc...
With God's help I've worked through most of them and come out the other side alright, but I still can't shake the cigarettes. Every time I try to quit smoking I end up in a depression cycle.

I'm told it's not uncommon for people with Bipolar Disorder to struggle with addiction. Has anyone else had these problems? Anyone overcome a smoking addiction that might have some useful advice?

I remember my mother in a rage told me once when I was 15 or so that I had an addictive sort of personality. She didn't mean that people couldn't get enough of me though She meant that I had a tendency to be extreme about things, that I get caried away and eventually obessed or addicted. I wasn't diagnosed bipolar then.
After being diagnosed and exposed to research and other people who have bipolar, I've realised, as you said that it's not uncomman for bipolars to struggle with addictions. I've done the painkiller/seditive/sleeping pill...basically, I had an issue where I abuse medication which should not be played with. I realise that I tend to gravitate to pills when I'm very upset. I use them to zone out, to just sleep or feel numb. My pdoc said once that people who take painkillers like that, especially when used to attempt suicide, are just trying to literally, kill pain. And alcohol... I do think that we a prone to addictions. If not prone, more vulnerable. I haven't had an issue with smoking so I don't really have any advice, but I do encourage you and I will pray for you.

Brianna

Father please strengthen Splayd's inner man that he may be edified in his desire and determination to quit smoking. Lord, grant him peace when he feels anxious or upset and grant him a joyful spirit whenever he feels depressed. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

[meh]

Hey guys,
I've struggled with lots of addictions in the past - drugs, alcohol, porn, gambling etc...
With God's help I've worked through most of them and come out the other side alright, but I still can't shake the cigarettes. Every time I try to quit smoking I end up in a depression cycle.

I'm told it's not uncommon for people with Bipolar Disorder to struggle with addiction. Has anyone else had these problems? Anyone overcome a smoking addiction that might have some useful advice?

That's the one I'm working on now. And you're right- it isn't uncommon for people with bipolar to struggle with addictions. I think the theory is that we use drugs to self-medicate. I can see where that was the case with me, because as soon as I got on medications and got stabilized, the urge for drugs and alcohol sort of went away.

All things are possible with God. That I know. And I know He is faithful and just to help us deal with these struggles.

 

[Jeshu]

Hey guys,
I've struggled with lots of addictions in the past - drugs, alcohol, porn, gambling etc...
With God's help I've worked through most of them and come out the other side alright, but I still can't shake the cigarettes. Every time I try to quit smoking I end up in a depression cycle.

I'm told it's not uncommon for people with Bipolar Disorder to struggle with addiction. Has anyone else had these problems? Anyone overcome a smoking addiction that might have some useful advice?

Stuggling with addictions is very common among mentally ill people. I have struggled with many addictions including cigarettes.
Nicotine is hard to get free from -- I have not smoked a cigarette in 2 1/2 years but still often crave after them.

Advise to help stop stop smoking them is difficult as well as everybody does it differently. I stopped slowly - cutting down first until I was on 1 cigarette every four hours. After that I cut down by one cigarette a day - mastering control day by day. To stop smoking is VERY hard and needs a lot of self control - doing it slowly gave me that self control. All the best with it, whatever way you choose to rid yourself of this habit, you need prayer and good luck.

Gerry

 

[Col303]

Advise to help stop stop smoking them is difficult as well as everybody does it differently. I stopped slowly - cutting down first until I was on 1 cigarette every four hours. After that I cut down by one cigarette a day - mastering control day by day. To stop smoking is VERY hard and needs a lot of self control - doing it slowly gave me that self control. All the best with it, whatever way you choose to rid yourself of this habit, you need prayer and good luck.

Gerry

That was what worked for me. Cutting down slowly and taking one day at a time. I will still every now and then have a smoke but I've learned to give my self a break and no longer feel guilty when I do. I just continue to take it one day at a time. Plus prayer....lots of prayer

 

[tiredmom]

Yeah, I'm currently battling beer. I've quit for up to a month, and I felt wonderful. I really shouldn't drink at all since I'm on meds that are supposed to help with my screwy moods, right? But when the stress becomes way too much (or the mania gets too high) I tend to want to slam a few beers. Not good. Pray for me, all, because I'm fighting again. Gonna go see my psychiatrist AND my pastor, to try to get some more help. I suspect the anti-depressant is causing the manic episodes, as that's happened before with AD's. And of course, financial stress has been a big factor lately, and the anniversary of my mom's death (2 yrs. ago) has come around again. (Ironically, she died from alcoholism. Sad.)

I KNOW God can help me out of this, and I'm trying again to hold on to Him.

I agree w/ everyone else-- we Bipolars do have a tendency to self-medicate. We really need to listen to God, and seek the RIGHT help. But it sure is hard sometimes, because we might think we're "bothering" people with our problems, or that we're "weak" if we don't just pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and do it ourselves.

Please hang in their, you are being prayed for. I hope I am too.

 

[youthwalk]

Please hang in their, you are being prayed for. I hope I am too.

Praying for you as well.

 

[loveiseverywhere]

I've struggled with addiction for many years now. I seem to get a couple weeks or sometimes even a month behind me and then I lose control. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've really tried prayer because I'm usually mad at everyone, including God, when my life goes haywire. I need more support and I think that is what we all need...good support.

 

[Pats]

Welcome, loveiseverywhere.

 

[lmarie23]

I'm bipolar and I've struggled a lot with addictions as well. Not smoking, but other things. But i also have borderline personality disorder, which tends to have addictions with it. I think one of the things that's helped me the most is having friends who have held me accountable for my problems. Right now I have an accountability partner for each of the two addictions I struggle with. Maybe you could find someone to hold you accountable in your battle to get over smoking?

your sister in Christ,

Lynne

 

[prayingwoman]

Some addictions can be hard to shake. I was a drinker at one time and a smoker. the smokes were easy to give up but the drinking was a bit harder. I haven't touched either for 20+ years. I pray and hope you can shake the smoking. Have you tried patches or the gum? I have heard they work pretty good but I could be wrong. Hugs!