Cigarettes and anxiety?
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 27
I have the same feeling.
I've smoked for about 10 years, about a pack a day. If I'm feeling depressed or anxious sometimes I'll smoke a few in a row.
When I first started, my first cigarette of the day would give me a buzzed, dizzying feeling, which I actually liked as I was walking to the train station.
Now it's just such a part of my routine, it's almost a subconscious thing. But it heightens my anxiety and depression immediately. And the wheeziness afterwards, breathing is so wound into my anxiety. Who would do that to themselves?
I appreciate the encouraging stories of those that have quit. Maybe I can make it more than a few days on the gum next time I try quitting.
I've smoked for about 10 years, about a pack a day. If I'm feeling depressed or anxious sometimes I'll smoke a few in a row.
When I first started, my first cigarette of the day would give me a buzzed, dizzying feeling, which I actually liked as I was walking to the train station.
Now it's just such a part of my routine, it's almost a subconscious thing. But it heightens my anxiety and depression immediately. And the wheeziness afterwards, breathing is so wound into my anxiety. Who would do that to themselves?
I appreciate the encouraging stories of those that have quit. Maybe I can make it more than a few days on the gum next time I try quitting.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 156
I have never had a problem with nicotine addiction because smoking ALWAYS gives me a panic attack. Boom. Done. No smoking problems.
When I am drunk, I like a cigarette. But only one or two.
I kind of envy smokers / coffee drinkers (two things I just can't do because of the anxiety they induce). It means that those people don't have anxiety problems. They're actually looking to STIMULATE their nervous systems. I just can't imagine having a body like that. I'm always looking to slow down everything. Downers.
When I am drunk, I like a cigarette. But only one or two.
I kind of envy smokers / coffee drinkers (two things I just can't do because of the anxiety they induce). It means that those people don't have anxiety problems. They're actually looking to STIMULATE their nervous systems. I just can't imagine having a body like that. I'm always looking to slow down everything. Downers.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 178
I'm loving reading this thread!
I gave up smoking after reading Allen Carr's Easy way to give up smoking. At one stage, he asked the question, if you had a choice to give up or to have to smoke for the rest of your life, what would you choose? A strange question, but when I thought about it it seemed like torturous hell to have to smoke for the rest o my life as i realised I really didn't like smoking!
Crazy eh?
It really is nicotine addiction. I feel so much better without cigarettes - cleaner, clearer, more positive, less anxious...I could go on. But I still get urges to have a cigarette as I did that for many years.
By the way, Kabukicho, don't envy that. I'm pretty sure that theory doesn't really hold up.
I think I am a pretty anxious person, but that made me smoke more - even though it made me more anxious!
It takes a while to make the connection for some of us - slow learners!
I gave up smoking after reading Allen Carr's Easy way to give up smoking. At one stage, he asked the question, if you had a choice to give up or to have to smoke for the rest of your life, what would you choose? A strange question, but when I thought about it it seemed like torturous hell to have to smoke for the rest o my life as i realised I really didn't like smoking!
Crazy eh?
It really is nicotine addiction. I feel so much better without cigarettes - cleaner, clearer, more positive, less anxious...I could go on. But I still get urges to have a cigarette as I did that for many years.
By the way, Kabukicho, don't envy that. I'm pretty sure that theory doesn't really hold up.
I think I am a pretty anxious person, but that made me smoke more - even though it made me more anxious!
It takes a while to make the connection for some of us - slow learners!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 2
Here comes a bump!
I have noticed this too. Whether it's snus or cigarettes it makes my anxiety a million times worse. Add some coffee into the mix and forget about it....
Will go off the nicotine tomorrow come hell or high water... Had enough of this, I don't even enjoy smoking!
I have noticed this too. Whether it's snus or cigarettes it makes my anxiety a million times worse. Add some coffee into the mix and forget about it....
Will go off the nicotine tomorrow come hell or high water... Had enough of this, I don't even enjoy smoking!
Forum Leader
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, one big happy dysfunctional family!
Posts: 23,035
Welcome jeffy! I quit tobacco before I stopped drinking, it took a long time in sobriety for the anxiety to settle. I love coffee and thankfully I can have a few cups every morning without any consequences.
Glad you've joined us!
Glad you've joined us!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 2
Originally Posted by Astro 
Welcome jeffy! I quit tobacco before I stopped drinking, it took a long time in sobriety for the anxiety to settle. I love coffee and thankfully I can have a few cups every morning without any consequences.
Glad you've joined us!
Glad you've joined us!
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