jadopa

I in know way mean to lessen the severity of Alcoholism, but I was wondering on a subject. I have been a pack a day smoker for 15 years of so. Why isnt smoking considered a disease also. What are the criteria for disease. I continue to smoke dispite negative consequences and I have had withdrawal that made me not sleep or think straight for weeks. I also go through serious depression when I try to quit. The one thing I can come up with, and this is a BIG one is I have never heard of anyone dying from quitting smoking. I was also wondering if there is a method like AA for smoking? Does anyone have any information to read. thanks

Tazman53

There is a difference between a habit of choice that reachs an addictive stage and a disease.

When I smoked my first cigarrette I did not want another one right away like I did with alcohol.

Every ones body processes cigarrette smoke the same way, an alcoholics liver processes alcohol differently then a non-alcoholics liver.

Even when I smoked a cigarette was not the answer to every problem I had.

Read the books "Under the Influence" and "Beyond the Influence" they both explain why alcoholism is a disease, in both laymans and medical terms.

nandm

Here is a link to our smoking forum. I am sure someone there could introduce you to a recovery program for smokers. http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/nicotine-smoking/

mike_mass

Smoking just never affected my judgment like alcohol did.

jadopa

I did flip a truck once trying to find a dropped pack of ciggs on the floor board. woops. The first thing the cop asked was had I been drinking, I didnt even drink back then ha! Yet another way smoking can kill...

jadopa

No, seriously I appreciate the help. I have been looking in to PMDD as I feel the chaos start up every month about that same time. Right now I am on an even keel. I have not drank since Sunday, and I rode my bike last night for 30 min. when I usually would have been drinking. It helped a lot to look forward to something other than drinking when I got home, and tonight also. But this led to the smoking discussion. Hard to ride while you are smoking Thanks all.