How addictive is smoking cigarettes?

[Luddly Neddite]

I know someone who quit many years ago. She is in a situation where she is alone for part of every week and has started smoking during those days. She then does not smoke for about 4-5 days a week. She says she feels nothing during the days she is not smoking. Further, she believes its very possible that the actual addiction is not nearly what we've all been told, both by cigarette makers and supposedly unbiased researchers. Frankly, I think she will soon be smoking full time but she says she's been doing this for quite some time.

We all know people who, one day, decided not to smoke anymore and were able to quit cold turkey. We also know of those who struggled to quit for a long time before being able to actually quit or gave up and just kept on smoking.

So, what are the chances that cigs are not as addictive as we've been told?

 

[Delta4Embassy]

Everyone's responses to addicitions are different. Some can quit cigs cold turkey some can't. Physical addiction is a lot easier to overcome or resist than the psychological part, the 'habit.' When I quit cigs afew years ago I had many cig-related dreams and nic-fit fantasies of walking to the convenience store for a pack. Switching back to a pipe helped a lot, still get the nicotine and pelasure of smoking minus the crap-quality of cig tobacco.

If she quit once, and now is kinda alternating back n forth I'd say that speaks more to what's going on than anything else. The saturation level of nicotine in her system is much less than if smoking fulltime. So stopping for a few days every few days is considerably easier because the physical withdrawl isn't as severe.

 

[gipper]

I smoked one cig a day for nearly 20 years. I never had the urge to smoke more. Gave it up when I got tired of paying the inflated government price.

However there are those who can't smoke just one. I have friends who quit and claim if they had just one cig, they would immediately start smoking 1-2 packs a day.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Both good points.

When I quit, I also had cig dreams. Weird.

I've also known a couple of people who smoke only one or two a day. One woman I knew years ago smoked one after each meal and one with a drink in the evening.

 

[Zander]

Why don't you worry about yourself Nuttly?

Try keeping your big nose out of other peoples business.....

Cigarettes are disgusting.

 

[Ernie S.]

I have an addictive personality. Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, Cherry Garcia ice cream, really just about anything. I quit drugs when my first child was born in 1972. No problem there.
I quit drinking in 1988. Had some physical withdrawal problems, but have not wanted a drink since.
I've quit cigarettes hundreds of times; a couple times for a year or more. Each time, when a stressful situation arose, I figured one smoke would calm me down. One is never enough.

 

[Derideo_Te]

Smoked for about 10 years after starting in the army out of sheer boredom. Tried a couple of times to give it up without success until one day I woke up with severe chest pain. I don't think it had anything at all do with the smoking but it didn't help. That was the day I quit and the next 2 weeks were tough but it was another 2+ years before the nightmares of becoming re-addicted finally stopped.

Been nicotine free now for over 30 years and glad that I am. My health would probably be marginal if I had continued.

Yes, some people can handle the nicotine better than others but the majority are addicts. I was able to give up smoking weed without a second thought. I have a drink about once a week and that is more than enough.

In my opinion nicotine is more addictive than marijuana and more harmful too.

 

[Mr. H.]

I don't smoke but I do use "chewing" tobacco.
I've done a lot of different drugs over the decades and I'd say this is the only substance to which I've ever felt "addicted".

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Years ago, I had a friend who quit smoking and took up chewing. He frowned me still smoking but would spit in my sink. I don't have the words to express how repulsed I was by that and my stomach still rolls over when I see someone spit on the street. Ugh.

I used to think I have an addictive personality. I quit drinking alcohol when I was married to an abusive alcoholic - 25 years of living with a dry drunk.

I never did any drugs stronger than marijuana but hadn't had any weed for like 40 years or more when a friend recently shared with me. I felt nothing. Never did get a buzz from weed. Maybe I'm immune.

Drugs always scared me and they always did. I watched friends in the late 60s-70s doing hard drugs and never wanted any part of it. I have a woman working for me now who lost every tooth in her head to meth. She went penecostal, feels her religion has helped her stay clean. She says that two years ago, her church told her they would help her buy teeth but so far, nothing.

I now drink alcohol but not to excess. I'd like to drink more wine than I do but damn - those calories! About cigs, I agree with Ernie - one would not be enough. I suspect that if I did what the woman in my OP does, I'd be buying a carton in no time.

Another thing I thought about what she tells me is - she managed to get off cigarettes. Why would she want to go back to it? My answer is the same as Derideo_Te - addiction.

 

[Jackson]

Years ago, I had a friend who quit smoking and took up chewing. He frowned me still smoking but would spit in my sink. I don't have the words to express how repulsed I was by that and my stomach still rolls over when I see someone spit on the street. Ugh.

I used to think I have an addictive personality. I quit drinking alcohol when I was married to an abusive alcoholic - 25 years of living with a dry drunk.

I never did any drugs stronger than marijuana but hadn't had any weed for like 40 years or more when a friend recently shared with me. I felt nothing. Never did get a buzz from weed. Maybe I'm immune.

Drugs always scared me and they always did. I watched friends in the late 60s-70s doing hard drugs and never wanted any part of it. I have a woman working for me now who lost every tooth in her head to meth. She went penecostal, feels her religion has helped her stay clean. She says that two years ago, her church told her they would help her buy teeth but so far, nothing.

I now drink alcohol but not to excess. I'd like to drink more wine than I do but damn - those calories! About cigs, I agree with Ernie - one would not be enough. I suspect that if I did what the woman in my OP does, I'd be buying a carton in no time.

Another thing I thought about what she tells me is - she managed to get off cigarettes. Why would she want to go back to it? My answer is the same as Derideo_Te - addiction.

I smoked up to 4 packs a day. Finally had trouble breathing and had to quit. It was hard, but with Chantix I did it. I miss it terribly. I had a stressful day one year after quitting and decided to get one pack... that was it. No. I smoked for two weeks until I couldn't breathe walking from one room to another. Quit again, but I love smelling someone smoking nearby. My doctor says nicotine is more addictive than heroine.

 

[Politico]

It is a habit not an addiction.

 

[Youch]

So, what are the chances that cigs are not as addictive as we've been told?

Nill, nine, zero, zilch, nada.

 

[Derideo_Te]

It is a habit not an addiction.

It is both.

An addiction is a physical craving which means ridding the body of the toxin and also exercising the mental control not to revert back to the same behavior.

What makes it difficult is that both mentally and physically the nicotine is trying to keep you addicted. You have to work through both the physical and the mental aspects in order to "kick the habit".

 

[Jackson]

It is a habit not an addiction.

That has been proven false.

1. 
   
2. Nicotine, found in all tobacco products, is a highly addictive drug that acts in the brain and throughout the body. Dip and chew contain morenicotine than cigarettes. Holding an average-sized dip in your mouth for 30 minutes can give you as much nicotine as smoking three cigarettes.
3. Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction | Be Tobacco Free.gov
   betobaccofree.hhs.g...
   United States Department of Health and Human Servi...

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Years ago, I had a friend who quit smoking and took up chewing. He frowned me still smoking but would spit in my sink. I don't have the words to express how repulsed I was by that and my stomach still rolls over when I see someone spit on the street. Ugh.

I used to think I have an addictive personality. I quit drinking alcohol when I was married to an abusive alcoholic - 25 years of living with a dry drunk.

I never did any drugs stronger than marijuana but hadn't had any weed for like 40 years or more when a friend recently shared with me. I felt nothing. Never did get a buzz from weed. Maybe I'm immune.

Drugs always scared me and they always did. I watched friends in the late 60s-70s doing hard drugs and never wanted any part of it. I have a woman working for me now who lost every tooth in her head to meth. She went penecostal, feels her religion has helped her stay clean. She says that two years ago, her church told her they would help her buy teeth but so far, nothing.

I now drink alcohol but not to excess. I'd like to drink more wine than I do but damn - those calories! About cigs, I agree with Ernie - one would not be enough. I suspect that if I did what the woman in my OP does, I'd be buying a carton in no time.

Another thing I thought about what she tells me is - she managed to get off cigarettes. Why would she want to go back to it? My answer is the same as Derideo_Te - addiction.

I smoked up to 4 packs a day. Finally had trouble breathing and had to quit. It was hard, but with Chantix I did it. I miss it terribly. I had a stressful day one year after quitting and decided to get one pack... that was it. No. I smoked for two weeks until I couldn't breathe walking from one room to another. Quit again, but I love smelling someone smoking nearby. My doctor says nicotine is more addictive than heroine.

I was also a heavy smoker but a difference for me is that now, I can't stand that horrible stench. Smokers have no idea how bad they smell. I didn't know until I quit. I also didn't know how bad it stinks when gum or perfume is added.

I miss the habit more than the addiction. For me, the addiction was just awful for a short time. Once I decided that I would beat the addiction, it was immediately easier.

I still have twinges of the habit of it. The fiddling, lighting, associating it with certain activities. But, it passes.

 

[Jackson]

Years ago, I had a friend who quit smoking and took up chewing. He frowned me still smoking but would spit in my sink. I don't have the words to express how repulsed I was by that and my stomach still rolls over when I see someone spit on the street. Ugh.

I used to think I have an addictive personality. I quit drinking alcohol when I was married to an abusive alcoholic - 25 years of living with a dry drunk.

I never did any drugs stronger than marijuana but hadn't had any weed for like 40 years or more when a friend recently shared with me. I felt nothing. Never did get a buzz from weed. Maybe I'm immune.

Drugs always scared me and they always did. I watched friends in the late 60s-70s doing hard drugs and never wanted any part of it. I have a woman working for me now who lost every tooth in her head to meth. She went penecostal, feels her religion has helped her stay clean. She says that two years ago, her church told her they would help her buy teeth but so far, nothing.

I now drink alcohol but not to excess. I'd like to drink more wine than I do but damn - those calories! About cigs, I agree with Ernie - one would not be enough. I suspect that if I did what the woman in my OP does, I'd be buying a carton in no time.

Another thing I thought about what she tells me is - she managed to get off cigarettes. Why would she want to go back to it? My answer is the same as Derideo_Te - addiction.

I smoked up to 4 packs a day. Finally had trouble breathing and had to quit. It was hard, but with Chantix I did it. I miss it terribly. I had a stressful day one year after quitting and decided to get one pack... that was it. No. I smoked for two weeks until I couldn't breathe walking from one room to another. Quit again, but I love smelling someone smoking nearby. My doctor says nicotine is more addictive than heroine.

I was also a heavy smoker but a difference for me is that now, I can't stand that horrible stench. Smokers have no idea how bad they smell. I didn't know until I quit. I also didn't know how bad it stinks when gum or perfume is added.

I miss the habit more than the addiction. For me, the addiction was just awful for a short time. Once I decided that I would beat the addiction, it was immediately easier.

I still have twinges of the habit of it. The fiddling, lighting, associating it with certain activities. But, it passes.

Years ago, I had a friend who quit smoking and took up chewing. He frowned me still smoking but would spit in my sink. I don't have the words to express how repulsed I was by that and my stomach still rolls over when I see someone spit on the street. Ugh.

I used to think I have an addictive personality. I quit drinking alcohol when I was married to an abusive alcoholic - 25 years of living with a dry drunk.

I never did any drugs stronger than marijuana but hadn't had any weed for like 40 years or more when a friend recently shared with me. I felt nothing. Never did get a buzz from weed. Maybe I'm immune.

Drugs always scared me and they always did. I watched friends in the late 60s-70s doing hard drugs and never wanted any part of it. I have a woman working for me now who lost every tooth in her head to meth. She went penecostal, feels her religion has helped her stay clean. She says that two years ago, her church told her they would help her buy teeth but so far, nothing.

I now drink alcohol but not to excess. I'd like to drink more wine than I do but damn - those calories! About cigs, I agree with Ernie - one would not be enough. I suspect that if I did what the woman in my OP does, I'd be buying a carton in no time.

Another thing I thought about what she tells me is - she managed to get off cigarettes. Why would she want to go back to it? My answer is the same as Derideo_Te - addiction.

I smoked up to 4 packs a day. Finally had trouble breathing and had to quit. It was hard, but with Chantix I did it. I miss it terribly. I had a stressful day one year after quitting and decided to get one pack... that was it. No. I smoked for two weeks until I couldn't breathe walking from one room to another. Quit again, but I love smelling someone smoking nearby. My doctor says nicotine is more addictive than heroine.

I was also a heavy smoker but a difference for me is that now, I can't stand that horrible stench. Smokers have no idea how bad they smell. I didn't know until I quit. I also didn't know how bad it stinks when gum or perfume is added.

I miss the habit more than the addiction. For me, the addiction was just awful for a short time. Once I decided that I would beat the addiction, it was immediately easier.

I still have twinges of the habit of it. The fiddling, lighting, associating it with certain activities. But, it passes.

I can handle not smoking, but if I had a crisis, I could see me trying the "one pack" mistake again. The only thing holding me back is that fact that I cannot breathe well and it is embarrassing socially.

It's not just a habit. It's one bitch of an addiction.

 

[PratchettFan]

I know someone who quit many years ago. She is in a situation where she is alone for part of every week and has started smoking during those days. She then does not smoke for about 4-5 days a week. She says she feels nothing during the days she is not smoking. Further, she believes its very possible that the actual addiction is not nearly what we've all been told, both by cigarette makers and supposedly unbiased researchers. Frankly, I think she will soon be smoking full time but she says she's been doing this for quite some time.

We all know people who, one day, decided not to smoke anymore and were able to quit cold turkey. We also know of those who struggled to quit for a long time before being able to actually quit or gave up and just kept on smoking.

So, what are the chances that cigs are not as addictive as we've been told?

I was a two pack a day smoker. I quit on 12-31-79 and haven't had a cigarette since. I still want one and sometimes just mime the act of taking a drag. I think they are addictive as hell. But other people may have different experiences.

 

[jwoodie]

Cigarettes are both physically and psychologically addicting. One of the most pernicious aspects of smoking is that "just one more" won't hurt you. This scenario is played out billions of times daily.

 

[Politico]

It is a habit not an addiction.

That has been proven false.

1. 
   
2. Nicotine, found in all tobacco products, is a highly addictive drug that acts in the brain and throughout the body. Dip and chew contain morenicotine than cigarettes. Holding an average-sized dip in your mouth for 30 minutes can give you as much nicotine as smoking three cigarettes.
3. Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction | Be Tobacco Free.gov
   betobaccofree.hhs.g...
   United States Department of Health and Human Servi...

It is addictive to people with addictive personalities. For someone like the lady in the OP it is not. Carry on with number four at your leisure.

 

[jon_berzerk]

Years ago, I had a friend who quit smoking and took up chewing. He frowned me still smoking but would spit in my sink. I don't have the words to express how repulsed I was by that and my stomach still rolls over when I see someone spit on the street. Ugh.

I used to think I have an addictive personality. I quit drinking alcohol when I was married to an abusive alcoholic - 25 years of living with a dry drunk.

I never did any drugs stronger than marijuana but hadn't had any weed for like 40 years or more when a friend recently shared with me. I felt nothing. Never did get a buzz from weed. Maybe I'm immune.

Drugs always scared me and they always did. I watched friends in the late 60s-70s doing hard drugs and never wanted any part of it. I have a woman working for me now who lost every tooth in her head to meth. She went penecostal, feels her religion has helped her stay clean. She says that two years ago, her church told her they would help her buy teeth but so far, nothing.

I now drink alcohol but not to excess. I'd like to drink more wine than I do but damn - those calories! About cigs, I agree with Ernie - one would not be enough. I suspect that if I did what the woman in my OP does, I'd be buying a carton in no time.

Another thing I thought about what she tells me is - she managed to get off cigarettes. Why would she want to go back to it? My answer is the same as Derideo_Te - addiction.

I smoked up to 4 packs a day. Finally had trouble breathing and had to quit. It was hard, but with Chantix I did it. I miss it terribly. I had a stressful day one year after quitting and decided to get one pack... that was it. No. I smoked for two weeks until I couldn't breathe walking from one room to another. Quit again, but I love smelling someone smoking nearby. My doctor says nicotine is more addictive than heroine.

i hope your breathing has gotten better