Nicotine. Over three years clean.

Lately, I've been doing something I haven't done in a few years: playing guitar. I've been woodshedding and it struck me that it's my first time doing this without the cancer sticks. Feels very strange. But I will never go back to that shit! No electronic voicebox or tubes in the nose for me, thanks!

Have you ever tried to kick an addiction (cigarettes, alcohol, other drugs, food, etc.)? What were/are your triggers? Did/do you feel like a pathetic douchebag for not being able to kick their asses?

Congrats!! and food is my vice but I can't seem to kick it

I can relate.

To me writing music was weird after quitting pot. It wasn't harder, exactly, but I was lacking that chemical inspiration that made me believe my every thought was brilliant & worth capturing.

Congratulations! That's really cool. I quit smoking about six months ago and have been feeling good about it. But one of my triggers is writing; sitting down and typing away while puffing on and off was a big thing for me. It can be difficult now, because writing is my profession. Before I quit, I stopped smoking while writing--made myself get up and go elsewhere--so I wouldn't have that strong association so much. It pretty much worked, but there are occasions when I'm tempted.

I don't feel like a pathetic douchebag for being human and having vices and being tempted by them. I try to just figure out a way to navigate them the best I can. I think any addict is well-served by never letting him- or herself get too tired, too hungry, too out of control--pretty much when you get too anything, you run the risk of yielding to temptation.

Ace said:

yeah!!!

Efan said:

Congrats!


Good idea!


I tend to be hard on myself when I'm tempted to do something irrational. It's the Howard in me.

eVeRsOlEsA said:

Thanks!

What have you tried?

NDRU said:

Yeah, drugs (including alcohol) will do that. Good on ya, NDRU!

amorbella said:

Thanks!

Boy, seeing the guy with the electric voicebox really rocked your world, eh, Ace?

Well, if that's what it took for you to quit smoking, I'm glad it did.

Congrats on your ongoing recovery!
[Edited 2/17/09 18:10pm]

Congratulations. It's been about 5 years without cigarettes for me.

johnart said:

Never for me. Never started! Glad too cuz I have watched all my friends become fetuses over it

Ace said:

Awesome Ace!!! I know it's a hard thing to do. My mom smokes again after having quit for almost 10 years.

Yes. I love pepsi. I only really like it out of a fountain. So, I have one every day. I keep telling myself that I don't need it and that I should just stop but I can't.

I guess it's psychological? I love the way it tastes. I think it's almost like a "comfort" food. It calms me too. I know...

I'm still doing it. ughhhhh! so frustrating. I don't smoke all day and when I get home I look like a chimney.

I don't mean to go off again, but I'm trying to recover from being an mj addict. I'm still a fan but I don't want to be obsessed, and by that I mean thinking about him when it's not time to. I just taught myself without realizing years ago, but now I have to let go cause it's the past.

NDRU said:

i can't write without being high. i sit in front of the screen and just stare at an empty word document. i end up going back and editing when i am sober, but it takes the pot to just get me relaxed enough to start typing.

I kicked drugs and alcohol on June 16, 2007. After many years of using and abusing I went to rehab got cleaned up and life keeps getting better by the day. Cigs I quit them 2 1/2 months ago and so far so good but those were a bitch and probably more addictive than any of the other stuff.

Tomorrow is 6 months smoke-free.

About the only main trigger I have left is alcohol so I've basically stopped drinking as well.

But really everything was a trigger when I was a smoker. Driving, a good song, a bad song, after a good meal, after a crap meal, etc.


I don't think I will ever be able to overcome my food addiction, though.

CarrieMpls said:

me too,

I battle this addiction everyday. I think its the worse addiction to beat.
You have to eat to live....

Ace said:

welcome babe, keep up the good work!!!

Lammastide said:

I'd seen 'em before, of course, but I guess my denial was just down for the count at that point. Speaking of which, here's a great outtake on the Love Guru DVD:






Thanks!

johnart said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Lucky you!

hokie said:

Ooh, I love cola, too (although I'm not good w/caffeine - will go for decaff whenever poss.)! But they say it's like drinking poison.

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

alphastreet said:

Have you ever asked yourself what would happen if you chilled out on the MJ?

cborgman said:

But you've written so much great stuff here. Surely you weren't high all that time? And I don't need to tell you that you can get relaxed without the pot, right?

PEJ said:

I've never had a drug or alcohol problem, but - yeah - I can see nicotine being harder to kick!

Congrats, man! Those are all huge, huge accomplishments!

CarrieMpls said:

Congrats, Carrie! Way to go!


Tell me about it...


Sure you can! It's easier than quitting smoking.

Ace said:

i don';t want to shatter the illusion, but chances are good if i am on the org, i am burning some incense.

i am so anxiety prone that the pot pretty much mellows my anxieties out. it halps me be social, write, relax...