Do you smoke cigarettes as a coping mechanisms?

[Jen27]

Hi Everyone,

I was interested to see if anyone else could relate to this.

I've been a smoker since I was 16 and I have tried everything to quit over the years with no success.

I have come to the conclusion that in part I am using this to self medicate for my depression/anxiety. My entire adult life I have had only one coping strategy for stress - smoke a cigarette.

You could almost say that cigarettes are similar to a security blanket for me. I feel like if I was to face stress without them I would crumble to dust and be blown away.

I was wondering if anyone felt this way or perhaps did in the past and was able to change.

I look forward to hearing you feedback.

Jen

[blondguy]

Hi Jen27

Thanks for posting this thread topic and welcome (again) to the forums 🙂

The forums are a non judgemental place for you to post about any topic including smoking as its a legal product. The cigarettes are addictive which makes them a real pain.....and yes I smoke them too

Where anxiety and depression are concerned its a matter of frequent appointments with our GP or psychologist that will provide some real peace of mind with anxiety/depression.

I used to have anxiety/depression for a long time and the cigarettes weren't a part of the problem. Having a cigarette only satisfies the craving for the nicotine addiction. Counseling is the most effective starting point and then deal with the cigarettes afterwards

Can I ask if you have seen your GP about your depression/anxiety?

I really hope you can post back when its convenient for you with any questions/comments you have!

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Jen27]

Hi Paul,

Thank you for your reply.

Yes I am talking to my GP and have had one session with a psychologist. This is something I want to discuss with him in future sessions.

I just feel like only ever using one coping strategy (which is really bad for you), has made me I'll equipped to deal with stressful situations. I really have no idea what non smokers do when they get stressed.

I realise that cravings play a part, but I could have just put one out and I get bad news, my first instinct is to light another.

Thanks for listening.

Jen

[Croix]

Dear Jen~

I guess smoking comes wiht it's own built-in thinking, a distortion of the facts.

I started early, maybe 8, don't remember exactly this evening . A response to ads featuring the services and ads for being part of the sophisticated set. As I grew up they seemed to have a ton of uses, as social oil to be with others, as a foil for not knowing what to do, to help concentration, to relax, and so it goes on and on. Plus the image of course.

I thought they were a basic part of me. Later in life when I became ill with PTSD, anxiety and depression I'm sure self-medication was part of it too. I remember being in a non-smoking hospital, but we in the psych ward had a smoking room with a window that opened just a crack to let the smoke out.

I thogh there was no way I could stop, tried a could of times and got nowhere. I was absolutely convinced it was an integral part of myself. No appeals to health or wallet made a scrap of difference.

I did stop eventfully - in middle age. I believe here were two reasons. The first I'd married someone whose husband had died of lung cancer having been a smoker and although she never said anything at all every time I coughed her face went white.

The other was anger, as Wills and the other companies that cynically addicted a small boy with visions of manliness and sophistication. They even made it easy with cheap packs of 5.

So one can stop, in my case it took a cause outside my self -my wife. Yes they are a security blanket, no I did not crumble to dust without them.

There are lots of coping strategies for stress, maybe we might talk about them another time?

Croix

Croix

[Jen27]

Dear Croix,

Thank you so much for your reply.

I can relate so well to your description of what it was like as a smoker.

It gives me hope that you were able to stop and find new coping strategies and you didn't fall to pieces.

Thank you for sharing your story.

Jen

[blondguy]

Hi Jen

Thankyou for taking the time to post back 🙂

I never condone smoking yet when a person is going through a very difficult time in their lives the cigarettes are best treated last until the anxiety/depression is treated first as the side effects of nicotine withdrawal may exacerbate any current stress conditions.

There are some people that dont have any side effects by stopping smoking and they are fortunate for having the ability to do so. That is only an assumption made by some people that used to be addicted to cigarettes

If you wish to discuss your anxiety or depression you are more than welcome to do so Jen as they are directly linked with this awful habit. You have brought up an excellent topic by the way too!

I understand your situation about having a cigarette when times get tough. Dealing with difficult life issues can be difficult especially when we have this addiction Jen

you are not alone having a cigarette as a coping mechanism...there are many people that do the same including myself. You are very proactive with your health by engaging a psychologist and having contact with you GP!

I really hope you can post back when its convenient for you Jen.

my kind thoughts (have a good weekend too!)

Paul