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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by yellowbrickroad on January 2, 2005, at 12:00:40
Big debate:
Do cigarettes, caffeine, and candy bars help manage cravings for alcohol, or can these things trigger the cravings?
The first time I got sober, alternative "addictions" were encouraged, actually. Now I'm not so sure...I hear some conflicting opinions.
What's the prevailing wisdom?
YBR
Posted by partlycloudy on January 2, 2005, at 16:06:41
In reply to Do cigarettes, etc., help or hurt?, posted by yellowbrickroad on January 2, 2005, at 12:00:40
I think it's trading one poison for another. No nicotine, no caffeine, no sugar overloading for me.
Posted by yellowbrickroad on January 2, 2005, at 17:57:50
In reply to Re: Do cigarettes, etc., help or hurt?, posted by partlycloudy on January 2, 2005, at 16:06:41
Did you come off of all at once or taper...
Was it hard to do that way or easier to just get it all out of your system at once?
YBR
Posted by partlycloudy on January 3, 2005, at 7:55:24
In reply to Re: Do cigarettes, etc., help or hurt? » partlycloudy, posted by yellowbrickroad on January 2, 2005, at 17:57:50
Caffeine was a bear to eliminate. I never consumed much (maybe 3 cups of coffee a day) but stopping cold turkey gave me banging headaches. So I added decaf into the daily mix and now drink about 1/2 a cup of "real" stuff a day. Any more and my anxiety soars.
I did not smoke much or for long, so quitting altogether was easy. It was very hard to find something to do with my hands.
Posted by AuntieMel on January 4, 2005, at 16:31:58
In reply to Do cigarettes, etc., help or hurt?, posted by yellowbrickroad on January 2, 2005, at 12:00:40
One addiction at a time for me.
Posted by yellowbrickroad on January 4, 2005, at 17:02:06
In reply to Re: Do cigarettes, etc., help or hurt?, posted by AuntieMel on January 4, 2005, at 16:31:58
Auntie "M"
lol. yes, one at a time. I wouldn't consider taking up any new addictions, certainly, but what I wonder is IF one already smokes, will continuing to do so help with cravings or end up bringing them on? Sometimes I think it can work both ways.
When I first got sober, all of the many, many people in my group were quite young--teenagers and very early twenties. We relied very heavily on cigarettes, caffeine, and SUGAR. Now I'm a bit older, and not so attached to those things (especially the sugar). But, when I try to not drink, I find myself wanting those things much more than usual.
Hmmm...who knows? I don't want to just do what FEELS good (using sugar, etc. to handle cravings) because that's part of my problem with the booze in the first place, right?
Anyhoo, I like hearing what others who've gone through withdrawals have to say on the subject.
YBR
Posted by AuntieMel on January 4, 2005, at 17:09:42
In reply to Re: Do cigarettes, etc., help or hurt? » AuntieMel, posted by yellowbrickroad on January 4, 2005, at 17:02:06
If I were giving up smoking, I would have to give up drinking as well. Drink lowers the will power too much.
But the other way around? I couldn't fathom giving up smokes right now. One step at a time.
As for sugar - it helps because it's partly the carbs/sugars in drink that you crave. Addiction counselors will tell you it can help with the cravings. Orange juice can help, too, if you want to stay a healthier route.
I'm hanging on to my smokes and lindt for now..
Posted by yellowbrickroad on January 4, 2005, at 17:18:38
In reply to Re: Do cigarettes, etc., help or hurt? » yellowbrickroad, posted by AuntieMel on January 4, 2005, at 17:09:42
Thanks, Auntie "M"
YBR
Posted by AuntieMel on January 5, 2005, at 14:55:20
In reply to Re: Do cigarettes, etc., help or hurt? » AuntieMel, posted by yellowbrickroad on January 4, 2005, at 17:18:38
Posted by justyourlaugh on January 6, 2005, at 0:02:55
In reply to Re: Do cigarettes, etc., help or hurt? » AuntieMel, posted by yellowbrickroad on January 4, 2005, at 17:18:38
we were born "oral creatures"..
gum and pencil chewing, eating, smoking, nail biting, ...
what is the first thing a baby does to explore a new object?..
i dont think smoking (the act, not the out come)is harmful..
pasify me
j
Posted by yellowbrickroad on January 6, 2005, at 10:52:06
In reply to This doesn't look like Kansas to me. (nm) » yellowbrickroad, posted by AuntieMel on January 5, 2005, at 14:55:20
This is the end of the thread.
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