Does nicotine abstinence screw up your life?

[Aunt Cranky]

Nicotine has always been to me, like a brain supplement.
"This is your brain." (chatter chatter chatter chatter chatter)
"This is your brain on nicotine" (Oh yeah, I have to finish ____ before 3pm, and dont forget to pick up tp on the way home from work)

I have always suffered from a somewhat mild ADD, and stimulants really help with focus and concentration.

When I first started smoking (I really didn't start smoking until my early 20s), I noticed a marked improvement in my ability to focus on finishing projects, reading, keeping a conversation going, etc.

Whenever I quit smoking, my attention span went right back out the window.

I've started, and stopped and started and stopped and started and stopped smoking too many times to count over the years (I'm almost 44).

While I know that I can live "without" nicotine, my mental well being has always improved when I am using nicotine. I have fewer side effects with nicotine than I do with other stimulants (except maybe caffiene, I do love my tea).

So to your poll question, my brain is foggier, I'm a little crankier, and I forget a whole heck of a lot of stuff vs. when I'm smoking my <10 cigs a day and now vaping low nic liquids. I'm actually very glad to have learned about the PVs because I do think there is at least a wee bit more information about what I'm putting into my lungs (with various liquids) vs. all the funky things that are in mass produced cigarettes.

 

[sentrarob]

With the e-cigs i have noticed no MAJOR changes.

 

[webtaxman]

Add me to few who mentioned foggy brain. My only attempt to quit was many years ago, and I lasted all of 2 hours. I'm a realist. It wasn't gonna happen. Not surprisingly, while at work, I took a smoke break every 2 hours. I don't need a clock. My brain fogs up after 2 hours without nic. When I went back to college, I could not and would not take an exam that lasted more than 2 hours. No point. Thank god for self-employment and home offices!

Thanks Elaine for this interesting poll!

 

[Druidree]

Going cold-turkey from nicotine means I would probably punch each one of my managers in the face, while telling them exactly what I think of them. So its a good think I can have the best of both worlds with e-cigs!

 

[otter]

Today is the thirteenth day I've been vaping, and have not had a cigarette during that time. The first week was easy, I thought wow, I can just switch over no problem. Then I started getting angry quickly, being rather unpleasant sometimes at work and such. I'm not sure what's changing, I assume I'm getting the amount of nicotine I was from cigarettes, but I've hit a bumpy patch as it were. Find myself wanting to smoke, and am concerned about my treatment of others. I recognize this as if I was off of smoking or even caffeine, but not sure what exactly is missing. I've smoked for thirty years, so I can recognize how I get when my addiction isn't fed. Maybe I should smoke before I get fired or something, hrr.

 

[Katmar]

Today is the thirteenth day I've been vaping, and have not had a cigarette during that time. The first week was easy, I thought wow, I can just switch over no problem. Then I started getting angry quickly, being rather unpleasant sometimes at work and such. I'm not sure what's changing, I assume I'm getting the amount of nicotine I was from cigarettes, but I've hit a bumpy patch as it were. Find myself wanting to smoke, and am concerned about my treatment of others. I recognize this as if I was off of smoking or even caffeine, but not sure what exactly is missing. I've smoked for thirty years, so I can recognize how I get when my addiction isn't fed. Maybe I should smoke before I get fired or something, hrr.

Maybe you should up your nic some or check into snus of snuff. Really works for a lot of folks with the same issue.

 

[Dredbull]

I think you forgot the all of the above and the OMG I am about to light people on fire selections.

I fall middle of the road wanting to light people on fire, punching them.. that is a normal day.

Without Nic I would be in jail...

 

[AmyB66]

Foggy foggy brain. No get up and go.
So I am with the rest of you. I always joked, a pot of coffee and three smokes....the breakfast of champions!

 

[bobtow]

I gave up smoking twenty odd years ago. The effects of nicotine withdrawal were incredible stress, indigestion problems that went on up until Nov.2009. I started vaping in Oct.2009 Slowing down of brain functions, and memory. A friend of mine, now dead gave up smoking about four years before dying from emphezema. After about a year he developed Parkinson's. His hand shook so bad, and his swallowing became so treacherous that he gave up going to restaurants. Nicotine has it's dangers, but it also has its benefits. We must chose which we find acceptable to ourselves. I prefer nicotine and its benefits and will take my chances with its dangers.

 

[OaklandCA]

just had my first analog after 6 weeks. ( 2 on dr.s' "nicotrol" 4 on e uice and some OTC lozenges.
domestic conflict much more treacherous for me than work.
OMG that analog newport is so strong. I had 4-5 puffs and threw it down. In my experience vaping is 75% = to medical nicotine inhaler but about 30% the jolt of an analog.

anyway concentration, amiability, and caloric craving (read overeating) much worse without nicotine but anaolgs are so so toxic i really don't want to go there.

 

[(So) Jersey Girl]

I checked all but the first one.

The first time I attempted to quit cold turkey (20+ years ago) I did great for three days. Then my boss walked up to my desk, slammed a pack of smokes down in front of me and said "If you don't smoke one right now, I WILL KILL YOU!" Guess I wasn't doing so great after all. I had no clue as to how horrible I had become.

The next time I tried, I used the gum or patch (can't remember which came first) and was "successful" except for becoming severely depressed and suicidal. Of course the doctor attributed the depression to all the other stresses in my life at the time and not to nicotine withdrawal. I was given a prescription for Wellbutrin, which I took for 2 1/2 years. Didn't smoke at all during that time and didn't even think about it but as soon as I stopped the drug, I was desperate for a cigarette and in no time was up to 2 packs a day again.

Even after that I made attempts to quit using FDA approved products but was never successful. I finally resigned myself to the fact that I would never be able to quit. I didn't even buy my first PV to quit smoking. I was simply sick and tired of the high prices and having to stand out in the cold to smoke. It just sorta happened and for this I will be eternally grateful.

 

[Vocalek]

I guess the one thing I can't figure out is why those who get along fine without nicotine assume that everyone is exactly like them. When I have described the terrible black hole I fell into when I quit all nicotine, some people apparently think I must be lying, some believe that it's all in my head, and still others think that given enough time, all my symptoms would have disappeared. Researcher John Hughes has stated that any symptom that continues much past two weeks is probably due to an underlying disorder. By definition, withdrawal symptoms last only as long your body is detoxifying from the drug.