The strange thing about my cigarette smoking is that normally I smoke 2-3 packs a day. Yet 2 years ago and a couple of months ago I was in the hospital. The stay 2 years ago was for 13 days and the more recent one was for 6 days. During both stays they offered me nicotine patches which I refused. The reason I refused them is while in the hospital I don't even think about smoking, crave it, or have any desire to light up. As soon as I'm discharged and in the car to return home, I light up right away.
This has always made the wonder if I am more emotionally addicted to cigarettes than physically addicted. While I'm sure ther is some level of physical addition I am thinking the emotional need overrides it.
I would love to hear opinions on this,
betty
Yes, you are DEFINITELY more emotionally/mentally attached to cigs then physically.
Coming from someone who has spent years battling an opiate addiction, I can assure you, I am familar with all aspects of addiction.
While there is minor physical addiction to nicotine/cigarettes (I say minor compared to other addictions, but its all relative)....the mental/emotional addiction is fairly intense.
The reason you weren't craving cigs in the hospital, was because your triggers weren't being activated. In addiction, "triggers" are things that make you want to use whatever it is you are addicted to.
For me, my triggers are coffee, waking up in the morning (my morning cig used to be my best), before sleep, after sex, after eating, if I see someone else smoking/light up, boredom, and many other things.
You mentioned once you were back in your car, you had to light up again. ironically, driving is a huge trigger for many.
I HIGHLY recommend you don't go cold turkey. It sounds to me, based on your original post, and your replies, that you would be more successful making a transition from cigs to e-cigs.
If you are smoking 2-3 packs a day, try cutting down to 75% of what you would normally smoke, for the first few days. After maybe 5 days or so, try cutting down to 50-60%. After 10 days, try cutting down to 30%, and so on, and so on.
The amount you cut down on, and how fast you taper is up to YOU. Nobody knows your body better than you. Not me, not anyone on this forum, not even a doctor, you can believe that.
Everytime you feel like smoking, USE YOUR e-CIG. If that doesn't do it, and you just really want that cig, don't be afraid to smoke one!
One thing I've learned when dealing with addictions, is its best to progress slowly for most people. It isn't about forcing your body to not smoke......it is about gently allowing your body to bond with e-cigs, instead of cigs. It WILL happen, if you give it a real chance.
Since you were smoking 2-3 packs a day, it just might take a few weeks before you feel comfortable completely cutting out cigs.
Honestly, at 2-3 packs a day, I would be SURPRISED if you just picked up an e-cig and never looked back.
I smoked for about 6 years, around 15-20cigs a day. It took a few days for me before I stopped smoking cigs while using e-cigs, and my habit is NOTHING compared to yours! So have faith!
