ercles on 5/1/2009 at 01:16

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I hope I'm not the only who sees humour in that people think smoking isn't worth it for the economic factors, rather than the health risks.

Kolya on 5/1/2009 at 02:03

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I hope I'm not the only who sees humour in that people use this thread to bash drug use now. Go enjoy your never ending lifes elsewhere, thanks.

jtr7 on 5/1/2009 at 03:15

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From what I've seen, knowing the risks isn't very persuasive. For the majority, the addiction is King. The smells, the appearance, the resentment of loved ones, the birth defects, the stained walls, financial straits, cancer, emphysema, rotted teeth, burn marks in furniture, all are just something to feel guilty about but not dwell on while they keep on sucking it in.

Had smokers in my family. For my father, it took one brutal heart attack (Doctors worked on him for 4 hours to give him four more months of life, dying at 41) for him to stop. His mother got lung cancer, had a rib removed to get to the diseased lung, and after she recovered, she started smoking again until Alzheimer's made her forget she was a smoker. Even though she was obese, always depressed, and extremely wrinkled before her fifties, she outlived her husband (53), and died at 76. Her eldest daughter, my father's older sister, died of cancer at 46, and the husband died agonizingly from cancer and grief a few years later. My father's younger sister is still alive, and was always a smoker. I don't know if she's quit, she's ostracized herself and pretty unpleasant to be around, and she is far from healthy and is now in her early fifties. We would consider it quite ironic if she lived another ten years. That whole side of the family is/were heavy smokers and always had sickly pale skin (sometimes appearing gray, sometimes yellow, but mostly just pasty), and looked at least ten years older.

I and my mother have never smoked--my brother took up the habit as a teenager--but we had plenty of second-hand smoke. My best friend from childhood married a woman who smoked while pregnant, smoked in the car, and after the child was born and kept getting lung infections, she would take him to the doctors to put the boy on pills. After the divorce, the boy would regularly get bronchitis, and near-pneumonia, and was gaining weight from lack of exercise, and kept taking pills to fend her habit off. When he would visit his father, his lungs would clear up. He somehow made it through his 18 years thus far without asthma.

A coworker of mine looks at least ten years older than he is, has emphysema, has an inhaler, and is ashamed for anyone to see his oxygen tank. His lips turn purple and blue, he gasps for breath, half-jokes that if he collapses he doesn't want to be resuscitated, and the steroids he inhales make him break out in boils all over his face, his teeth are brown, etc. He loves beer, but can no longer have it.

Another coworker had an asbestos scare and it took eight years for her to finally quit, knowing her risk was increased an estimated 50% (according to our asbestos appreciation workshops). She also looks twenty years older, pale, and extremely wrinkled.

Another coworker quit smoking and immediately came down with pneumonia and pleurisy and was out of work for six months. He had quit because his stamina was compromised and his voice was fading into a raspy whisper.

Just some examples--overkill perhaps--not that it matters.:cheeky:

I remember back in the early eighties, my father told me, "When cigarettes reach $1.25, I'm quitting." Yeah, okay Dad.:laff: For quite a number of smokers, nothing in the world is more important than that little burning stick. Nothing. But there are so many parallels with so many other aspects of humanity, I don't pick on anybody for it. Unless, of course, they're habit is in my face.:sly:

Yep. Me and caffeine and acid reflux and tension headaches.

gunsmoke on 5/1/2009 at 18:24

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I am (was) probably the worst abuser here.

When I was 14 I started smoking weed and drinking. That was the rule until I hit 16 and started shooting Morphine. I was physically addicted in less than a month. Anyone who has had an opiate addiction will tell you... it is RIDICULOUS when you go through withdrawals. I would rather be dead than dope-sick.

After dozens of attempts at kicking (rehab, cold-turkey, backing off my intake day-to-day, etc...) and 10 years, I went to a Dr. and asked for help. Nothing was working. Nothing. I had SERIOUS withdrawals (up to and including such problems as silent heart-attacks) when I tried detoxing. I needed some help outside of the usual rehab, or quit/lessen doses on MY terms.

He recommended Methadone. After 1 month of daily doses (w/twice weekly counseling), I no longer had cravings, or physical/mental symptoms. *whew*!

7 years later...I piss in a cup (drug screen), and pick up a month's worth of Methadone (180 mg./day). If I have a substance in my system (amphetemines, coke, opiates, benzodiazepam, pot, etc... I have to go get my dose EVERY DAY and be tested every other day :( ) Not worth it.

Today, I am STABLE, have graduated from a 4-year college:Ohio State University, have a career, a wife, a house and 3 cars. I have not touched a drug in 7 years. I drink beer, but not liquor or wine, and feel pretty happy w/how things turned out. My family and friends consider me a miracle.

pavlovscat on 5/1/2009 at 20:15

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WOW! My total admiration, gunsmoke! I lost too many friends over the years to opiates not to realize how amazing your story is. Sounds like you know who you are & where you want to be. Congrats & all the best in the future!