View Full Version : Smoking, Drinking and HA
I posted this in response to another thread but I thought I'd post it on it's own as I believe it to be an important aspect of recovery as well as a trigger for HA and anxiety in general.
My thoughts on smoking, drinking and HA:
As I've studied and learned about anxiety and HA, this is one aspect of the HA malady that has me totally baffled. I was a smoker for 35 years (cigarettes, pipe and cigars). I knew the consequences just as any of you do but I still smoked. Nicotine is a very addictive drug. Some say it's on par with heroin in it's severity of addiction. Coming off nicotine, especially cold turkey is stressful as I've done it dozens of times in my attempts to quit through the years. I've tried quitting several other ways as well so I do know how hard it is.
The last 6 years I've been strictly a cigar smoker. Middleton's Black and Mild were my addiction along with a good quality "stogie" like a Partegas, Garcia y Vega and others along with a snifter of brandy on Sundays during Football season here in the US However, I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma (oropharyngeal) last year about this time (the 21st of Nov.). Soon afterwards came surgeries to remove my palatine tonsils along with biopsies, followed by more surgeries to remove my lingual tonsils, more biopsies and a neck dissection to remove the tumors along with 24 additional lymph nodes. Guess what? I had no choice but to quit smoking. It wasn't as hard as I thought as I used e-cigs (vaping) to cut down the amount of nicotine I was getting until I reached zero. Even my team of doctors agreed it was a good way to quit and much better than inhaling the plethora of deadly chemicals in tobacco smoke. The fact that knowing smoking helped cause my cancer and would kill me if I continued was a pretty big motivator if you know what I mean!
The facts didn't lie. Those that continue to smoke after treatment had a 40% less chance of survival and I know of one woman that didn't quit and she's no longer with us.
I see posts everyday pertaining to lung cancer fears, oral cancer fears, stomach, bowel and a myriad of other ailments. Many of the posters are admitted smokers and/or drinkers and this makes absolutely no sense to me. You'll work yourself up into a state, go to doctors and hospitals getting tested yet you still smoke and/or drink? I would think that the fear alone (which is unbelievably real and intense) would make you stop and run in fear when someone lights up near you!
The same thing goes for drinking. Alcohol is a depressant and HA and other anxiety ailments can and do cause depression. Why would you drink if it causes you to become more anxious or more depressed? And the biggest "X" is drinking along with meds. That's a HUGE no no. Yet still, there are posts about those with panic attacks, stomach ailments and other issues along with the mention of being at the pub, drinking a few glasses of wine or kickin' back a few cold ones with your buddies.
HA and other anxiety illnesses are real and debilitating illnesses that require treatment. With HA, your fear of illness can be lessened by behaviors that help you to feel healthy. Not smoking or drinking will do just that. Again, I'm truly baffled by those that suffer HA and continue to smoke or drink.
I'm curious as to the mindset of those that continue these behaviors. I've read about self-medicating and such but I'm sorry, I don't buy it as a reason alone. Knowing that smoking and drinking can and will cause some of the disease you fear most, why would you continue to do so?
Positive thoughts
** Bump **
As there wasn't a response.
The Question is: Why would you continue to smoke or drink when it causes anxiety symptoms or the results of doing so are part of your HA fears?
Positive thoughts
Great question FMP!
I think this is a difficult one for people to answer. Personally, the one thing my obsessive fear with lung cancer did for me was to make me quit smoking (over 3 months in and I don't miss it a bit!) - I had quit before, when pregnant and at other times but this is the first time that I am certain I will never smoke again.
When I reflect on why I didn't manage to permanently kick the habit before, I suppose it was a mixture of 1) Thinking the damage was already done, 2) lacking the confidence in myself to deal with stress without my little "prop" (a complete misconception because smoking does not relieve stress) and 3) I, and everyone else knows that smoking wont cause all the deadly illnesses *today* - ok, we know it may in the future (if the damage isn't already done as per 1) but I kept thinking, one more day/week/whatever wont make the difference. Then before you know it, another year has passed.
I think the difference for me this time was realising that part of my HA was guilt - I would hear about people who had never smoked a day in their lives getting awful diseases and feel bad because I felt that I "deserved" it more than they did. And I accepted that I can not go through life being afraid of and complaining about my fears of something, yet continue to do the one thing most likely to make those fears a reality.
So, I think it's a combination of the reasons above and perhaps (in my not so expert opinion) that people with mental disorders can have a tendency to rely on "props" like cigarettes more - an addictive personality if you will.
I can't comment on the alcohol because although I enjoy a glass of wine as much as the next girl, it's never made me anxious (though it may make the people around me anxious when I start dancing)
I think the answer lies in several things:
Resistance to change, not looking at the bigger picture, and often in the refusal to take responsibility for how we feel.
The short term payoff from these habits is often more desirable than a tough long term commitment to get better - the instant gratification can seem so much stronger when faced with a payoff that may take much longer (like when we quit smoking.)
Change is not easy, and I believe harder for those who are in a state of fear, we cling to the things that make us feel better in the short term.
If some of us look deeply at ourselves we'll also find a resistance to recovering from anxiety, because sometimes there's a payoff to be gotten from it. It's not always an obviously positive payoff, and it's usually not a conscious thing, but if you look hard enough you'll find it. It's not nice to think that we might be keeping ourselves in a state of anxiety, but being honest with ourselves and looking at this factor can reveal a huge amount about who we are and lead to great healing - I've had the epxerience myself!
With regard to taking responsibility, you'll find that many people would prefer a quick and simple answer than the long haul of taking charge of our lives and forging our own recovery. It's why we might depend purely on medication rather than doing some research into our own lives, which often leads to frustration when the meds don't do the job or stop working.
I realise that some of the stuff I've said here will sound harsh or unfair to those suffering with anxiety, but honestly they're all things I've learned in my own journey and have seen in myself and others. Owning up to this aspect of the problem and taking a long hard look at our lives is a big step on the road to recovery. None of this is said to sound mean or hard, but only honest and open.
Anxiety is a complicated thing, there are so many facets and each persons journey will be different.
I think the answer lies in several things:
Resistance to change, not looking at the bigger picture, and often in the refusal to take responsibility for how we feel.
The short term payoff from these habits is often more desirable than a tough long term commitment to get better - the instant gratification can seem so much stronger when faced with a payoff that may take much longer (like when we quit smoking.)
Change is not easy, and I believe harder for those who are in a state of fear, we cling to the things that make us feel better in the short term.
If some of us look deeply at ourselves we'll also find a resistance to recovering from anxiety, because sometimes there's a payoff to be gotten from it. It's not always an obviously positive payoff, and it's usually not a conscious thing, but if you look hard enough you'll find it. It's not nice to think that we might be keeping ourselves in a state of anxiety, but being honest with ourselves and looking at this factor can reveal a huge amount about who we are and lead to great healing - I've had the epxerience myself!
With regard to taking responsibility, you'll find that many people would prefer a quick and simple answer than the long haul of taking charge of our lives and forging our own recovery. It's why we might depend purely on medication rather than doing some research into our own lives, which often leads to frustration when the meds don't do the job or stop working.
I realise that some of the stuff I've said here will sound harsh or unfair to those suffering with anxiety, but honestly they're all things I've learned in my own journey and have seen in myself and others. Owning up to this aspect of the problem and taking a long hard look at our lives is a big step on the road to recovery. None of this is said to sound mean or hard, but only honest and open.
Anxiety is a complicated thing, there are so many facets and each persons journey will be different.
I totally agree with all this but I lacked the ovarian fortitude to say it. Well put as always honeylove
I totally agree with all this but I lacked the ovarian fortitude to say it. Well put as always honeylove
Thanks Katesa! All learned from years of overanalysing every aspect of my anxiety lol
Thank you both for replying and actually affirming my thoughts on the matter.
So essentially in some cases, "Buck up, take responsibility for yourself and get your crap together" is an appropriate response in cases that involve alcohol induced symptoms or continuing to smoke while fearing smoking related illnesses ;)
I know for me, when I first got sick August of 2012 and had the swollen gland and sinus infection, that was when I decided to quit. I bought the e-cig and by the time I was diagnosed was off tobacco totally and on zero mg nicotine.
Admittingly, I drank a bit (more like a lot) in my time but due to my diagnosis and treatment, it went totally by the wayside. Now, after 7 months post treatment, I can enjoy a beer once in a while but my days of drinking any more than that are long gone.
Interesting mindset though and I truly appreciate your candor in sharing.
Positive thoughts
So essentially in some cases, "Buck up, take responsibility for yourself and get your crap together" is an appropriate response in cases that involve alcohol induced symptoms or continuing to smoke while fearing smoking related illnesses ;)
Positive thoughts
Yes yes and more YES, even though it is hard to hear at the time.
This is an embarrassing confession but at my lowest point of my lung cancer fears, I was crying to my husband who was doing his best to reassure me. Halfway through, I wiped my eyes and went outside to have a cigarette.
When I came back, still quite upset, my husband was looking at me in this almost infuriated way. I started bringing up lung cancer and how I thought I had it again and my husband - I'll never forget this - got up and started walking towards the other room. I asked him where he was going and he just looked at me and said "You expect me to hold your hand and comfort you through your scary fantasy while you are doing everything in your power to make that fantasy a reality, risking me REALLY having to nurse you through it and watch you die one day? Katie, either accept the risks of smoking and shut the f*** up about it or stop. You can't have it both ways"
I was so upset and even furious with him. But he was completely correct.
I quit a day later.
Very powerful experience for you Katesa! It's amazing what a little tough love can do sometimes, and I'm glad your husbands frustration was able to get through to you with a positive result :)
Fishman I totally agree that sometimes tough love is an appropriate response. When someone is not taking care of themselves and doing things that may fuel mental health problems, and you've tried saying it to them in a gentle way, then sometimes a stern word that hits a nerve is needed. It's a little jolt to wake someone up!
Absolutely honeylove.
I was shocked by his swearing initially - unlike me, my hubby is from an upper middle class background. He's the kind of guy who looks forward to going to see the Opera. He never swears and he never gets angry.
When we talked about it, he made a great point that if I was willing to accept the risks and just get on with life, he wouldn't be angry with me for smoking (though he would of course prefer me to quit) But the fact that I was both ruining our lives now with worry and risking getting ill in the future bothered him.
So yes. Tough love is the best bet once gentleness has proven ineffective.
I tried to post a cartoon image on this thread that a consultant specialising in renal disease sent me but couldn't make it work (don't worry not HA related - work related - ironically given that much of my anxiety revolves around kidneys I am working on transforming renal services :)
It was related to physical activity and was of a dr speaking to their patient with the caption, 'Is it easier to fit one hour a day of exercise into your busy schedule or 24 hours of dead'. Crude, direct, but a harsh illustration of the excuses that we come up with, and in reality I am as guilty as the next man (although I have to be honest have never smoked, or drunk a great deal).
A brilliant post Fish xxx <3
Barnabas75
26-11-13, 20:47
Great post Mr T,
Thought I would add porn to the list as I have noticed it come up in a few threads.Seems like it offers a quick fix and an escape...but from what I have seen it just ends up making you a slave to it.,,,its like a hard drug...well thats only my opinion..others may disagree..thats their opinion.
Fishmanpa,
Great thread and I have been thinking about how to respond for two days now. At first I felt defensive but of course that comes from a guilty conscience. I'm a smoker and have been for thirty years. I also have panic attacks and HA and have had them for 25 years. Yes, my geatest fear is a heart attack. That's the first place my mind goes when I start to panic and feel a twinge in my chest.
I watched my father have a heart attack and my mother as well. I watched my mother die of lung cancer. One must think I'm a fool to continue to smoke. I know I think it's a stupid act from a very intelligent woman. So why do I continue to smoke, knowing that it is only a matter of time before it catches up with me?
Why? I wish that I had the answer. I say that I want to quit and yet I make half hearted attempts. I'm smoking a cigarette as I sit here typing this post. Trying to find an answer. I'm addicted without a doubt and it's the most difficult thing that I've ever tried to do. In my mind, I know I need to quit. Now if I could only get it into my heart.
I like to think that I'm a person who takes accountability for their actions and works hard at things that I need to do. In this case, obviously I haven't taken the bull by the proverbial horns. I bought an e cigarette, a good one, and I don't end up using it. I will tell myself that I'm going to begin cutting down, using the e cigarette and then I tell myself I will do it tomorrow. Always tomorrow.
Your post has given me much to think about, and I don't like this part of myself. Any advice or kicking in the butt would be appreciated.
Ah, I have got ha, and depression and smoke and drink now. I'm better than I was, however I have used these things, smoking especially as a 'crutch'. Why I continue I don't know. One thing iv always thought is "iv got too many other things to deal with than coping with giving up smoking" but I can honestly say after reading this its given me some serious pma, and I'm going to think about quitting..
Tanner and Fay,
I quit smoking many times but this one has been completely different. I have mainly enjoyed it!
I bought the Allen Carr easyway to stop smoking book and really concentrated as I read it. It made me understand that I don't actually get anything from smoking. It made me actually enjoy withdrawal pangs - I saw them as the first sign that the nicotine monster in my head was dying and as a reminder that I was now a happy non-smoker. I have not once wanted a cigarette, not even tempted, since I quit.
That said, the book is very anti nrt and although I didn't use it, I think it really helps many people, so I'd recommend keeping things flexible.
Good luck to both of you when or if you decide to kick it x
Thanks Katesa! I will definitely check the book out.
AnxiousGirl1
27-11-13, 01:58
Fishmanpa, just wanted to say that was a brilliant post :). I don't get it either :huh: Couldn't have put it better myself!
Fishmanpa,
Great thread and I have been thinking about how to respond for two days now. At first I felt defensive but of course that comes from a guilty conscience. I'm a smoker and have been for thirty years. I also have panic attacks and HA and have had them for 25 years. Yes, my geatest fear is a heart attack. That's the first place my mind goes when I start to panic and feel a twinge in my chest.
I watched my father have a heart attack and my mother as well. I watched my mother die of lung cancer. One must think I'm a fool to continue to smoke. I know I think it's a stupid act from a very intelligent woman. So why do I continue to smoke, knowing that it is only a matter of time before it catches up with me?
Why? I wish that I had the answer. I say that I want to quit and yet I make half hearted attempts. I'm smoking a cigarette as I sit here typing this post. Trying to find an answer. I'm addicted without a doubt and it's the most difficult thing that I've ever tried to do. In my mind, I know I need to quit. Now if I could only get it into my heart.
I like to think that I'm a person who takes accountability for their actions and works hard at things that I need to do. In this case, obviously I haven't taken the bull by the proverbial horns. I bought an e cigarette, a good one, and I don't end up using it. I will tell myself that I'm going to begin cutting down, using the e cigarette and then I tell myself I will do it tomorrow. Always tomorrow.
Your post has given me much to think about, and I don't like this part of myself. Any advice or kicking in the butt would be appreciated.
Tanner,
I appreciate your honesty with your post. I relate to what you're saying as I did the same thing. Even continuing to smoke (cigars) after my first heart attack and bypass surgery. I self rationalized that I wasn't inhaling when I actually did about 50% of the time. I saw my best friend die of throat cancer 10 years ago (he smoked) and I still continued to smoke!
After that first heart attack I drank a bit too. Too much to be honest. That dropped off substantially after I met my Chiquita and when I got sick it stopped totally. I can enjoy a beer now and again now but that's about it. I used the e-cig to quit. When I first got sick in August 2012, I decided to quit and bought the kit. I had no inkling I had cancer at that point. I started on the full strength cartridges and was on the zero mg when I got the word last November. I still puffed the 0's for a while but by the time I got to the second surgery I was so sick I didn't have the desire. I still carry the stupid thing around for whatever reason (I like fiddling with it in my hand) but I can't draw anything as the battery is dead and the cartridge is empty. It satisfies my oral fixation I guess ~lol~ But it did work for me to get me off tobacco and even my doctors said it was better than the 600 or so chemicals found in processed tobacco.
In this instance you do have an illness and smoking/drinking is detrimental to you. In many ways, it's no different than the cancer or heart issues I suffered from and so many fear. It feeds the beast that has hold of you and makes it worse.
If the post gets you seriously thinking then it's a good thing. If it gets you to give up tobacco or drinking then it's a great thing and points you in the right direction to beating your anxiety.
Positive thoughts
I quit smoking when my HA started.
I was too scared to smoke any more.
I have been quit two years now.
I still worry about what damage has been done.
Jabberwoxx
23-04-14, 18:18
I'm sorry for bumping an old thread up (I seem to be getting into a habit of this!) but I want to offer my thoughts about why I continue (as stupid as they are).
I have this incredibly weird mind-set that "it's probably too late anyway" and for some reason, I feel like even if I quit, I could still get something. So my mind has this attitude of how I'd rather get a disease while I was still smoking, than get a disease and being smoke-free for about 6 months. The latter is more frustrating to me.
I think this attitude stems from reading stories about how people have got lung cancer yet they'd quit smoking years ago. I thought I read somewhere that the majority of lung cancers occurs in ex- heavy smokers, but I can't confirm for certain.
I've only smoked for two years. It varies greatly how many a day. I have days where I have one, then days when I consume near a whole pack. It usually depends if I'm in university or not, or whether I'm out drinking (I smoke a lot when I've consumed alcohol).
It still mystifies me a bit why I continue, but I find it normally goes like this: I look forward to a cigarette, the build-up, the going outside and lighting up, etc. and once I've finished it, I get an anti-climactic feeling. Then the anxiety kicks in. But as soon as the nicotine wears off, I get the craving, 'feel-good' feeling again and it's a vicious circle.
I also think people naturally have this 'optimism bias', which is when people have the attitude of "It won't happen to me, it only happens to other people". I don't know the extent of this in HA sufferers, but I find I have this attitude when I'm physically smoking a cigarette, but I feel anxious when I'm not actually smoking and reflecting on all the cigs I have smoked over the course of 2 years. It's a very funny mechanism.
Glad this post got bumped up actually, I gave up smoking last year and I'm doing pretty well, I like to think I wasn't addicted, although when I say give up I have had an occasional set back when I'm out with friends who smoke and offer me one, i always feel shitty about it the next day too, luckily that one doesn't then Mean I carry on smoking throughout the days after. I should be stronger but I'm normally drinking.... WHICH leads directly to the drinking thing. I'm a self confessed binge drinker, I can go weeks without a drink then my friends want a get together, the wine gets passed round and bam, I'm a smoking drinking mess. And the next day I'm full of anxiety. And hate myself, and do the whole "I'm never drinking again" facade.
I'm going to find it incredibly hard to say no to drinking, especially at my age and with my friends who love to go on a night out, recently I've been using the fact I'm buying a house and so I'm skint as my excuse to not drink, offering to be designated driver etc, but I'm finding it so difficult to avoid it without saying I don't want to drink anymore. Squared my friends will think I'm silly or pathetic or can't handle it or boring. Help? Without being too condescending please :weep:
kurtis1990
23-04-14, 19:54
When my anxietys first kicked in it was a no brainer to give up smoking
A lot has been said about smoking, using drugs (including MJ) and drinking alcohol, which is definitely correct - it should be the first steps that a person suffering from (health) anxiety takes.
I would go a bit further though, and expand this kind of thinking to areas of food, exercise and sleep as well. These are all literal basics that you have to overcome if you ever want a real change and a real improvement with battling anxiety. Balanced diet, normal weight, as regular and consistent a sleep schedule as you can manage, and most importantly, EXERCISE. At least 20, 30 minutes a day, to take a walk, bicycle around the neighbourhood, take a jog.
I realize many times HA and fear of exercise go hand in hand, but once you kill that person inside if you that is telling you to just go home because "exercise isn't safe", it gets so much easier, and the improvement of one's mood is instant, obvious and really aparent.
Good quality exercise drags with it other things, directly connected to anxiety - appetite, better sleep, hormonal balance and more. Overall, I doubt anyone except only the "chosen" few are so busy in life that they could not afford 30 minutes a day for a thing which scientifically improves a life.
As for why people don't take these steps first? Well, the same reason people are afraid of flying with an airplane, and not afraid of driving in a car every day - the danger has to seem direct. Same reason people are a lot more afraid of cancer and thousands of other rarer physical illnesses than being overweight and having high cholesterol/high blood pressure, which are directly connected to the leading cause of death (by far) - heart disease and stroke.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/
I'm glad to see this thread revived. I still feel it's one of the most important aspects of beating anxiety disorder. Along with NotCool's post it brings it all together. These are "common sense" actions and behaviors that will improve your life. Will it eliminate the chances of something detrimental happening? No. But it will improve your chances of not shooting yourself in the foot if you know what I mean.
Positive thoughts
Going to sign up for the Newport (s wales) half marathon as soon as it's available, and signed up for a 10k which is a month before hand, better get off my bum and do some training! Thanks for bumping this threat fishmanpa x
I think this thread should be a sticky. Just throwing it out there.
Just something to back up my post.... For all of you that suffer from HA and like to throw back a few or self medicate with alcohol. If you're worried about your health, do something positive to prevent some of the fears... don't smoke, know that drinking and anxiety don't mix and can/will and does cause health issues.
DRINKING (http://news.yahoo.com/alcohol-kills-one-person-every-10-seconds-worldwide-131403384.html)
Positive thoughts
I have suffered terrible with HA and yes drinking makes it worse that is very true , I now on a mission to stop drinking , start yoga and running , I've started last week and I feel bit better already just not drinking is making me feel more positive about everything in my life , it's the way forwards , I'm really going to mske the biggest effort this time as I've failed do many times and suffered the HA consequences . I know if I last a couple of weekends that will be it , I'll be cured xx
Great post fishmanpa! I, like Tanner, was embarrassed to respond as I still smoke as well and I am always worried about my heart, throat, esophagus, and breathing.
It is almost comical when I read your post and I remember all the times I have the "I can't breathe!!" in my head so I run outside to have a smoke to calm down.
The sad thing is, is that when I have spoken to my doctors they tell me not to try and quit now, it would be too much on top of the anxiety itself. Even years ago,"don't try and quit now, you just lost your mom" So, it's almost like they have been giving me a free pass to do more damage as well.
I want to quit, I do. I am scared to quit.
This post likely makes no sense, and I am not sure where I am going with it, but I want to be healthier, I don't want to be a smoker but until that drive is really there and I can fully make the commitment, I will smoke for now but keep in perspective that I am adding to my own fears.
I don't drink anymore as I am too scared to mix any of my meds with alcohol :blush:
I'm desperate to quit smoking, I've cut down by a lot and don't smoke whilst I'm at work but once I get home I smoke out of boredom.
This post has genuinely motivated me to just not have any more cigarettes.
I would love to just go a day without smoking but it really is hard.
Concerning smoking. I know how hard it is to quit. I smoked for 35 years! I quit cigarettes back in '95 but replaced it with a pipe and cigars. The truth was I was just kidding myself as it was just as detrimental and played a large part in my heart and health problems.
Even after my first heart attack and bypass surgery in '07, I continued to smoke cigars. A few a week. How STUPID is that?! Then came a sinus infection in August 2012 and I decided to quit. Ironically it was the beginning of my cancer journey. I went to the e-cig and tapered down the nicotine until I reached 0mg. I suffered a 2nd heart attack in October and was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2012. I had kicked the nicotine habit so it was a no brainer at that point. To this day I carry around my "pencil" as my fiance' calls it. It doesn't work anymore but it satisfies my fixation to have something in my hand to fiddle with.
The e-cig is a way to at least stop tobacco use. Even my doctors said it was better than the 600+ nasty chemicals in tobacco. At the very least make that switch. Then you can wean yourself off nicotine.
The drinking stuff? That's just common sense too. I used to party hardy... drank like a fish for many years. That's all gone out the window with cancer too. I can have a beer now and again but that's about it and I really don't have the desire any more. For those that suffer with anxiety, it's a proven fact it doesn't mix and if you're on meds, it's a big no no.
I'm glad this post is inspiring some to look in the mirror and do something positive for themselves.
Positive thoughts
Since I've read three threads today that have to do with drinking and anxiety, I thought I'd bump this again. I'm sorry, if you have anxiety issues, especially rather severe issues as many here do AND you take any type of meds, it's not good AT ALL to drink!
I see these posts and think :doh:
Please put some thought into your actions. Help yourself and abstain.
Positive thoughts
Very good thread! I'm not a smoker or much of a drinker so I can't relate in that way, but like some of the previous posts say, eating healthier and exercising sort of go along the same lines.
Whether you decide to quit smoking, quit drinking, eat more veg & fruit, or exercise daily, I believe they are each steps towards overcoming our HA.
I started eating better (cut back on gluten big time & increased good fibres) and joined a Zumba class (this made me mentally accountable to go out and do it - exercising at home doesn't work for me) and it's made a huge difference overall to my HA. Still have HA 'flare ups' (like right now going through one), but they are less frequent for sure.
Hopefully some folk reading this thread will get the courage to make some or all of these positive changes in their lifestyle to help beat this HA monster that likes to hang out & wreck havoc in all our brains! Xx
Serenity1990
25-06-14, 10:18
If often wondered if smoking is sort of a self-harm mechanism for me. I do it when extremely stressed or depressed, when my general outlook is "I don't give a **** if I get heart disease/cancer".
My anxieties are around things that don't kill you but disable you for decades. For whatever reason, the stuff that kills you isn't on my list.
I know I'm preaching here but coming from one that has health issues due to past lifestyle, I'm exactly what the following is about....
An interesting report (http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0626-excessive-drinking.html) from the CDC here in the US.
Drinking is the cause of 1 in 10 deaths in the US. This is from the obvious like accidents while intoxicated to health issues associated with alcohol use. It says "excessive" and "binge" drinking and it's surprising what those numbers actually are.
"Excessive" or "Binge" drinking is considered to be 4-5 drinks on one occasion and 8-15 drinks a week (men and women included).
Drinking, especially while on meds is a bad combination with anxiety disorders. Just some more food (not drink) for thought
Positive thoughts
Linda01818
27-06-14, 20:09
Great question FMP!
When I reflect on why I didn't manage to permanently kick the habit before, I suppose it was a mixture of 1) Thinking the damage was already done, 2) lacking the confidence in myself to deal with stress without my little "prop" (a complete misconception because smoking does not relieve stress) and 3) I, and everyone else knows that smoking wont cause all the deadly illnesses *today* - ok, we know it may in the future (if the damage isn't already done as per 1) but I kept thinking, one more day/week/whatever wont make the difference. Then before you know it, another year has passed.
This.
claireypoo
28-06-14, 19:35
:0)
I gave up smoking because I was scared of getting oral cancer (I had a small mouth ulcer which disappeared a few days later). I made it through the night without smoking, then turned up at my local Superdrug the next day, crying, mascara stained and begging for help. I used their own Quitting service, using patches. It worked, I am still free of the ciggies 18 months later. I gave up because of Health Anxiety, I was too scared to put one in my mouth and light it. Luckily, when my health obsession turned to something else, I liked the feeling of being free of nicotine so much that I didn't go back to it. It feels so much better without that "countdown to next ciggie timer" in my head, also I smell better, look better and am fitter. I probably wouldn't have been able to quit without the crippling fear driving me, though.
Drinking for me is different. I never drank massive amounts but I liked to have a drink on weekends or when I went out for a meal. I had to stop drinking because it made my GERD/GORD worse.
I love wine, I love the taste, the variety, the way it compliments food. I admit it - I am a complete oenophile. I miss it. I really bloody miss it, and not just for the taste/smell...
I have had OCD since I was seven and the only time I was truly free of the compulsions and obsessive thoughts were after two glasses of wine. Yes, it is temporary, yes, it comes back slightly worse the next day, BUT it was worth it. It was worth it to me. Even the Health anxiety backed off after a large glass. So mentally, I found it largely beneficial (in moderation). It made me happier and more relaxed. I felt happier in general too, like the act of relaxing and smiling more were actually beneficial to me longer term. I had to be careful not to overdo it or the rebound was terrible, but providing I was sensibly stupid, it worked. Sadly my recent flare up of GORD/ hiatus hernia/ whatever has made this impossible AND I WANT TO CRY. I DO. I miss my wine. BOOOOO HOOOOO! My OCD is no better at all since giving up drinking and my health anxiety is worse, but that's just me.
I thought maybe I would really try and get to the bottom of my health anxiety during this forced dry spell, with no crutches and no escape behaviour, but honestly, it hasn't helped. My home situation is unbelievably stressful with the added physical stress of chronic severe sleep deprivation (13 years).
For me, a night off the anxiety and obsessions every once in a while - OR the knowledge that I could have a night off if I wanted to, even just temporarily, felt like I had a choice. For me it made life not just bearable, but enjoyable and it made me feel normal.
I am not advocating wine as a cure for anxiety, btw, because it isn't, I'm just outlining my personal reasons for drinking (when I did).
Have a good night/day all.
I stopped smoking three years ago but the only time I have one is when my anxiety is at it's worse but after I've had a couple I think to myself what the hell are you doing and stop , never really been a drinker odd glass of wine at crimbo ...... Food is my addiction :(
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