Question by Alexis: How do you know when you’re addicted?
My boyfriend says hes addicted to cigarettes. He says hes tried to quit, but he can’t. I think it is a bunch of bullsh*t. I know that if I really wanted to stop something I could in a heartbeat. So, my question is, how do you know when you become addicted and I just don’t understand why you can’t just stop smoking?

Best answer:

Answer by tigertiger_ca
if you can’t stop….you’re addicted. Period.

Answer by tink_mcd
If you’ve never been genuinely addicted to something, it’s probably hard to imagine what it’s like. I can see how you might imagine that it’s not even possible.

Still, there’s pretty solid evidence, as far as I know, that certain substances are addictive–and certainly the nicotine in cigarettes is considered to be highly addictive.

When someone is addicted to something, they experience physical “withdrawal” symptoms when they don’t take in enough of that substance.

However, many, many addicts have successfully quit using the substance they were addicted to, whether it was alcohol, nicotine, or some other drug. “I’m an addict” isn’t an excuse not to quit–it’s a reason to seek help and support in quitting. Some get that help from medical caregivers (doctors, psychiatrists) and prescribed medications such as a nicotine patch, Wellbutrin (an anti-depressant that has a good reputation for helping people quit smoking as well), or Antabuse (which makes people throw up when they ingest alcohol). Others find support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous helpful. For really serious and persistent addictions that are having profoundly negative effects on a person’s life, some people find that they need to go through a residential rehabilitation (“rehab”) program.

If your boyfriend truly *wants* to quit, encourage him to explore the different kinds of help available. Be aware, though, that even people who are highly motivated to quit smoking (because, for example, they’ve been diagnosed with emphysema or lung cancer) can still have a very hard time doing so. Some of the ex-smokers I know tried several times before finally managing to quit. And some people who have successfully stopped using an addictive substance never stop craving it: they have to be constantly vigiliant about their behaviour, lest they “fall off the wagon.” That’s why many refer to themselves for the rest of their lives as “a recovering addict” rather than “a former addict.”

Hope this helps you understand and support your boyfriend in any efforts he makes to quit. Even if he doesn’t quit, for your own health you can make a firm rule that he must not smoke in your presence or in any enclosed space (e.g., a home or car) that you share. If he won’t respect that, then I’d question whether he really cares about you. Just as another person’s right to swing his fist ends where my nose begins, I believe that another person’s right to smoke ends where my lungs begin.

Health Calendar
Families Anonymous, support group for people concerned about a loved one's drug or alcohol use, meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1750 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield, 384-8051; and 7 p.m. Thursdays at Crossroads Presbyterian …
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7:15 a.m. TOPS CO56 Weight-loss support group. Weigh-in starts at 7:15 a.m. Meeting starts at 8:45 a.m. at First Christian Church, 320 N. 16th St. For more information, call 269-3978 or 275-0613. 9-10 a.m. "Peace in Motion" exercise club meets for …
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Question by : Do you think Obama is plotting to infect the public with swine flu so he can kill the people at Fox News?
Sorry, just wanted to try being a right winger for a bit . . .

Best answer:

Answer by Russian ’12
The top 10 reasons NOT to be a Republican (who can help fill in the rest):

10.

9.

8.

7. “Needles are sharp 🙁 ”

6. “If anyone dies of the flu, it is god’s punishment. ”

5. “Rush told me that N11H is a hoax (and he’s THE ‘expert’) ! ”

4. “What do ‘scientists’ know ? ”

3. “Since I can’t actually ‘SEE’ the H1N1, it’s not REAL, right ? ” 🙂

2. “Don’t KILL it! It’s a LIVING thing! ”

1. “I can tell you from real-life experience that I didn’t PERSONALLY see it kill 50 million people in 1918, so what’s all the fuss ? “

Answer by Bee Bee
Yeah, he also spiking his kool-aid with it. he has too many of his own backing out on him. LOL

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Question by Meghan W.: General addiction support?
I have what I believe to be an addiction, but it does not fall into the regular “groups” (Drugs, Alcohol, Sex/Porn, etc). Are there any general addiction support groups where I could seek peer aid?

Best answer:

Answer by kim s
It’s kinda hard to help if we don’t know what the addiction is. But there might be a support group for it. Maybe try googling it instead.

Answer by orchidmg
www.NAMI.org

National Alliance of Mental Illness

They have support groups in many cities. See if your city has a group. They meet 1-3 a month for an hour and a half. Talking helps. You will be surprised that you aren’t alone.

I use to be addicted to beer and cigarettes and sex. After my divorce and having a child I stopped all that. But I’m now addicted to spending money on crap. Purses, pens, lighthouses, books, food. I’m also addicted to food. Big time! My health isn’t good because of it. I’m also addicted to Yahoo Answers 🙂

Good luck

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