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Thinking a bout suaside
It seems like things are closing in on me. I have been having some health essues. One thing the Doc and family me to do is to stop smoking. I am having a very hard time with it. I have smoked for over 50 years. I get to be a relly bear and lose control. I just don't know were to turn from here. We have been tying the e-cigs also. I am scared..
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Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
e.Cigs and specific medication can help with the nicotine craving. The act of smoking itself has a very high subconscious element. We light them without really deciding to light them. Almost like a reflex action, acting upon some trigger. Try taking a cigarette out of the packet and holding it, but not lighting it. Hard isn't it? Very hard. Doing this, ie forcing yourself NOT to light it when it 'magically' appears in your hand is a good step in forcing the habit back onto the conscious level. It will not stop you smoking in itself, it just raises the level of consciousness of the habit to a place where it IS easier to address. Getting edgy, irritable and feeling 'out of control' are the effects of your body physically craving nicotine. And here the patches or e.Cigs will help control it. If you let them. I've smoked a long time myself. And I'm also at a point where I should really stop. I know how hard it is. Personally, I feel like a zombie in the morning. Kind of 'foggy' and clumsy, until I light one. Then it sort of 'switches me on'. And if I force myself not to smoke for most of the day I feel lethargic, and slow. I believe it's because the nicotine picks up the heart rate. You and I are both used to having a higher heart rate than we would have if we'd never smoked. So when it returns to 'normal' we feel like we're 'on reduced power' as you might say. Definitely monitor those suicidal thoughts. Write down the emotions, why does death look like the only way 'out' and exactly what do you 'want out of'? Give each one a rating, say 1-5 (5 being most severe). And after a month note the frequency. Do you get these feelings some days, most days or every day? If they're all tending to be 4's and 5's and all either 'most' or 'every' day then I'd urge you very strongly to get some professional help straight away. This is a much bigger threat than the cigs. I wish you the very best in quitting. You can see that your family are eager to see you give-up the cigs. That's because they want you around. Don't want you taken a day earlier than you have to be. There's a superb reason to chase those suicidal feelings out of your mind, AND do your best to quit the cigs. This can be a 'wake-up call', not the end of everything. How you gonna play it?
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Your health issues won't necessarily get lots better if you quit smoking, but at least you won't be adding more nicotine to make it worse. Keep in mind, lots of people quitting smoking gain weight too. I believe though that with any addiction, there are strong ties to the addiction more on the emotional and subconscious level so treating with surface level cures won't work for all, especially someone smoking so long.
My personal opinion is that is a 2 steps process:
1. I do believe it is important for you to be taking something that slowly weans you off the nicotine, with your health issues, going off cold turkey may create more problems. So, medically, have the doctor prescribe the best thing you can take to wean off nicotine.
2. Near the end of the weaning period, go to see a Psychologist who is trained in hypnotism to help break bad habits and addictions. I personally know a friend who tried it for another addiction and it worked. You dont want a hypnotist who is merely an entertainer which is really the only types the general public hears about but there are the good ones that can help deal with your subconscious so you will be able to resist cigarettes after being weaned, this is the part of dealing with the subconscious which most people overlook and so they fail to beat an addiction. Insurance probably doesnt cover that so you'll have to pay out of pocket. But end result is worth it. Good luck Sir!
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Dear Thinking about...
As someone who is now well into my 75th year, I can say with confidence that Bette Davis was right when she said: "Old Age Isn't for Sissies."
Health issues are among the most major issues that we must deal with. We live in such a polluted and toxic environment that adding the poisons of nicotine and the related chemicals in cigarette smoke seems almost to be an act of insanity. However, when we were young, it seemed the thing to do. Everybody did it and there was the pressure of going along with the gang.
Thinking about (unthinkable) is a very drastic remedy. Of course, you'll be through with cigarettes, as well as all of your health problems but there's no way to do it without leaving a horrible mess that your loved ones will be forced to deal with and it's not an honorable or a courageous act. This isn't the way you want to be remembered by your family and friends.
My advice to you be DETERMINED TO QUIT: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location) and consider the possibility that you may be suffering from depression. It happens to lot of us old timers but there's help available to overcome it. If you can talk to a trusted friend, perhaps a minister or someone at the closest mental health center, they may be helpful to brighten your outlook. You may also e-mail me, if you wish. The address is listed on my advice column.
You can do this! Nobody reaches our level of seniority without having overcome many difficult and a few almost impossible challenges. Best wishes with hopes for success and happiness.
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