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chrohn's and copenhegen-chewing tobacco

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Posted 6/4/2009 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Mine was for novelty and then comfort. I knew it was stupid, and I regret ever letting anything so poisonous into my body. C'est la vie.
Posted 6/4/2009 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
I smoked my first cig when I was 14, my mom was a smoker, so I decided to try it, so I snuck to the bathroom, and lit one up. I thought it was nasty, and didnt touch one again until the age of 16. My bestfriend in highschool smoked, so I would smoke on occassion, only when I was out with him, slowly I started to smoke more and more, and now I smoke half a pack a day. I wish I would have never started.

Posted 6/4/2009 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
What need or want are you feeding by smoking or chewing?
Posted 6/4/2009 1:53 AM (GMT 0)

MMMNAVY said...
What need or want are you feeding by smoking or chewing?

A nicotine craving is very intense. There's been many studies that say nicotine addiction is as strong and difficult to break as a heroine addiction. Until the craving is met, you suffer from shakiness, sometimes dizziness and nausea. Then the rush of satisfaction you get from a dose of nicotine is great. It's a kind of euphoric feeling. Unfortunately, the euphoria goes away the longer you use nicotine, and it eventually just stops the craving, although there is *some* satisfaction.

It's very difficult to explain. If you haven't ever had nicotine, there isn't a common frame of reference for you to understand it, really.
Posted 6/4/2009 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I have had nicotine (to stay awake, but I did not feel any difference with it, like asking if I ever had coffee (coffee doesn't work really well for keeping me awake either :) ) and I understand it is an addiction (and we all know that addiction is a not a great form of coping mechnism), but I am trying to understand underlying psychological want is for it. Like Lmills said for her it is comfort.

I am trying to help in understanding that people don't do unhealthy behaviors for giggles, they do it because it helps them in some way.  That it is feeding some unmet want.  So what is need/want being fed by this poor coping mechnism?  Is he using it to deal with the pain he is in?

Posted 6/4/2009 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Mine is more so habit at this point. Ive never heard of using nicotine to stay awake though, it actually rexlaxes me and helps me sleep at night. I do agree, and know for a fact (in my case at least) that nicotine is a harder habit to break then hard drugs.  If I dont smoke for 2 hours I get shakey and very irratated.  All the times Ive been in the hospital for long periods of time, I actually never even thought about wanting a cig, or craved one. So I KNOW I am able to break this habit ( if in that situation), but because they are so easy to get, and affordable I continue to do it.  As a smoker myself, I can honestly say I WISH they would make smoking illegal, and stop selling them all together.  Its a drug, just like alcohol; but I dont think that every smoker has an underlying issue that is a direct link to their smoking.
Posted 6/4/2009 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
I use snuff aka kodiak, redman in the round can.

I used to smoke, but traded one for the other. I sure can breathe MUCH better from it.

Navy; It is the nicotine; as far as why start, it's not really a logical thing. The nicotine really gets you high when you first start, which sorta just pulls you in, and as you keep going it sorta wears off, but the addiction only grows stronger with time.
Posted 6/5/2009 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Homeboy hit the nail on the head. There is no question that tobacco is bad for you, but I still enjoy a pinch of long cut wintergreen Skoal. Can we not enjoy a guilty pleasure now and then?

As for it being "disgusting" -- It doesn't have to be. I am very discrete, brush, floss and have regular dental checkups. I've dated some very wonderful ladies over the years and none had a problem with it. And I'm referring to city gals -- not country lasses. My current GF actually likes the smell of the tobacco in the can.

I'm not encouraging anyone to start, but please don't be too quick to condemn users. My GP, GI, shrink and dentist all know I chew. None have suggested I stop. Maybe they all chew as well. Or maybe they know that I'm dealing with enough crap that a little chew is low on the list of worries.
Posted 6/5/2009 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Navy,

I started smoking when I was 13 years old. The reason I started was because I thought it made me look cool. Dumb, I know. But like the above have said, once you get sucked in that nicotine will take ahold of you and not let go. I smoked for 29 years and I don't think it ever made me look cool:) Actually made my skin wrinkle before it should have, gave me yellow teeth, made me stink, and cost me alot of money. I quit cold turkey at 11:55 pm on 12-31-1999 and have never looked. Hardest thing I ever did, but the best thing I ever did for me too. But I do understand why some folks continue to smoke or chew. It is as Jordan said a guilty pleasure. When I was stressed it calmed me, when angry it calmed me, when I felt bad/sick it calmed me. It was my crutch for a longtime. And even though smoking was/is bad for us, it was my one vice.

Hugs
Gail *Nanners*
Posted 6/5/2009 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Nanners really helps me understand.
Posted 2/28/2015 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
I had proctitis that was treated with canasa. I chew approx 5 cans per week. I took Chantix to quit chewing, I did quit for 4 months. During the time I was on Chantix I had worsening digestive issues. I now have been diagnosed first with colitis and now crohns. I am try to quit chewing again, have made it a couple of days a couple of times.
I have to assume the Chantix triggered this. I went from mild localized proctitis that I manged for 10 years to full blown crohns.
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