Comments on: Cigarette Smoking Is Caused By A Delusion http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/01/25/cigarette-smoking-is-caused-by-a-delusion/ Reflections of a Buddhist Physician Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:14:15 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: helensmom http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/01/25/cigarette-smoking-is-caused-by-a-delusion/#comment-2932 helensmom Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:38:35 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.wordpress.com/?p=15#comment-2932 I smoked on and off for 10 years, quitting when I found out I had conceived each of my two daughters, then resuming smoking sometime afterward (each time)...what finally did it for me was two things, that is to say, on two levels: 1) on the emotional/spiritual level I had a profound insight that I was an addict—realizing that I was indeed more like my family of origin (alcoholics & substance abusers) than I wanted to admit—and also that my daughters at that point were old enough & smart enough to recognize addictive behavior (and that I knew, in the deepest part of my being, that I DID NOT want to model addictive behavior them as they grew into their teens and young adult years!)—and then 2) on a biological level, when I started taking Zyban to help me quit smoking (after several crazy-making attempts to quit cold turkey)—this was on the advice of my then-physician—the effect was so immediate and powerful, and so disrupted the biochemistry of my nicotine addiction—that I was able to stop. Not perfectly—for about a week around 9-11-01 the emotional stress had me turning back to nicotine—but after more than five months of not smoking at that point, the physical act of smoking had become completely unpleasant, and I was able to put cigarettes down completely after that "slip." I now know I will never smoke again. Yes, nine years later I weigh about 15 pounds more and am struggling to get rid of that excess weight but when it's all said & done, I feel healthier in every way and I am proud of having looked my addiction in the eye, and said, Not me, Not anymore, this cycle of addiction stops with ME. <blockquote><em><strong>helensmom</strong>: Your #1 is exactly what I was talking about in the post—the emergence of wisdom. Alex</em></blockquote> I smoked on and off for 10 years, quitting when I found out I had conceived each of my two daughters, then resuming smoking sometime afterward (each time)…what finally did it for me was two things, that is to say, on two levels: 1) on the emotional/spiritual level I had a profound insight that I was an addict—realizing that I was indeed more like my family of origin (alcoholics & substance abusers) than I wanted to admit—and also that my daughters at that point were old enough & smart enough to recognize addictive behavior (and that I knew, in the deepest part of my being, that I DID NOT want to model addictive behavior them as they grew into their teens and young adult years!)—and then 2) on a biological level, when I started taking Zyban to help me quit smoking (after several crazy-making attempts to quit cold turkey)—this was on the advice of my then-physician—the effect was so immediate and powerful, and so disrupted the biochemistry of my nicotine addiction—that I was able to stop. Not perfectly—for about a week around 9-11-01 the emotional stress had me turning back to nicotine—but after more than five months of not smoking at that point, the physical act of smoking had become completely unpleasant, and I was able to put cigarettes down completely after that “slip.” I now know I will never smoke again. Yes, nine years later I weigh about 15 pounds more and am struggling to get rid of that excess weight but when it’s all said & done, I feel healthier in every way and I am proud of having looked my addiction in the eye, and said, Not me, Not anymore, this cycle of addiction stops with ME.

helensmom: Your #1 is exactly what I was talking about in the post—the emergence of wisdom.

Alex

]]> By: Christian http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/01/25/cigarette-smoking-is-caused-by-a-delusion/#comment-2235 Christian Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:14:25 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.wordpress.com/?p=15#comment-2235 I've noticed that my addictive behaviors tend to recede after I've had a session with my shrink where I really wade into the muck of my contradictory feelings and self-judgments. Once those feelings have been examined, I don't have the urge to run from myself with chemicals. Resolve has nothing to do with it—I just don't want the stuff. Of course, while tomorrow is another day with its potential for regression, I can't help but feel that the component of confronting feelings, rather than denying then, plays a huge part in why addictions start in the first place. <blockquote><em><strong>Christian</strong>: Absolutely. Pleasure is above all distracting, and can enable you to escape unpleasant feelings repeatedly. Alex</em></blockquote> I’ve noticed that my addictive behaviors tend to recede after I’ve had a session with my shrink where I really wade into the muck of my contradictory feelings and self-judgments. Once those feelings have been examined, I don’t have the urge to run from myself with chemicals. Resolve has nothing to do with it—I just don’t want the stuff. Of course, while tomorrow is another day with its potential for regression, I can’t help but feel that the component of confronting feelings, rather than denying then, plays a huge part in why addictions start in the first place.

Christian: Absolutely. Pleasure is above all distracting, and can enable you to escape unpleasant feelings repeatedly.

Alex

]]> By: Andrew http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/01/25/cigarette-smoking-is-caused-by-a-delusion/#comment-2037 Andrew Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:47:54 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.wordpress.com/?p=15#comment-2037 Alex, I stumbled upon your website about a week ago and instantly felt that it was something special. In a short amount of time I have taken much of your advice to heart in my own life and have noticed wonderful changes. I recently stopped smoking cigarettes after about 10 years. I am 24 years old and to be smoking for that such a large percentage of my life is horrible. I woke up one day and had the wisdom that you speak of. I felt that all it took was determination and drive and that yes, it may be tough, but the benefits of quitting definitely outweigh the benefits of continuing. I now feel more vital than ever and reading this article today has re-affirmed the way I have been thinking and added some much needed insight. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me and I look forward to reading all the articles on the site. From the other comments I can see that you are a good person who is doing a lot of wonderful things in the world and it seems a lot of people appreciate it, including myself. Thank you, Andrew <blockquote><em><strong>Andrew</strong>: You have no idea how encouraging this comment was to me. I am so delighted you quit smoking! That my blog had anything to do with it makes all the hard work that goes into writing it that much more worthwhile. Thank you so much for letting me know about such a great change in your life. Alex</em></blockquote> Alex,

I stumbled upon your website about a week ago and instantly felt that it was something special. In a short amount of time I have taken much of your advice to heart in my own life and have noticed wonderful changes. I recently stopped smoking cigarettes after about 10 years. I am 24 years old and to be smoking for that such a large percentage of my life is horrible. I woke up one day and had the wisdom that you speak of. I felt that all it took was determination and drive and that yes, it may be tough, but the benefits of quitting definitely outweigh the benefits of continuing. I now feel more vital than ever and reading this article today has re-affirmed the way I have been thinking and added some much needed insight. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me and I look forward to reading all the articles on the site. From the other comments I can see that you are a good person who is doing a lot of wonderful things in the world and it seems a lot of people appreciate it, including myself.
Thank you,
Andrew

Andrew: You have no idea how encouraging this comment was to me. I am so delighted you quit smoking! That my blog had anything to do with it makes all the hard work that goes into writing it that much more worthwhile. Thank you so much for letting me know about such a great change in your life.

Alex

]]> By: Deepak Morris http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/01/25/cigarette-smoking-is-caused-by-a-delusion/#comment-1921 Deepak Morris Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:40:28 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.wordpress.com/?p=15#comment-1921 I agree that cigarette smoking is caused by a delusion. In my case, it was a delusion that I was a smoker. Hence, every time I gave up (over the course of over two decades), I returned when the mind threw arguments like, "I'm going to start again anyway, so why not now?" Then I had an epiphany and realized that I was returning to smoking only because I believed that I was a smoker. If I were not a smoker, the issue would not arise. So, I tried an experiment. Like Mary Carlisle, I recalled what smoking my first cigarette was like. It was as repulsive an experience as she recounts. Then I approached the next cigarette I lit as if it were the very first I would ever smoke. It tasted awful and I stubbed it out after just one puff. When the urge hit later, I lit a fresh cigarette, again approaching it as if it were the first cigarette of my life that I was lighting. It tasted awful. I haven't lit another since then. It's early days yet, since I've just crossed the 6-month mark, but there has been no withdrawal symptom and I am as lean as I was in the smoking years. <blockquote><em><strong>Deepak</strong>: What a fascinating approach. That you're able to summon up an image of your next cigarette as you first powerfully enough to make it actually taste like your first is an amazing testament to the power of the imagination. I find this incredibly encouraging. It reminds of a time once when I picked up a glass thinking it was filled with orange juice only to discover it was filled with milk. It tasted horrible. Something physiological must be going on in response to our expectations of an experience that can profoundly alter it. I will try your approach out with my patients. Alex</em></blockquote> I agree that cigarette smoking is caused by a delusion.

In my case, it was a delusion that I was a smoker. Hence, every time I gave up (over the course of over two decades), I returned when the mind threw arguments like, “I’m going to start again anyway, so why not now?”

Then I had an epiphany and realized that I was returning to smoking only because I believed that I was a smoker. If I were not a smoker, the issue would not arise.

So, I tried an experiment. Like Mary Carlisle, I recalled what smoking my first cigarette was like. It was as repulsive an experience as she recounts. Then I approached the next cigarette I lit as if it were the very first I would ever smoke. It tasted awful and I stubbed it out after just one puff. When the urge hit later, I lit a fresh cigarette, again approaching it as if it were the first cigarette of my life that I was lighting.

It tasted awful.

I haven’t lit another since then. It’s early days yet, since I’ve just crossed the 6-month mark, but there has been no withdrawal symptom and I am as lean as I was in the smoking years.

Deepak: What a fascinating approach. That you’re able to summon up an image of your next cigarette as you first powerfully enough to make it actually taste like your first is an amazing testament to the power of the imagination. I find this incredibly encouraging. It reminds of a time once when I picked up a glass thinking it was filled with orange juice only to discover it was filled with milk. It tasted horrible. Something physiological must be going on in response to our expectations of an experience that can profoundly alter it. I will try your approach out with my patients.

Alex

]]> By: Easy Way To Quit Smoking http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/01/25/cigarette-smoking-is-caused-by-a-delusion/#comment-1387 Easy Way To Quit Smoking Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:43:01 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.wordpress.com/?p=15#comment-1387 I found your blog on Friday via Google while searching for easy way to quit smoking and your post regarding Happiness in this World » Cigarette Smoking Is Caused By A Delusion seemed interesting. I have a few websites of my own and I must say that your site is really top notch. Keep up the great work on a really high class resource. I found your blog on Friday via Google while searching for easy way to quit smoking and your post regarding Happiness in this World » Cigarette Smoking Is Caused By A Delusion seemed interesting. I have a few websites of my own and I must say that your site is really top notch. Keep up the great work on a really high class resource.

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