smoking

[[in...]]

has anyone stopped smoking during withdrawal/ recovery?  is it recommended or not?

is there a support group maybe?

 

greetings from cold austria

[Guest [ba...]]

The idea comes up every now and then.  I think the general feeling is that simultaneously withdrawing from multiple addictive substances would be too difficult for most individuals.  Better to go at this one drug at a time.

 

This is from the Ashton Manual:

 

Smoking. I hardly dare to mention smoking in view of present day attitudes to this unfortunate addiction, but for those who are smokers it is probably asking too much to attempt to stop smoking and withdraw benzodiazepines at the same time. Many people have found that giving up smoking is easier when they are off benzodiazepines, when the desire for nicotine may even wane somewhat. In general, excessive worrying over your undesirable habits (or your diet) can add to the stress of withdrawal. It is better to relax a bit and be gentle with yourself.

[[Ch...]]

I quit smoking at the beginning of my taper. I felt too ill to leave the house to buy cigarettes and I also thought the air hunger was permanent damage from smoking (in reality it was air hunger and health anxiety from benzos). I just stopped and that was almost two years ago. I don't think about smoking 99% of the time. I've had a puff a couple times a year, but I have no intention of buying cigs ever again. That said, on bad days I tell myself I'm not buying cigarettes TODAY. One day at a time is the way to go.

I don't know if it's recommended or not, but I did it, anyway. I felt like garbage from the taper so I didn't notice whether the withdrawals from the cigarettes were different or more or whatever. I just coped through everything. I'm glad to have both those monkeys off my back, though.

[[pu...]]

Nicotine withdrawal while in benzo withdrawal is REALLY HARD!

 

I've been struggling with this. Now I am just using snus (spitless chewing tobacco) and I'm tapering for cold turkey.

 

It's a big bad struggle and a few days were super painful rough.

 

If you can do it, i would try. Someone on here said that when they quit smoking the starting feeling way better. I believe it because the ups and downs of nicotine can cause us havoc, and the raise cortisol and raised heart rate of smoking is not what we need right now.

 

The hardest part is getting through those first few days.

[[gi...]]

I wouldn't stop smoking right now if I were you, it's too much for your body to handle all at once.  Deal with one withdrawal at a time, you're only human!

[[in...]]

thank you very much for your replies. i appreciate it! i will wait until i feel a better and give it a try!

[[pi...]]

I quit at 3-4 months out, now at 8 months ish. It was hell for 10 days. It just revamped all my sxs up. But in contrast to Benzo WD it was a breeze. My advice is to wait until your well enough you can push through bad days without too much distress and then try because youll be initiating a tough 10 days on yourself. The good news is it makes you realise the smoking was not giving the air hunger and strange chest sensations/other weird problems. That all stays, which is kind of a relief because then you know its not physical so much but neurogenic misfiring. The big plus post quittting is you dont dwell on your mortality/doom and gloom lifts afterwords which is huge! So yes...do it but wait till your strong enough to make yourself worse for a fortnight without doing yourself in. Dont stress or over analyse it, its actually easier I found given the circumstances because the benzo WD makes the nicotine withdrawl feel like mosquito bites after the first 3 days. If you can get through 5 days your done. I havent thought about smoking at all this month. its insane really considering how enslaved I felt 8 months ago. If you can quit benzos, you can quit smoking! godspeed buddy