Smoking Cigarettes

[[Le...]]

Dear all

please help is smoking cigarettes should avoided as much as alcohol during withdrawal.

Does smoking cigarettes hinder the healing process, please advise I really need help I don’t what to do . The anxiety is killing me

[[Re...]]

Hello @[Le...], I used to smoke while going through benzo withdrawal, but after my symptoms reached a severity, I had to stop it completely. I think it does not block your recovery, but it most certainly revves up symptoms: cigarettes are very strong stimulants. Anything that is stimulating - in my experinece - should be avoided during withdrawal. 

I did not drink alcohol, but as I read here, that should be avoided for years even after being symptom free. 

Take care @[Le...]

[[Le...]]

Thank you so much ReubenRalph, I’ll try stop I am also smoking cannabis certain strains make me feel terrible especially with anxiety 

[[Re...]]

[[Ch...]]

1 hour ago, [[L...] said:

Dear all

please help is smoking cigarettes should avoided as much as alcohol during withdrawal.

Does smoking cigarettes hinder the healing process, please advise I really need help I don’t what to do . The anxiety is killing me

 

Hello there, first off, quitting smoking can definitely be tough, especially when dealing with withdrawal symptoms and anxiety.Have you tried any relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness exercises? Sometimes simple activities like going for a walk, listening to music, or spending time with loved ones can also help ease anxiety.

You've got this! Take care!

 

Edited April 19 by [Ch...]

[[No...]]

Smoking multiples my anxiety. This is one of my reasons to not do it..

[[wi...]]

7 hours ago, [[R...] said:

I had to stop it completely. I think it does not block your recovery, but it most certainly revves up symptoms

I agree. I also apply this to drinking coffee or eating sugar, carbs etc.  It won't stop or delay healing, but it will cause symptoms to flair.  

Don't try and be perfect, that alone can cause perpetual symptom flare ups!

[[An...]]

8 hours ago, [[R...] said:

Hello @[Le...], I used to smoke while going through benzo withdrawal, but after my symptoms reached a severity, I had to stop it completely. I think it does not block your recovery, but it most certainly revves up symptoms: cigarettes are very strong stimulants. Anything that is stimulating - in my experinece - should be avoided during withdrawal. 

I did not drink alcohol, but as I read here, that should be avoided for years even after being symptom free. 

Take care @[Le...]

I agree with what @[Re...] wrote + cigs harm your health in so many other ways. I would definitely try to quit if I could.  I used to chew smokeless tobacco, altho I have never smoked cigarettes. Tobacco products are hard to give up after you become addicted to using them. I still have the urge to chew. I guess that urge never really goes away, but I don't think I will ever start chewing again.

 

@[Le...]

How long have you been a smoker? How much do you smoke? Are you off benzos or still tapering?

[[Ch...]]

12 hours ago, [[L...] said:

I am also smoking cannabis

Cannabis is probably much more of an issue than cigarettes, in terms of aggravating symptoms. All stimulants are not created equal...

Nobody thinks smoking cigarettes is a good thing, but many people have gotten off of benzos while still smoking. In fact, trying to stop often causes much more anxiety than continuing to smoke. Maybe not every battle can - or should - be fought while enduring benzodiazepine withdrawal...Prioritize, and implement what you can. But as someone else said, no, continuing to smoke cigarettes is not going to prevent you from recovering from benzodiazepines.