Do You Increase Smoking as you Age?

plowmscat
#1. November 9th, 2008, at 11:19 PM.

Dont know, I thought that it might depend on how long I sat on the barbecue grill.

…..sorry…..

kimischillinger
#2. November 10th, 2008, at 1:00 AM.

I think it’s possible. When I started smoking, I only had 1 or 2 a day (granted I was still in high school where smoke breaks aren’t really permitted…) but now I smoke more like 5 or 6 a day. I think this could be supportive evidence of the theory or it could just be that I smoke more now because it’s more available to me (i.e. If they gave 5 or 6 smoke breaks during the day in high school I would’ve smoked the same amount that I do now) If that makes sense…?

tlworkroom
#3. November 12th, 2008, at 6:42 AM.

Definitely!! Even for us lowly caffeine junkies…….(wild cherry pepsi…..wild cherry pepsi…….)

Part of making the cigarette problem worse is that they’ve put other chemicals into the tobacco to help with the addiction.

Addictions don’t have to be only substance abuse. There can also be psychological abuses which you get stuck on.
Ever hear of someone getting “hooked on soaps?”
It’s certainly not physical, but the emotional stimulus of watching those crazy shows does something to your brain and gets you hooked.

ANYthing which stimulates the brain can be thot of as “addictive”, even exercise. When you exercise, more oxygen gets to the brain, and then the brain gets a boost of energy. If you maintain the same level of exercise, the body gets used to that level, and the exertion isn’t the same degree, so the level of oxygen getting to the brain doesn’t stimulate as much either.

But on the other side, with deep intense exercise, there’s a “barrier” which is euphoric, which after nearly hurting yourself by pushing yourself so dramatically, the brain releases hormones which make you feel better and let you not hurt as much. It can be very addicting, it’s such a dramatic natural high.

So there are many kinds of addictions that aren’t necessarily on the US govt lists. Now they’re wanting to label video game playing as being addictive, too. It might be, but let’s not.

Viorel I
#4. November 15th, 2008, at 5:38 PM.

I’ll make this ckear and simple: As your body develops tolerance for any kind of drug it will need more and more to have the same effect!

And your point is?…
#5. November 18th, 2008, at 12:50 PM.

That sounds about right. But it also depends on the person. Some can control their use, while others can’t. However, when you’re talking the heavier drugs (heroine, coke, crack, etc..), you can spiral out of control overnight. My drinking went from parties, occasions, camping, etc.. to daily over a span of 20 years. Smoking went from a few a day to 1pk1/2 to 2 over 25 years. Thankfully gave up both. I’ve seen a number of friends lose control of their drug habit (even MJ). Still have friends that must smoke weekly, and others daily (to function). Keeping clear of the hard drugs is obviously a smart choice. But don’t be fooled by the legal cigarette (actually, all tabacco products). It’s the hardest drug (nicotine) to shake. Not from the physical, but the psychological dependancy. Ozzy will vouch for me. So again, it depends on the person, but also on their lifestyle (and enviroment). But almost all who smoke regularily do not stick to their few smokes a day. They usually worsen to 1/2 pack to a pack/day.

Intrepyd
#6. November 21st, 2008, at 12:57 AM.

With chronic exposure to nicotine, your nicotine receptors decrease in number. In other words, more nicotine is required to achieve the same effects. This also explains the nicotine withdrawal that occurs when a chronic smoker tries to quit. This is the idea behind nicotine replacement therapy — patches or gum.

There’s probably a study out there somewhere, but it’s a common sense thing.

p v
#7. November 22nd, 2008, at 6:56 AM.

Most drugs work because the drug closely mimics a substance that the body already makes for its own use. Drugs that stimulate the pleasure centers do so because they mimic body chemicals, etc. that stimulate these centers.

Addiction occurs because excessive use of a drug causes the body to diminish its production of the natural body chemical. When the drug is discontinued, production of the natural chemical takes time to redevelope. In the interim you experience pain, grief, dillusions, etc. etc.

I smoked cigarettes for 27 years – most of that at 3 packs/day. It is a real physical addiction as well as social habit. It took a 5 week, tapering off program for me to quit. Its probably the best thing I ever did for myself – other than marrying my wife.