Cravings and Withdrawal

[saltedplug]

Sorry I wasn't clear enough in my last post, nor in the first, to say unequivocally that both posts express my conviction/opinion, and that I have no data to offer to support any of the things I said. Still these opinions, not facts, resound wholeheartedly in what I think I know, which is that most people most of the time are creatures of instinct, and that the low-level, basal intelligence of instinct is not shy in putting into place lower-level stratagems, such as denial and the insistence of pursuing pleasure, in place to justify problematic modes of being; and that access to the best intelligence that we have, generated in the cerebral cortex, is limited to the few that are willing to do a lot of hard work to move beyond instinct.
A lot of Freud's work has been discredited, but I believe his insistence on instinct, not intelligence, as the driving force of human behavior is exactly correct.
To be sure, and to be emphatic in this regard, the opinion above is opinion, what I think and not meant to prescribe to anyone what they wish to do.
This is my opinion, unsupported by data.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Ultimately the question was posed in short, can I get addicted to this, and what is your experience?
So, we see that some of us feel addicted, but we don't see that as a terrible thing in and of itself, as there is much good in the consumption, healthy benefits even. And we see that some don't feel addicted, but they can see how some can feel that way (right?). Can pipe smoking be done without becoming addicted? I don't think any of us can predict how someone else is going to evolve with their own hobby or use of the pipe and tobacco. But, for what it's worth, if you're scared, maybe you know more about yourself than any of us can see. Proceed with an educated caution, but if you do, welcome to the fold. If given the opportunity again, I would gladly shackle myself into (what I perceive) as an addiction time and time again. I was born to smoke, and see it as much a part of who I am as my voice, hair color, and shoe size.

 

[aguineapig]

A lot of Freud's work has been discredited, but I believe his insistence on instinct, not intelligence, as the driving force of human behavior is exactly correct.

I won't speak about Freud's theories about it because I am not familiar enough with them, but I have been saying something similar in that it's physiological instinct that can be a confounding factor to what we call addiction. Since addiction is not that well defined, someone self medicating instinctively with tobacco is most likely what we are referring to as a "less intense addiction than to cigarettes". Addiction is used as an approximate label in lieu of pervasive understanding of the factors that people self medicate in using tobacco. Physiological instinct is definitely undeniable-- if it weren't true you wouldn't crave certain foods, or sleep when you are tired. Your body is incredibly intelligent in that way. Most of the problems come about when people's ideas, conjectures (extreme or restrictive diets, for example), or doctor's opinions (At least a lot of the time) are not in line with what the body dictates is correct. Hence, sugar craving during these absurd "sugar detox" fads. Or craving a good loaf of bread, when someone is limited to consuming unappealing grains that are closer to eating brush run through a wood chipper than anything that the body recognizes as nourishing (fiber is, after all, touted for "tricking" the body and stomach, with the body usually compensating the next time the person is question goes out to eat and gets a few drinks down the guzzle I.E. a "binge").
But the main difference is that self medication can be modulated, because there is acknowledgement of the fact that tobacco is not always the cause but the response to some other factor-- numerous factors. I've detailed just a couple here. It's an effective pinch hitter for a compromised thyroid, and effective anti-depressant, obviously can have life saving effects of people with colitis or IBS (by increasing colonic mucus and generally offering insulation against stress), and can have very positive effects on hormonal profiles. There are, of course, long term negative effects from heavy smoking, but I a only focusing on possibly self medication factors here.
My opinion is that it definitely can be "addictive", but what the term "addiction" elicits in my mind is quite different from most people. Addictive substances are usually substances that the addict finds useful, to address an underlying issue. IT's the underlying issue, whatever it may be, that I pointing to as a possible explanation as to why some people have a take it or leave it relationship, and others have a, well, take it relationship =)

Proceed with an educated caution, but if you do, welcome to the fold.

Completely reasonable, and I agree. Be judicious.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I deleted my own post. It doesn't matter.

Happy smokes!

 

[yaddy306]

I believe aguineapig is addicted to this thread.

 

[aguineapig]

Cool. Great thing is that this is an internet forum and completely voluntary, unlike having a job in science where you have to deal with headaches and people disagreeing with you constantly-- and that's how it's supposed to work :x
(it's also voluntary to read the threads, yaddy306 :D you can blame the other enablers who thanked me for posting and thought it was interesting, haha)

 

[cosmicfolklore]

No, no, no yaddy. In defense of my new buddy, he is self-medicating on this thread, not addicted. Ha ha, sorry, I couldn't resist one last chuckle. :wink:

 

[yaddy306]

Don't get me wrong, aguineapig. I'm just yanking your chain.

Just pointing out that in one year, you have 23 posts, and more than half of them are in this thread.

I'm sure you could stop if you wanted to.

I myself am addicted to reading threads.

 

[saigon68]

I used pipes/cigars to quit cigarettes. After several years were back to butts. Eventually quit cigs and resumed cigars

I long for a cigar if I miss a few days, but I don't jones for one. Your brain may be trying to get you back to cigarettes. Just saying...

 

[drumweezer]

Some have already mentioned this, but I do believe that genetics and environments play a critical role in addiction. While I don't feel that genetics is the end all and be all of addiction, I do feel that certain environments and experiences can trigger certain genes. I'm from Eastern North Carolina where tobacco is still considered King in the region (even though most of the farmers have switched to growing soy, cotton, or corn). My family has lived in this region for more than 400 years. All of my family (except my current generation) has worked in tobacco fields and tobacco barns. With that said, the majority of my ancestors smoked and chewed tobacco. In fact, tobacco was very much considered a medicine. If one got stung by a bee, you put wet tobacco on it to draw out the stinger and poison. We still do that today. Knowing this then, it's really not surprising that some of my family members, for example, my mother, are addicted to cigarettes or other tobacco methods. Perhaps if my mother did not grow up in this particular area, certain genetic traits may have not been triggered, and she may have not become a chain smoker. The same also applies to me as well.

 

[tarak]

Withdrawal from physiologic addiction has physiologic symptoms. Doesn't sound like you have that going on. I think you just like the habit itself, not the drug.

 

[shutterbugg]

I've smoked on and off since I was a kid, never had a craving or a withdrawal. I can stop and start at will. I have no idea what all the talk is about addictiveness of tobacco, except maybe so doctors can get insurance or social services to pay them for treating people. My old man quit cigrettes cold turkey from 2 1/2 packs a day, no gum no patches no nothing. Never had a withdrawal, never relapsed the rest of his life, not even one cigarette. Today everyone expects a pill or a quick fix or a crutch. Heroin is addictive, crack is addictive, opiates are addictive, with horrible, sickening physical withdrawal symptoms. Tobacco, you want to quit, it's simple: when you feel like lighting up, don't.

 

[lunchie]

Believe me if you want, don't believe me if you want.
I am one of the lucky few that seems to be immune to nicotine addiction. Before someone turn my words, addiction not the effect. During my bar hopping days I use to carry cigarettes and smoked them often. At the height 2-3 packs a week. When I stopped going to the bars, I stopped carrying cigarettes and in return I stopped smoking cigs cold turkey with no ill effect. I've maybe had 2 sticks since then, 8 or 9 years ago.
I smoke a pipe because I enjoy smoking a pipe. Its not to get a nicotine fix or a buzz. I like the ritual behind it and it brings back good memories of my childhood with my grandpa. Its by far the most relaxing hobby I have and the stress relief out weighs any harm it may be doing.