Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?

If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
struggling with 'will power'!

On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, "Arnold" > wrote:

>Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?
>
>If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
>struggling with 'will power'!
>

CHOOSE ONE addiction at a time. No one can do both at the same time.
My personal formula was to say, "I choose not to smoke". I didn't
deprive myself of anything.

You need to put this in the positive instead of saying....I can't have
a cigarette.

A little helper...no pepper, no spicy foods and change your behavior.
If you always had to have a cigarette while talking on the
phone....then it is time to go for a "healthy" walk.

"Ward Abbott" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, "Arnold" > wrote:
>
> >Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?
> >
> >If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
> >struggling with 'will power'!
> >
>
> CHOOSE ONE addiction at a time. No one can do both at the same time.
> My personal formula was to say, "I choose not to smoke". I didn't
> deprive myself of anything.
>
> You need to put this in the positive instead of saying....I can't have
> a cigarette.
>
> A little helper...no pepper, no spicy foods and change your behavior.
> If you always had to have a cigarette while talking on the
> phone....then it is time to go for a "healthy" walk.
>
>
>

I just walked away from cigarettes and never looked back, but then, I drink,
so........

kili

Wow "kilikini", that's amazing. There must have been some motivation behind
this?


"kilikini" > wrote in message
om...
>
>
> I just walked away from cigarettes and never looked back, but then, I
drink,
> so........
>
> kili
>
>

"Arnold" > wrote in message
...
> Wow "kilikini", that's amazing. There must have been some motivation
behind
> this?
>
>

Money factor, maybe. I smoked on and off for 20 years, 2 packs a day and
decided enough was enough. I wanted more money for beer. So, I quit and
haven't looked back since. Don't miss it a bit.

kili

In article >,
"kilikini" > wrote:

> "Ward Abbott" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, "Arnold" > wrote:
> >
> > >Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?
> > >
> > >If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
> > >struggling with 'will power'!
> > >
> >
> > CHOOSE ONE addiction at a time. No one can do both at the same time.
> > My personal formula was to say, "I choose not to smoke". I didn't
> > deprive myself of anything.
> >
> > You need to put this in the positive instead of saying....I can't have
> > a cigarette.
> >
> > A little helper...no pepper, no spicy foods and change your behavior.
> > If you always had to have a cigarette while talking on the
> > phone....then it is time to go for a "healthy" walk.
> >
> >
> >
>
> I just walked away from cigarettes and never looked back, but then, I drink,
> so........
>
> kili

I've never smoked, but I do drink and it was getting out of hand at one
point. I found that the more I obsessed about it, the worse it got and
the more I drank.

I finally quit worrying about and decided to go back to enjoying it.
My liver enzyme levels are now all back in normal range. Once I quit
worrying about it and obsessing about it, I was able to get it under
control... Now it's not killing me anymore and I can enjoy it again.

Hope that helps?
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "kilikini" > wrote:
>
> > "Ward Abbott" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, "Arnold" > wrote:
> > >
> > > >Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked
back?
> > > >
> > > >If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I
am
> > > >struggling with 'will power'!
> > > >
> > >
> > > CHOOSE ONE addiction at a time. No one can do both at the same time.
> > > My personal formula was to say, "I choose not to smoke". I didn't
> > > deprive myself of anything.
> > >
> > > You need to put this in the positive instead of saying....I can't have
> > > a cigarette.
> > >
> > > A little helper...no pepper, no spicy foods and change your behavior.
> > > If you always had to have a cigarette while talking on the
> > > phone....then it is time to go for a "healthy" walk.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > I just walked away from cigarettes and never looked back, but then, I
drink,
> > so........
> >
> > kili
>
> I've never smoked, but I do drink and it was getting out of hand at one
> point. I found that the more I obsessed about it, the worse it got and
> the more I drank.
>
> I finally quit worrying about and decided to go back to enjoying it.
> My liver enzyme levels are now all back in normal range. Once I quit
> worrying about it and obsessing about it, I was able to get it under
> control... Now it's not killing me anymore and I can enjoy it again.
>
> Hope that helps?
> --

Take your milk thistle, drink all you want and don't obsess over it. That's
my rule.

kili

In article >,
"kilikini" > wrote:

> "OmManiPadmeOmelet" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article >,
> > "kilikini" > wrote:
> >
> > > "Ward Abbott" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, "Arnold" > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked
> back?
> > > > >
> > > > >If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I
> am
> > > > >struggling with 'will power'!
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > CHOOSE ONE addiction at a time. No one can do both at the same time.
> > > > My personal formula was to say, "I choose not to smoke". I didn't
> > > > deprive myself of anything.
> > > >
> > > > You need to put this in the positive instead of saying....I can't have
> > > > a cigarette.
> > > >
> > > > A little helper...no pepper, no spicy foods and change your behavior.
> > > > If you always had to have a cigarette while talking on the
> > > > phone....then it is time to go for a "healthy" walk.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > I just walked away from cigarettes and never looked back, but then, I
> drink,
> > > so........
> > >
> > > kili
> >
> > I've never smoked, but I do drink and it was getting out of hand at one
> > point. I found that the more I obsessed about it, the worse it got and
> > the more I drank.
> >
> > I finally quit worrying about and decided to go back to enjoying it.
> > My liver enzyme levels are now all back in normal range. Once I quit
> > worrying about it and obsessing about it, I was able to get it under
> > control... Now it's not killing me anymore and I can enjoy it again.
> >
> > Hope that helps?
> > --
>
> Take your milk thistle, drink all you want and don't obsess over it. That's
> my rule.
>
> kili
>
>

Well, my liver is ok now, (one advantage of being a lab tech is I can do
the blood tests whenever I want) but I DID take your advice to heart...
There is now a bottle of milk thistle in with the rest of my daily
supplements in the basket next to my computer... ;-)

Thanks for that.

Cheers!
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

For me the two are closely related, I smoke a hell of a lot more when
drinking.

I agree with the positive approach whereby you feel that you are not giving
up something, but more like convincing yourself that 'I don't want to
smoke/drink anymore'. The problem is I love it. Although, I can see why
people thing that smokers and drinkers are just nuts and I agree!

I don't need a cigarette when on the phone, but I love spicy foods. Just
out of interest, why did you mention spicy foods?


"Ward Abbott" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, "Arnold" > wrote:
>
>
> CHOOSE ONE addiction at a time. No one can do both at the same time.
> My personal formula was to say, "I choose not to smoke". I didn't
> deprive myself of anything.
>
> You need to put this in the positive instead of saying....I can't have
> a cigarette.
>
> A little helper...no pepper, no spicy foods and change your behavior.
> If you always had to have a cigarette while talking on the
> phone....then it is time to go for a "healthy" walk.
>
>
>

On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 22:02:04 -0000, "Arnold" > wrote:

>I don't need a cigarette when on the phone, but I love spicy foods. Just
>out of interest, why did you mention spicy foods?

You have routines that "require" you to smoke. You MUST change that
behavior.

Spicy foods trigger nicotine cravings. You need to alter your diet
at the same time you alter your behavior. BUT DON"T try to stop
drinking at the same time. You can only handle one at a time. They
say that smoking is the more difficult thing to stop....but I believe
alcohol is more crippling.

"Ward Abbott" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 22:02:04 -0000, "Arnold" > wrote:
>
> >I don't need a cigarette when on the phone, but I love spicy foods. Just
> >out of interest, why did you mention spicy foods?
>
> You have routines that "require" you to smoke. You MUST change that
> behavior.
>
> Spicy foods trigger nicotine cravings. You need to alter your diet
> at the same time you alter your behavior. BUT DON"T try to stop
> drinking at the same time. You can only handle one at a time. They
> say that smoking is the more difficult thing to stop....but I believe
> alcohol is more crippling.
>
>

It is.

kili

Ward Abbott wrote:

> You have routines that "require" you to smoke. You MUST change that
> behavior.


I disagree with that point of view.

Andy

On Sun, 06 Nov 2005 16:41:09 -0600, Andy wrote:

> Ward Abbott wrote:
>
> > You have routines that "require" you to smoke. You MUST change that
> > behavior.
>
>
> I disagree with that point of view.
>
Have you ever tried to quit? Didn't you notice there were things that
triggered the desire to smoke?

"Arnold" > wrote in message
...
> For me the two are closely related, I smoke a hell of a lot more when
> drinking.
>
> I agree with the positive approach whereby you feel that you are not
giving
> up something, but more like convincing yourself that 'I don't want to
> smoke/drink anymore'. The problem is I love it. Although, I can see why
> people thing that smokers and drinkers are just nuts and I agree!
>
> I don't need a cigarette when on the phone, but I love spicy foods. Just
> out of interest, why did you mention spicy foods?
>

Arnold, I had to give up wine back in August when I was diagnosed with
diabetes. The meds I am on are incompatible and can cause a lot of harm
when mixed with alcohol. So it had to go. I love wine, always have. I
always enjoyed it in the evenings and it became too regular a habit. But it
was just a habit and not an addiction. You don't talk like an addict
because addicts simply cannot talk about it until the bottom out completely.
While I miss it I don't crave it. I've come to appreciate other beverages
such as Pelligrino water with a lemon slice. Also, tonic water and
cranberry juice. At a friend's birthday party recently I indulged in a
glass of chardonnay. And the funny thing was it didn't lead to more - I was
satisfied with the one glass.

So you can live without it and you'll probably be surprised how easily too.
I'd say tackle the alcohol first and then the smokes. One step at time.
Kicking the alcohol also makes weight control a whole lot easier so there
are clear benefits.

Paul

"Arnold" > wrote

> For me the two are closely related, I smoke a hell of a lot more when
> drinking.
>
> I agree with the positive approach whereby you feel that you are not
> giving
> up something, but more like convincing yourself that 'I don't want to
> smoke/drink anymore'.

I'm reminded of that no smoking commercial where the woman goes on
about how she used to worry, did I have enough cigarettes for the night,
do I have enough matches, do I have to get more before I go to work ...
on some level any addiction is pretty much a pain in the ass. Look at it
like, why am I doing this, forget this small shit.

For whatever reason you are quitting, worry about that more than having
a beer or a smoke, but give yourself time to get over the withdrawal. I
don't think I have to tell you, don't have booze or cigarettes in the house,
and stay away from it as much as you can, I know it's hard to avoid
other people who smoke or places where drinking is going on.

Best of luck to you, and think of it the right way, and not like you are
losing something. You're gaining something, if only pride that you did it.

nancy

Nancy Young wrote:

> "Arnold" > wrote
>
> > For me the two are closely related, I smoke a hell of a lot more when
> > drinking.
> >
> > I agree with the positive approach whereby you feel that you are not
> > giving
> > up something, but more like convincing yourself that 'I don't want to
> > smoke/drink anymore'.
>
> ... For whatever reason you are quitting, worry about that more than having
> a beer or a smoke, but give yourself time to get over the withdrawal. I
> don't think I have to tell you, don't have booze or cigarettes in the house,
> and stay away from it as much as you can, I know it's hard to avoid
> other people who smoke or places where drinking is going on. ...
> nancy

My smoking buddies at work were mostly very understanding when I avoided them
for several weeks. I used the patch as a crutch, but the new advice is to use
it longer and this was effective for me - 8 weeks on high dose, 8 weeks on
medium, 2 weeks on low. And having a lot of public places no smoking helps. And
smells nicer. You will need to get all your clothes, curtains, etc. cleaned.
You'll be surprised how bad they smell.
And good luck on the drinking - I still got memories of my dad and his shakes.
Edrena

On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, Arnold wrote:

> Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?
>
> If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
> struggling with 'will power'!
>
I think giving up cigarettes will be harder than giving up alcohol.
Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance!
http://www.ash.org.uk/html/factsheets/html/fact09.html
http://www.americanheart.org/present...dentifier=4753

Good Luck and keep yourself going with this:
http://www.quitmeter.com/

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, Arnold wrote:
>
> > Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?
> >
> > If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
> > struggling with 'will power'!
> >
> I think giving up cigarettes will be harder than giving up alcohol.
> Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance!

Nope, for me it's alcohol. I gave up a nicotine and actually <gasp!>
cocaine habit with no problems, no looking back. Alcohol I need for daily
survival. I discovered back in high school as the major smart geek, that if
I drank, I acquired a sense of humor which, thusly, accrued friends. I
don't leave home without it.

kili <-----functional alcoholic and not ashamed of it

In article >,
"kilikini" > wrote:

> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, Arnold wrote:
> >
> > > Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?
> > >
> > > If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
> > > struggling with 'will power'!
> > >
> > I think giving up cigarettes will be harder than giving up alcohol.
> > Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance!
>
> Nope, for me it's alcohol. I gave up a nicotine and actually <gasp!>
> cocaine habit with no problems, no looking back. Alcohol I need for daily
> survival. I discovered back in high school as the major smart geek, that if
> I drank, I acquired a sense of humor which, thusly, accrued friends. I
> don't leave home without it.
>
> kili <-----functional alcoholic and not ashamed of it
>
>

Wow.

I'm glad to see I'm not alone... I tend to get bitchy with my nerves on
the ragged edge every time I try to give it up. I'm a much nicer person
if I allow myself to drink. ;-) Funny isn't it? The drug companies would
probably love to sell me something for that.

Cheers dear! <clink>

I do not, however, drink and drive, nor do I drink before going to
work...
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "kilikini" > wrote:
>
> > "sf" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, Arnold wrote:
> > >
> > > > Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked
back?
> > > >
> > > > If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I
am
> > > > struggling with 'will power'!
> > > >
> > > I think giving up cigarettes will be harder than giving up alcohol.
> > > Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance!
> >
> > Nope, for me it's alcohol. I gave up a nicotine and actually <gasp!>
> > cocaine habit with no problems, no looking back. Alcohol I need for
daily
> > survival. I discovered back in high school as the major smart geek,
that if
> > I drank, I acquired a sense of humor which, thusly, accrued friends. I
> > don't leave home without it.
> >
> > kili <-----functional alcoholic and not ashamed of it
> >
> >
>
> Wow.
>
> I'm glad to see I'm not alone... I tend to get bitchy with my nerves on
> the ragged edge every time I try to give it up. I'm a much nicer person
> if I allow myself to drink. ;-) Funny isn't it? The drug companies would
> probably love to sell me something for that.
>
> Cheers dear! <clink>
>
> I do not, however, drink and drive, nor do I drink before going to
> work...
> --
>

I drink and walk! (I don't own a car.) You're not alone, Kat. I've been
this way for years. Still able to manage, so I'm not worrying about it. I
work, I maintain a household, I cook, I clean, I have all my teeth, I take
my milk thistle, so who cares?

kili

In article > ,
"kilikini" > wrote:

> "OmManiPadmeOmelet" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In article >,
> > "kilikini" > wrote:
> >
> > > "sf" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, Arnold wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked
> back?
> > > > >
> > > > > If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I
> am
> > > > > struggling with 'will power'!
> > > > >
> > > > I think giving up cigarettes will be harder than giving up alcohol.
> > > > Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance!
> > >
> > > Nope, for me it's alcohol. I gave up a nicotine and actually <gasp!>
> > > cocaine habit with no problems, no looking back. Alcohol I need for
> daily
> > > survival. I discovered back in high school as the major smart geek,
> that if
> > > I drank, I acquired a sense of humor which, thusly, accrued friends. I
> > > don't leave home without it.
> > >
> > > kili <-----functional alcoholic and not ashamed of it
> > >
> > >
> >
> > Wow.
> >
> > I'm glad to see I'm not alone... I tend to get bitchy with my nerves on
> > the ragged edge every time I try to give it up. I'm a much nicer person
> > if I allow myself to drink. ;-) Funny isn't it? The drug companies would
> > probably love to sell me something for that.
> >
> > Cheers dear! <clink>
> >
> > I do not, however, drink and drive, nor do I drink before going to
> > work...
> > --
> >
>
> I drink and walk! (I don't own a car.) You're not alone, Kat. I've been
> this way for years. Still able to manage, so I'm not worrying about it. I
> work, I maintain a household, I cook, I clean, I have all my teeth, I take
> my milk thistle, so who cares?
>
> kili
>
>

Exactly. ;-)
Once I quit obsessing about it, I found I quit overdoing it.

Funny isn't it?

Same thing worked with food addiction. ;-) I can now lose weight slowly,
but easily, as long as I can still enjoy what I eat and just give up
certain _types_ of food.

And get my ass to the gym. <lol>
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

On Sun, 06 Nov 2005 23:07:01 GMT, kilikini wrote:


> I drink and walk! (I don't own a car.) You're not alone, Kat. I've been
> this way for years. Still able to manage, so I'm not worrying about it. I
> work, I maintain a household, I cook, I clean, I have all my teeth, I take
> my milk thistle, so who cares?
>
Take your multi vitamins and you're there....

sf
fellow arm bender <clink>
not a milk thistle taker yet, but thinking it wouldn't hurt

On Sun, 06 Nov 2005 23:07:01 GMT, "kilikini"
> wrote:

>I drink and walk!

Public intoxication is STILL a justifiable arrest, either walking or
hunched up in a doorway.

OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:

> I'm glad to see I'm not alone... I tend to get bitchy with my nerves on
> the ragged edge every time I try to give it up. I'm a much nicer person
> if I allow myself to drink. ;-) Funny isn't it? The drug companies would
> probably love to sell me something for that.
>
> Cheers dear! <clink>
>
> I do not, however, drink and drive, nor do I drink before going to
> work...

I used to drink a 6 pack of Bud Ice on the way to work years ago.

It was a hundred miles one way. I thought I needed it.

Sometimes I'd get more beer right before I got to the job.

Then I'd drink all day discreetly as I worked. (at least I thought I was
discreet <G>)


I did this for many years. Then one day in a moment of clarity I
thought, "What if I have to get another job where this type of behavior
ain't permitted?"

So I quit drinking at work and on the way to work.

This led to quitting drinking on the way home as well.

Things accelerated and I quit drinking in the evenings as well.

Everybody was so proud of me. They didn't think I had it in me.

Then I moved to Florida and though I still don't drink in the morning
nor at work, I more than make up for it in the evenings.

It's ok, I'm a functional alcoholic.

I build multi-million dollar homes and if I didn't have something to
unwind I'd be working mentally 24 hours a day. I need the break.

Though sometimes I wake up at midnight due to dreams about work.


I ramble on,
TFM®

In article >,
TFM® > wrote:

> OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:
>
> > I'm glad to see I'm not alone... I tend to get bitchy with my nerves on
> > the ragged edge every time I try to give it up. I'm a much nicer person
> > if I allow myself to drink. ;-) Funny isn't it? The drug companies would
> > probably love to sell me something for that.
> >
> > Cheers dear! <clink>
> >
> > I do not, however, drink and drive, nor do I drink before going to
> > work...
>
> I used to drink a 6 pack of Bud Ice on the way to work years ago.
>
> It was a hundred miles one way. I thought I needed it.
>
> Sometimes I'd get more beer right before I got to the job.
>
> Then I'd drink all day discreetly as I worked. (at least I thought I was
> discreet <G>)
>
>
> I did this for many years. Then one day in a moment of clarity I
> thought, "What if I have to get another job where this type of behavior
> ain't permitted?"
>
> So I quit drinking at work and on the way to work.
>
> This led to quitting drinking on the way home as well.
>
> Things accelerated and I quit drinking in the evenings as well.
>
> Everybody was so proud of me. They didn't think I had it in me.
>
> Then I moved to Florida and though I still don't drink in the morning
> nor at work, I more than make up for it in the evenings.
>
> It's ok, I'm a functional alcoholic.
>
> I build multi-million dollar homes and if I didn't have something to
> unwind I'd be working mentally 24 hours a day. I need the break.
>
> Though sometimes I wake up at midnight due to dreams about work.
>
>
> I ramble on,
> TFM®

Try Melatonin at night....... ;-)

Works for me.
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

TFM® wrote:

>> I do not, however, drink and drive, nor do I drink before going to
>> work...
>
> I used to drink a 6 pack of Bud Ice on the way to work years ago.


I always enjoy telling this story...

When I was in my early 20s I got a job at a company that did work for the
DoD, in the aerospace industry. It was a classified workplace requiring
security clearance.

I was on the graveyard (6pm - 6am) shift.

We were allowed to drink on the job!!! At 1 a.m. someone would yell out
"last call for alcohol". Work would come to a halt as employees put their
money down and ordered beer, wine and cocktails for the rest of the
morning. The orders were delivered to a table in the middle of the office
that put a friendly backyard party to shame!!!

We cranked out the best work, imdo, in this condition until... the owner
came in late one night and found some workers freebasing cocaine in the
lab. We lost all priviledges and the culprits lost their jobs.

So basically I was taught how to drink on the job.

Andy

On Sun 06 Nov 2005 05:37:04p, TFM® wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:
>
>> I'm glad to see I'm not alone... I tend to get bitchy with my nerves on
>> the ragged edge every time I try to give it up. I'm a much nicer person
>> if I allow myself to drink. ;-) Funny isn't it? The drug companies would
>> probably love to sell me something for that.
>>
>> Cheers dear! <clink>
>>
>> I do not, however, drink and drive, nor do I drink before going to
>> work...
>
> I used to drink a 6 pack of Bud Ice on the way to work years ago.
>
> It was a hundred miles one way. I thought I needed it.
>
> Sometimes I'd get more beer right before I got to the job.
>
> Then I'd drink all day discreetly as I worked. (at least I thought I was
> discreet <G>)
>
>
> I did this for many years. Then one day in a moment of clarity I
> thought, "What if I have to get another job where this type of behavior
> ain't permitted?"
>
> So I quit drinking at work and on the way to work.
>
> This led to quitting drinking on the way home as well.
>
> Things accelerated and I quit drinking in the evenings as well.
>
> Everybody was so proud of me. They didn't think I had it in me.
>
> Then I moved to Florida and though I still don't drink in the morning
> nor at work, I more than make up for it in the evenings.
>
> It's ok, I'm a functional alcoholic.
>
> I build multi-million dollar homes and if I didn't have something to
> unwind I'd be working mentally 24 hours a day. I need the break.
>
> Though sometimes I wake up at midnight due to dreams about work.
>
>
> I ramble on,
> TFM®

First off, I never criticize. Years ago in another life, drinking was part
of the lifestye of my job, and seemed necessary to cope. I changed careers
and a job where drinking no longer seemed necessary or even desirable. I
haven't had more than an occasional social drink in over 25 years. Ya
gotta wonder if a job encourages or "forces" one to drink just to cope, if
it's really worth it. For me, it simply wasn't.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
_____________________________________________

A chicken in every pot is a *LOT* of chicken!

kilikini wrote:

> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, Arnold wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?
>>>
>>> If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
>>> struggling with 'will power'!
>>>
>>
>>I think giving up cigarettes will be harder than giving up alcohol.
>>Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance!

Two of our kids smoke something I wouldn't have thought they would do
given their grandmother died of lung cancer complications. She smoke 2
pack daily.
>
>
> Nope, for me it's alcohol. I gave up a nicotine and actually <gasp!>
> cocaine habit with no problems, no looking back. Alcohol I need for daily
> survival. I discovered back in high school as the major smart geek, that if
> I drank, I acquired a sense of humor which, thusly, accrued friends. I
> don't leave home without it.
>
> kili <-----functional alcoholic and not ashamed of it
>
>
kili, this reply is not meant to be in any way judgemental so please
don't take it that way. I can relate to being the major smart geek and
the humour acquired when drinking. IRL, I have always been painfully
shy & reserved preferring not to do much in the way of small talk so I
know where you're coming from. Just so you know this isn't meant to be
judgemental.

IMO anyone who drinks should take milk thistle to protect their liver.
However milk thistle cannot protect you from associated disorders due to
high alcohol intake - esophageal cancer, mouth cancer, breast cancer
(higher risk for females), stomach cancer, GI disorders, malabsorption,
nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac
pathologies, neurological damage and the list goes on. I read where
many alcoholics die by bleeding out which doesn't sound like a very
pleasant way to die. Last Feb we watched DDIL's sister age 30 die of
breast cancer. She drank socially on occasion so perhaps alcohol did
not play a role in her cancer or perhaps it did. A friend of mine who
is my age drinks almost daily. She was diagnosed with breast cancer
last March. Within one week she had one breast removed along with the
lymph nodes on that side - not a fun thing to do while undergoing
alcohol withdrawl. She just finished kemo but the prognosis is not good
and they may have to remove the other breast. Even then she may not
make it. The doctors told her the breast cancer was directly related to
her high alcohol consumption. Facing death at such a young age and know
you did it to yourself must be horrible! I really feel sorry for her.

Off to make dinner for myself.

In article >,
~patches~ > wrote:

> I read where
> many alcoholics die by bleeding out which doesn't sound like a very
> pleasant way to die.

While I won't argue with a possible increased risk of cancer, stress
disorders can also contribute to that at an even higher rate. For me (I
won't speak for Kili), alcohol at night after work is a major stress
reducer.

As for bleeding out, I work in health care (the lab) and have been right
in the middle of trying to save the lives of those that bleed to death
from terminal alchoholism.

THAT IS ALWAYS RELATED TO LIVER DAMAGE!!! ALWAYS!
It shows up in their lab work and I know how to read that stuff.

If Kili (and I) take milk thistle and get regular lab work to watch for
that, bleeding and hematological disorders should be controlled. Annual
medical care is a must, as is letting your doctor know what your vices
are. ;-)

My doctor knows and is also in the same boat so she understands...

I'm not going to say that being a functional alcoholic is a good thing,
but I do think that, with proper care, it's a managable problem and
safer than taking the prescriptions that might be required to keep the
anxiety disorder under control that this type of behavior often treats.

Regular medical care is mandatory.
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> ~patches~ > wrote:
>
> > I read where
> > many alcoholics die by bleeding out which doesn't sound like a very
> > pleasant way to die.
>
> While I won't argue with a possible increased risk of cancer, stress
> disorders can also contribute to that at an even higher rate. For me (I
> won't speak for Kili), alcohol at night after work is a major stress
> reducer.
>
> As for bleeding out, I work in health care (the lab) and have been right
> in the middle of trying to save the lives of those that bleed to death
> from terminal alchoholism.
>
> THAT IS ALWAYS RELATED TO LIVER DAMAGE!!! ALWAYS!
> It shows up in their lab work and I know how to read that stuff.
>
> If Kili (and I) take milk thistle and get regular lab work to watch for
> that, bleeding and hematological disorders should be controlled. Annual
> medical care is a must, as is letting your doctor know what your vices
> are. ;-)
>
> My doctor knows and is also in the same boat so she understands...
>
> I'm not going to say that being a functional alcoholic is a good thing,
> but I do think that, with proper care, it's a managable problem and
> safer than taking the prescriptions that might be required to keep the
> anxiety disorder under control that this type of behavior often treats.
>
> Regular medical care is mandatory.
> --
> Om.
>

Yep, I agree, Kat. I'm healthy, TFM is healthy and you're healthy. As long
as we take our vitamins and our milk thistle, we're good to go. (TFM is a
functional alcoholic, too, BTW. And he's a framer and master carpenter for
multi-million dollar homes. One of the homes he's built was featured in
Coastal Living.)

kili

"~patches~" > wrote in message
...
> kilikini wrote:
>
> > "sf" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> >>On Sun, 6 Nov 2005 21:19:01 -0000, Arnold wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>> Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked
back?
> >>>
> >>> If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
> >>> struggling with 'will power'!
> >>>
> >>
> >>I think giving up cigarettes will be harder than giving up alcohol.
> >>Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance!
>
> Two of our kids smoke something I wouldn't have thought they would do
> given their grandmother died of lung cancer complications. She smoke 2
> pack daily.
> >
> >
> > Nope, for me it's alcohol. I gave up a nicotine and actually <gasp!>
> > cocaine habit with no problems, no looking back. Alcohol I need for
daily
> > survival. I discovered back in high school as the major smart geek,
that if
> > I drank, I acquired a sense of humor which, thusly, accrued friends. I
> > don't leave home without it.
> >
> > kili <-----functional alcoholic and not ashamed of it
> >
> >
> kili, this reply is not meant to be in any way judgemental so please
> don't take it that way. I can relate to being the major smart geek and
> the humour acquired when drinking. IRL, I have always been painfully
> shy & reserved preferring not to do much in the way of small talk so I
> know where you're coming from. Just so you know this isn't meant to be
> judgemental.
>
> IMO anyone who drinks should take milk thistle to protect their liver.
> However milk thistle cannot protect you from associated disorders due to
> high alcohol intake - esophageal cancer, mouth cancer, breast cancer
> (higher risk for females), stomach cancer, GI disorders, malabsorption,
> nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac
> pathologies, neurological damage and the list goes on. I read where
> many alcoholics die by bleeding out which doesn't sound like a very
> pleasant way to die. Last Feb we watched DDIL's sister age 30 die of
> breast cancer. She drank socially on occasion so perhaps alcohol did
> not play a role in her cancer or perhaps it did. A friend of mine who
> is my age drinks almost daily. She was diagnosed with breast cancer
> last March. Within one week she had one breast removed along with the
> lymph nodes on that side - not a fun thing to do while undergoing
> alcohol withdrawl. She just finished kemo but the prognosis is not good
> and they may have to remove the other breast. Even then she may not
> make it. The doctors told her the breast cancer was directly related to
> her high alcohol consumption. Facing death at such a young age and know
> you did it to yourself must be horrible! I really feel sorry for her.
>
> Off to make dinner for myself.

I hear you, Patches, and I thank you for your concern. OTOH, I'm a very
well-adjusted, happy individual and I'm not worried about it. I'll quit in
time, I know I will. (Gosh, you all learned a lot about me in this thread,
didn't you!?!?) I'm more concerned about dinner tomorrow. We're on the end
of a paycheck and I'm out of ideas....... I'm tired of salads and fried
chicken. On a good note, my hubby bought me some large curd cottage cheese
(I LOVE that stuff!) the other day - it's just about gone; I devoured it
today. :~)

kili

Arnold wrote:
> Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?
>
> If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
> struggling with 'will power'!
>
>

Quitters never win!

But seriously, I gave up cigarettes hundreds of times.

Never thought about quitting drinking. It makes everyone else so
interesting.


TFM®

In article > ,
TFM® > wrote:

> Never thought about quitting drinking. It makes everyone else so
> interesting.

ROFL!!!
That was funny, thanks!
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack Nicholson

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" > wrote in message
...
> In article > ,
> TFM® > wrote:
>
> > Never thought about quitting drinking. It makes everyone else so
> > interesting.
>
> ROFL!!!
> That was funny, thanks!
> --
>

That's my hubby! LOL

kili

On Sun, 06 Nov 2005 16:51:53 -0600, OmManiPadmeOmelet
> wrote:

>> Never thought about quitting drinking. It makes everyone else so
>> interesting.
>
>ROFL!!!
>That was funny, thanks!

This little tag line might be appropriate!!


When you stop drinking...it allows you
to get in touch with your real personality...
the one that made you start to drink in the
first place. Anon

Arnold wrote:

> Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?
>
> If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
> struggling with 'will power'!
>
>
When I was dating DH eons ago, I dabbled in smoking. Back then it was a
cool thing to do. DH then current fiance hated everything about smoking
and would regularly destroy whole packs of my cigarettes. At that time
they were about $2 a pack. I decided the hassles and the cost of wasted
cigarettes were not worth it and besides I was head over hills in love
with him. I gave up the cigarettes and we've had peace & harmony ever
since - at least on the smoking issue To this day we don't even
allow smoking in our house. I've never regretted quitting smoking. We
have always used alcohol in moderation and I cook with a variety of
alcohols. As a female, I am very careful to stay within the Canadian
safe guidelines to alcohol consumption. It wouldn't bother me to go
without drinking alcohol. It would bother me more to go without using
alcohol in certain dishes but if I had to I would.

Do you mind if I ask you if you are struggling with one or the other or
both? The thing is with either it is not just about will power as there
are physical withdrawl symptoms to deal with. There are several herbs
that will help with either or both. Camomile will help curb the
jitters, anxiety, and overall restlessness from either withdrawl. Milk
thistle should be used by anyone who consumes alcohol regardless of how
much. There are other herbs that will help, just do a google search.
If you are/were a heavy alcohol consumer, alcohol abuser, or alcoholic
you should seek medical help before quitting as there can be serious
side effects. You will also need proper assessment of nutritional
deficits. If you were just drinking more than you were comfortable
with, vit B especially thiamine is recommended as is zinc. A proper,
healthy diet rich in fruits & veggies is recommended for overcoming
either addiction. Other vitamins are recommended especially the
anti-oxidants and vit E. A higher carb, lower protein is recommended
for overcoming alcohol addiction. Caffeine should be avoided or
eliminated during withdrawl as caffeine is a drug itself and will
increase the anxiety. However if you are a heavy coffee or tea drinker,
suddenly eliminating that will cause another set of withdrawl symptoms.
There is a lot of info on the web to help you with this.

On Sun 06 Nov 2005 03:24:18p, ~patches~ wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> Arnold wrote:
>
>> Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?
>>
>> If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
>> struggling with 'will power'!
>>
>>
> When I was dating DH eons ago, I dabbled in smoking. Back then it was a
> cool thing to do. DH then current fiance hated everything about smoking
> and would regularly destroy whole packs of my cigarettes. At that time
> they were about $2 a pack. I decided the hassles and the cost of wasted
> cigarettes were not worth it and besides I was head over hills in love
> with him. I gave up the cigarettes and we've had peace & harmony ever
> since - at least on the smoking issue To this day we don't even
> allow smoking in our house. I've never regretted quitting smoking. We
> have always used alcohol in moderation and I cook with a variety of
> alcohols. As a female, I am very careful to stay within the Canadian
> safe guidelines to alcohol consumption. It wouldn't bother me to go
> without drinking alcohol. It would bother me more to go without using
> alcohol in certain dishes but if I had to I would.
>
> Do you mind if I ask you if you are struggling with one or the other or
> both? The thing is with either it is not just about will power as there
> are physical withdrawl symptoms to deal with. There are several herbs
> that will help with either or both. Camomile will help curb the
> jitters, anxiety, and overall restlessness from either withdrawl. Milk
> thistle should be used by anyone who consumes alcohol regardless of how
> much. There are other herbs that will help, just do a google search.
> If you are/were a heavy alcohol consumer, alcohol abuser, or alcoholic
> you should seek medical help before quitting as there can be serious
> side effects. You will also need proper assessment of nutritional
> deficits. If you were just drinking more than you were comfortable
> with, vit B especially thiamine is recommended as is zinc. A proper,
> healthy diet rich in fruits & veggies is recommended for overcoming
> either addiction. Other vitamins are recommended especially the
> anti-oxidants and vit E. A higher carb, lower protein is recommended
> for overcoming alcohol addiction. Caffeine should be avoided or
> eliminated during withdrawl as caffeine is a drug itself and will
> increase the anxiety. However if you are a heavy coffee or tea drinker,
> suddenly eliminating that will cause another set of withdrawl symptoms.
> There is a lot of info on the web to help you with this.
>

Very interesting and good recommendations. We do smoke, but neither of us
drink alcohol, although I do cook with it. I think we are just not ready
to quit smoking. We have both quit smoking for short periods before, long
enough to break the physical addiction, but it was easy to drift back to
it.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
_____________________________________________

A chicken in every pot is a *LOT* of chicken!

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Sun 06 Nov 2005 03:24:18p, ~patches~ wrote in rec.food.cooking:
>
>
>>Arnold wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?
>>>
>>>If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
>>>struggling with 'will power'!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>When I was dating DH eons ago, I dabbled in smoking. Back then it was a
>>cool thing to do. DH then current fiance hated everything about smoking
>>and would regularly destroy whole packs of my cigarettes. At that time
>>they were about $2 a pack. I decided the hassles and the cost of wasted
>>cigarettes were not worth it and besides I was head over hills in love
>>with him. I gave up the cigarettes and we've had peace & harmony ever
>>since - at least on the smoking issue To this day we don't even
>>allow smoking in our house. I've never regretted quitting smoking. We
>>have always used alcohol in moderation and I cook with a variety of
>>alcohols. As a female, I am very careful to stay within the Canadian
>>safe guidelines to alcohol consumption. It wouldn't bother me to go
>>without drinking alcohol. It would bother me more to go without using
>>alcohol in certain dishes but if I had to I would.
>>
>>Do you mind if I ask you if you are struggling with one or the other or
>>both? The thing is with either it is not just about will power as there
>>are physical withdrawl symptoms to deal with. There are several herbs
>>that will help with either or both. Camomile will help curb the
>>jitters, anxiety, and overall restlessness from either withdrawl. Milk
>>thistle should be used by anyone who consumes alcohol regardless of how
>>much. There are other herbs that will help, just do a google search.
>>If you are/were a heavy alcohol consumer, alcohol abuser, or alcoholic
>>you should seek medical help before quitting as there can be serious
>>side effects. You will also need proper assessment of nutritional
>>deficits. If you were just drinking more than you were comfortable
>>with, vit B especially thiamine is recommended as is zinc. A proper,
>>healthy diet rich in fruits & veggies is recommended for overcoming
>>either addiction. Other vitamins are recommended especially the
>>anti-oxidants and vit E. A higher carb, lower protein is recommended
>>for overcoming alcohol addiction. Caffeine should be avoided or
>>eliminated during withdrawl as caffeine is a drug itself and will
>>increase the anxiety. However if you are a heavy coffee or tea drinker,
>>suddenly eliminating that will cause another set of withdrawl symptoms.
>>There is a lot of info on the web to help you with this.
>>
>
>
> Very interesting and good recommendations. We do smoke, but neither of us
> drink alcohol, although I do cook with it. I think we are just not ready
> to quit smoking. We have both quit smoking for short periods before, long
> enough to break the physical addiction, but it was easy to drift back to
> it.
>

Thanks Wayne. Any kind of addiction can be very difficult to overcome.
I forgot to mention that the majority of addictions involve self
esteem issues that really need to be dealt with before you can
successfully overcome an addiction entirely. I also think that while
both smoking and alcohol abuse/alcoholism are harmful, alcohol
abuse/alcoholism is by far worse because of the psyco/social damage as
well as the physical damage.

Arnold wrote:
> Anyone managed to give up cigarettes and alcohol and never looked back?
>
> If so, I would be interested to know the techniques you used, coz I am
> struggling with 'will power'!

Giving up both addictions together would be a pretty rough row to hoe,
so choose one at a time. Were it me I'd first tackle the smoking, a
far more harmful/debilitating addiction. Unless you're a full blown
fall-down-in-the-gutter everyday alkie you can easily cut down on
drinking to a more socially acceptible level but not smoking, any level
of smoking at all will eventually kill you, and a more horrible death
you don't want to know about.. and no one who really smokes can ever
just cut down, not for more than an hour.

I smoked for many years, tried every BS method ever devised... only
thing worked was a stern warning from my doctor that if I continued I
wouldn't last two years, and cold turkey (OB food). At various points
in my life I also boozed too heavily (in the military, going through a
nasty divorce, and a few others), but never so heavily that I couldn't
function. It's been many years now since I've had more than a drink or
three, that's it... most times one glass of wine with dinner or a 2ni,
and not every day either. I think the smoking triggers the drinking
much more than the drinking triggers the smoking... when you stop
smoking I think your drinking will taper way off.

Give up the smoking, not tomorrow, right now, I know of what I speak.

Sheldon

Fortunately, the alcholism bug skipped me; most of my ancestors were
alcoholics and I figured the best way to avoid it was to drink very
seldomly. I might have one drink a month, and most of the time that I
drink is when I have to fly.

I was a longtime smoker, and managed to quit smoking a couple years
ago. The only way I was able to quit was by chewing nicotine gum, and
I still haven't been able to get this monkey off my back. If I quit
chewing the gum I'll start smoking again, as I found when I tried to
quit the gum on numerous occasions. Even if I have to chew it for the
rest of my life it is a worthwhile trade-off to avoid lung cancer,
emphysema, etc.