Archive for the ‘Abstinence’ tag
Why Smokers Can’t Quit Easily
Why Smokers Can't Quit Easily
Amelia Tomas
LiveScience Staff
LiveScience.com amelia Tomas
livescience Staff
livescience.com 2 hrs 19 mins ago
Every smoker knows it's tough to kick the habit. In fact, just seeing a photo of someone smoking is enough for would-be quitters to ditch their best intentions and light up "just one more," research now shows.
New brain scans taken during normal smoking activity and 24 hours after quitting show a marked increase in a particular kind of brain activity when quitters see photographs of people smoking, said Joseph McClernon, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center.
The brain area in question turns out to be the dorsal striatum, a region responsible for automatic responses (such as controlling the movements needed to ride a bike or brush one's teeth), which means that quitting smoking may be out of a person's conscious control, McClernon said.
"Only five percent of unaided quit attempts result in successful abstinence," McClernon said. "Quitting smoking dramatically increases brain activity in response to seeing smoking cues, which seems to indicate that quitting smoking is actually sensitizing the brain to these smoking cues," thus explaining why most smokers who try to quit tend to relapse.
"If we're really going to help people quit, this emphasizes the need to do more than tell people to resist temptation. We also have to help them break that habitual response," McClernon said.
The study is detailed online in the journal Psychopharmacology. Further research is focusing on the use of a nicotine patch prior to quitting smoking to break the mental link between cigarettes and nicotine.
Amelia Tomas
LiveScience Staff
LiveScience.com amelia Tomas
livescience Staff
livescience.com 2 hrs 19 mins ago
Every smoker knows it's tough to kick the habit. In fact, just seeing a photo of someone smoking is enough for would-be quitters to ditch their best intentions and light up "just one more," research now shows.
New brain scans taken during normal smoking activity and 24 hours after quitting show a marked increase in a particular kind of brain activity when quitters see photographs of people smoking, said Joseph McClernon, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center.
The brain area in question turns out to be the dorsal striatum, a region responsible for automatic responses (such as controlling the movements needed to ride a bike or brush one's teeth), which means that quitting smoking may be out of a person's conscious control, McClernon said.
"Only five percent of unaided quit attempts result in successful abstinence," McClernon said. "Quitting smoking dramatically increases brain activity in response to seeing smoking cues, which seems to indicate that quitting smoking is actually sensitizing the brain to these smoking cues," thus explaining why most smokers who try to quit tend to relapse.
"If we're really going to help people quit, this emphasizes the need to do more than tell people to resist temptation. We also have to help them break that habitual response," McClernon said.
The study is detailed online in the journal Psychopharmacology. Further research is focusing on the use of a nicotine patch prior to quitting smoking to break the mental link between cigarettes and nicotine.
- Original Story: Why Smokers Can't Quit Easily
Day 1 again - holidays are tough
I am back to day one after a four night binge from Christmas Eve to last night. My booze brain snuck back up on me "I hate that". I have been a problem drinker since my teens. The last ten years consistenly would go to work, come home and proceed to drink 6-10 units and do it all over again the next night. Then my dad passed away two years ago at the age of 55 and my drinking got worse.
However, one day about six months ago I told myself thats it. I went 34 days without a single drop and then relapsed. I wasn't drinking every day as I use to, but was trying to convince myself I could try and restrict it. It was working *sort of* still drinking too much when drinking, but not every night. Then came holidays from work & I made an excuse to go on a binge again. That lasted five days and I awoke on day six and said time to go sober again.
That sober period lasted 39 days. Relapsed and the same pattern has emerged again. I'm thinking that I am going to have to resign to the fact that total abstinence is the key to figuring my problems out.
Anyways, i'm glad I stumbled onto this site. It may prove to be useful to talk to others in the struggle. Merry belated x-mas and happy new years.
However, one day about six months ago I told myself thats it. I went 34 days without a single drop and then relapsed. I wasn't drinking every day as I use to, but was trying to convince myself I could try and restrict it. It was working *sort of* still drinking too much when drinking, but not every night. Then came holidays from work & I made an excuse to go on a binge again. That lasted five days and I awoke on day six and said time to go sober again.
That sober period lasted 39 days. Relapsed and the same pattern has emerged again. I'm thinking that I am going to have to resign to the fact that total abstinence is the key to figuring my problems out.
Anyways, i'm glad I stumbled onto this site. It may prove to be useful to talk to others in the struggle. Merry belated x-mas and happy new years.
and so it goes…
Hi everyone. I havent been posting much lately but I continue to read a lot and I continue to inspired by everyone here, from the newcomers who are looking to change their lives to the people who have years of experience, I get E,S and H from all of you and it helps me to get through the day. So thank you very much.
I am doing ok, I have only drank a few times in the last two months, which is still not complete abstinence but it is better than drinking everyday, and I feel that I am continuing to make progress towards complete sobriety.
Im taking a break from the job search until the holidays are over, although I have to admit that I have not been too serious about the job search in the past but I plan to change that and really try to find at least a part time job.
Im on a new medicine and it really helps my moods and energy level when I take it as prescribed, but it is so hard not to take more than the prescribed dose, just to catch a little buzz, I hate how difficult it is to be good with it. But I must take it as prescribed or it isnt going to work long term and I really dont want to mess this up, I've made too many bad decisions in the past and I really need to start doing what I know is best for me. But again, the temptation is so freakin hard to fight. Today I took the prescribed amount, and I will not take anymore until tommorrow.
Thanks and happy holidays. :) :Xmasha
I am doing ok, I have only drank a few times in the last two months, which is still not complete abstinence but it is better than drinking everyday, and I feel that I am continuing to make progress towards complete sobriety.
Im taking a break from the job search until the holidays are over, although I have to admit that I have not been too serious about the job search in the past but I plan to change that and really try to find at least a part time job.
Im on a new medicine and it really helps my moods and energy level when I take it as prescribed, but it is so hard not to take more than the prescribed dose, just to catch a little buzz, I hate how difficult it is to be good with it. But I must take it as prescribed or it isnt going to work long term and I really dont want to mess this up, I've made too many bad decisions in the past and I really need to start doing what I know is best for me. But again, the temptation is so freakin hard to fight. Today I took the prescribed amount, and I will not take anymore until tommorrow.
Thanks and happy holidays. :) :Xmasha
chronic worry
Thanks SR friends- I'm on day 38 alcohol free! However, I thought I'd be feeling all fine and dandy and instead my worries creep up on me. I fear so much for my health. The statistics are just dismal. I'm so ashamed of having been such a heavy drinker for so long and I fear what could very well happen years down the road even after abstinence. I feel like a failure as a female. I used to have some self respect- now I can't believe how low I let myself sink and what ridiculous decisions I made. I thought as long as one didn't have any apparent health problems, abstinence was a sure route to a happy, healthy life. But things can get back to you according to my internet research. It's scarier being a woman! I was under such delusion while drinking, the whole "Nothing can happento me" frame of mind, and thinking I'd already been through so much tha nothing else could be worse. I also wanted someone to notice and tell me to stop. How screwy is that? I may be extra stressed because someone really put me through the ringer for a few weeks emotionally, lying and the whole bit to get what they wanted. At least I have a quiet living space for the time being. I am a downer today, sorry!
Abstinence In Drug Addiction And Alcoholism: Am I Cured?
By Bill Urell
For those in drug and alcohol addiction recovery, sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, this thought will arise sooner or later: "I haven't had a drink or a drug in a while, I wonder if I am cured...
Am I an alcoholic?
I'm 49, happily married with 3 kids, good health, good job, but I'm increasingly concerned about how much I drink. About 6 nights a week I drink one and a half bottles of red wine (My wife drinks the remaining half) between 5:30pm and 9:30pm. This is about 80 units a week!
I've been doing this for the last 15 years and I'm worried about possible long-term damage, though a recent comprehensive medical showed none so far.
I don't have blackouts, or DUI, I never get aggressive or miss work - in fact wife and kids think I'm happier on the wine! I guess I do kind of organise my evenings around drinking - we rarely go out - instead we cook at home.
I'm currently on day 7 of a self-imposed 28 day alcohol break. Surprisingly, I've had no withdrawals except weird dreams and early waking for the first 4 days and I even seem to be enjoying feeling clear-headed. But the thought of giving up drinking forever is a daunting one.
I'm confident I'll finish my 28 day abstinence OK, but what then? I'm kind of an all-or-nothing peson, so I guess it would be back to the almost everyday drinking or total cessation.
I've been skulking around the forum for a week or so and registered today. What do you guys think? :wtf2
I've been doing this for the last 15 years and I'm worried about possible long-term damage, though a recent comprehensive medical showed none so far.
I don't have blackouts, or DUI, I never get aggressive or miss work - in fact wife and kids think I'm happier on the wine! I guess I do kind of organise my evenings around drinking - we rarely go out - instead we cook at home.
I'm currently on day 7 of a self-imposed 28 day alcohol break. Surprisingly, I've had no withdrawals except weird dreams and early waking for the first 4 days and I even seem to be enjoying feeling clear-headed. But the thought of giving up drinking forever is a daunting one.
I'm confident I'll finish my 28 day abstinence OK, but what then? I'm kind of an all-or-nothing peson, so I guess it would be back to the almost everyday drinking or total cessation.
I've been skulking around the forum for a week or so and registered today. What do you guys think? :wtf2
Beginning to doubt whether AA is right for me
Hi all, just thought i would put some of my thoughts here and wondered how others feel.
I have been attending AA since January, it really has helped. My last drink was on May 30th.
I am now at a point with AA where i am wondering whether the program will benefit me or maybe i should look for an alternative program.
I feel as though the AA program and support network, seems to want to get involved in things that go further than drinking. I realise i have to change my life and learn new strategies to deal with feelings, but it almost feels too intrusive.
I have made some friends there, which is good, but i can't help feeling that those friendships are conditional based really on whether i remain sober and want to stay free from drink. I have become distant with some friends because i do not drink, the AA calls these fair weather friends. Yet at the same time if i started drinking i'm sure i would lose the new friends i have made in AA too.
I struggle with the concepts of the steps. Step 3 is a hard one for me to get my head around, also step 9 about making amense, especially in relation to making amense to those that i feel have wronged me. My sponsor says that i am jumping the gun looking at step 9, but at the same time i wonder whether these steps are necessary for me to stay sober.
Since getting sober, my life has moved ten fold. I do not want to go back to drinking, although i would love to be like a 'normal' person and have a glass of wine with a meal, but the reality is i can't.
I am wondering though whether to go for some sort of counselling through a secular programme, to achieve and keepm my abstinence as there are things within the AA programme that i find hard to deal with and wonder whether they are necessary.
Any thoughts??
Paul
I have been attending AA since January, it really has helped. My last drink was on May 30th.
I am now at a point with AA where i am wondering whether the program will benefit me or maybe i should look for an alternative program.
I feel as though the AA program and support network, seems to want to get involved in things that go further than drinking. I realise i have to change my life and learn new strategies to deal with feelings, but it almost feels too intrusive.
I have made some friends there, which is good, but i can't help feeling that those friendships are conditional based really on whether i remain sober and want to stay free from drink. I have become distant with some friends because i do not drink, the AA calls these fair weather friends. Yet at the same time if i started drinking i'm sure i would lose the new friends i have made in AA too.
I struggle with the concepts of the steps. Step 3 is a hard one for me to get my head around, also step 9 about making amense, especially in relation to making amense to those that i feel have wronged me. My sponsor says that i am jumping the gun looking at step 9, but at the same time i wonder whether these steps are necessary for me to stay sober.
Since getting sober, my life has moved ten fold. I do not want to go back to drinking, although i would love to be like a 'normal' person and have a glass of wine with a meal, but the reality is i can't.
I am wondering though whether to go for some sort of counselling through a secular programme, to achieve and keepm my abstinence as there are things within the AA programme that i find hard to deal with and wonder whether they are necessary.
Any thoughts??
Paul
Friday nights, bags of liquor flood the streets
No night is harder for abstinence than Friday and Saturday. Walk through the mall and each body is currently wreaking up a sweat, waiting for the moment where they can devour their spirits. They want it so bad, every heart beat is for this moment. Joy bangers, William S. Burroughs in the book Junky said joy bangers were people who only did heroin on weekends. Drug addicts with luck, is there such a thing? Still with every drink I die and with every drink they live. Such cruelty to be kidnapped by the very thing you hoped would be your escape to joy.
Overcoming Alcoholism: What Are The 5 Essential Mindsets In Overcoming Alcoholism?
In overcoming alcoholism, there are key questions that need to be asked and answered before abstinence and sobriety can begin...
Abstinence is the leading cause of relapse
Abstinence is the leading cause of relapse. Sounds kind of comical when heard for the first time. Almost like a contradiction of terms. In theory, abstinence is supposed to PREVENT relapse. How can it be RESPONSIBLE for relapse?
It turns out that the recovery process cannot be done in one simple phase. Not unlike getting a car or truck rolling along it takes more than one gear. Abstinence is comparable to first gear in a motor vehicle. It is the best and sometimes the only way to get a massive vehicle in motion but not unlike a car going down the highway, being stuck in first gear is destructive. At some point the cars engine will blow apart from too much stress.
Rehab programs seldom talk about this matter because it is simply not their job to talk about long-term recovery strategies. Their goal is typically one of getting the subject to reach some short-term goal that can be achieved and measured within a short time frame,
Typically 30 or 90.
So what is the equivalent of second gear in the recovery process? Principles to live by. Specifically rules to live by that can be used to day in and day out without overloading ones psychic engine. Some of these principles can be summed up in simple to grasp slogans like; one-day-at-a-time, easy-does-it and first-things-first. These are more or less psychological tricks and tips that can be used in times of stress.
There is more to recovery however than just psychology. There is an even higher set of principles that can be viewed as the equivalent of over-drive in an automobile. That is spiritual instead of psychological principles.
Spiritual principles are harder to learn than psychological principles because some of them are hard to grasp at first. In fact, many of them are downright incomprehensible. That is why it is best to leave them for last in the learning process.
The fundamental spiritual principles are not too bad to deal with like honesty, open-mindedness and willingness but some of the deeper principles like humility and serenity are beyond the grasp of those new to the recovery process.
Perhaps thee most esoteric spiritual principle to grasp is true humility. A word often confused with humiliation. The easiest way to distinguish between the to is to remember that humiliation leads to fear, guilt and shame where humility leads to insight into new truth.
All those who are suffering from an addiction have a serious lack of insight. Humility, more than any other tool, can circumvent this problem and provide new and lasting paths to the truth about themselves, their disease and their potential to change.
Think of spiritual principles as the over-drive that allows to the auto to cruise for countless hours of stress-free progress on the life-long journey to recovery.
It turns out that the recovery process cannot be done in one simple phase. Not unlike getting a car or truck rolling along it takes more than one gear. Abstinence is comparable to first gear in a motor vehicle. It is the best and sometimes the only way to get a massive vehicle in motion but not unlike a car going down the highway, being stuck in first gear is destructive. At some point the cars engine will blow apart from too much stress.
Rehab programs seldom talk about this matter because it is simply not their job to talk about long-term recovery strategies. Their goal is typically one of getting the subject to reach some short-term goal that can be achieved and measured within a short time frame,
Typically 30 or 90.
So what is the equivalent of second gear in the recovery process? Principles to live by. Specifically rules to live by that can be used to day in and day out without overloading ones psychic engine. Some of these principles can be summed up in simple to grasp slogans like; one-day-at-a-time, easy-does-it and first-things-first. These are more or less psychological tricks and tips that can be used in times of stress.
There is more to recovery however than just psychology. There is an even higher set of principles that can be viewed as the equivalent of over-drive in an automobile. That is spiritual instead of psychological principles.
Spiritual principles are harder to learn than psychological principles because some of them are hard to grasp at first. In fact, many of them are downright incomprehensible. That is why it is best to leave them for last in the learning process.
The fundamental spiritual principles are not too bad to deal with like honesty, open-mindedness and willingness but some of the deeper principles like humility and serenity are beyond the grasp of those new to the recovery process.
Perhaps thee most esoteric spiritual principle to grasp is true humility. A word often confused with humiliation. The easiest way to distinguish between the to is to remember that humiliation leads to fear, guilt and shame where humility leads to insight into new truth.
All those who are suffering from an addiction have a serious lack of insight. Humility, more than any other tool, can circumvent this problem and provide new and lasting paths to the truth about themselves, their disease and their potential to change.
Think of spiritual principles as the over-drive that allows to the auto to cruise for countless hours of stress-free progress on the life-long journey to recovery.
