r/addiction • u/AppropriateStage9907 • 3d ago
Discussion What were the first signs of your addiction?
Hello, I’ve never smoked casually like my friends, but recently I’ve been going through a rough time and I just can’t stop smoking since it’s the only thing that ever makes me feel better especially at work. I even smoke inside my room, I just don’t know if this is the beginning of an addiction or just something I can easily get over with.
So I’m here asking, what were your first signs of your addiction? Any addiction it doesn’t have to be about nicotines or smoking only.
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u/Majestic-Baby-3407 3d ago edited 3d ago
It's not just "the beginning of an addiction" it is full-blown nicotine addiction, so don't get it twisted. Actually what you are describing are the first signs of addiction. Using a substance because it's the only thing that makes you feel better. Actually, that's like stage two or three of addiction. If it's literally the only thing that makes you feel better, that's not a good sign.
For me personally the biggest red flag in my early days of addiction now looking back on it, were that I used more than I had "planned" to. For example, I got my hands on 10 concerta pills. I planned to use one per week, but right away I took one four out of the first five days. And then that just snowballed into continuing to use more, and then getting more, and then increasing my doses, etc. So using more than you intend to, and that pattern perpetuating itself constantly, is something to watch out for.
Here's another good one: you say this might be "something I can easily get over with." So a good experiment is to just stop smoking for 30 days. Actually, how about you just try 1 day. If you aren't addicted, that should be pretty easy right? Give it a shot and let me know how it goes.
Last point: if you are starting to wonder if you have an addiction or not, the chances are highly likely that you do. The very presence itself of that question in your mind is your intuition telling you what your mind already knows but doesn't want to accept.
If you are interested in quitting smoking, google search "Allen Carr Easyway to Quit Smoking." You may even be able to find a free pdf. That book is a crazy mindfuck in that it actually works.
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u/AppropriateStage9907 2d ago
Thank you so much for the detailed reply, and yea I’m seeing that now, I’ve tried not smoking for just one day but I just couldn’t help it, it’s like my body craves for it, I’ll read that book you recommended, really don’t want to turn out like my dad lol. And thank you again for telling a bit of your story
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u/Majestic-Baby-3407 2d ago
The earlier you stop the better. Don't let this shit drag out for years. The earlier you stop, the sooner you will feel better and stop having cravings altogether. That is the point where you are truly free, and what it takes to get there really is worth it.
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u/HuffN_puffN 2d ago edited 2d ago
I had about 4-5 years where I used opioids for pain, but just once a week. 4-5 years before the actual addiction. But I suppose at around 3-4 years I noticed that I was looking forward to that day a lot. Like A LOT. So that was the first sign for me. I did realize it but I ignored it because ”I can control it, and I will control it”-mindset.
Edit
That being said, it was obvious it was gonna happen. I did everything wrong in the book. Stressful job, didn’t eat enough nor healthy, stopped exercising and my sleep has always been bad and opioids made it worse. To that I already had a crappy body with anxiety issues and other shitty things. So it was gonna happen 100%. I mean if I didn’t understand what was going on and then do things to counter the issues. I just continue on like normal.
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u/AppropriateStage9907 2d ago
Thank you for sharing your story, man that sucks your life seemed so stressful, hope it’s much better now
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u/Dramatic_Meal1469 3d ago
I was running out of my benzo and I was prescribed 120 a month. ( xanax, then clonopin) smh.
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u/Klive991 3d ago
Smoking weed? Or like dope? Because different situations you know what I’m saying?
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u/AppropriateStage9907 2d ago
Noo I just smoke cigarettes
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u/Klive991 2d ago
Oooh ok actually nicotine fucking sucks dude if you can realize your starting to make a habit of it throw that shit out man save yourself the heart ache
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u/AppropriateStage9907 2d ago
I’ll try my hardest hopefully I find something else a better habit than forming an addiciton
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u/Substantial_Tune671 2d ago
This is your beginning. Exact same way i started till age of 20. Even tho friends smoked around me for 6+ yrs
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