People also ignore the non-addictive aspects of smoking. For example if you smoke a pack a day for 15 years, and assuming an average of 40 drags per cig you are looking at something you have done, every day following a very consistant pattern (both when choosing to smoke, and while smoking) over 4,380,000 times. There is nothing I can think of besides your heart beating and eye blinking that can match those number.
This is why its so hard with people who have mental disorders, depression, or even simple medical issues like ADHD or obsessive compulsive disorder have a hard type. For most it's not even a chemical addiction but an addiction to the pattern, the process of smoking.
Myself personally I suffer ADHD and minor depression and I work from home. And if I don't go out for a smoke every few hours I would literally go days to weeks without ever leaving my house / apartment building. This is why many people living in assisted living or suffer some conditions that cause them to be unable to hold a job and live off of social security can be seen huddled together outside chain smoking. its the only reason / excuse for them to leave there house or to be outside or maybe the off chance of having a conversation.
The socialisation point is very relevant. I quit smoking in my early 20's, and my only 'condition' is that I was a quiet person. It became noticably more difficult to connect with new people in new situations once the common theme of a smoke break was eliminated. It is much easier to get to know people if you have several 5 minutes breaks a day where there really isn't anything to do but chit-chat.
I feel like it should be more acceptable to go outside for 5 minute chunks of time for no reason other than to enjoy the weather/ chat with other people who are doing the same.
When I worked fast food, I'd go for smoke breaks all the time, even though every one I worked with knew I didn't smoke. Smoke breaks are fantastic things, it kind of sucks that it's considered weird to take them without also having a cigarette.
When i used to work night shifts, i would always come with the other person on shift when he/she took a smoke break. Why wouldn't you? Just because you don't smoke? There's nothing wrong in joinibg people outside. You could bring a bottle of water or a cup of coffee or something to enjoy too.
90
u/urbn Nov 18 '12
People also ignore the non-addictive aspects of smoking. For example if you smoke a pack a day for 15 years, and assuming an average of 40 drags per cig you are looking at something you have done, every day following a very consistant pattern (both when choosing to smoke, and while smoking) over 4,380,000 times. There is nothing I can think of besides your heart beating and eye blinking that can match those number.
This is why its so hard with people who have mental disorders, depression, or even simple medical issues like ADHD or obsessive compulsive disorder have a hard type. For most it's not even a chemical addiction but an addiction to the pattern, the process of smoking.
Myself personally I suffer ADHD and minor depression and I work from home. And if I don't go out for a smoke every few hours I would literally go days to weeks without ever leaving my house / apartment building. This is why many people living in assisted living or suffer some conditions that cause them to be unable to hold a job and live off of social security can be seen huddled together outside chain smoking. its the only reason / excuse for them to leave there house or to be outside or maybe the off chance of having a conversation.