Quitting Smoking for Dummies:

Just Change the Way We Get Our Nicotine

From what I have heard, I think your show is marvelous, and the work you are doing is excellent! Thank you for being there for those who are in need of your experience and wisdom.

My question is do you include smoking as an addiction and is there a resource anywhere in your website for quitting? I am addicted to smoking, I know it's not heroin, or the like, but I am 49 years old, and I have been smoking since I was 13, and I am having a hell of a time quitting, any suggestions? I just blew an 18-day quit. Most of the time I am ok, but once in awhile I MUST SMOKE!!!! And I will regardless of the consequences, meaning my family is disappointed or angry with me, but I do it any ways. Anyway, thought I would ask, appreciate your time and talents,

Nel.

I've been off cigarettes since July using the Nicoderm Patch. I'm using the lowest dosage they make (7 mg) and I've been using it for twice as long as recommended by the manufacturer. And, I don't know how long I'll continue to use it. I'm leaving it 'indefinite' with good reason.

I'm like yourself, what's termed an "embedded smoker": I smoked for 35 years, from the age of 11. And A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G that keeps me from smoking is an absolute miracle!

Getting my nicotine from a patch is better than sucking on a sewage stick! The thinking today, especially for addicts and alcoholics who smoke is to change the way we get our nicotine. The nicotine alone is less harmful than all the gases and tars in tobacco smoke.

Try the patch, or the gum, or Zyban, or hypnosis, or acupuncture, or anything else to help you quit. But, DON'T QUIT QUITTING!

How Do I Quit Smoking Pot?

I'm 21 years old, and I smoke pot everyday. I've tried to go days with sobriety, but I always give in. Pretty much, my will power sucks. I was hoping you could offer some resources I could reach out to.

Thank you for your time.

Mariko

I can suggest that you listen in to my show, because I used to have exactly the same problem. I know it seems impossible when you start trying to quit, but believe me it can be done! The longer you are able to go without smoking up, the clearer your mind gets. It seems hard to understand at first, but pot impairs your thinking and you get used to functioning on a lower level than normal. Given time, your brain rebounds to working properly and then you can see what's been going on!
I wouldn't even think of going back to smoking pot again, ever! I don't need to "dumb out" that way anymore.
Try contacting Narcotics Anonymous if you're looking for a support group. Or check it out online at www.na.org And there's also Marijuana Anonymous online at http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/
Either way, keep in touch and lets keep talking!

Sober Doesn’t Just Mean ‘Not-Drinking’

Mr. Elliot-

I would appreciate an answer if you have the time. Your schedule may not allow this. I listen to your radio show and find it very interesting. I am on the liver transplant list. My liver is damaged due to alcohol abuse. Almost died when I was admitted to Hospital. But, for some reason I survived. That was 7 years ago.

I have not touched a drop of alcohol since then.

Prior to that episode I had attended AA and was in rehab. These programs did not deter me from going back to the bottle. I could not seem to get the message and felt out of place.

I am not proud of what I have done to myself and people around me.

No excuse. I should have done better with my life.

Do you feel I need additional help?

Thank you for your time and all your efforts helping people.

You need all the help you can get to help you live a normal life again! It's good that you've stopped drinking, but something you have in common with others who've dried out without help is that you haven't dealt with the emotional issues surrounding your drinking.

Your past experience with rehab and AA were at a time when you weren't ready to hear what was being said: You've grown older and lost a lot since then, but you're still around to tell about it!

Why not give AA another chance? You have nothing to lose but the pain.

Mark Elliot is the host of “People Helping People”. An openline talkshow about addictions and recovery heard Nightly on C.F.Y.I. Talk 640, Toronto & AM 800 CKLW Windsor/Detroit. Online at www.markelliot.com