Why is alcoholism different than a smoking addiction?
July 10, 2009 by Addiction and Substance Abuse Tips
Filed under More Addiction Answers
Can you answer Snapple’s question about Addiction?:
Why is it harder for an alcoholic to stop drinking alcohol than it is for a smoker to stop smoking cigarettes? I know alcoholism is a disease while smoking is an addiction…
Why is it harder for an alcoholic to stop drinking alcohol than it is for a smoker to stop smoking cigarettes? I know alcoholism is a disease while smoking is an addiction…
Thanks!
I’m not asking if it’s a disease or not. I know for a fact it’s a disease and there is near-countless scientific data to prove so.
Now, any real answers from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about?
Inpatient Drug Detox
Addiction Feedback: they’re the same. they are both addictions, just not both socially acceptable.
Addiction Feedback: an addiction is an addiction they both mentally and physically hurt you and your loved ones
Addiction Feedback: Alcoholism isn’t a disease. That’s bullcrap. It’s an addiction. I don’t care what any doctor says he proves. An addiction is an addiction.
Addiction Feedback: Nicotine which is what the addictive ingredient in cigarettes is a stimulant just like caffeine. But, alcohol is a downer.
Addiction Feedback: well i’m only 14. no expert.
but a disease is something u develop or catch. it’s physical. ur body adjusts 2 alcohol. it craves alcohol.
same thing wid marijuana, cigarettes, booze
but an addiction is more mental. ur brain wants it.
altho. honestly alcoholism is only a disease when it gives u long term effects. til then it’s just an addiction
Addiction Feedback: Alcohol addiction can harm your health. Many people have lost jobs, homes, and loved ones simply because they could not tame thier alcohol habit. I suggest you find some help. Here is a site that has addiction information and a directory of addiction treatment clinics so you can help.
Live strong
Addiction Feedback: I don’t know that it is. I smoked and drank alcoholically for approximately 13 years. I have seven and a half years of sobriety and six and a half without smoking.
I quit both because of adverse health effects and my wife’s unhappiness with my behavior. I took advantage of an out patient treatment program and AA to get sober and stay sober.
I stopped smoking because I was sick and tired of coughing, chest infections and general poor health. One day I made up my mind to not by any more cigarettes. I’m not sure I ever officially quit smoking. It was easier for me just to not buy anymore. Before this I tried Welbutran, the patch and other smoking cessation programs. None worked for very long.
I clearly made poor chooses and allowed myself to rationalize both behaviors with flawed logic.
So, in my experience, smoking and drinking alcoholically are very difficult to overcome and I wouldn’t say that one was more or less difficult than the other.
Addiction Feedback: I don’t think you can be that general when it comes to breaking strong addictions like cigarettes and alcohol; it all depends on the victim. Some people find it harder to quit smoking than alcohol, and vice verse. I think that a big factor in this is how much that person is exposed to the alcohol and/or tobacco. The more someone is exposed to it, the more tempting it will seem. So I think the best way to break a habit like that is to go somewhere like rehab, where you can’t be tempted by the drugs/alcohol.
Addiction Feedback: Because smoking stinks, kills everbody and everything around too. Disgusting to say the least.