The term "rock bottom" is often used to describe the point at which a person with an addiction is forced to acknowledge that he or she has a problem - which can lead to their seeking help. But where is rock bottom? And how do people get there?
We usually associate �rock bottom� with alcohol or drug abuse. I am about to suggest that smokers also get to �rock bottom� just before they quit. Why is that? Well, smoking is an addiction just like alcohol or legal/illegal drugs. The addiction is to nicotine. When nicotine is delivered to the body via smoking or using smokeless tobacco, various chemicals also come along for the ride. It is usually through these other substances that smokers (chewers, dippers, etc) can end up with tobacco related health problems, i.e., cancer, emphysema, heart disease, etc.
I have seen post after post here and on other sites where smokers are feeling the true effects of their addictions and are now desperate to quit. For some their quitting will become a life saving change, for others it may be �too little, too late�. Still, the person has finally hit their personal �rock bottom�.
Now don�t get me wrong here. Not everyone has to hit �rock bottom� before deciding that their behavior is a destructive one. Fortunately, in today�s day and age, many smokers are taking a proactive stance and quitting before their health deteriorates. However, many smokers must get repeated messages that their tobacco use is killing them before they finally �get it�.
So I ask you, did you hit �rock bottom� or were you proactive? If you hit the bottom, what signals told you that it�s time and how has that motivated you? I�d especially like to hear from our new quitters here, those with less than a month quit. If you haven�t quit yet, or are having problems with your quit, then let me know if you are really quitting or going through the motions because you think it�s the right thing to do. A little self examination is good for the soul.
[b][color=Purple]Be Strong. Be Smart. Be Quit[/color]
[color=black]Joe[/color]
[size=3][color=Blue]Knowledge Replaces Fear[/color][/size]
[size=2][color=black]Illegitimus non carborundum est[/color][/size][/b]
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/15/2005
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 299
[B]C
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Quit Meter
$36,540.00
Amount Saved
-
Quit Meter
Days: 9391
Hours: 4
Minutes: 10
Seconds: 46
Life Gained
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Quit Meter
45675
Smoke Free Days
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Quit Meter
365,400
Cigarettes Not Smoked
