Hi all, this is such a gr8 thread that bear started! I just wanted to bumpity bump it up :)
It's a known fact that addiction is a disease that never goes away. It's also known that us addicts have very common characteristics about us that come with wanting instant gratification. Fear is the reason that we try to munipulate and control things. We are afraid of the unknown, therefore try to control people, places & things so that we feel safe.
But as Ms. Lady and other's pointed out, even as addicts we have choices. And if we choose to quit whatever drugs we're doing and grow up emotionally and become responsible adults it will follow that we will make better choices too :) And our fears will lessen.
For me I'm not afraid that I'll become addicted to heroine b/c I've never done it. But if "I chose" to do it, it's very possible that I would want more and more and more, b/c it is addictive and I am an addict.
I don't live in fear of things but I am continually doing what I need to do to grow up emotionally, be responsible & make better choices. But in being responsible for myself, and knowing that I'm an addict, I do have caution to things that are bad for me....but then so does an emotionally healthy person :) Quitting smoking is only 1 symptom of this addiction. WE WERE ADDICTS BEFORE WE EVER STARTED SMOKING.
Fear, I believe is a huge part of being an addict b/c it makes us re-act in immature ways. That's why in order to keep smoke-free we have to grow up emotionally. If we don't then eventually we will be fearful of something, re-act the same ole immature way and in turn start smoking again because we will not feel good about ourself.
[color=Red]FEAR IS NOTHING MORE THAN A LACK OF FAITH[/color]
I know that when my spirituality level is high and I have hope, I am much happier, more confident & am able to accomplish more that when I don't have faith or hope.
Just breathe.....ahhhhhhhhh
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/16/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 60
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $14.40
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4
-
Quit Meter
$28,290.00
Amount Saved
-
Quit Meter
Days: 625
Hours: 19
Minutes: 25
Seconds: 31
Life Gained
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Quit Meter
4715
Smoke Free Days
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Quit Meter
94,300
Cigarettes Not Smoked