Do you smoke because of anxiety?

Shammy

I don't smoke anymore but I kind of used to use cigarettes as an outlet for my depression and anxiety feelings. Whenever I was near people and I felt stressed or out of place I lit one up to calm myself down. Now that I'm better I don't need to smoke anymore!

Tuebec

Thanks Shammy, that's encouraging to hear. Congrats on stopping smoking, that's awesome. Can I ask what sort of things you did to help with nervous smoking impulses? I'm definitely open to whatever experiences others have had on this topic, I need some help. ^^;

XLS

Hi T, 

Smoking is a horrible habit that has been in my life for the last twenty years.  Being able to quit many times, like you, I analyzed the why and hows.  Stress is going to be around no matter what, it all boils down to how we deal with it. 

Every time I quit, there was one thing I've noticed and I just couldn't deny. Smoking is habit forming.  Who in the world likes the taste or smell or cigarettes? Im sure that number is very low. 

Although I do not like to smoke, I do it because I want to. I like the buzz I get when i haven't smoked one in a couple hours.  Does it take my stress away? Does it make me feel better? Does it get my mind off what just happened? No, If anything it is a toxic distraction that leaves us smelling like an ashtray. 

Drink lots of water and try an all natural cleanse.  Making it past week 2 is always the struggle for me. 

pwarbi

While I still smoke now,,I dint smoke half as much as I used to and for me, smoking was just a habit that I got drawn in to was I was around 13 or 14 years old.

I've never been diagnosed with depression or anxiety so for me smoking was and still is just a habit I haven't been able to quit yet.

splendid7seven

Earlier in my university days I've also felt anxiety during social interactions so I would choose to go out of a room and smoke. It really made me an outsider and chainsmoker so I definitely understand where you're coming from. One thing that helped me was try to reduce my anxiety before I even attempted to quit. I started forcing myself to go out more and interact with people very slowly. I made new friends and found new hobbies through this and made me smoke less more and more.

dyanmarie25

I have anxiety issues as well, but I never smoke. I guess it really depends on the person. As for me, whenever I would feel stressed, I would have a strong craving to listen to rock music, or to read books.

Tata

I smoke and I do sometimes use it for anxiety although admittedly I use a lot of things for anxiety including playing some mobile games whenever I feel stressed. Most of the time these days I just opt to use mobile games instead as much as possible because at least then I'm not doing damage to my lungs, but I realize it's still not a very healthy practice so I'm hoping to get a much more effective solution.

nergaahl

I wasn't smoking because of anxiety. I was smoking because I enjoyed it and it was very, very soothing. However, with time, it turned into a serious problem. I was "borrowing" a lot of money from people which I have never managed to give back in order to buy Marlboros. And when I was broke I even smoked cigarettes with tar in them! My lungs are pretty messed up now, but at least I'm not causing them even more harm.

hwarren

Smoking for me is stress-relief and also something that relaxes me in situations when I feel like I'm losing the plot. I'm trying to give it up and need something to replace it but haven't found that something yet. 

dominica

@tuebec plenty of people smoke to help relieve stress...and it's simply just a habit and the mind can play tricks on us. when i was quitting many years ago i would unconsciously cause stress, just to light up. crazy, i know.

i guess for me i just wanted to be a non-smoker so badly i finally made the break and dealt with stress as it came without smoking. but i was in a pretty good spot in life too...there have been stressful times that pop up over the years and i was tempted to smoke and drink, but i knew that that was not the answer and i did not want to become addicted again.

good luck and keep trying!

xTinx

I've had my fair share of anxiety. It's not a walk in the park, mind you. I just feel thankful that even though I've felt the world cave in on me thousands of times, I can never find it my heart to resort to vices - alcohol, cigarettes, partying, gambling, etc. I simply look towards things, stories and undertakings that inspire me. I can't endure the smell of smoke. If I use cigarettes to cover up my anxiety, I fear I'd end up worse for wear. Better safe than sorry.

androl

Smoking definitely affected me in this way. I would always smoke more, sometimes quite heavily, when tense and anxious although I didn't even realize it at first. I first noticed it when I was going through a very rough time (my life falling apart for the 3rd time!). Suddenly, I found that I had been chain-smoking and literally just couldn't find myself able to relax at all.

Seraphine

You are not alone, OP, I believe my fiance also smokes out of anxiety  He often says that he smokes when he is bored, sometimes I think he does it out of boredom as well.  I have noticed he does it more often when he is anxious or stressed, similar to what I do when I am very stressed out (I eat a lot when I am stressed out). 

erook7878

I don't smoke anymore, but I have done it as a anti-anxiety measure. Just doing anything to get my mind off the anxious feelings was a positive for me and going outside to smoke was one of those things. I definitely believe people may smoke due to their anxiety.