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1554665 tn?1294354952

Any Alcoholics here also struggle to quit smoking?

I smoke way way too much. I know I smoke too much, but I just can't stop myself. Nobody should really need to smoke almost four packs a day, but somehow I still need to almost every single day. Somedays its only three and a half packs.

I also drink too much. Ive been drinking about two bottles of wine every night. On friday nights its often three bottles. By myself and alone. On Saturdays when Im not working, I start drinking wine when I wake up. I usually drink a bottle before lunch, a bottle or two in the afternoon, then by dinner time, Im drinking more and will usually drink another three bottles before going to bed. 6 bottles of wine is too much.

Anyone else have this problem>? What I do?
7 Responses
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Avatar universal
Just don't drink for today. Tell yourself that every day. And check out a 12 step program (AA) - it can save your life.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You are 'hoping' You can go "the rest of the week without, a drink, at least till Thursday!?"  (!!) - Why do You 'expect' to drink on Thursday ??  If You are 'planning' on Thursday being any different then You are setting YourSelf up to fail on Thursday.

No one here will tell You that to quit drinking (or smoking) is/will be easy.  It's as hard for everyone as it is for everyone else.  Those who succeed have just reached a point of determination (it's in all of us), and a commitment (that's in all of us too) and a willingness to seek out whatever may give them the tools for success.

and

You need to know:  neither one of these issues are "a bad habit", rather both of these are a d d i c t i o n - and will need to be addressed as such

GoodLuck
Helpful - 0
1554665 tn?1294354952
Thanks for the suggestions !!

I have been trying to cut back on drinking first, and although I drank Thursday, Friday and Saturday night; I didn't drink last night (Sunday) and thats a god start!

Hope I can go the rest of the week without a drink, at least till Thursday!?

But you guys are all right, there's no way I can even think about trying to quit smoking or even cut back right now. It's too hard. If anything i was smoking even more yesterday, nervous about not having another drink. That's one bad habit I may just have to live with!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been sober since Jan 1st.  Been a functioning alcoholic for years.  Also a smoker.  Tried to quit both at once and this is what I found...  quitting alcohol brings to the table a lot of side affects I wasn't prepared for.  Poor sleep patterns, crazy dreams, dry mouth, headaches, change in appetite, and loss of focus.  There are a few more... but you get the idea.  The last one I listed has been the most frustrating.  I just didn't seem to possess the ability to focus on quitting both habits at the same time.   I really felt like I had to choose between my evils, or risk failing both... at least for now.  So... I'm not drinking at all... and I have half a pack of smokes set aside for the given day.  Next week I'll cut that to 9, then 8 etc.  I'm not saying someone can't quit both at once... just sharing my experience with you in case it helps with your journey to wellness.  I'm not an expert on any of this... but there are people on this site who are.  Excellent advice, support and information to be had here.  Good Luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your concern about your health is evidenced by the fact that you came here for guidance. I would suggest you do your best to cut back as much as you can on both habits asap. Trying to quit both at the same time, cold turkey, is not likely going to be met with much success. I would consider AA meetings to be with others on the same journey. You will be pleasantly surprised to find unselfish, compassionate people all striving for the same thing. The only requirement is the desire to stop drinking. Please give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
     You are correct in that 6 bottles of wine is too much. Don't think you need lecturing there. 4 packs of smokes, also too much. Again, no lecture needed. Do your best to lessen your quantities of these toxic poisons.
   I hope you consider AA. Its worth a try.
JM
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
P.S.

Correction on my last sentence:

If You do not quit drinking AND (not or) smoking You will die.  Again, this I know is true.

GoodLuck
Tink
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You can die from cirrhosis of the liver with "2 or 3 bottles of wine a day"
or
You can die from lung cancer smoking "4 packs a day"
or
or You can burn YourSelf to death before You "wake up from a blackout with a lit cigarette" (info I learned from another post You made)

You don't have to pick one - one of these will pick You if You continue this behavior.

You do not have to drink wine, You do not have to smoke.  You are CHOOSING these behaviors.  I'm not suggesting it's easy to quit these addictions but I am saying You CAN choose recovery.  Those bottles of wine are not forcing themselves into Your hands and pouring themselves down Your throat.  Cigarettes do not light themselves and force You to inhale.  YOU make these decisions.  Recovery is do-able, as evidenced by many who come here.  Many who have been addicted to alcohol much longer than You have been.  It's Your choice to seek recovery, to seek support.  It's there if You want it.

If You do not quit drinking or smoking You will die.  This I know is true.

Regards,
Tink
Helpful - 0
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