Lets talk about Addiction...

[4Talismans]

Specifically, how does addiction play into the mess this world is in? And what spiritual techniques are the most successful at combating addiction?
I admit I have a selfish reason for asking. I'd like to quit smoking.

[greybeard]

That's a big question.
Almost everything you can think of you will find some one addicted to it.

Some people--me included, have an addictive nature.
That can be positive if you get interested in something positive.
The addictive nature tuned down a bit can be a driver to get positive results--you keep going when other run out of steam.

AA 12 step program works for me.

Drug and alcohol seemingly, temporally, can create a high experience similar to samadi (spiritual awakening)
This is because the normal inhibitions are not there and a sense of freedom not experienced in a sober state is felt.
Its not so much the drink-drug that is sought but the high.
The first ever high can not be found again and there is an on going search to find it again.

Stopping smoking --- I dont for long periods of time then because I know how to stop I will resume for several months.
Longest off was ten years.
I just say I wont have one just now---no big deal.
Moments become hours become days etc
That works for me.

Spiritual technique --I turn "whatever" over to God.
When I stopped drinking I imagined parcelling up the problem and giving it as a "gift" to God.
Any time I felt like a drink I say to myself. "You gave it as a gift to God--you dont ask for presents back"

Dr David Hawkins has a book out called "Letting go The path of surrender"
That is helpful.

Best wishes
Chris

[Sérénité]

I think addiction is something different to everyone, the addiction itself plus the reason behind it.
First I think we need to try work out the reason behind the specific addiction.
When did it start, was there a trigger? Peer pressure? Feeling low? Feeling too high? And so on.

For me, looking back to past addictions its been out of routine. The thing I became addicted to may have been a 'try it you might like it' scenario at first. Onwards from that stage it was always habit of routine.

For me in overcoming the habits I had to break the routine.
Instead of lighting up after a coffee or meal I would go draw or do something requiring both hands and full attention and no ashtray :)
For other issues it was stay away from certain places and people, distract my weekends from those old haunts with new more healthier options!

I think some people have addictive natures and some not so much, thankfully I'm the latter so quitting everything I feel I need to is, ok not easy, but easier than some may find it.

I don't think the world is in a state because of addictions, but more so that people are drawn to the escape and comforting routine of various addictions because of the state of the world!

Search for your reasons for the addiction starting in the first place and work from there.
But usually if you can break the routine you can beat the demons!

Good luck :)

[johnf]

18 years abstention from alchohol, 15 from tobacco, (2 1/2 packs/day).
Just two out of a long list, having a rough time with oreo and milk addiction.

Substance addictions have allways boiled down to avoiding feeling certain emotions.
They did this for me by suppressing them.
Alchohol suppressed fear and anxiety for me.
Tobacco supressed anger and frustration.
Marijuana suppressed depression.
When I quit smoking I tended to explode in rage for a while.
When the same reaction to situations keeps coming up I need to look at the pattern behind it.
That is the main thrust of the 12 step programs, to look at those internal habit patterns.
There are many other approaches to dealing with these patterns, also known as old ideas, but I had found that it is the unwillingness to feel the emotions in life that lead to these patterns, and I have to feel the emotions and look at the thoughts that come up when I look at my behaviors.
Good Luck with your project!

jf

[BrianEn]

Addiction is made up of three main components. Obsession, that thought that we need this to feel better or even good is the mental part of addition. Compusion, the inabilty to stop once we have started. Self-centeredness is the spiritual part of the disease. It's separates us from others in the task of getting what we need. Smoking may not seem as drastic but a very hard addiction to kick.

[4Talismans]

Well, what I meant by addiction in regards to the state the world is in today, is that I think addiction is one of the ways the masses stay "asleep". A constant chase after whatever substance or high one is addicted to leaves little time or room for awakening. And then there's the whole "war on drugs" which is really a tool of oppression but thats a whole other thread.

I don't really have an addictive personality. I've given up alcohol and marijuana at the drop of a hat. I've quit smoking 3 times in the past but this time I'm finding it much harder. I do think that Serenite is right about the routine component of it. I'll have to give some thought to changing that. And like John E I tend to explode in rage and that is just not acceptable. I'd rather smoke than do that. Last time I tried to quit I went off on a family member because a pillow was in the wrong place.

Self Centeredness as the spiritual part of it... that is very interesting. I need to contemplate that for awhile.

[greybeard]

There is an addiction to the status quo.
Many are frightened of the unknown--uncertainty.
They might complain about what is current but are not prepared to do what it takes to personally change.
We change personally (perception/ attitude) everything else changes.
The only thing constant apart from Self is change.
We hope there will be a better tomorrow and hope that circumstances will change but few initiate change.
So yes we are addicted to normality ie status quo. We think we understand and are relatively comfortable with this.

Chris

[4Talismans]

I could not agree more. Changing perception, in my experience takes looking at a few hard truths. But once done a cosmic flow is established.

There is an addiction to the status quo.
Many are frightened of the unknown--uncertainty.
They might complain about what is current but are not prepared to do what it takes to personally change.
We change personally (perception/ attitude) everything else changes.
The only thing constant apart from Self is change.
We hope there will be a better tomorrow and hope that circumstances will change but few initiate change.
So yes we are addicted to normality ie status quo. We think we understand and are relatively comfortable with this.

Chris

[Eagle Eye]

..........

[markpierre]

Specifically, how does addiction play into the mess this world is in? And what spiritual techniques are the most successful at combating addiction?
I admit I have a selfish reason for asking. I'd like to quit smoking.

It plays no part. It's a distraction. We're all addicted to associating with bodies,
and proving their weaknesses.
Guilt will kill you far quicker and thoroughly than tobacco will.

There's a reward in smoking. Sometimes it's guilt, but it can be anything.
A moment where you don't have to decide anything. I'll have a smoke and put off that decision.
What you're putting off could be devastating as exemplified by past decisions, or it could be beautiful.
The more devastating it is, the more potentially beautiful it could be. There's the rub.
Have you fully accepted the purpose and growth in past devastation?
See if you can find what that reward might be, and decide if the reward vs the delay, is worth it to you.

[4Talismans]

Really beautifully said. And that Rumi quote is one of my two all time favorites. :)



Specifically, how does addiction play into the mess this world is in? And what spiritual techniques are the most successful at combating addiction?
I admit I have a selfish reason for asking. I'd like to quit smoking.

It plays no part. It's a distraction. We're all addicted to associating with bodies,
and proving their weaknesses.
Guilt will kill you far quicker and thoroughly than tobacco will.

There's a reward in smoking. Sometimes it's guilt, but it can be anything.
A moment where you don't have to decide anything. I'll have a smoke and put off that decision.
What you're putting off could be devastating as exemplified by past decisions, or it could be beautiful.
The more devastating it is, the more potentially beautiful it could be. There's the rub.
Have you fully accepted the purpose and growth in past devastation?
See if you can find what that reward might be, and decide if the reward vs the delay, is worth it to you.

[johnf]

I changed my 12 packs a day to 2. I woulda if I coulda!

jf

[ghostrider]

one won't quit smoking until you really want to quit... I quit smoking for ten yrs, got a divorce, a year later my father died, six months later my grandmother, six months later my grandfather, then I went back to smoking from stress .. life is too short, I will enjoy my tobbaco , even if it's bad for me... tommorrow could be my last day on earth, I will be happy and free ... the way I quit , when I ran out, I simply didn't buy them anymore ...you can't smoke em , if you don't have em ...thats all I can say about that ... good luck , you can do it ...

[mgray]

I was told early on that an addict is an egomaniac with low self esteem. It's true in my case, think about it

[markpierre]

I was told early on that an addict is an egomaniac with low self esteem. It's true in my case, think about it

Think about that it was true in your case? Sure. Whatever you say.

That it's a rule, would have come from an egomaniac,
probably with low self esteem.

[Zephyr]

I'm a former Heroin addict and I've been 100% clean for nearly four years. Addiction and myself work too well together. That said, I now help other addicts who WANT help and those that're helping THEMSELVES. I used to think I could change people, I really thought I was that great that I could change the way people think.

Wow, I couldn't have been more wrong....

Your closest family members and best friends/lovers will lie to your face just to appease you so that you won't bother them about their problem/addiction; I know, I was a damn good liar myself.

Then one gets so tired from the pain of withdrawals, all the lies we've told that we cannot possibly remember, and then some of us get sick and tired of being sick and tired.

A very small number of us make it out alive, we pull ourselves together before we've lost everything, we conquer the beast.

Addiction is such a complicated, tough road. I beat Heroin, I will never beat addiction.

[Jake]

I'm a former Heroin addict and I've been 100% clean for nearly four years. Addiction and myself work too well together. That said, I now help other addicts who WANT help and those that're helping THEMSELVES. I used to think I could change people, I really thought I was that great that I could change the way people think.

Wow, I couldn't have been more wrong....

Your closest family members and best friends/lovers will lie to your face just to appease you so that you won't bother them about their problem/addiction; I know, I was a damn good liar myself.

Then one gets so tired from the pain of withdrawals, all the lies we've told that we cannot possibly remember, and then some of us get sick and tired of being sick and tired.

A very small number of us make it out alive, we pull ourselves together before we've lost everything, we conquer the beast.

Addiction is such a complicated, tough road. I beat Heroin, I will never beat addiction.

Wow! Thank you for that brave post. Heroin is an ugly beast!! You must be an amazing person. To face down addiction, means to face down ones own self. Saying that you will never beat addiction is quite wise, in my opinion. One can never stop facing themselves, and to say that you have beat ADDICTION is saying that you will no longer endeavor to challenge yourself to be true to who you are! The human condition is alive and well with folks who cannot face themselves. I believe it goes to the very core of the situation on our planet today!! No matter how much information gathering occurs, one must gather the courage to embrace truths at this level. And that requires a commitment to 'inner searching'. That is why INSPIRATION, and living with joy are two of our most potent weapons in life. Many folks have no idea what it is that they believe, or what they want, or how they see themselves... I believe this to be a problem. If one has dialed in what they believe, what they want, what direction they want their lives to take, one will be less likely to become addicted. Or, more likely to conquer an addiction.

Thank you for your post. You are not alone!!

Jake.

[witchy1]

Thanks for sharing Zephyr. What Jake said and what a journey to take

A very brave soul and mighty warrior indeed



PS - Ibogaine for addictions. There is a thread here about it.
http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?39566-Ibogaine-plant-will-cure-addictions-without-withdrawl&highlight=ibogaine

[Cognitive Dissident]

This is a great thread. Lots of great advice and sharing.
Good luck to 4Talismans (I know that is not the right phrase - I mean "lots of support to you") - please let us know about your success in quiting.
I don't have any great advice, apart from that getting the right nutrition and vitamins, etc., is going to be even more important during this time.
If I was a nutritionist, I would be able to do tell you the exact things you need to take, but unfortunately... (If had some ham, I'd make ham and eggs, if I had any eggs :noidea:)
Any nutritionists in the house?

[778 neighbour of some guy]

Ibogaïne, do your own research, I'll leave this thread with that, good luck, you will be just fine.

[4Talismans]

Thank you for sharing this. I have lost several people who were dear to me to addiction, one of them to heroin. Perhaps because we are working with imperfect and "heavy" bodies. I would hope that as we continue to evolve spiritually, addiction lessens it's grip.


I'm a former Heroin addict and I've been 100% clean for nearly four years. Addiction and myself work too well together. That said, I now help other addicts who WANT help and those that're helping THEMSELVES. I used to think I could change people, I really thought I was that great that I could change the way people think.

Wow, I couldn't have been more wrong....

Your closest family members and best friends/lovers will lie to your face just to appease you so that you won't bother them about their problem/addiction; I know, I was a damn good liar myself.

Then one gets so tired from the pain of withdrawals, all the lies we've told that we cannot possibly remember, and then some of us get sick and tired of being sick and tired.

A very small number of us make it out alive, we pull ourselves together before we've lost everything, we conquer the beast.

Addiction is such a complicated, tough road. I beat Heroin, I will never beat addiction.

[4Talismans]

Thank you. I am already a very picky "foodie". I only eat organic, whole veggies, fruits and grains. I guess I could take my vitamins more regularly though. And yes, if there is some particular supplement that helps i'd love to know. Off to google that. :)


This is a great thread. Lots of great advice and sharing.
Good luck to 4Talismans (I know that is not the right phrase - I mean "lots of support to you") - please let us know about your success in quiting.
I don't have any great advice, apart from that getting the right nutrition and vitamins, etc., is going to be even more important during this time.
If I was a nutritionist, I would be able to do tell you the exact things you need to take, but unfortunately... (If had some ham, I'd make ham and eggs, if I had any eggs :noidea:)
Any nutritionists in the house?

[chocolate]

Addiction as a weakness is the other face of strength for me. If you don't know addiction you will never know how strong you actually are.

I have a lot of addictions: the obvious one (chocolate) + coffee, good food, good talk, good films and good books, good music, clean air, green fields and moody forests, the sea in all its stages and glory, watercolor painting, poetry, sincere people/friends/family ... and so on in that line of thought.

Compared to smoking I guess I am much too gone already because I don't want to live without those things. But on the other hand you may decide to swap your addiction for one of mine and see how you feel about it afterwards.

Cheers ;) !

(I know I am not helping you all that much, but don't feel alone, addiction is part of life- we all are machines addicted to stay alive, in most cases anyway)

[Tesla_WTC_Solution]

Inability to deal with boredom is a big factor that drives addiction.

I've heard that meditating can really help to clear your mind of invasive thoughts.

While meditating you can also do some day-planning, which is another aspect of battling addiction.

If you know your body is working against your mind,
your mind has to be either BUSY or STRONG to stand up to it.

take it from an addict. lol

[Zephyr]

I'd like to thank everyone for the supportive, kind comments. I really, really appreciate it and all of us, in our own way, have likely overcome some major obstacles/addictions at some point in our lives. It bothers me when people put their own personal struggles above, or in front of, someone else's trials of life as if there's greater meaning or a more profound intensity to what they've overcome or experienced; it's all relative and equally as important, imo.

I sincerely appreciate the positive nature with this forum and its members :).

[chocolate]

I was listening to something yesterday and the addiction was mentioned in the light of spirituality and philosophy of life, which in turn reminded me of the thread.

Now, looking back at addiction seriously I have to say from experience that I relate addiction to some problem one encounters in life. The mind in its attempt to cope with the particular situation creates the addiction to a substance, one or a combination of few of them (nicotine, coffee, chocolate, alcohol, heroin, sex, shopping, power, etc). The state of pleasure is the preferred state of the mind, and it seeks that. At the same time this type of coping depends on the personality- we are all different when it comes to the engineering of the body and the mind, although we have some trends that are similar.

I am not sure breaking the habit works for all of us. I am a stronger personality and can be very disciplined so I can break any habit without much problem if I put myself to it believing it is for good. But for another person it may not work in that way.

I have discovered that trying to end addiction happens when you fully embrace the fact you have that addiction and when you discover the problem that you are trying to avoid hiding behind that particular substance. Oftentimes there might be a physiological imbalance involved in the addiction to something- and it might turn out your addiction is actually good for you because the body needs either the substance of the corresponding chemicals that the body produces receiving that substance.
For example my dad really likes to eat salty food. It is generally believed much salt to be bad for the body. But in his case turned out that he had adrenal fatigue (which we all have at a certain level in today's life), lower blood pressure and the salt was necessary for him to keep his body working.
For myself- I have never smoked, but I do need coffee as bad as it might be for some. I take it filter and without sugar or milk. There was an interesting article about coffee in ayurveda. Turned out that drinking coffee corresponding to the particular dosha type can be very beneficial and grounding. For some adding milk creates problems, and for some the addition of sugar creates problem. I discovered I actually drink my coffee in a way that benefits my body. But I also never felt guilty about my addiction to coffee since without a problem I managed to live without it when I was working at home for a certain period in the past.
I think the key to the whole addiction thing is to feel at peace about it. Sometimes the addiction is not an actual problem.
Also, the fear of living without the particular substance or situation (which also could be considered to be addictive), ties the addiction strongly to the person. If you manage to understand what that fear is, or may be the worry that keeps coming up, this could help you to deal with it in a a better way. The spiritual side of this comes exactly when fear becomes involved- so, strong connection to a higher realm and the absence of fear is a good way to keep your mind clear and balanced without the need for a substance of habit.
Now when I think in that line of thought, the actual problem is the fear, and dealing with it you can only on a spiritual level.

So addiction is a complex and specific state of being.

I know some people are able to figure out what is behind their addiction through hypnosis.

[Tony]

We are all addicts.

This human realm is created by desire.
We find it difficult to get what we want,
so we get frustrated. That leads to more
desire, which leads to addiction!

The cause of addiction are the basic building blocks
of this universe: attraction, repulsion and inertia.
In spiritual terms that is: desire, aversion and ignorance.

To counter this, all we have to do is recognise
our true nature which is the exact opposite
of these three poisons.

They are Cognisance, Emptiness and Compassion.

You have to be a spiritual engineer to counter
social engineering!


Tony

[DNA]

Specifically, how does addiction play into the mess this world is in? And what spiritual techniques are the most successful at combating addiction?
I admit I have a selfish reason for asking. I'd like to quit smoking.

I think the first positive step you can take to quit smoking is to not worry about quiting. Instead, switch up the tobacco you smoke. Start smoking all organic tobacco.
If you have an addicitve personality and you're going to be addicted to something, this is one of the absolute best things you can be addicted to.
Secondly, after you have switched to the organic tobacco, give it about three months or so, and then stop smoking for a week.
I think you will be amazed at how much easier it is to quit organic tobacco than regular tobacco.
A lot of what folks get addicted to in terms of ciggaretts are the chemicals and sugar used to cure the tobacco.

My friends are amazed that I can smoke and stop whenever I want, and this is because I only smoke organic tobacco.
It's night and freaking day.
And the effects are much less toxic in my opinion, even if you were to keep smoking them forever.



I could say a few things about addiction in general, but they aren't going to be very popular.
Unless one is using a substance to opiate a great pain of some sorts, it is my opinion that folks who consider themselves addicts were born with a propensity for addiciton due to a choice they made before they were born.

I believe folks choose a burden of sorts to help educate their incarnation on this plane.
This is why we see folks trade their addictions in once they have conquered them.
AA works so well for folks because it offers religion as an alternative to alcohol and or drug addiction.

I suppose this is a healthier choice, as for myself, I would choose organic tobacco and or marijuana if I had to be addicted to something.

[chocolate]

To support the switching of tobacco, I remembered - in the curing of the standard tobacco there have been put some special substances/chemicals (don't know their names) that make the standard tobacco really addictive. In a way those chemicals force the endings of the lungs to dilate thus allowing more nicotine to be absorbed.

DNA, I am sure your view on addiction will not be unorthodox here. I for one have a specific view on this subject. But I figured, the person needs practical ideas, and did not go in the realm of reincarnations and karma in general.

[donk]

Nice post jake...question though:


The human condition is alive and well with folks who cannot face themselves

What's the "human condition"?

[chocolate]

I received this article today in my FB news feed. Someone may find it interesting:
http://truththeory.com/2012/06/12/quit-smoking-naturally-by-consuming-more-of-these-foods/

[GloriousPoetry]

I believe addiction is an emotional issue.......it feeds the addict emotionally what he/she feels is lacking......

[GloriousPoetry]

Addiction is rooted in the emotional body....this video helped me understand my sister's addiction last summer. Watch the whole series of this video ....it is very insightful....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB8hFaF7gpk

[Ivanhoe]

I am a cocaine addict, I always will be.... it's an ongoing thing.
By that I mean I haven't used since 2003ish and at that time I had a 2+ 8ball usage (VERY high grade) weekly for 3 years.
I don't use now because I disassociated myself from the environment that I was in, not altogether voluntarily mind you, but the Lord works in mysterious ways.
I do know that the reason I haven't continued my usage is because I willed myself not to use.
It would be very easy to do a line if you put it in front of me, cause I'll be honest, I do like the high, but I CHOOSE not to do it.
That's the difference, making the choice freely because I choose not to use it, not because someone else says I shouldn't.
I hope you're intention to end your addiction (to whatever substance) is successful.

[william r sanford72]

speed balls..almost 10 years.shot after shot.prisons.jails.drug dealer.i have lived and seen the worst humanity can be and often is.its 15 year since i shot dope.i wake up everday grateful to not only survive..but be blessed to raise a family..share my life.give love.to recieve love is a wonder and blessing i carry at all times.i carry my addiction with me everday and im my own constant stalker.much blessings to any and all going through there struggle or survived and now has moved on.the inner battles are the most important and always lead to the most profound of truths if we survive the fire.thanks for this thread.and allowing to say my truth without being judged.avalon is a blessing.

[johnf]

This is an article discussing addiction from a non-duality perspective.

https://nondualityamerica.wordpress.com/2013/07/31/natural-rest-for-addiction-by-scott-kiloby/

I have experienced Scotts process in a more general manner, and am interested in how a new style of recovery might grow out of this practice, the opening paragraph lists others involved in their own work on the subject.

The general idea of compulsions is addressed in this approach, including hunting for info, seeking enlightenment etc.

jf

[chocolate]

I found this interview today "What Marc Maron Taught Me About Addiction" http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/09/02/marc_maron_alcoholism_and_drug_addiction_an_interview.html
It could be useful for someone.

[4Talismans]

You know, I had forgotten about this thread. What happened for me, was I created the circumstances that would allow me to quit smoking. I got sick (I'm NEVER sick). I was in the hospital for two days (obviously not smoking) and when I got out I decided that the worst two days were already behind me, and I just wouldn't pick up another cigarette. So now it has been about a month. And I have to agree with the point about organic tobacco... that was what I was smoking and it wasn't really all that difficult.

[chocolate]

What happened for me, was I created the circumstances that would allow me to quit smoking. I got sick (I'm NEVER sick).
Sorry you were sick, but glad you are on the right track. I think if you change your view on life, you will never need to smoke again. People who never get sick are strong people, so use that strength.

C.

[Tesla_WTC_Solution]

I didn't stop gambling with my SO until we were out of money --

but in general, trying to keep busy and active (engaged/not bored) helped me not to think of gambling.

thinking of the losses we've inflicted helps me not to think of gambling.

your health is priceless ^-^

are there cleaner brands of roll your own tobacco out there,
things that don't have cigarette manufacturer poisons in them?

[4Talismans]

I didn't stop gambling with my SO until we were out of money --

but in general, trying to keep busy and active (engaged/not bored) helped me not to think of gambling.

thinking of the losses we've inflicted helps me not to think of gambling.

your health is priceless ^-^

are there cleaner brands of roll your own tobacco out there,
things that don't have cigarette manufacturer poisons in them?
The only organic brand I have ever found is American Spirit. Google it. :) I agree my health is priceless. Being sick for two days is a small price to pay for the better health I will enjoy without cigs.

¤=[Post Update]=¤



What happened for me, was I created the circumstances that would allow me to quit smoking. I got sick (I'm NEVER sick).
Sorry you were sick, but glad you are on the right track. I think if you change your view on life, you will never need to smoke again. People who never get sick are strong people, so use that strength.

C.

I think your right. :)

[778 neighbour of some guy]

are there cleaner brands of roll your own tobacco out there,
things that don't have cigarette manufacturer poisons in them?

Natural American Spirit, quit good actually, a bit dry for rolies but good tobacco, a bit light, but pretty good. If you also are a broccoli cougher, it mixes well;)

[chocolate]

For the (ex)smokers out there some more information:
http://www.naturalnews.com/041906_smokers_cleansing_lungs_cigarette_smoking.html#ixzz2dxKpgBnW

And another article:
"What if you found out that the third most addicting drug in the world was "juiced up" with a potent, deadly and volatile chemical, and has been for five decades? Let's get right into this one: ammonia does not register on nicotine level testing, but a chemical process similar to freebasing cocaine is used to enhance the potency of nicotine up to 35 times, and this alone converts bound nicotine molecules into free molecules, reaching the heart and brain within 3 seconds. This form of nicotine is highly addictive and travels so quickly in the body because it vaporizes into a gas that is absorbed by the lungs and then distributed to the brain and heart immediately.
Read the full article here: http://www.naturalnews.com/042639_freebased_nicotine_cigarette_addiction_smoking_cessation.html#ixzz2ifg1O1x1

[Delight]

Published on Mar 14, 2012
The 1st installment of Versus, The Google+ Debate Series
This is a debate organized by Intelligence squared.... Is it time that the world will end the war on drugs?
OK, Russell Brand is involved.

gSrN2zIRwN8

[chocolate]

http://www.naturalnews.com/043324_central_nervous_system_disruptors_aspartame.html#ixzz2obZcHPC8

"Little do most people realize that food agents and cigarettes create more than just an imbalance of the central nervous system (CNS), they create anxiety, nervousness, agitation and depression, and it's all what doctors often refer to as "chemical imbalance." Most doctors of Western Medicine will prescribe pharmaceuticals for this imbalance without regard to diet, exercise or simply FILTERING out toxins that are entering the body daily, sometimes even hourly.
[...]
There are over 46,000,000 smokers in America, most of whom do not consider food agents to be part of their problems or would rather take a boatload of pills than change what they eat and drink. There are people who will never stop eating their MSG-loaded fast food, their deli meats or their processed chips and baked goods. Others are consuming aspartame all the time and have no idea of the health dangers, drinking cough medicines and headache syrups, chewing synthetic gum and sucking on nerve disruptor mints. I bet it's even in vitamins.
[...]
Top it all off with some genetically mutated tobacco that's "cured" with ammonia and burned inside bleached paper, and you have a CNS nightmare that demands relief, not only from the "cigarette hangover" that comes every half hour to 45 minutes but also from the recurring migraine headaches due to the MSG ringing in their ears. Throw in the shakes and some cramps, some misfiring synapses in the brain and some pinging, shooting pains running down the middle of the arms and legs randomly, and you have millions of people running to their doctors (Western medicine witch doctors) so that somebody will scribble out a prescription that eases the pain, quells the nervous twitches, reduces the anxiety and, God knows, something to numb the stress. The hook, line and sinker are "sunk" in, and the fish are all biting. It's the American formula, the actual "prescription" for a prescription. Eat MSG, drink and chew Aspartame, and smoke cigarettes, and not only will the healthcare nightmare include some gigantic bills, but the chronic care system will strap you to a table and pump your veins full of "zombie" juice until you give Big Pharma every last dollar you've ever made, including social security.
[...]
Get with the program and filter out the three great CNS disruptors from your life. Here are some great substitutions for CNS disruptors:
Brewer's yeast (lots of vitamin B) and nutritional yeast are both great substitutes for that salty kick you're looking for in your food.
Xylitol and Stevia are great natural substitutes for sugar. Spry gum and Pur gum do not contain synthetic sweeteners and still taste great! Organic mints like "Newman's Own" are a smart choice. Also check out Xyla mints.
Organic tobacco is the first smart step in quitting smoking. Check out the all natural "14&Out" method that helps smokers kick the habit in 14 days or less, without chemicals, nicotine or gimmicks. It's just chemical knowledge, behavior modification and nutrition for the follow up."

[Rozzy]

4Talismans

There are simple things to enjoy and bring pleasure without addiction, when we exercise discipline we can enjoy a lot of great things without being afraid of these. The one greatest and most stabilizing factor for me is meditation, nothing fancy, just start the day and or during the day, even end of the day, I meditate even for a few minutes at a time. This has been for me the number one component to a great day and the discipline to keep it that way. Meditation is something that costs nothing but is there any time you desire to practice it.:hat:

[chocolate]

http://discovermagazine.com/2014/march#.Uu51RYR_iPp
http://discovermagazine.com/~/media/Images/Issue%20Covers/2014/DSCMarchCoverFinal.jpg?mw=231

Nicotine: Good for you?
unfortunately this is just the title here. But if anyone is interested can buy the magazine and read the article.
This is in the March Issue of this year (2014).

The world is in a constant state of change, so staying fixed on an idea seems counter-intuitive.

For me the health of the body is important, but my sanity is priceless.

I am large enough to allow contradictions. :)

[42]

My mum died a while ago from lung cancer. She was in a hospice in England. I'd fly over from Canada to be with her as much as i could. In one of my last visits to her, i'd flown through the night, landed in Heathrow, rented a car and drove through London rush hour traffic to be with her. Walking in to her private room, she looked at me and the first words out of her mouth were "take me out for a cigarette"... no hello, how was your flight... so i got her out of bed and into a wheelchair, took her outside for a couple of "fags" and then back into the hospice and up the elevator to her room. I got her back into bed and she looked at me and said "take me out for a cigarette..." I said "mum we just went out" ... She said "Son, you don't understand addiction..." I didn't feel like breaking the news of my 30 year addiction to her at this stage of the game.

On her last day, i was not with her, but my brother was. She enjoyed her cigarettes up to the end. The very end.

She's dead and i'm no longer addicted.

[chocolate]

42, very sincere words coming from a very personal experience. I hope 4T. who started the thread, is visiting it from time to time, just to keep track on how many of us humans on Earth share the same situation. We have gathered here, all imperfect, vulnerable souls, looking for answers to our questions. Mistakes, if you may call them that, are a part of the learning process.

I haven't smoked personally (in this life at least), only have tried it when I was experimenting with life's rules and boundaries. But a few times last year I experienced what you may think of a faint memory of a forgotten desire... to smoke a cigarette. Not that the situation was so extremely unbearable, but I had reached a point when everything that was happening was, even if viewed as correct on one level, totally hurting my inner child. As if I was watching the film of my life from the outside, and it made very little sense to me anymore. I did feel this deep need to smoke.

If my twin flame existed, as one person said he did, I am sure he is smoking, or at least having the desire to smoke as well.
Otherwise I am a very balanced person. I had reached a point when I saw life slipping through my fingers, so everything that happened after that changed based on that experience.
I share here information for the fellow humans around me. But I also know that each of us finds its own way of dealing with the problems.

My mother smoked a lot while she was still young. Now she doesn't. She developed asthma, allergy and sinusitis, thanks to the poisons in the cigarettes. But she is still around. She is like a little fighter walking determined to stay up straight with the incoming wind of life.

I am sending healing energies to all who need them fighting their personal battles.

:)

[chocolate]

http://mountainrose.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/smoking-blend.jpg
http://mountainroseblog.com/organic-herbal-smoking-blend/

This is no tobacco, but it might be something to think about ;). I certainly would think about it for a while...