Sazerac

:D :D :D I am so happy you are back and would have been really, really worried if you had been missing for a minute let alone a day without telling us. You are so important to me and to all of us, Doreen. Love, S

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ON YOUR FIRST MONTH OF F R E E D O M

Congratulations, Tiffany. 24 days into your new life. Many good changes ahead.

-8 Hi Sonic, did I guess correctly ?

Ruby has not posted for five days. Hoping for the best but, Ruby...you can keep a quit. Please check in. There are plenty here who have a successful quit after years of relapses.

Oh Dear Doreen, I send you lots of love and peace for your mind. You have a really huge job, caring for your Tony and caring for all of us here, too. Please be kind to yourself, you are loved. and come back refreshed and rejuvenated. Love S

Glad you are checking in. I bumped a couple of threads about romancing. Cut yourself some slack, you are in a very vulnerable place, a place where growth happens. You have just broken up with the worst companion you have ever, ever had. The one that only wants you as a slave. The relationship that will abuse you until you are DEAD. Even knowing intellectually how deadly and damaging our relationship to cigarettes is, the attachment of addiction sticks like atomic glue. I always thought about The Stockholm Syndrome where captives feel compassion, sometimes even falling in love with their captors. Shedding tears is good. All that gunk can flow away. You don't need this relationship anymore. Ever. and likely you will learn enough to protect yourself from anything like it. Forever. I am so glad you are done with cigarettes. You may not see it yet, perhaps you are getting glimpses...but, your future is beautiful and you are strong.

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You are doing really great, Ev, and I couldn't be happier for You. :) Stay strong and fortify yourself with delicious clean fresh air, your Lungs thank you with every breath.

Congratulations !!! Ruby !!! on your First Week of F R E E D O M

N O P E

-3 hello darling smoke free creatures

For everyone affected by hurricane Matthew, especially poor Haiti.

-1 here ya go Boo, have another one. :D Happy Anny.

-20 How NICE ! How Lovely ! Congratulations CHICKS. I am not gloating nope not gloating much at all..Nor encouraging gloating in any form. :P

You are Here NOW, Tiffany. You're a non smoker. Stay Vigilant, reward yourself. Count your money, count your days, have some FUN. See you tomorrow CST :P

I assume we all can agree with the Fact that Nicotine is an Addictive substance Here is The American Society of Addiction Medicine's definition of addiction from their website. ASAM "Short Definition of Addiction: Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors. Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death. Long Definition of Addiction: Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Addiction affects neurotransmission and interactions within reward structures of the brain, including the nucleus accumbens, anterior cingulate cortex, basal forebrain and amygdala, such that motivational hierarchies are altered and addictive behaviors, which may or may not include alcohol and other drug use, supplant healthy, self-care related behaviors. Addiction also affects neurotransmission and interactions between cortical and hippocampal circuits and brain reward structures, such that the memory of previous exposures to rewards (such as food, sex, alcohol and other drugs) leads to a biological and behavioral response to external cues, in turn triggering craving and/or engagement in addictive behaviors. The neurobiology of addiction encompasses more than the neurochemistry of reward.1 The frontal cortex of the brain and underlying white matter connections between the frontal cortex and circuits of reward, motivation and memory are fundamental in the manifestations of altered impulse control, altered judgment, and the dysfunctional pursuit of rewards (which is often experienced by the affected person as a desire to “be normal”) seen in addiction--despite cumulative adverse consequences experienced from engagement in substance use and other addictive behaviors. The frontal lobes are important in inhibiting impulsivity and in assisting individuals to appropriately delay gratification. When persons with addiction manifest problems in deferring gratification, there is a neurological locus of these problems in the frontal cortex. Frontal lobe morphology, connectivity and functioning are still in the process of maturation during adolescence and young adulthood, and early exposure to substance use is another significant factor in the development of addiction. Many neuroscientists believe that developmental morphology is the basis that makes early-life exposure to substances such an important factor. Genetic factors account for about half of the likelihood that an individual will develop addiction. Environmental factors interact with the person’s biology and affect the extent to which genetic factors exert their influence. Resiliencies the individual acquires (through parenting or later life experiences) can affect the extent to which genetic predispositions lead to the behavioral and other manifestations of addiction. Culture also plays a role in how addiction becomes actualized in persons with biological vulnerabilities to the development of addiction. Other factors that can contribute to the appearance of addiction, leading to its characteristic bio-psycho-socio-spiritual manifestations, include: The presence of an underlying biological deficit in the function of reward circuits, such that drugs and behaviors which enhance reward function are preferred and sought as reinforcers; The repeated engagement in drug use or other addictive behaviors, causing neuroadaptation in motivational circuitry leading to impaired control over further drug use or engagement in addictive behaviors; Cognitive and affective distortions, which impair perceptions and compromise the ability to deal with feelings, resulting in significant self-deception; Disruption of healthy social supports and problems in interpersonal relationships which impact the development or impact of resiliencies; Exposure to trauma or stressors that overwhelm an individual’s coping abilities; Distortion in meaning, purpose and values that guide attitudes, thinking and behavior; Distortions in a person’s connection with self."

I'm not intentionally dogging you around.

It is topical because we spent two pages talking about Addict and Addiction on your thread. This sent me searching for posts about Addiction, Junkie Thoughts, etc. so I could learn more. You will see that I bumped a few threads that were relevant to the subject. This is not just about you, Tiffany. It is about the whole subject of Addiction, a discussion essential in dealing with an addictive substance. Opening up the conversation separate from your quitting thread may be helpful to everybody. S

-15

We love you so much, Boo. We love and appreciate your insightful posts that continue to help people stay smoke free, your loopy GIF's, your beautiful babes and your stalwart, endearing contributions in Sticks/Chicks. Congratulations for Seven Months of a stellar quit.

Topical.

Doreen ! Was Sam The Man on telly ? or were you on the pitch (?) ? You are beaming, Nan ! Do tell ! any pictures ?