Posted by Dee on October 23, 1999, at 22:29:22
In reply to Re: nicotine addiction affecting personality, posted by Noa on October 20, 1999, at 20:20:20
Katie,
What you are describing is very typical abstinence symptoms. I've gone through all these feelings as I have quit street drugs, and I also quit smoking some three years ago.Thing with a habit forming substance is that it feels so much like a part of one, to a point where one looses the concept of the chemical and one self being separate, the need for it is no longer conscious. In the deep addiction I felt I needed the drugs like I need food, water, or ait to breathe.
After I dropped the habit, I felt that somehow I was not complete, that there was something very essential to my personality that I would lose without the substance.All these feelings are feelings only, they are not based on reality. It took me some time, close to a year, I think, before I could feel 'complete' again. Both after the drugs and smoking. These feelings will pass.
I used to think that as soon as the immediate physical withdrawal eased, the detoxification would be over. I've learned that it is a long time process, in which not only the body, but the mind as well must recover.
Dee
PS.. hey, Noa. Thanx for the note up around 'babble adiction'. Reading it saved a very, very bad day.
poster:Dee
thread:13498
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991028/msgs/13739.html