Nicotine and Amphetamines: Is it possible to quit smoking now?

[ericmcbride]

I want to quit smoking...
Bupropion worked very well while I took a break from Methtylphenidate. I took this break because Methylphenidate (time-release formula) had an excessive peak effect, causing abuse and palpitations due to muscular tension (causing unmangeable anxiety.
SNRIs (tried two) and Atomoxetine were not acceptable treatments for ADHD as the former two (Bupropion, Venlafaxine) were only good for knocking out "depressive" periods, and, Atomoxetine made me afraid of dying... as if I were being "pulled under".. "toward death". Basically it was messed up.

I began smoking almost four years ago at age 24, during a brief phase of Marijuana smoking. It enhanced the pleasure associated with Marijuana at that time.

Then came Ritalin SR 20mgs, a hospital visit due to fear of pending heart-attack, the worst choice in partner I should ever make (Bipolar, suicidal, 2 attempts, was chheated on, helped her to immigrate, still waiting for her to sign the bloody Divorce Petition since I GOT MARRIED to her).
At this point, I've been working for a Cancer Research Project and I smell like cigarette smoke....


Is it possible to stop smoking while taking Adderall XR? I have a good tolerance to the Adderall but it certainly feels more rewarding when I smoke during the day than when I get up in the morning...


And btw, separate issue, does anyone get dissociation from time to time?.. Feeling like you were out-of-touch for a period? I've always had this self-conscious period of recognising such times...not consistent with psychosis however, as in I've seen light psychotic episodes and experienced the hell of Gravol, but this is different.

[Asylum]

Take responsibility for yourself. Of course its possible to stop smoking. So do it, and best of luck, because I know how difficult it is. (But its worth it, believe me.)

One thing that helped me was this booklet i got from a quit smoking hotline. It told me what my body was doing everyday as a result of not smoking. (How my lungs were clearing etc) If you can get your hands on something like this, do so.

[alexander123]

just quit and dont think about. to stop smoking is the easiest part, not to start again is the difficult part. got to agree with previous poster: take responsibility. and I'd like to add: know thyself.

one of my elements to success (in not smoking again, after a few previous attempts): I always keep an open box in my cellar. why? because I have found, when I was craving, one recurring thought is: should I go buy cigarettes or not. I found that having the option to smoke at any time (at home that is), takes a lot of a craving away.

also, know the situation in which you'd be more likely to start again. perhaps avoid those at first. being aware of "special" situation I find did help in not starting. in my case, it got better with time.

and: "if at first you dont succeed, [definitely do] try again [and again]"... definitely is worth it.

hope that helps somehow...

PS: venlafaxine only helps with add symptoms from 150mg onwards (XR), hope you tried at least until 225mg...

[ericmcbride]

This plain sense is great to read. I like firm statements that put the job to me and I reacted by allowing the familiar tension to build as the nicotine badgers begin to chew... then hitting the "Timelines" or "What gets better, when" and want to print it for myself at work.

No better way to stay committed than peer pressure though and there's piles of that at work if a quitting plan. Better yet, if it's the right stress for the job, I'll use my red marker on the white board to mark an X for a failure. I am also considering marking blue Smiles for each passing 2 hours... not sure which re-enorcement to use with such an approach. Others see my white board all the time.

[ADHDTigger]

Understand why smoking is something that you do. ~80% of ADHDers are also smokers or are former smokers. Nicotine makes our brains temporarily happier.

Consider using a form of Nicotine replacement to assist you.

Red "x"s are pejorative. Make sure you have hard candies about and remember that if you smoke, you just get right back to the quitting.

[Laynz]

I know how you feel. Quitting isn't fun and at times may seem impossible.
I quit in October. I recommend trying bupropion again. It worked better than anything for me. The only other time I was successful at quitting was when I was pregnant with my son.
I still think about smoking sometimes, but what I find impressive is how much I DON'T think about smoking now.
Also, I feel really proud of myself.

[williammkerr]

You should be proud, I know how hard it is too. Right now I'm also struggling to make my best friend stop smoking because they just have a baby and simply it ain't the right environment for a healthy family. I offered him to try some herbal alternative like I did hopefully he'll cooperate diligently.

[cynwldkat]

Maybe it is just me but when I was on amphetamines I found myself smoking much less. When I stopped my medication I really started smoking a lot. As another poster said the nicotine does make a person feel better if only temporairly so perhaps I found smoking as a way to help me to feel a bit better since I was off my medication. I did decide to stop smoking last year and did use the patch to help for a few weeks. Good luck--it is so worth it for not only you but for those around you too!

[Billy79]

I started to smoke a lot when I started Ritalin...now its hard to let go of the habits...but Im gonne give it a go...when I feel ready..lol....if you search nlp and stop smoking on youtube you will find some videos. It think its important with every change around habits that you build up a nice new feeling inside that eventually will replace the older one..So when your working on building new belief system inside, its easier to motive yourself towards that rather than attack yourself with guild over and over.....Im not saying that youre doing that now, but for me, I do a lot of that.......And giving yourself permission to not feeling guilty is a huge thing for an ADDer i beleive....whatever strategy you choose, good luck!

[williammkerr]

I couldn't agree more... we're here to support you... keep it up

[Ozymandias]

YES it is possible!

I am 34, was formally diagnosed in January, began medication in Feb. Vyvanse.

I began dipping Skoal when I was 15 years old... it sank its hooks of addiction into me quickly. At the age of 19 I began smoking.... on top of dipping! Ever since then, I would do both. I had tobbacco in my system virtually every waking min of every day, the only exception was when I was eating, or kissing. I thought I was doomed to be addicted for the rest of my life...

The ADHD medicine was a significant help. I am now on my 7th day of being 100% nicotine free!