What to quit first... caffeine or nicotine?

I know I need to quit smoking, but I read the info packet with my Lexapro, and nicotine is supposed to reduce the effects. UGH! I am not going to try both at once, as I don't know what kind of torture that would bring to all those who I come into contact with.

Thanks in advance!

My vote is for nicotine. Admittedly, caffeine could be more harmful than we already know, but from what we know, I think most would agree nicotine is far worse. I need to cut out caffeine myself, though.

Definitely quit the nicotine first. It's so much worse for you. I didn't know that about Lexapro (I'm on it too and I smoke). I need to take my own advice.

Trying to quit caffeine AND nicotine at the same time is a tall order. Just take it one step at a time. The last time I quit smoking, I actually found it very easy to quit caffeine a month later. I was feeling healthier -- not putting that vile stuff into my body -- so coffee didn't seem as appealing. I also used to smoke with my coffee, so I didn't enjoy the coffee as much after I quit smoking. I started drinking herbal tea instead and loved it.

Unfortunately, I slipped and I'm back on both of them. Ugh.

Good luck with quitting. You can do it. You're taking a positive step for your physical and mental well-being! Yay!!!

I quit smoking 2 years ago after over 35 years. It was not as hard as some make you believe it might be. Yes, I had attempted to quit several times before (that was just practice!) and it was hard, but i leaned that the 1st 2 or 3 weeks are the hardest so I was prepared. Lots of water, and LESS caffeine during that time helped. Caffeine is anxiety-provoking and smoking is an anxiety-reducing activity. In fact, my anxiety increased and about 3 months after I quit I started using Xanax once in a while.

I hope you'll think about becoming a non-smoker. It's a great feeling of accomplishment and you feel sooo good, clean, smart when you don't smoke.

There's a link to 'becoming a non-smoker' here at one of my favorite sites: www.guidetopsychology.com. I haven't looked at it because I found the site after I became a non-smoker, but it is a really good site so I feel comfortable suggesting it.

Besides drinking a lot of water, concentrating on really super nutritious food and cutting my coffee with decaf to lessen the caffeine so I wouldn't have caffeine withdrawals at the same time, two other things helped me. I did not look at it as giving something up; I saw it as being a non-smoker. I liked the positive and healthy sound to that. Also when I went on breaks at work with several friends who smoke I would take something to drink, hard candy to suck on, or would just stand with my arms folded because that helped with the feeling that there was something I should be doing with my hands. I guess in short, having plans for those times I knew might be difficult helped. And, walking some every day helped too.

I wish you loads of luck in whatever you decide to do!

Addiction is interesting, in that most people claim to feel better after they quit their addictive substance or activity (me, included), yet most people end up going back to the addiction. I understand the nature of addiction, but it's still strange that feeling great isn't enough to keep us from going back, in many cases.

I quit cigarettes, I never felt any better, but felt a huge sense of accomplishment. The weight gain, is another story.
I had quit smoking several times for short periods, the longest was 4 yrs. and I had gained weight but then exercised it off. This round,isn't as successful.
But it will be 2 yrs in July since I quit this time, so that's a good thing. My dad died from emphysema, and mom has COPD,vascular disease, and so many of other diseases, obviously the 2 mentioned have been behind mini srokes, and lack of circulation to her feet, an also being diabetic, she risks amputations(s). She's had procedures to help prevent some things but it still is worsening. I had her quit in 2003, she, like I, still miss smoking, but we miss dad much more, and do not want to suffer like him and also keep honor by doing whar he asked, "please stop smoking" before it's too late.
Sorry for digressing, but consider quitting smoking first, caffeine is not harmful as some people think, they have found some benefits too.
Did y'all know smoking's nicotine interfers with sleep, it is a stimulant, so anyone with insomnia, they recommend not having a smoke close to bedtime.
I'd choose to quit the smokes first.
Lots of luck with this challenge.

((((((((((( gg ))))))))))))

Caffeine has some benefits, but some scientists feel there are most definite negatives, and we don't know all of the negatives yet. At OCD-Free, which talks about alternative treatments for OCD, it tells you caffeine "tears down the myelin sheathing and pulls out Thiamin (B-1) needed by the nervous system," and, "over stimulates [sic] the Adrenals." (Keep in mind, I'm not stating this as medical fact, and I don't know if this is proven in western medicine, but I'm pointing out it's seen as harmful in this alternative treatment.)

Additionally, some feel it worsens anxiety and causes sleep problems. I think that's true, because caffeine is a stimulant.

That said, I still believe nicotine is worse, and harder to quit. My parents both did it. I wish you the best of luck.

I vote for quitting the nicotine first too... Not sure it will make anything easier or not, but it's the one where there are substitutes (like the gum or patch) if needed...

Good luck!

i recently quit smoking with the help of nicorette gum and it was way easier than i thought. i have tried on my own before and it was impossible. i feel so great because smoking doesnt cross my mind, once its out of your system you realize how great it is ti be a non smoker. gum was my savior, maybe it would help you too? i think quitting smoking is deffinitely the priority because coffee doesnt have tar and other disgusting killer chemicals in it...

best of luck!!

Hello GG.
BRAVO to you for starting a stopping program for nicotine and Caffeine. Just be careful if you go to the patch or Gum for smoking to consult your pharmacist to make sure there are no interactions with your Psych Meds, or other meds you are taking. Also if you have insurance it may pay for the gum or patch if you get a prescription from a DR for the meds. Take care Soidhonia.

nicotene helps prevent parkinsons and alzheimers but on the upside nicotene 'replacement therapy' is becoming rather fashionable these days and it available OTC in service stations and the like (in aussie anyway). it might even be fair to say that nicotene 'replacement therapy' are the new cigarettes and i'm fairly sure the next generation will probably take up that for mental alertness and the like and just bypass the nasty smoking / chewing kinda thing. i don't see age restrictions on the sales of the nicotene gum that is advertised on the front counter right alongside the regular gum either. just a huge price differential ;-)