[OutlawedSpirit]

Smoking is on my brain now, because I'm working on quitting. However, I've found quite a few articles on smoking and schizophrenia that indicate nicotine can help alleviate some of the negative symptoms, i.e. flat affect, lack of motivation, etc. So I'm just curious on how many people with schizoaffective disorder smoke.

[sandersdillion948]

I have smoked since I was 13, I am now 31. I have read that it is very common for people with SZ to smoke. For me, if my thoughts stress me out I light up and puff away, I can go from 10ciggs a day to 2 packs. I am working on quitting myself and going to the Ecigg. I'll be dead by 40 if I don't stop.

[Atypical_Disaster]

I smoke too. The more unstable I am the more I smoke. Bad habit, but having trouble quitting.

[OutlawedSpirit]

I'm on day three of my quit using lozenges. I tried using the e-ciggs before but it seemed just to make me want to smoke regular ciggs more.

[dillpickle1983]

I have smoked since 13. I have cut WAY back in the last 2 weeks with this electronic cigarette thing. I have a battery and a tank that holds "ejuice". I am currently vaping cappuchino and it is so good. I went from a pack a day of lights, to a pack ever 2-3 days.

[sandersdillion948]

This post has stressed me out, I need to smoke a cigarette.

[dmhobbit]

Originally Posted by OutlawedSpirit

Smoking is on my brain now, because I'm working on quitting. However, I've found quite a few articles on smoking and schizophrenia that indicate nicotine can help alleviate some of the negative symptoms, i.e. flat affect, lack of motivation, etc. So I'm just curious on how many people with schizoaffective disorder smoke.

I smoke about 1/2 a pack a day and the occasional weed when i have an upset stomach or can't sleep but i don't make it a habit or for recreational use been there done that but it does help with some physical issues like insomnia.

anyhow i want to quit cigarettes altogether but find that just after six hours without a smoke i get irratable and restless. trying to use snus instead and smoke less. still a bad habit but i take care of my teeth and gums.

and to further note we do have nicotine receptors in the brain that work to calm us down and keep the negative symptoms from happening.

~ dmhobbit ~

[SillyKitty]

I quit when I get stable, start when I'm not. Currently, I smoke.

[OutlawedSpirit]

Quitting definitely was not working. Yesterday I got so depressed, it was almost to the point of scaring me. I smoked one and it went completely away. So I'm waiting till I see my pdoc on Tuesday to see if she has any suggestions.

[Snoopysmom]

I smoke anywhere from 1 1/2 to 4 packs a day

[schizoaffective]

For at least 22 years I smoked between 20 and 100 cigarettes per day.

Then I decided to quit and simply stopped smoking completely. That was 20 years ago, and I haven't smoked a single cigarette since that day.

Personally, I did not notice any difference to my mental state or well-being.

Physically I felt much better, and I was able to enjoy my surroundings much more (aromas, tastes etc.)

Perhaps, during my time as a regular smoker, there used to be a daily craving for nicotine (linked to my schizophrenic symptoms).

But eventually there came a time beyond which such "self medication" simply did not work any more and became ineffective. It was then easy to quit.

[dmhobbit]

Originally Posted by schizoaffective

For at least 22 years I smoked between 20 and 100 cigarettes per day.

Then I decided to quit and simply stopped smoking completely. That was 20 years ago, and I haven't smoked a single cigarette since that day.

Personally, I did not notice any difference to my mental state or well-being.

Physically I felt much better, and I was able to enjoy my surroundings much more (aromas, tastes etc.)

Perhaps, during my time as a regular smoker, there used to be a daily craving for nicotine (linked to my schizophrenic symptoms).

But eventually there came a time beyond which such "self medication" simply did not work any more and became ineffective. It was then easy to quit.

THanks for sharing! I have switched to VUSE vape smoking. I think in the last month I've only had about five cigarettes. Vaping a few times a day helps my terrible insatiable nicotine habit. I have been in many psych wards over my years when i've had relapses but nicotine is the hardest drug to quit in my youth experiences with illicit hallucinogenic and stimulants and what not that i've quit many years ago. I just can't seem to come off nicotine but now I'm not coughing up grey flem in the shower in the morning. Vaping has given me a safer way to get that nicotine and stay sane. Much Peace.

[cokes]

I don't smoke, I used to get urges to smoke when stressed out but always felt sick, my destress urges changed to alcohol which I have a better tolerance to

I smoked at an age where peer pressure was overwhelming. You were mocked if you didn't smoke in Jr. and Sr. High, and the mocking didn't stop unless you lit up.

So I caved and smoked on and off for a couple of years.

Then I stoped cold turkey because the peer pressure was over, and now everyone was trying to quit. My friends who smoked began to get the morning coughs. Thats where you cough uncontrollably until you have your first smoke of the day. The cost of cigs
were getting expensive as well. They all wanted out. Those who were able to quit did, and those who couldn't are still smoking.

I'm happy to say I haven't smoked in many, many years.

[Hobbit House]

smoked for 10 yrs. 2 packs a day. I coughed uncontrollably also. Then, listened to this meditation tape that had me pretend I was holding a cigarette and breathing in good air and exhaling bad. worked for me and haven't smoked in 20 years. It was so hard to quit though that I don't dare touch another one. Still love the smell of it though sometimes on a cool night as I pass it.

[stefano78]

Originally Posted by OutlawedSpirit

Smoking is on my brain now, because I'm working on quitting. However, I've found quite a few articles on smoking and schizophrenia that indicate nicotine can help alleviate some of the negative symptoms, i.e. flat affect, lack of motivation, etc. So I'm just curious on how many people with schizoaffective disorder smoke.

hello I am an (ex)smoker but still a tobaccomane
I explain when symptoms got worse age 30 I started smoking when before I was a high level athlete and never smoked
I spend a lot of time readind surveys and studies and many psyachiatric patients smoke and as far as I remember when being interned I saw psy staff smoking as well
You are right it may allievate your trouble but it is devastating for your lungs
It has been shown that in tobacco smoke there are IMAO besides nicotine which would explain the addiction and the relief when smoking
for my part I quit cigarettes and I am on chewing tobacco they call it snus in sweden I think you call it snuff in the us
For me same kick but I spare my lungs
take care

[worthit]

My co worker got cancerous growths in her cheek from chewing tobacco.

[Silent Void]

Originally Posted by Snoopysmom

I smoke anywhere from 1 1/2 to 4 packs a day

What brand?

[Atypical_Disaster]

Originally Posted by schizoaffective

For at least 22 years I smoked between 20 and 100 cigarettes per day.

Then I decided to quit and simply stopped smoking completely. That was 20 years ago, and I haven't smoked a single cigarette since that day.

Personally, I did not notice any difference to my mental state or well-being.

Physically I felt much better, and I was able to enjoy my surroundings much more (aromas, tastes etc.)

Perhaps, during my time as a regular smoker, there used to be a daily craving for nicotine (linked to my schizophrenic symptoms).

But eventually there came a time beyond which such "self medication" simply did not work any more and became ineffective. It was then easy to quit.

Holy **** you're lucky to be alive! That's a lot. I smoke maybe 15 per day.

[stefano78]

Originally Posted by worthit

My co worker got cancerous growths in her cheek from chewing tobacco.

That's terrible
I know there is a risk of cancer by chewing tobacco
Do you know for how long your co worker was on chewing tobacco and how old he was when diagnosed with tumors ?
thanks

[worthit]

It's a she. At least 6 years.

[Snoopysmom]

Originally Posted by Silent Void

What brand?

Cheap brands of anything from decades to Exeter. Mind you when I was on 4 packs a day I was manic, suicidal and never slept. Once I got out of the hospital where I smoked also I stay below 2 packs a day.

[Silent Void]

Originally Posted by Snoopysmom

Cheap brands of anything from decades to Exeter. Mind you when I was on 4 packs a day I was manic, suicidal and never slept. Once I got out of the hospital where I smoked also I stay below 2 packs a day.

That's a lot of sticks.

[Snoopysmom]

Originally Posted by Silent Void

That's a lot of sticks.

Anywhere from 30-80 a day

[mitziez]

I smoke stable or manic. Doesn't matter! I smoke about 2packs a day. It helps me a bit with anxiety.

I should quit, I know but the habit is very comforting.