Narrative Essay On Addiction

Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain. Addiction is a habit that formed from a continual use of a stimulant. Addiction is Addiction causes impairment in behavioral control, and craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response.

I chose the most obvious addiction for myself which is smoking cigarettes, this is the background on my addiction. My boyfriend was a smoker when I first met him 9 years ago. When I would kiss him I would taste the cigarette, after a little while of tasting and smelling the cigarette I could feel that I would want a cigarette. I was 26 years old when I started smoking cigarettes, today I 'm 35

I thought about buying patches and lozenges, but I want to try not having any assistance with my addiction. I can feel the need of a cigarette pulling at me and its only 9 in morning. It wasn’t until after having my tea that I felt the need, I normally have a cigarette with my tea. I believe I may have conditioned myself to want a cigarette with my tea. I’m thinking I might have to quit drinking caffeine to help me quit smoking for three days. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy but I also didn’t think it was this hard. I can feel an anger inside of me, this anger transferred into a phone conversation with my husband. I was a bit mean and what he calls “snippy,” he loves me and has to deal with both sides of me. I believe that I will have to also include him in helping me see how I react with no cigarettes. My husband is not supportive and believes that I will not succeed. He asked me if I wanted to quit smoking, truth is I don’t know. In the past I’ve tried to quit, the longest I was able to last cold turkey was a day. I thought about smoking so much I gave in, not because I wanted to smoke but my need for a cigarette is what cause me to cave in. I will have to start again tomorrow and try a no caffeine

I looked up the health benefits of why I should quit smoking. The benefits start twenty minutes after my last cigarette. My normal heart rate while I sleep is about 62 and 72 while I’m awake these numbers will go to a normal level, I should feel excited my heart and lungs will heal but my mind tells me different. Because of my addiction, I found that the intensity of wanting a cigarette intensifies and the anxiety builds within my chest. I’m going to take advice my doctor once told me, when I have cravings for a cigarette go work out. That’s exactly what I’m going to do. I removed caffeine from my diet so that I can have a better chance of abstaining. Not having my morning tea was easier than what I expected. I stopped drinking coffee almost a year ago because I wanted a healthier me, but I continued to smoke. Reading that makes me laugh! As for my mathematical point of view for the past nine years or so I have spent at least $60.00 a carton per week on cigarettes. If I multiplied that number to 52 weeks in a year for 9 years that means I have spent over $28,080. in cigarettes alone. With that much money I could have paid off my student debt or paid my car off, taken a really nice vacation several times over. I have literally burned my money away. I feel the best way to deal with the cravings are distractions, good think I have class. On my way to class I’ll be thinking about