I'm not addicted...Yet?

[DeadlySin]

-I guess this can be moved to substance use...move if you want it there instead!-

Sometime in December I got curious and tried smoking a cigarette. Didn't think anything of it. I wasn't really tempted to do it again.
Then I hung out with some people who did smoke. I ended up smoking a few that night. Before I went home one of the guys gave me a pack (i'm underaged and can't legaly buy any yet.)
Once I got in the car I just threw them in my glove box, didn't think anything of it again.
Now from time to time when I feel stressed or after work I might have one. It's not very often but at least once a week.
Everyone is telling me i'll get addicted.
I don't really believe that.
I haven't had one in at least a month, because I haven't been able to get a hold of any.
Since i'm starting college and getting a part time job, I might be stressed more?
And being 18 I will be able to buy them myself.
So I guess there is a chance I could become addicted.
But, now i'm starting on my birth control which says no smoking...

I'm not addicted...I won't be addicted...
So what's the harm in having one, once in a while socially?
I have control right?

I don't know...
I'm off them now, it's probably better to just stay of them and get a stress ball instead.

[PSY]

Well, what's the definition of addiction? "The state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma." (Random House Dictionary). So no, I wouldn't say you're addicted to cigarettes. =P But some people are more susceptible to develop addictions. College students, for example, may be more prone to pick up smoking on a regular basis, due to high amounts of stress. You seem to be aware of that risk, so I definitely think it would be a good idea to look into safer, healthier alternatives. Why not kick-boxing, or some other physical activity? Not only is it exhausting and a great way to take your mind off of academics, but it's good for you! =D

[Park Ranger]

Originally Posted by DeadlySin

I'm off them now, it's probably better to just stay of them and get a stress ball instead.

I second that. You seem worried yourself so why take the chance? Cigarettes (nicotene) are very addictive. I could post a hundred links about it but you can do the research. Most people who start never think they'll get addicted. Maybe they won't but there's a very good chance they will. My dad died on 8-18-08 of terminal lung cancer. What that man went through in the last year of his life was heart wrenching. If you watched someone who had smoked for years die of such a disease the sight of a cigarette would make you cringe. Take some time to look at a smoker's lungs online or just someone who is dying from lung cancer. You'll see what I mean. I really think it would be best to just find a stress relieving activity you enjoy that's healthy.

[darkinnocenteyes]

yeah i smoked for almost 2 years and i regretted starting to the max... it took me like 10 tries to stop... my moms smoked 4 packs a day for 35 years and now she has COPD and wont stop cuz she's "stressed" I advize to exercize... it's adddicting as well and makes you high naturally

[ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST]

Yes smoking can get addicting so it is best that you stay away from them completely as there is a very high chance of addiction. I would suggest a little something different though. Getting a stress ball is a great idea, but also try to find more than one method of dealing with stress. This is because anything can get addicting even something that is healthy.

[mIssIng:nO]

Theres a chance you won't get addicted at all, I started at 16, and I still smoke. Never once "craved" a cig, I've had times where I really wanted one, but not enough to go to the store.

If you get it in your head that its not a habit, its just something you enjoy doing once in a while, thats how it'll stay, I'll go 3 days smoking like a chimney, and then stop for weeks at a time. If I can do it, you can!