Which addiction is hardest to break?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Poll question: Which addiction is hardest to break?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. Caffeine

I can give up sweets.

I don't smoke.

Drugs and Alcohol are fun but not a normal part of my life for about a decade.

I love my coffee and have headaches when I don't drink it.

I just bought a can of Lavazza d'Oro this evening as a matter of fact!

[Waistdeep]

5. Caffeine is nothing compared to nicotine

When I quit smoking I had to give up coffee to make it easier because they were so associated with each other --- I couldn't have a cup of coffee without an overpowering urge for a smoke. Coffee was easy to give up compared to cigarettes. And at the time, I lived in Berkeley, where coffee is everywhere.

[non sociopath skin]

19. Couldn't ever ...

... give up good coffee. Try to offset the worst effects by limiting myself to two cups in the early evening. Nothing but tea at breakfast then water during the working day.

No instant. And no decaff. Sorry, but decaff to me is like an ice cream cone with no ice cream in it.

The Skin

[CO Liberal]

2. It's Tobacco

When I studied to become a hypnotherapist, I learned that the reason smokers have trouble quitting is that nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man....

[grannylib]

4. you got it...wish it were not so, but man, it's hard to quit! eom

[Terwilliger]

3. Cigs were nothing

when I'm extricated from DU I get the shakes

[bubblesby2002]

6. I voted for cocaine

because of some people I know, but I think I also am addicted to DU. Since I started lurking I can't go more than one night without it.:yourock: DU rocks!

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. An addiction to not breaking things!

that's tough.

[neebob]

8. I don't know

I've only ever been a slave to cigarettes. Never did very many other drugs, don't much care for alcohol, and I can give up coffee easily enough. But the *@#%$$$!!! cigarettes - I've only ever been able to quit when I'm really sick. I quit for 5 months last year and started up again in May like the biggest idiot ever, after caving to a craving that started with drinks after work. I got sick about a month ago, but not the kind of near-death's-door bronchitis that makes it easy to quit. So here I am, not sick, about to start the pack I promised my son would be my last.

I'm just one of those people who can never, ever touch cigarettes.

[non sociopath skin]

18. I really really

... can't believe that anything is harder than giving up cigarettes.

Keep trying, friend. The best advice anyone ever gave me was "The only way to give up smoking is to stop putting cigarettes in your mouth and lighting them."

Nix on patches. Nix on gum. Had two days and nights of sweaty, no-sleep, head-banging cold turkey then it started to get better. And better. And better.

And so far it's lasted six years....

The Skin

[Endangered Specie]

9. TV is easy, Ive been off it for about 6 mos...

Caffeine was a little harder, but I managed
Snacks I have a REAL hard time with
Im still here on DU.

I hadnt tried any of the rest so ill take your words for it.

[BlueJazz]

10. Cigarettes

Those foul disgusting, stinky cigarettes.
I remember the constant craving night after night, day after day.
I kept saying to myself.."You Fucking Bastards!...You won't rule my life any more"

It's been 2 years and I'm just as determined that the F.B.'s won't ever win...

[frogbison]

11. Yeah!

Fuck'em! (Harsh words from the frogbison!) No cigarettes for me since 1/7/03. 30 years of killing myself slowly.....OVER!

cross my fingers, knock on wood...

[scarlet_owl]

12. Snacks.

Cigarettes were easy in comparison. On edit: easy for me, I should say.

[Skittles]

26. I AGREE

I quit a 30 year smoking habit but am unable to resist chocolate and chips. :o

[TokenDemocrat]

13. Nicotine

I've always heard nicotine is the hardest addiction to break.

[Rhiannon12866]

14. I certainly haven't tried all of those you listed, but for me

it's definitely cigarettes. I wish it were otherwise.:shrug:

[TXlib]

15. Masturbation

[Bridget Burke]

16. Cigarettes

Beginning in my misspent youth, I've known people who indulged in a wide array of substances--often to excess. Some of them are, as a result, no longer among the living.

From all I observed, nicotine is the hardest substance to kick. And I've reached the age when people in my age group are dying from lung cancer. Mid fifties--good people who should have been around a lot longer.

Glad I never started. Just dumb luck.

[BiggJawn]

17. Oxygen.

Just TRY to get "off it"...:7

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

20. Other: "smack the penguin"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=667544

[MissMillie]

21. Food (n/t)

.

[Heyo]

22. The hardest addiction to break.

....is benzodiazepines. (Valium, Xanax, etc)

Abruptly stopping after long term continuous use causes EXTREME panic and many times will cause seizures and death. It is extremely dangerous, and should never be attempted without good medical care.

Followed a close second by any kind of opiate, the widthdrawals of which have driven more than a few people to suicide because it's so horrible....

I'm sorry, ya'll.. but it ain't cigarettes.

-Heyo

[Bertha Venation]

23. For the compulsive overeater -- absolutely.

One can live without EVERYTHING ELSE listed in the poll, but one cannot live without food. Try breaking an addiction when you still need some of what you're addicted to.

[piece sine]

24. sex with younger college students

Just the way it is. (Sorry to bring-up the "S" word in a post but I have an overwhelming crush on a hot DUer here and I rather wish I didn't. Can't get him out of my head.............)

[PittPoliSci]

25. cracking my knuckles!

UGH! I usually say about once a week that I'm going to stop, but I ALWAYS fail.