Smoking

[betrayed]

I entered the service in 1976. I didnt smoke. The only thing that we as recruits had to look forward to was called a "smoke and coke" If the company of recruits was good that day we would get a smoke and coke, or anytime something went well we would get a smoke and coke as a reward. Everyone piled into the lounge where there was buckets of sand for butt kits and three soda machines. If you didnt smoke like me you could stay in the barracks practically alone. So I started smoking. I would like to know how many of you started like me? I know that at some point in time my smoking will be the blaim for the denial of some SC issue. I think we should get a electronic depository of statements in support from people like me who were encouraged to smoke in the service. Then if you want print them and use them as evidence. :P

[john999]

I bet PTSD and smoking go hand in hand since smoking tends to relieve stress short term. My father was a WWII vet and just about all those guys smoked. I believe that smoking was probably a big contributing factor in his early death. I know my father was in some heavy bombardments and he complained about it in letters he sent home after the war. He died when I was very young so I don't know about if he had PTSD, but I think from what I know he probably did. Smoking for him was a death sentence since high cholsterol runs in my family. My younger brother had a total cholestrol of over 300 at the age of 23 and he was quite thin and otherwise healthy. When you smoke and have high cholesterol it highly risky. Most things in life you cannot control. Drinking and smoking are just two of the things you can control, but it is not easy for most to quit. I take pain meds and I find it hard to quit because I get relief from pain and some relief from my anxiety which is prevasive. When I cut back on the pain meds I notice right away that I have a harder time with my sleep. Let me see, today since I cut back on my pain meds I have had a fight with my neighbors and called the police, and I had a fight with my wife. If I smoked I would be smoking like mad right now. Hypothetically speaking, I am also having homicidal thoughts about those damn neighbors of mine so that might help my mental illness appeal if I had one. It also makes me suicidal to think I can't murder them. So there I have both indications of severe mental illness all in one day. This is all hypothetical about murder and suicide so please don't anyone call the police and have me arrested for being a mass murderer who is on the verge of a homicidal rampage. I need a cigarette.

[carlie]

John999,

Good to read your post. Whatz Up man -- you don't feel like a little Baker Act Today ???? lol

carlie

[tdak]

I have tried all the methods to quit, patches, pills my wife wants me to go to a hypnotizing session next week end rofl, I gave up drinking, the VA meds gave me ED, what in the hell else I have pro golf to watch on TV and other than smoking thats about all I enjoy and those 4 pack C Rat cigs came in handy many times regardless of what brand they were Lucky Strikes, Pall Malls, the marlboro's were the rare ones, I hated the Salems

Testvet,

Try the hypnotist. My dad smoked 3+ pack a day of Kool (yuk!) tried everything, but when he went to a hypnotist he actually stopped (it's been about seven years now). Even if you stop for a week or two, it will still pay for itsself.

I also used to smoke but only when I went into the service, because we were able to have extra time out of formation to have a smoke (of course not now). I had a hell of a time doing the running, even had a waiver to do fast walk instead, due to shortness of breath and knees hurting. I quit when I came home because I was tired of wasting my money, and giving them to my friends (constantly), so I ripped my pack in half and threw them away, that was 16 years ago. Never smoked again. I would like to live to see my grandkids.

Good Luck!!!

Tamara

Edited January 29, 2007 by tdak