Smoking

cap · **Joined:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:11 pm **Posts:** 20

New to TSM, have yet to take my first dose and looking forward to finding a doctor to prescribe. Question: Will taking Nal also reduce the pleasure one derives from a cigarette in one hand with a drink in the other?

I am a part time smoker, (meaning I only smoke when I drink), which is every night after 5. Actually, I hate cigarettes at any other time and would love to hear that the smoking reduces at the same pace as the drinking.

Lo0p · **Joined:** Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:40 pm **Posts:** 749

No, not at all. While drinking is mediated by endorphins and the opioidergic system, smoking is regulated by the dopaminergic system via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nicotine receptors).

Two drugs, bupropion (Wellbutrin) and veranicline (Chantix), are antagonists of the nicotine receptors.

Our very own AJ, now cured of his alcoholism by TSM tried to use Chantix in a manner that would allow for pharmacological extinction like TSM. He was very successful: http://www.thesinclairmethod.net/community/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=699&start=0&hilit=chantix+naltrexone&sid=057ff5846d5d79cffaa861bbccc92608

eight days a week · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 5:31 am

Hi cap, welcome to the board

I would say that it sounds like you are not addicted to nicotine, so as TSM hopefully extinguishes your drinking behaviour, your smoking would logically diminish too.

Furthermore, I remember a scientific study that was widely reported on the BBC when it came out (within the last year or two) that concluded that alcohol and nicotine taken in combination have a synergistic effect, i.e. the pleasure from each is amplified by using the other. So, it's quite likely that you are only smoking to increase the pleasurable effects of alcohol, which TSM will work on. I'm afraid I don't have a link to the study but it is out there and probably well worth hunting down. I certainly know a lot of people who only like to smoke when they drink.

All the best to you!

8

corkit · **Joined:** Fri Sep 04, 2009 4:53 pm **Posts:** 478

I'm a smoker too but not a part time one like you and no NAL doesn't diminish the desire to have a cigarette. I'm going with what Aj did once the AL is gone from my life which means using Chantix as I do NAL to get rid of the other monkey from my back. I've found focusing on one problem at a time is the easiest thing to do.

Good luck and keep posting
corkit

cap · **Joined:** Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:11 pm **Posts:** 20

First, thanks to all of you for your kind and welcoming responses. I have been connected with a possible doctor in my geographic region that may be able to prescribe; I have yet to call, but will do so next week.

Regarding smoking, one of you mentioned that there could exist a synergistic effect with smoking and AL. That is me. No question about it. I'm now more excited about beginning this quest because both habits are slowly, physically, driving what has always been an athletic, deep-breathing body to a point of chronic, subtle aches and pains and shortness of breath.

I can't give up the thought that I can get that old feeling back. I'm looking forward to where I'm about to go.

corkit · **Joined:** Fri Sep 04, 2009 4:53 pm **Posts:** 478

Really Aj? doing both at the same time isn't overwhelming? I haven't had a AF day yet and I'm on 3 1/2 months already and that scares me to death to tackle both now. I keep asking myself is it all addiction or habit (ok, I know we've discussed this before). The only answer is to push myself and see. :roll:

corkit

Lo0p · **Joined:** Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:40 pm **Posts:** 749

AJ_ wrote:

The only reason why I'd suggest someone might want to wait until they are cured with TSM before starting chantix is that there is a suggestion that chantix can cause or exacerbate psychological disorders. This effect would probably be worse in someone who is consuming very large quantities of alcohol. I've heard that this is rare, and this is the only reason that I can think of why one should wait until they are cured. Otherwise, for the above reasons, I think it would be beneficial to quit both at the same time using TSM and chantix.

This is the only reason I haven't tried it yet. I can't wait to give it a shot...

eight days a week · **Posted:** Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:36 pm

AJ_ wrote:

...

Whilst we say that there is a "synergy" between smoking and drinking, medical professionals would describe smoking addiction and drinking alcoholically as co-morbid disorders. Each disorder reinforces the other, and by tackling both at once you may be able to reduce or negate that co-morbid reinforcement.

Sorry if I appear to be pedantic AJ, but I doubt any medical professional in the UK would describe nicotine addiction as a 'disorder'.

eight days a week · **Posted:** Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:28 am

AJ_ wrote:

eight days a week wrote:

AJ_ wrote:

...

Whilst we say that there is a "synergy" between smoking and drinking, medical professionals would describe smoking addiction and drinking alcoholically as co-morbid disorders. Each disorder reinforces the other, and by tackling both at once you may be able to reduce or negate that co-morbid reinforcement.

Sorry if I appear to be pedantic AJ, but I doubt any medical professional in the UK would describe nicotine addiction as a 'disorder'.

That's very european of UK doctors. Its considered a substance use disorder under DSM-IV (305.10 - Nicotine dependance).

I'm sure there is a medical definition for it. It's just that no-one needs to use it as 'addicted to cigarettes/nicotine' is part of daily speech, so doctors here (at least in my experience) use those terms instead. I've seen countless hospital notes where they just write 'smoker'. Maybe things are more formal in the US?

Lo0p · **Joined:** Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:40 pm **Posts:** 749

AJ_ wrote:

Not sure what things are like in the US, I'm from Australia. Bunch of smoking-nazis over here.

Just being a citizen over here is a diagnosable disorder I think. Smoking cigarettes is a misdemeanor. They call us babykillers.

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