You and I have a dog addiction. That one is life long and expensive. I have no money left for shoes, I am just pleased I have a couple of pairs of pants. Me, the crazy dog lady, looking for another puppy. I am so scared about losing my 14 year old love I think getting another would help......Makes no sense but she could train the new pup to be like her. That is what I want, one just like her
So many people still smoke cigarettes
- Thread starter Bretrick
- Start date
Dave: During my time as Investigator for the State Police, I attended a workshop on Drugs and Alcohol. We learned these are the 2 most addictive vices in the U.S. with smoking being the worse addiction to recover from due to the nicotine in the tobacco. It was also stated to us that the cigarette companies were well aware of this and would also add a little extra nicotine to some of the brands. The government was also aware of the efficacy of nicotine and the hold it had on smokers. Quitting smoking is no easy task as millions would agree on.
If any of us would attend an AA or an NA meeting, the stories that the addicts share at those meetings can be heartbreaking. I sat in on a few as part of the training and heard how the addiction to alcohol or a street drug cost some their family and/or their livelihood. Smoking is an addiction because it contains a narcotic. Alcohol is also listed as a drug because of its addictive tendencies and that it is a psychotropic drug. Alcohol has strong effects on cognition, emotions and perception.
You’re fortunate to have gotten off both of these drugs. Some people never do and many of them end up on the street. Congratulations.
Last edited:
JustDave
Well-known Member
Video game ads describe one of the virtues of their product as addictive, and they are in that loose sense you referred to. But it's not considered a negative. Certainly not by the person playing the game.
JustDave
Well-known Member
Alcohol is less addictive, but the consequences of drinking reach farther than long range health issues of smoking. Impaired judgement, coordination, and doing stupid and often dangerous things are much more noticeable in public than smoking. Fifty years ago, smokers were just normal people passing the time with a "relaxing" smoke. Drunks were judged harsher because the immediate results of drinking were more socially unacceptable. Today smokers endure harsher judgement from society, but not as much as drunks.
Grampa Don
Yep, that's me
- Location
- Orange county, Calif.
How do you feel about pipe smokers?
WheatenLover
Senior Member
- Location
- Georgia
Yeah, I'd agree with that. It is hard for me to be without a dog.
I know people who have a senior dog and who get a puppy. The puppy gives the senior dog inspiration to be more active, and the puppy learns from the older dog.
My son had DNA taken from our dog so he can have Aidan cloned some day. That cost $600. If that isn't astonishing enough, it costs $50K to have a dog cloned *and* you get the entire litter that may result, not just the pick of the litter. Wheaten Terriers can have 5-8 puppies. Imagine having that many puppies to contend with at one time!
I want to get another dog, maybe next summer. I have to figure out who will take care of it (in the way the dog is accustomed to being cared for) if I die first. I much prefer to get another wheaten, because who doesn't love a high maintenance, active, mischievous, and super-affectionate dog?
I will consider getting a dog from a shelter if I find one I connect with. The dog and I will both know if that happens. I don't want a puppy, so I would get either a Wheaten from a rescue or a suitable dog from a shelter. Still, shelter dogs don't always get new families, and reputable rescues keep their dogs until they find homes for them. I don't expect to find a Wheaten in a shelter -- either they get adopted or a breed-specific rescue take them.
JustDave
Well-known Member
It doesn't seem as bad, and I like the aroma, at least when someone else is doing the smoking. BUT: A long time ago, I read an article about pipe smoking. I can't remember the bullet points but the thrust of the article was along the lines of "Don't kid yourself. Pipe smoking is not good for you."
JustDave
Well-known Member
My second Golden came from a litter of 8. No we didn't get the litter. We only got the third pick of the litter, which actually turned out to be the one I would have chosen had we had the first pick. We had to wait for the litter to be weaned, but we visited them often. They were in a large pen outdoors, and opening the pen so we could cuddle our pick would break the dam and a storm of puppies would flood all over each other out the gate. Putting them back in was not easy. Get a few in the gate. Add one more and two would get out. It was puppy mayhem. I would have been happy with any one of the puppies.
That dog lived for 18 years. We covered over a thousand miles of trails in Montana together. I'm not estimating that either. I recorded our miles on my computer after every hike. That dog bonded with my wife and I, but then, that's what they do.
Grampa Don
Yep, that's me
- Location
- Orange county, Calif.
No argument there. Whether you chew it, smoke it, or sniff it, tobacco is not good for you.
A few years ago my sister confessed that combined her and her husband spend over $400 a month on cigarettes, and I would bet she down played it. Of course they always cry poverty as to why their lives are miserable. The math is staggering considering they both have smoked since highschool, also they are the only two in my family that still smoke...but I often wonder how they can afford to smoke with only one wage going in there.. 5 people to keep.. a high rent and utilities to pay... and Cigarettes at £18 per pack of 20.. ( I had to look that up)...my eyes nearly fell out of my head when I saw the price, how on earth does anyone aside from the very rich afford to smoke..?
Smokers that shock me are when I see someone from the gym taking a few last puffs or using a vape pipe before they come in to the gym to work out.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
Ladybj
Live, Laugh and Love
- Location
- Somewhere in the USA
I tried smoking cigarettes in my younger days but didn't get anything out of it, so I quit. People think that marijuana doesnt effect the lungs, I believe it does.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
I agree with you ...... and according to AI...
Yes — marijuana can affect the lungs, though the impact depends on how it’s used (smoked, vaped, or ingested). Here are the main points:
When smoked or vaped:
- Irritation: Marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins and irritants as tobacco smoke. This can lead to chronic cough, phlegm, and throat irritation.
- Airway inflammation: Regular smoking can cause bronchitis-like symptoms (wheezing, shortness of breath).
- Lung function: Unlike tobacco, marijuana hasn’t been strongly linked to long-term reduced lung function, but heavy use may still impair breathing efficiency.
- Cancer risk: Marijuana smoke does contain carcinogens, but evidence directly linking it to lung cancer is mixed and less clear than with tobacco.
When vaped:
- Vaping marijuana oils has been linked to EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury), especially when using unregulated products.
When ingested (edibles):
- Eating marijuana avoids lung exposure entirely, so the respiratory risks are not present — though there are other risks (like delayed effects leading to overconsumption).
Overall, smoking or vaping marijuana can irritate and damage the lungs, but the exact long-term risks are still being studied.Born_To_Lose
Member
- Location
- Worldwide
Can’t stand the smell of any tobacco products. I don’t allow smoking in my car, my house or on my boat.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
Me neither.... No..not a chance..never..... You're welcome to smoke in my garden but away from the patio .... but never would I allow it in my car or home...
A friend (old Army buddy) of my dad’s worked for CBS as a Director of Operations for a few shows, including the “Honeymooners” with Jackie Gleason. I was only a pup back then, but because my dad and I were best friends, I was usually hanging around with him. My dad spoke of this man often when he told old war stories, which wasn’t very often.
One Saturday, dad and I were watching an Orioles baseball game on TV when the doorbell rang and dad said he would get it. The man at the door was dad’s friend, John. That’s all I ever knew him by. Back in those days, we had to call our elders by Mr. or Mrs. So and so. I calked him Mr. John. He came in and sat in the den with dad and I and they were talking. Mr. John said he had a terrible week. He had to film Gleason and the Honeymooners Show for 2 episodes.
At that point, he began talking about Gleason. I remember him saying that Gleason would smoke up to 5 packs a cigarettes during the 8 hours on the set. He added that he liked Scotch, close to a half gallon a day. Mr. John said he was a nasty person, who wanted to ridicule his other players and he never liked Art Carney and never rehearsed. Jackie told everyone he had a photographic memory and as he watched his stand-in rehearsed, he remembered his lines. Mr. John said in no way did Gleason have a photographic memory.
The only other thing I remember him saying was that Jackie made a lot of money, but had very little to show for it. CBS built him his big home next to a golf course in Ft. Lauderdale. He was a lonely man with few “real” friends. When he finished talking, my dad said “So Gleason is a fat drunk that smokes a lot.” Mr. John said he wasn’t an alcoholic, he was a drunkard, so says Gleason.
I have encountered mean drunks and jovial drunks. I never understood what makes 1 drunk happy and another drunk mean. When I would be called to a scene of domestic dispute and I could instantly tell I was dealing with a mean drunk, I had to prepare for anything. One night, I went to a home where a mean drunk had hit his wife a few times and she had a black eye and a bleeding lip. He came after me and swung, but missed when I stepped back. I Tasered him and then cuffed him. Six hours later, he said he couldn’t remember what happened.
One Saturday, dad and I were watching an Orioles baseball game on TV when the doorbell rang and dad said he would get it. The man at the door was dad’s friend, John. That’s all I ever knew him by. Back in those days, we had to call our elders by Mr. or Mrs. So and so. I calked him Mr. John. He came in and sat in the den with dad and I and they were talking. Mr. John said he had a terrible week. He had to film Gleason and the Honeymooners Show for 2 episodes.
At that point, he began talking about Gleason. I remember him saying that Gleason would smoke up to 5 packs a cigarettes during the 8 hours on the set. He added that he liked Scotch, close to a half gallon a day. Mr. John said he was a nasty person, who wanted to ridicule his other players and he never liked Art Carney and never rehearsed. Jackie told everyone he had a photographic memory and as he watched his stand-in rehearsed, he remembered his lines. Mr. John said in no way did Gleason have a photographic memory.
The only other thing I remember him saying was that Jackie made a lot of money, but had very little to show for it. CBS built him his big home next to a golf course in Ft. Lauderdale. He was a lonely man with few “real” friends. When he finished talking, my dad said “So Gleason is a fat drunk that smokes a lot.” Mr. John said he wasn’t an alcoholic, he was a drunkard, so says Gleason.
Unfortunately, both vices release Endorphins, which is a chemical in the brain and when released gives a person a feeling of great pleasure and satisfaction, which in turn induces people to continue doing what they are to keep releasing Endorphins.
I have encountered mean drunks and jovial drunks. I never understood what makes 1 drunk happy and another drunk mean. When I would be called to a scene of domestic dispute and I could instantly tell I was dealing with a mean drunk, I had to prepare for anything. One night, I went to a home where a mean drunk had hit his wife a few times and she had a black eye and a bleeding lip. He came after me and swung, but missed when I stepped back. I Tasered him and then cuffed him. Six hours later, he said he couldn’t remember what happened.
@911 I have encountered mean drunks and jovial drunks. I never understood what makes 1 drunk happy and another drunk mean.
I can only speak for myself on this; I never liked to drink in excess and in trying different drinks I found that me personally had different reactions according to what I consumed, especially if over 2 drinks. Rum- I was happy, Wine - sleepy, Vodka - sad and easy to cry, Tequila - angry and made me do the puke in the bushes thing.
Friends and family verified these reactions. So if I did drink, Rum and Coke was what I stuck with. All done with that now.
My late hubby did well on beer but give him Scotch and he'd argue and grumble at a certain point.
I can only speak for myself on this; I never liked to drink in excess and in trying different drinks I found that me personally had different reactions according to what I consumed, especially if over 2 drinks. Rum- I was happy, Wine - sleepy, Vodka - sad and easy to cry, Tequila - angry and made me do the puke in the bushes thing.
Friends and family verified these reactions. So if I did drink, Rum and Coke was what I stuck with. All done with that now.
My late hubby did well on beer but give him Scotch and he'd argue and grumble at a certain point.
So the question came up during our session and it was something like “Does it matter what alcohol the person is drinking that it will effect their behavior?” The person speaking said No, because all alcohol contains ethanol, which effects the brain the same way.”
That really didn’t answer my question as to why 1 person is a happy drunk and another person is a mean drunk. I came to the conclusion that there is no real answer. Simply put, alcohol effects different people in different ways.
JustDave
Well-known Member
I always assumed it was a personality trait of the person. If a happy person gets angry when he drinks, I assume that person has unresolved anger issues under the surface, something he hides most of the time. Alcohol lowers inhibitions, so that theory makes sense to me.
It is true than all alcohol contains ethanol and there is only one type of ethanol. I can't explain Irisheyes' reactions.
Maybe I have reactions to other ingredients in those drinks or the amount of alcohol in the liquor in them, I don't know either but I always been
a reader of what my body tells me, so I notice things maybe others don't at times.
Visiting my sister in Canada many many years ago her and her husband made me drinks from Bacardi 151 rum. Not only was I happy but I blabbed every family secret unknown to man. Never again! I don't like not being in control of my actions and this really is why I never drank a lot, from watching others do it.
rgp
Well-known Member
- Location
- Milford,OH
Nope What ?
I have a sad confession to make. This thread 'turned me on.' Meaning--the idea of smoking came back in my stupid kopf and Wednesday afternoon, after my hour long 'health' walk and reading in my park for another hour, I...........
............on my way home, I stopped at a convenience store and paid $13. for a pack of Newport Longs. When I got home, I smoked one full cigarette------it was heavenly. That day I had three more, could only smoke half of each. Next morning, Thursday, I woke up 4 am to smoke. Then I rapidly smoked 7 more, like a chain smoker. Even forced myself to smoke! I saw there were eight left and it was still early in the morning! I expected it would take 3 days to smoke the pack, not less than one! I threw the rest in toilet and was sick to my stomach all day yesterday and had the jitters bad.
Gosh, I hope I never do this again.
............on my way home, I stopped at a convenience store and paid $13. for a pack of Newport Longs. When I got home, I smoked one full cigarette------it was heavenly. That day I had three more, could only smoke half of each. Next morning, Thursday, I woke up 4 am to smoke. Then I rapidly smoked 7 more, like a chain smoker. Even forced myself to smoke! I saw there were eight left and it was still early in the morning! I expected it would take 3 days to smoke the pack, not less than one! I threw the rest in toilet and was sick to my stomach all day yesterday and had the jitters bad.
Gosh, I hope I never do this again.
I can honestly say that I only got “really” drunk or shit-faced, I believe is the correct term, one time. I did get buzzed now and then earlier in my life, but really drunk just once. I wasn’t married at the time and in fact it was the first weekend after I returned from SE Asia or Vietnam. A couple of my friends wanted to celebrate, so we celebrated the whole weekend starting on Friday night. By Sunday afternoon. I had started to sober up and spent the rest of the day praying to the porcelain goddess.
I had to ask the other guys I was with if I did anything I am going to have to regret, pay for, or apologize for. My best friend, Jeff said I was a complete idiot. I told him well if I was a complete idiot that’s OK, but was that all. They all told me I was OK. There was 4 of us, but by the end of the weekend, only Jeff and I was left. We both were praying on Sunday. Well, it was Sunday.
I was nervous about it because I wanted to join the Pennsylvania State Police since I was 10 y/o. Jeff told me the worse thing I did was to knock over a full glass of beer at one of our local watering holes, so I went over to see Jim, the owner, and apologized and offered to pay for the beer. He laughed and told me I was OK and forget about the beer. You guys sure had a good time. The last thing he said was to tell Tim, another friend with us, that he left his wig on the table. I thought “What was that all about?” I never told Tim and just left it go.
I dropped a $5 bill on the bar and left.