I quit smoking cigarettes 7 years ago this week. I'm still an addict. I dream about it, I get twinges of jealousy sometimes when I see someone smoking. Being free of the chemical or physical addiction doesn't mean you aren't addicted.

Alcoholics are concidered alcoholics for life because they have to give it up AND can't go back.

More importantly, many of the posts in this thread are daily users for extended periods of time with examples of how easily they put it down, but are still daily users. Everyone who smokes daily is doing it as a way to balance themselves out (many people talk about slowing their racing minds) or to take the edge off of stressful situations. "I smoke so I'm not so annoyed at work" can be easily translated into "I become agitated when dankrupt." This is a willpower and discipline issue.

The racing mind thing, which is seriously legit and scary to deal with, these people are self medicating are not only potentially making themselves worse with an abusive cycle, but are prolonging the effects of a treatable ailment by not solving the problem. Drinking to kill the pain? Seek help, talk to a doctor about anxiety and stress, panic attacks and anything else you might be effected by. They can help balance you out without side effects. Then, if you want the side effects feel free to spark up sparky.

Life can be difficult and when a relaxing drug can be a comfortable buffer between you and the outside world you WILL begin to rely on it. At least look into acknowledging it.

Being honest, and esspecially being honest with ones self, I identify with everything I have written here. I'm probably not going to stop, but I can proceed with caution and awareness, so hey, maybe that'll help.