Thread: Addiction, willpower, etc

Originally Posted by Macha

How can I explain me case then? I have no craving for ciggies. IMO I only smoke to kill time.

So what drives you to buy them? The thought that you will soon "need" them to help you kill time?

So what drives you to buy them? The thought that you will soon "need" them to help you kill time?

Its more like that but I'd rather prefer using "want" instead of "need". I personally think I don't need them.

Originally Posted by Macha

Its more like that but I'd rather prefer using "want" instead of "need". I personally think I don't need them.

I guess so, but maybe there is a fine line between the two. If we want something because it makes us happy and gives us pleasure, and we feel discomfort or frustration when we don't have it, is that a want or a need?
Nobody really "needs" cigarettes to survive....

You could say that of sex too.

Is it a want or a need.

Do you get frustrated and irritable if you cant get it?

Nobody needs sex to survive either (I know I will have debate on this)


Which begs another point.

Sex is much cheaper in Los.

Originally Posted by Lily

Nobody needs sex to survive either

I quite agree lily, messy thing.
Not my cup of tea at all.
Prefer a bit of voyeurism myself, don't have to move so many parts of your body.

I'm glad we agree.

Wasn't Rotterdam good though?

Of course, not good enough.

Yes CMN, we know about all that!! If you lived in a wooden house, then you would be a very happy man!!

I know I will have mass-debate on this)

quite Lily

Originally Posted by DrAndy

Yes CMN, we know about all that!! If you lived in a wooden house, then you would be a very happy man!!

I think the chances of that are quite high!

I enjoy eating strawberry Pocky sticks, but I don't need them, and wouldn't really care if I never ate them again.

Would people who always want to light up when they have a few minutes feel saddened if they could never smoke again? If so, they do have a bit (or a lot) of a dependancy, and aren't fully in control.

I quit already.

Originally Posted by Smeg

Would people who always want to light up when they have a few minutes feel saddened if they could never smoke again? If so, they do have a bit (or a lot) of a dependancy, and aren't fully in control.

I am sure most smokers would agree that they have a dependancy.

What is your point?

Just the point from the OP, that this same dependancy / lack of willpower also possibly causes people to emigrate and remain here.

I have many smoking friends at home who dont feel the need to rush off to Thailand.

I cannot see the connection.



I like smoking.

I have given it up for seven years and five years respectively and now I have given up, giving up.

^^nobody truly "emigrates" to Thailand - as you yourself would be the first to admit/say

Smeg wrote:

Just the point from the OP, that this same dependancy / lack of willpower also possibly causes people to emigrate and remain here.

Your hypothesis needs some T-testing which is only possible if you float some questionnaire. Also an assumption of certain standard deviation rate needs to be figured out Smeg mate.

Originally Posted by Lily

Nobody needs sex to survive either

Agree, Lily - sex is a lousy substitute!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Smeg

If we want something because it makes us happy and gives us pleasure, and we feel discomfort or frustration when we don't have it, is that a want or a need? Nobody really "needs" cigarettes to survive....

Well I know that WS, but it was in answer to this, therefore cant be too bad, can it?

Originally Posted by Lily

I like smoking.

I have given it up for seven years and five years respectively and now I have given up, giving up.

Why did you give up for prolonged periods if you like it?
Why did you start again each time?
Have you given up giving up by choice or by acceptance?

I gave up when I was pregnant and had small children.

Took it up again because I enjoy it.

Simple as that.

Originally Posted by Lily

I gave up when I was pregnant and had small children.

Took it up again because I enjoy it.

Simple as that.

An addiction then, much like alcoholics who give up for a while for a particular purpose, but end up drinking again.

Originally Posted by Whiteshiva

Agree, Lily - sex is a lousy substitute!!!!!!

Actually WS, I think that I have just got this.

Yes, I think sex is a lousy substitute for cigarettes.

Cigarettes are prettier, for a start.

Originally Posted by Smeg

An addiction then, much like alcoholics who give up for a while for a particular purpose, but end up drinking again.

Not at all an addiction, but maybe a dependency.

I can stop smoking but dont want to.

And nor am I addicted to Thailand.

I have chosen to live here for a few years and I love it.

Smeg's addicted to Thailand

Some people love gambling and have done it for several years. They could probably stop if they tried, but they don't want to. They are addicted if they are aware of the negative sides of it but still choose to continue. This could be said about a smoker who knows the health effects but continues anyway, or someone who lives in Thailand who knows about bridge-burning and all that but pushes such concerns to the back of their mind.

We are saying the same things over and over and I dont think there is anything new to be said.

You dont smoke, dont get drunk, dont teach English, dont like Thailand.

That is your business.

I enjoy all of the above and dont hurt a hair on your head by doing them.

Live and let live.
Try it some time.