How can so many people get addicted to cigarettes ?

Question

I did a test. No real science involved. I turned 18 last year, and all my buddy's were older than me, and they all smoked cigarettes. So I asked them "why do all of you guys smoke" and they told me because they are addicted. Well being a person who believes that mental illnesses can be controlled by your mind not medicine (and addiction is just another mental illness) I made a bet with them. I told them I would smoke atleast 3 packs a week for a year. And after a year I could quit the next day without seeing a doctor, using a patch or taking a pill. They didn't believe me. So we made a bet, it wasn't even for money, it was just to prove them wrong. So i smoked (and I never got the feeling of addiction, in-fact I sometimes had to force myself to finish the pack because I was so tired of it). And After a year of doing this, the next day (this was about 6 months ago) I quit, and have no urge at all to smoke another cigarette. And like I said I hang out with people everyday who smoke, so if I was going to have the feeling to smoke, I would by now. Am I crazy, or is being addicted to cigarettes all in your mind. And if its not how come I was able to quit so easily.

And a even better (and shorter) story, my grandfather who smoked for 30 years quit one day, and never smoked again, and had no medical help doing this.

Answer 1

i smoked 3 packs a day for for 25 years my family nagged me to quit  but i never thought i had the will power to stop so i never tried more  than a couple of times. but one friday night i came home and said i just smoked my last cigarette, yeah right dad.... that was dec 1 2006 havent had one since. i know if i have one i will smoke 3 packs that same day so i can never have another one and it was easy once i realized that. so yeah its mostly in the mind after 2 days your over the addition part of smoking. good luck and "not one more" ever to all who want to quit

Answer 2

look at first we are trying it for curiosity but at that time we have not much pleasure but if we take it for some time we can feel some change in mood after dat and get addicted with nicotine and its effect and yes we are looking good in our group also !!!!  

Answer 3

I think that cigarettes are very addicting, my mother in law has smoked for years and she is 70 years old and thinks that light cigarettes are like if you did not smoke at all, just like diet sodas but just thinking about being with no cigarettes for a day, she will be moody, shaky and eventually she will go back to smoking.  I am so glad I never picked up the habit, I feel sorry for the people that have to spend so much money on something that can hurt their lungs and others,  This is my opinion.

Answer 4

i believe in the power of the mind as well. your test sounds pretty cool

Answer 5

Wow, thats really good

i wish i could do that. Ive only been smoking this summer and im trying to quit but its to d**n difficult.

I think you are lying, though, because cigs are way to addictive to pull that off

Answer 6

Sure it's in your mind!  Various drug molecules attach themselves to chemical receptors in the brain that give one a feeling of euphoria, well-being, or detachment..  Some people are more susceptible to certain drugs than others.  Many are literally addicted to nicotine.  You are apparaently one of the fortunate ones.  It's like drinking, some people can become alcoholics after the first few drinks. Some can become drug addicts with just a few doses.  I'm very glad you made the decision not to continue smoking; there are enough things out there that damage our bodies without voluntarily adding to them.