Choosing between cigarettes or alcohol

After yet another morning waking up still feeling pissed something’s gotta give. For the sake of my health, those around me who I love and from a basic desire to not pop my clogs before my 40th something has to go.

Smoking:
Since I was about 12 am now 36. Currently smoking rollups and have no idea how many a day but if I were on ready made I would take a guess that I would do between 30 and 40.

Drinking:
Usually about 2 bottles of wine in an evening at home (sometimes a couple of shifty vodkas too) and I don’t tend to go out that much anymore. This is 7 days a week. In fact I would say in the last 6 years there have been less that 20 individual days where I haven’t had a drink.

I don’t think stopping both together is going to be an option and to be honest I’m scared shitless about attempting to stop either and failing. Dunno, there are a couple of really special things in my life at the moment and I don’t want to let them down.

So which one should I drop? Anyone got any good tips or advice on either?

Cheers
TBFB

PS: this is really because I wanted to start a poll because I haven’t done one for ages.

random Pikey pic

I think you should go to see your doctor and get a referral to see a psychologist. Not being funny but there's a reason you're drinking and smoking so much and it isn't because you enjoy it.

actually it is because I enjoy them both .. well that and because its a habit.

Ditch the alchohol first..

Get a hobby, something that gets you out with others.. climbing or swimming etc..

As for seeing a doctor... well, I dont think it will help..

There is only one that can help you! and he sits in the same room as you and sleeps in your bed and showers in your shower with you!

You wanna stop?? Then its all down to you!

You will feel better once you pass the first 2 weeks without booze! Beleive me.

SP

Oh... Good luck!

Have you tried moderation? Could you cut down on either or both? Do you have a physical dependency?

The first idea would be to see a doctor. (from a medical perspective I mean just to get you checked out healthwise) and if you are addicted to alcohol just stopping can have some major implications like DTs, hallucinations, seizures and even death!!!

With alcohol, I wouldn’t say its a physical dependency. Not in an I’m shaking and i must have a beer kind of way. I don’t know I guess since my teens I’ve always drank a lot, the only time I didn’t was when I was smoking loads of weed.

I have tried moderation, but one glass of wine a night soon turns back into two bottles very quickly

Trying to stop smoking could easily be sabbotaged the next time you're drinking.

Easing off the drink might be easier because it's not something done all day (and if it is, then you should listen to the "go to a doctor" advice)

MrNosey et al are right - do you have health insurance? You might be eligible for a spa cure - three weeks in an open clinic to learn new habits and get away from the old ones.
The word clinic sounds horrible, but my spa cure following knee surgery was fantastic. You're not locked in and can leave at any time.
There are a lot of different spa cures for a lot of different things - even for giving up smoking.
Have a word with your GP for further information and good luck.

You see thats the point, "just a habit" involves you making a choice to drink each and every time and there are numerous components involved in that choice. Being a heavy drinker does not necessarily make you an alcoholic though, but equally you could be an alcoholic on one glass of wine a night; it depends how it impacts on the rest of your life and relationships.

That was kind of my thought because if I drop the ciggys and keep the drink then I can see myself having a smoke when I have a drink.

And nope its not something that’s done all day its just in the evenings. To add I don’t think its something that actually affects my everyday life, I still function on a daily basis pretty normally. I don’t want to stop drinking but I know that its something that is going to really fuck me up if I don’t get a grip on it.

You could always ditch both and take up mainlining skag. You'll be so pasted that you won't notice the missing alc and cigs...

On a serious note; good luck (alcohol's probably easier to ditch than cigarettes).

AT least you aren't doing drugs mate, which is a good thing!

Then go off for a week and give your liver a break. Heck, I've been known to occasionally do the evening herbal tea thing in the evenings instead of cracking open a bottle of wine. It's a different type of sleepy, but much nicer.

Hardly worthwhile asking which one you should give up TBFB if you do not want to give up either.

DD Bugs suggestion is a good one but i would still get myself off to the docs first.

Yea, took me six years and a move to another country to get away from that one.