Having Asperger's make one more susceptible to nicotine?
What e-cig are you using? I started out using a cig-a-like e-cig (NJOY) then changed over to an e-Go, and now an APV (eVic). I got tired of having to change the batteries all the time, plus with the more advanced e-cig's you can use different liquids that have different flavors. I did start off with a very high nic level (24mg), and have slowly gotten down to 11-6mg. Two years smoke-free...
Erm, no, every NT that I know ties their smoking in with their routine. I know one woman that likes a cigarette after her dinner every evening, and likes one before she has a bath every night, and that's her only two she has a day, and if a day comes where the routine of having dinner and a bath is different, then she won't have any cigarettes, only perhaps one in the morning. It's what she's done for a few years.
And no, how bad one gets addicted to nicotine is not to do with whether someone has AS or not. Although I have heard that lacking self-esteem can make it harder for one to give up, and it is common among Aspies to lack self-esteem so maybe that's what you mean, otherwise it's not the AS itself. Nicotine is a strong, addictive chemical and everybody knows that.
To be quite frank, I have tried a cigarette a few times and didn't get hooked at all, where as some NTs seem to try it with their mates when they're young then get hooked on it and it becomes a regular habit for years after. That happened to my (NT) brother. It's been over 10 years since he first started to smoke with his friends and now he just can't give up, no matter how hard he tries.
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It can.
1) Unaware of/disregard for the 'normal' rules of hygiene/etiquette.
2) Repetitive actives to calm ones self. For some people this is skin picking, for others it could be nose picking.
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Verdandi
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ASDs/PDDs are one of the few diagnostic categories in the DSM that are not associated with a higher chance of smoking. I think that the rate of smokers among autistic people is lower than the general population. Many mental illnesses, on the other hand, are associated with higher - sometimes much higher - rates of smoking.
It's interesting you bring this up, though, as I believe there are genes associated with this susceptibility, and these genes are also linked to ADHD. I would have to verify what I read to be certain, however.
My genetic line is "susceptible" to lung cancer; hence, I avoid smoking.
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Verdandi
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I smoke anywhere between 4 and 20 cigarettes per day so there's no real routine in there. When I'm by myself I do find that I will have a cigarette about once every hour. I don't feel the cravings but I look at the time and think "It's been about an hour since my last smoke, I'll have another". When I'm drinking I can go through an entire pack because I'll just keep lighting them up. And I need to have a cigarette and a cup of tea every morning but I guess that's the same for a lot of smokers. I do feel that even though I've been smoking for a few years now, I still get the 'nicotine buzz' that first time smokers tend to get. One thing that was definitely a major routine for me a few years ago when I smoked weed was that after smoking a bowl, I'd HAVE to smoke a cigarette. Even if I'd just had one. If I didn't, I got super stressed out about it. My boyfriend used to try stop me from having one because he said I was smoking too much but I'd get really really mad. Not because of the cravings, just because I'd always have a cigarette after smoking weed and I couldn't upset the order of that.
Studies have shown that aspies are LESS likely to be smokers than are NT's.
The reasons are probably that aspie teens dont have friends, therefore dont have peers, therefore they succumb to the wishes of their elders and dont succumb to peer pressure. Thus they make it through their teen years without taking up smoking. And no nonsmoking adult ever takes up smoking.
The drug itsself has little relevence.
However- I venture to guess that people with ADHD (including aspies who are also adhd) ARE more drawn to nicotine than are NT's because ADHD people tend to be thrill seekers who are drawn to both chemical and physical thrills (bungee jumping, or drugs). So being ADHD might indeed make one more suseptible to any psychoactive substence (including nicotine).
That's not quite true. There are cases where adults who have never smoked take up smoking.
The one that I can most immediately think of was told to me by my oldest brother from his army days in Viet Nam. They would have a smoking break, but if you didn't smoke you didn't get to take the break and had to keep working. He said that quite a few of his fellow soldiers took up smoking so they could take an occasional smoking break.
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Routine does make quitting some things that you know are harming you a bit complicated.
Have you considered picking up a new routine?
Forcing yourself to do something else when you would be smoking (check the time/whatever suits you) for a decent period could help as long as the new routine is healthier
That's not quite true. There are cases where adults who have never smoked take up smoking.
The one that I can most immediately think of was told to me by my oldest brother from his army days in Viet Nam. They would have a smoking break, but if you didn't smoke you didn't get to take the break and had to keep working. He said that quite a few of his fellow soldiers took up smoking so they could take an occasional smoking break.
Many Vietnam grunts were less than 21-so not quite legally adult.
But that is interesting.
Hardly fair though- being rewarded for smoking, and being punished for not smoking.
But back to the subject.
The OP links it to being 'ritualistic'.
But NT smokers also use cigarettes in the same ritualistic way that the OP does (with a coffee, or with a soda on break, or with a beer, or after love making). And who says aspies are any more 'ritualistic' than anyone else anyway? I cant even get myself to brush my teeth the same time everyday.
So I dont see his logic.
Used to be a heavy smoker, too, but successfully quitted about a year ago. First I reduced the quantity of cigarettes, later switched to an which tasted like a real one.
Last edited by B19 on 13 Nov 2019, 5:56 am, edited 1 time in total.: spammer
[b]Yes, AS guy I work with has past of abuse and was raken in by a loving married couple who got him in private Christian school. Problem is he made friends with other mentally il people alnd adopted alot of their thinking. Was in a grouphome for awhile where his medication was mismanaged. He has the persception that anyone who has facts and disagrees with him doesn't love him and that he's justified in being angry with them. That his religion is only partially right and that no matter what others present to him as fact it is wrong. ALot of chaos because he often raises his voice and argues when conrtonted. Says nicoten and caffiene calms him down. His foster parents have considered sending him back to a group home, He was in mental health intitutions and a group home 5 years ago. Has been in drug rehab for marijuan abuse. I am a Christian and believe in Galatians 5:23 As a case manager he admitted to loving porn and well it clouds his judgement when talking to others as I may go int detail later. I[/b]
Given the resistance to routine change a lot of people with AS have, I am guessing it might be more difficult to quit. However, maybe that Aspie single-mindedness in pursuit of a goal would also help them to quit?
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