Raging

Humans have always needed some form of mind-altering drug - whether it's coca, kava, Corona or cab sav. Even nicotine served a purpose, calming emotions and focusing concentration. No doubt road rage and other violent forms of impatience have worsened in response to the decline of cigarette smoking.

As a taxi driver seriously considering quitting smoking after Easter, I'm now concerned that in doing so, I may be exposing fellow motorists to additional road rage, where previously there was none, hardly.

Thus I'm interested to hear any ex-smokers' views on the highlighted quote; whether they agree, plus how they compensated for the loss of calming nicotine.

(Those who retreated to a cave need not reply, unless you've experienced hermit rage!)

Comments

[Greg]

I used Alan Carr's "Easy Way" (which I recommend) and experienced no mood swings or weight gain. Of course, I was motivated by a new relationship and also began a transition to a vegetarian diet, which each goes a long way towards explaining my results. I'm still a non-smoker, though, despite the demise of the relationship.

I think the quote is silly. Road rage has been a problem for some decades now and there's no ban on smoking in private vehicles. Yet.

[gringo]

As a smoker who is very experienced at quitting -- I've done it so many times -- I've found that, yes, I do get more pissed off at everything, and I do rant and rave at people when I'm driving. I give my girlfriend hell. I get angry at everyone at work, and stop talking to them. Things that I do to calm myself down include; yoga in the morning, sex in the evening (rewards are good), patches are ok, nicotine chewing gum is disgusting, and it is good to have something to eat/drink with you at all times.

The short term quitting for me is not so hard. It's after about a month off the durries that I really struggle. Especially around beer.

I do have a copy of Alan Carr's book, but I wasn't able to make myself read it. Maybe I'll try again ...

[NH]

I've quit a couple of times, it never really stuck. I've known heavy smokers who've stubbed one out and never thought of having another one. I smoke about half a pack a day, and if you took away my smokes and stuck me behind the wheel of a Sydney cab, there'd be violence.

Best advice I can give is spend LOTS of time cutting back before you quit altogether. And don;t carry weapons.

[Not So Devine]

Typical Miranda Devine, nonsense statements without a skerrick of research.

[LaLa]

I think that is a load of crap, stupid drivers have always made me crabby, it hasn't got worse since I stopped smoking.

I did have a period of snappiness with people around me, but hopefully they feel I've calmed down a bit now.

It's only been 3 months but this is the first time I don't FEEL like smoking. I recommend removing yourself entirely from your usual environment to quit. I went on holidays with my boyfriend (a non-smoker)and spent time with my relatives (all bar one are non-smokers) and that really helped me break the routine.

Good luck Adrian.

[Maureen Quinlan]

Hi,
Just found your blog - I am becoming a cabbie here in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Regarding the quote - perhaps it is true. The article does not provide any backup to support it etc. just logically thinking I suppose you could agrue this -

Regarding quiting smoking - I smoked for about 13 years. I was only able to quit by putting myself in a totally different environment - new job, new apartment, just married - the hardest spot was in my car. I kept lollipops in my car and that did help smoothe me - yet, then I had to break myself from that habit!

Habits, habits, habits.....it is best to nuture the good ones.

looking forward to following your story as a cabbie in Sydney!

here's to all of us being easy riders!
Cheers!

[Rainer.the.Cabbie]

Reading Alan Carr is a must to fully understand why you are hooked on nicotine, a great start. Giving it away is only difficult when you are not totally ready to do so, if you are it should be easy. Give yourself incentives, what we do is putting money aside daily that we would have spent on Cigarettes and spoil ourselves when it accumulates. Patches do help but like the gum they are addictive, but they take the edge of quitting. After one week you should feel like a young man again and have plenty of energy. My advice on road rage is when you feel pissed off and cranky don't take it on the road; go home and email Miranda Devine. Good luck to you Adrian, it is worth a try.

[adrian]

Sure, Devine doesn't present any supporting evidence for that statement. Yet to a smoking cabbie doing 1000+ klms per week, over twelve years, her statement is the most logical explanation I've heard for the increased road rage.

Years ago I carried home a fella who raved on and on about a quit-smoking guru who had saved his life. Whatever, I thought, and promptly forgot the guru's name.

Lately, however, with a totally different attitude to smoking, I've been struggling to recall that name. So thanks to readers who've reminded me of Alan Carr. He may yet save my life, too.

PS. Best wishes, Maureen. Check my 'on the job' category for tips on dealing with difficult passengers.

[George]

Adrian,

In all seriousness I too read Alan Carr's "The easy way to stop smoking" and have never looked backed, over 2 years now smoke free. Free yourself from the tyranny thats nicotine addiction and you will feel like you've been re-born. Read the book champ and you won't beleive how easy it is to stop and how wonderful you will feel once you have!

[George]

Now on the mind altering drug quote, I don't believe you do need any sort of drugs. I even think I would stop drinking (not sure i really mean that)if I could socialise with friends who were themselves drunk (anyone stayed sober while everyone else was smashed? Not fun). I guess my point is I don't drink on my own and I think most people use drugs with other people in a social setting, I think thats the vast majority of people. Most drug taking is done with company present not when one has only themselves as company. If we truly needed a fix we would be taking it on our own all the time.

[Harry Buttle]

Simple fact, smoking does not make you calm. being addicted to nicotine makes you stressed when you can't get it. smoking just makes you as calm as you would be if you were not addicted to nicotine.

Ask any doctor.

Once you break the addiction, no problem - however you could have problems while you are breaking the addiction.

[_DR_ASHTRAY_]

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