The Great American Smokeout

One of my favorite songs is The Weepies’ Nobody Knows Me At All. Sample lyrics:

“Now I got lots of friends,
Yes, but then again,
Nobody knows me at all.
Kids and a wife,
It’s a beautiful life,
Nobody knows me at all.”

Being misunderstood sucks.

Along those lines, I think one of the most misunderstood things is addiction.  People assume that a person with an addiction isn’t taking enough personal responsibility or isn’t using enough willpower.  But few understand the cravings or withdrawal symptoms that cause one to relapse.

So, let’s do a little personal experiment: If you are a coffee drinker, someone who drinks at least a cup a day, give up your coffee and all forms of caffeine for the next three weeks. Keep a journal of how you are feeling during those three weeks. You will be done around the end of finals week.

If you are not a coffee drinker, give up texting or Facebook for three weeks.  Do not look at, reply or text anyone for three week. Don’t update your status, “like,” or comment on anyone’s links, status or notes. Keep a journal of how you feel everyday.

Then, re-read your journal after you complete the experiment. Maybe then you will have a small understanding of how difficult it is to quit something one is addicted to.

Colleges Against Cancer, Alcohol Drug Program, Student Health, Students Teaching Alcohol and other drug Responsibility, Health And Wellness Chairs, and American Cancer Society bring UCSB The Great American Smokeout (GAS) in the Arbor today, Nov. 19th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.   The goal of GAS is to encourage smokers to quit for 24 hours, in hopes that they will quit completely. 70% of smokers want to quit. Come out to the arbor and sign a pledge to quit.  They will have quitter’s aid kits, cessation resources, health information, and plenty of people to support and encourage you.

If you don’t smoke, you can sign an empathy pledge to give up something you love for 24 hours in support, encouragement, and solidarity for smokers who are trying to quit.

Understanding leads to compassion. Compassion is one of the first steps to solving difficult problems. Thich Nhat Hanh said, “Only your compassion and your loving kindness are invincible, and without limit.”

Michael Takahara is a health educator at Student Health.  Post your comments, questions or suggestions here, email michael.takahara@sa.ucsb.edu, facebook or tweet him.