What Do cigarettes do?

[AbasKid]

I want to expound a bit on an answer I wrote to Geronimo this morning. The realization of what cigarettes actually so for me...Yeah, the addiction is still very strong, but what do I expect feeding it will do for me?

My back aches almost non stop. When I can go have a cigarette, I get some relief. NO. It doesn't do any good what-so-ever to stand out someplace and have a smoke. What DOES help the pain is to go sit down and take a break for 10-15 minutes!

I am frustrated by a situation. I need a smoke. Again, just standing out some place and smoking doesn't do a damn thing for my frustration. What helps is being able to remove myself from the situation, taking a few deep breathes and spending 10-15 minutes realigning my thinking.

All I am looking for is respite from whatever is bothering me. That I can accomplish that by taking a step back, relaxing, prioritizing my thoughts, taking a deep breath or two and let the s*** go. It has nothing at all to do with smoking a cigarette.

Mind boggling to me. The damn cigarette has nothing to do with making me feel better.