Dear Poor Lucky Me,
I get frequent headaches and the only way I can cure them is by smoking cigarettes. Also, I get stomach aches and the only way I can cure them is by smoking cigarettes. Oh, also I get anxious and the only way I can cure that is by smoking cigarettes.
As you can plainly see I’m not a smoker, I just have medical condition that require a nicotine cure. My family and friends won’t get off my back. They act like because I smoke around 20 cigarettes a day I’m just a smoker.
I feel like no one understands me.
Signed,
Natural Cure
Dear Natural Cure,
Your sincerity is notable, but I’m afraid I have to side with you friends and family on this one. What you’re describing reminds me of the story about how Jerry Stahl started smoking crack to get off of heroin. It’s good to try different methods to cure your ailments but maybe you want to stay away from ones that are addictive and probably fatal.
Look, sometimes it’s not useful to attach labels to everything we do. I understand your objection to being called “a smoker”. So let’s start by abandoning the title, and just deal with the activity.
Smoking 20 cigarettes a day for your various ailments is enough to warrant seeking alternative help. Like a Chinese herbalist, and acupuncturist, or a psychiatrist. You have isolated your issues, and your loved ones have raised objections to your coping mechanisms…sometimes it is a good idea to listen to your family. Why don’t you make a list of five alternative treatments that you’d feel comfortable seeking, then call one of your friends or family members and ask for their input. If you get other people on board, it’s usually easier to make life changes.
Good luck, I know you can do it!
Sincerely,
Poor Lucky Me