Why does a person who has a serious health problem, continue to do bad things to their self?

When my uncle was dying from lung cancer, he refused to quit smoking and continued to do so until he was too weak to hold a cigarette. Why? Because he was dying, he wanted some control over the life he had left. After all, quitting wouldn't help him get better, so why give up one little joy he has left?

It's that kind of thing, basically. You live once, so don't be miserable, no matter what's going on.

She might wan't to live healthily but deep down believes she can't quit the addictions. Like someone else said~these habits are ingrained. For example, a lot of people start smoking at around age 14 so they actually have never lived as an adult without cigarettes as a crutch. Pretty similar thing with booze. Lots of people would not know what to do to relax at the weekend or end of the day without alcohol because they've used it since their early teens

We get into habits that are so ingrained, it's almost impossible to stop. Smoking is one of the hardest addictions to overcome. It's more difficult to quit nicotine than it is to quit cocaine. Being "smart and well educated" really has nothing to do with addiction.

I have a friend like this - I think that the overwhelming comfort of the addiction is too much to give up -

and she fears the loss more than dying. if a scare doesn't do it nothing will

G

The basic motivation is that the person does not feel the life heshe has is worth maintaining.

Those feelings may come from incidents in infancy, or childhood.