SMOKERS... LETS KICK the HABIT!!

[uniquetobeme]

I slipped up I had some major stress over the weekend and I went out on Friday night...None today though and I don't plan on starting back up. Almost bought more nicorrete today to keep for those moments of extreme weakness, but because they are so expensive, I will try to be stronger next time. It's really hard to live with smokers when I have those moments of weakness. Haven't smoked all day, but have had a craving to smoke. Well, here I go again...

Originally Posted by uniquetobeme

I slipped up I had some major stress over the weekend and I went out on Friday night...None today though and I don't plan on starting back up. Almost bought more nicorrete today to keep for those moments of extreme weakness, but because they are so expensive, I will try to be stronger next time. It's really hard to live with smokers when I have those moments of weakness. Haven't smoked all day, but have had a craving to smoke. Well, here I go again...

Hop up on the carpet again m'dear. There's a revolving door but careful, make sure that the door doesn't revolve too quickly and keep you spinning round and round

Yanno yesterday I suggested a Nicorette inhalator and I know they cost dollars but what's more important, a few dollars or your desire to quit smoking? Consider it an investment in your future.

It's always gonna be hard to quit whether you live with smokers or not. Again, as I said yesterday, it takes monumental amounts of will-power to do this regardless of your living situation. You can do it. You live with smokers huh? Do they care about you? Are they supportive of your decision to quit? Ask them smoke outside...it may be cold but that just means they'll either smoke less or quicker! It could be their contribution to helping you quit.

I guess I got lucky, or not depending on your point of view, that I lived alone when I was quitting. It would have been so easy just to have a smoke when the cravings hit and no-one would ever have known but I found other things to do. My stairs had never been vacuumed so much

There's a phrase I use/d for myself (and am currently using on a daily basis) many times and have said to many other addicts, whatever their addiction, and that is - There are no reasons to smoke/drink/use only excuses. Smoking/drinking/using is an extremely temporary relief, the stress will still be there whether you have a ciggie or 5 or not.

So, in saying all that, welcome back to the magic carpet and may the force be with you.


...and finally a and a for all those who are getting comfortably esconced on the non-smoking magic carpet, may the force be with you, just for today too.








ps. Day 20

[spike]

Originally Posted by uniquetobeme

I slipped up I had some major stress over the weekend and I went out on Friday night...None today though and I don't plan on starting back up. Almost bought more nicorrete today to keep for those moments of extreme weakness, but because they are so expensive, I will try to be stronger next time. It's really hard to live with smokers when I have those moments of weakness. Haven't smoked all day, but have had a craving to smoke. Well, here I go again...

Hey...you will be fine. You know you can call me if you are in a spot. I would do the same if it were me, I know you are there for me...You are a strong woman and you can do it. I have complete faith in you.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by uniquetobeme

I slipped up I had some major stress over the weekend and I went out on Friday night...None today though and I don't plan on starting back up. Almost bought more nicorrete today to keep for those moments of extreme weakness, but because they are so expensive, I will try to be stronger next time. It's really hard to live with smokers when I have those moments of weakness. Haven't smoked all day, but have had a craving to smoke. Well, here I go again...

But, if you buy nicorette, won't you be ADDING nicotine to your system? You are off all nicotine right now. Why put more in, to only then have to come off of that nicotine? Remember, each time you take a piece of nicorette and add nicotine to your system, 20 minutes after you toss it out, your body has to go through the withdrawal process of the nicotine you just put in it (that is why we desire cig after cig...20 minutes after a cig is gone nicotine starts to leave our system, so we pick up another to get rid of the craving...to get that nicotine back in us to keep a steady level..there is no difference with the gum...you will come back to the same place over and over again).

I know it is hard. Try to just forgive yourself for the slip and go back to doing what it was you were doing to stay off of all nicotine.

[Lady Pamela]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

But, if you buy nicorette, won't you be ADDING nicotine to your system? You are off all nicotine right now. Why put more in, to only then have to come off of that nicotine? Remember, each time you take a piece of nicorette and add nicotine to your system, 20 minutes after you toss it out, your body has to go through the withdrawal process of the nicotine you just put in it (that is why we desire cig after cig...20 minutes after a cig is gone nicotine starts to leave our system, so we pick up another to get rid of the craving...to get that nicotine back in us to keep a steady level..there is no difference with the gum...you will come back to the same place over and over again).

I know it is hard. Try to just forgive yourself for the slip and go back to doing what it was you were doing to stay off of all nicotine.

Ok, I agree it will be adding nicotine to your body. That is truely harder. But for people as myself, that was the only way to get things going for me personally.
Some people need a boost. Or a way to get rid of the triggers and habbits before they can cut it dry. Neither is wrong . Just saying.
The final goal is quitting, no matter what it takes to get there.

Just saying this from my own things I personally have tried.

But I will say, the cutting down process and then patches and cutting down is a lot longer process.

Still smoke free and on my 17th day.

Keep it up everyone!

[uniquetobeme]

Originally Posted by tawalters1963

Hey...you will be fine. You know you can call me if you are in a spot. I would do the same if it were me, I know you are there for me...You are a strong woman and you can do it. I have complete faith in you.

Thank you :-) I am doing much better...now, if i could just get rid of this head cold! Sinus headaches are no fun! I haven't had a craving today and I think I had one yesterday, but it passed quickly and my stress level has decreased greatly.

Thanks for the support!

[spike]

Originally Posted by uniquetobeme

Thank you :-) I am doing much better...now, if i could just get rid of this head cold! Sinus headaches are no fun! I haven't had a craving today and I think I had one yesterday, but it passed quickly and my stress level has decreased greatly.

Thanks for the support!

I'm glad you are doing good. I now have your silly head cold/sinus headache. Thanx for sharing. I'm glad we can share such things being the friends we are...lol

[uniquetobeme]

Originally Posted by tawalters1963

I'm glad you are doing good. I now have your silly head cold/sinus headache. Thanx for sharing. I'm glad we can share such things being the friends we are...lol

Sharing is caring :-). But, seriously, I'm sorry you got sick. I will try to both keep my germs to myself and to avoid smoking and smokers when I'm feeling weak. I will not not buy the nicotine. I debated on it thinking I could use it in emergencies, but, in reality, I would just keep using it and having multiple emergencies, because that is how my brain works (or doesn't work LOL)

So far, so good, no desire to smoke, thank goodness!

Don't give up!

[spike]

Originally Posted by uniquetobeme

Sharing is caring :-). But, seriously, I'm sorry you got sick. I will try to both keep my germs to myself and to avoid smoking and smokers when I'm feeling weak. I will not not buy the nicotine. I debated on it thinking I could use it in emergencies, but, in reality, I would just keep using it and having multiple emergencies, because that is how my brain works (or doesn't work LOL)

So far, so good, no desire to smoke, thank goodness!

Don't give up!

You are so awesome, Miss. Keep up the good work.

[Lady Pamela]

Day 18 still going strong.
Just wanted to make an appearance..smiles

Not feeling well so not much words to say other than,

Keep on going ya all...smiles


Have a wonderful night.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Lady Pamela

Ok, I agree it will be adding nicotine to your body. That is truely harder. But for people as myself, that was the only way to get things going for me personally.
Some people need a boost. Or a way to get rid of the triggers and habbits before they can cut it dry. Neither is wrong . Just saying.
The final goal is quitting, no matter what it takes to get there.

Just saying this from my own things I personally have tried.

But I will say, the cutting down process and then patches and cutting down is a lot longer process.

Still smoke free and on my 17th day.

Keep it up everyone!

Hi, Lady Pamela.

I was speaking specifically to uniquetobeme who I think (or at least thought?...could you please clarify, uniquetobeme?) to have been using no nicotine replacement for a period of time. Subsequently, she would be adding nicotine to her body that was free of nicotine.

[Lady Pamela]

As of midnight I am starting my 20th day non smoking.
Still shaking my head in amazment...smiles

Keep it up!

Originally Posted by Lady Pamela

As of midnight I am starting my 20th day non smoking.
Still shaking my head in amazment...smiles

Keep it up!

Go you!

20 days is a fabbalus achievement. I hope that every day brings you greater resolve and strength.

May the force be with you and everyone else on and wishing to be on the non smoking magic carpet






ps. Day 23

[uniquetobeme]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Hi, Lady Pamela.

I was speaking specifically to uniquetobeme who I think (or at least thought?...could you please clarify, uniquetobeme?) to have been using no nicotine replacement for a period of time. Subsequently, she would be adding nicotine to her body that was free of nicotine.

Yes, that is right. I had gone awhile without taking any nicotine. I slipped up, and thought that maybe having a supplement of some type may help in an emergency...but I realized I would just end up using them.

I passed someone smoking in a truck and I had to LOOK AWAY! I feel so weak but I'm being strong

We often feel weak when giving up an addiction uniquetobeme. It's giving up a crutch that has helped hold us up in good times, bad times, meh times, infact all times.

Yanno, I see folks smoking now and feel just a little smug. Not in an 'I'm better than you' way but in a 'hah I'm so glad I'm free of that compulsion' way. There was a time when I couldn't look at a smoker with a cig in their hand either. If that's what it takes then that's what you do.

It's all about finding what works for you. There are so many handy hints and tips in this thread from those of us who have successfully given up and remained 'given up' that you can take your pick and try them all.

Take your power back. Do you want to allow nicotine and smoking to continue to have this hold on you?

You have to be your own best cheerleader. I can't stress enough the power of having a really positive non-smoking self-talk running through your head, even if only in the background like a quiet radio, most of the time. That worked for me.

May the force be with you and to all who are on and want to be on the non-smoking magic carpet.




ps. Day 24

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by uniquetobeme

Yes, that is right. I had gone awhile without taking any nicotine. I slipped up, and thought that maybe having a supplement of some type may help in an emergency...but I realized I would just end up using them.

I passed someone smoking in a truck and I had to LOOK AWAY! I feel so weak but I'm being strong

Good for you for staying strong after the slip! In your situation, the hardest thing for me would be to have smoking roommates. I am impressed with your strength. Keep it up! It WILL get easier! I know that is hard to believe now, but there really will come a day when it isn't all you think about 24/7.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Incubus

Yanno, I see folks smoking now and feel just a little smug. Not in an 'I'm better than you' way but in a 'hah I'm so glad I'm free of that compulsion' way. There was a time when I couldn't look at a smoker with a cig in their hand either. If that's what it takes then that's what you do.

SNIP

Take your power back. Do you want to allow nicotine and smoking to continue to have this hold on you?


ps. Day 24

I know exactly what you are talking about when it comes to feeling free. I did not realize this "side effect", so to speak of quitting, but it really is true. It is SO very nice to not worry about having cigs, where I am allowed to smoke, when I will be able to smoke (work, events), how to cover up the smoke smell so I don't offend others at work, etc. It was actually quite energy consuming and time consuming. So, add that to the benefit list of quitting!

Also, the part about feeling you have the power and that something else (nicotine) doesn't have a hold of you is another side effect I didn't realize would be so powerful. For whatever reason when I was smoking it didn't bother me...after I quit, I was almost embarrassed that I let myself get in a situation where a substance had the power to pull me around by the nose (if that makes any sense).

Great stuff, Incubus! You always have great insight to share with the quitters here (I think that is great!)!

Also...CONGRATS on day 24!

[Lady Pamela]

3 Weeks SMOKE FREE today

I must say it has brought me back to a humble space.
Without the help of those here, devine intervention and those who love and support me elsewhere this journey would have been very difficylt.

Sometimes the words in my head are louder than my strength and I find it in showing up for others at that time. Don't get me wrong, I am strong and I show up for myself. But this demon on my shoulder at times is loud..ha

Thanks for all your support.

Those on the ride, glad to have you here with me. Together we can do it!

[uniquetobeme]

No more slip ups I remember when I smoked I hated how it controlled me, how I would have to take a break and smoke or I would not be able to focus at work. I would have to smoke. I hated it. I have been feeling much stronger. Thank you all for helping I feel like you all are back up strength, like a strength boost when I feel like I may slip up

[Lady Pamela]

3 weeks and 3 days...and still counting..smiles

24 days today...Yippieeee..

Keep it up if your on the ride..It is worth it..hard but definately worth it!