PLEASE! Anyone else....

[goldengirl80401]

struggling to quit smoking while going through panic/anxiety and depression?? I am, and it seems to make everything worse. I SO badly want to quit and each night I tell myself I will do better the next day. Sometimes I do, and other days I don't. I am terrified to quit and terrified not to. It's a love/hate relationship. Anyone?? Thank you.

[goldengirl80401]

Thanks. I found it and have been reading all the posts. However, no one on that sit seems to also be dealing with panic/anxiety and depression. I SO VERY happy for them, truly ,but i need to know from people who are also dealing with panic/anxiety/depression. I am going to continue reading ALL the posts, though. Thank you!

[reinagrace]

Hi in my last private msg to you (not sure if you saw), I empathized that although I don't have smoking addiction i do have sugar addiction, and these chemicals in general make anxiety/depression worse. But I would say most people with an addiction- like alcohol esp., got that way bc initially they had anxiety of some sort and used alcohol/food/gambling, whatever, to find comfort. Have you tried a 12 steps group meeting? like alcoholics anonymous, but i prefer the Celebrate Recovery program-the same 12 steps but Christian based. i searched and saw that CO does have some churches with this program. The 12 steps aren't just for alcoholics, but for any addiction, and so meeting and sharing with others who struggle might help. I used to have a very bad pill addiction- used to heavily abuse xanax/ambien/vicodin etc. but am now over 2 years sober. Actually, honestly it was professional counseling that helped me the most vs. Celebrate Recovery, but i have seen that program work for many and still occasionally attend the meetings- if only for fellowship/company. But it's good to have that support.

[Lovequestion in reply to reinagrace]

Twelve step programs are good for everyone not just addicts. We can all stand a little humility.

[Hidden]

It took me a couple years to quit. I've tried the patches, the gum, cold turkey, everything. What worked for me was weening myself off slowly. Days that I struggled more with my depression were a lot harder. But I made small goals. Example: if I smoked a pack a day that I would smoke one cig less for two weeks. And the next two weeks I'd smoke one or two less. Until I got to the last two. And then I just went cold turkey as I went on a vacation abroad. Taking myself out of my environment the last few helped a lot with cravings.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Also, I did it in a phase where my depression wasn't severe. I couldn't do it when it was really bad because that was my go-to when I was sad. But if you have the willingness and drive, it's def possible.

[Lovequestion]

I quit smoking on January 1, I know it is kinda cliche'. I wanted to remember the date I changed my life for the better. I smoked ciggerettes for 47 of my 58 years of life. I was a confirmed smoker, without a thought of what it doing to until I was 48 and they told me I have emphysema. I tried everything patches, lozengures, Chantix, and cold turkey and none of it worked for me. Then I had surgery and my oxygen level dropped really low. They told me I would need oxygen if I did not quit. I joined a app called Livestrong, which kept track of my cutting back and had it own community to message and get feedback from other smokers and ex-smokers. I cut back until I got to 5 ciggerettes and I couldn't get below 5. Therefore, I quit cold turkey. Everyday when I wanted a ciggerettes, I would tell myself I was a non-smoker. This seemed to work for me. I really credit the app that kept track of my quitting process, everyone (smokers and non-smokers) were very positive and encouraging. I hope this helped and good luck on quitting.