I have been a non-smoker since Dec 29th 2004, so that's... 15 months or something. I was 20+ a day etc. etc. When I stopped, I drank more, ate more.
Contrary to the 'information' on this (and other) sites, NRT *IS* addictive. As addictive as cigarettes. Sorry if that offends the people who a) sell it or b) don't want to frighten quitters off trying.
Having said that, using lozenges certainly helped me in my journey but I had to face a moment of giving THEM up which was actually, on reflection, harder than stopping burning cigarettes.
The other point I want to make is that I've trawled so many of these quitting sites / govt. / NHS help resources etc. What's missing from ALL of them (tell me if this is wrong, other successful quitters) is any discussion of the real consequence of smoking. I.E. why we do it: the fact that it surpresses HOW WE FEEL so that we do not FEEL pain / sadness / joy or whatever we need not to feel.
In my experience, THAT is what hits quitters like a ton of bricks and eating more, drinking more alcohol, using NRT or even going to the gym more is usually a way of shifting the addiction to some other behaviour so that we don't have to sit with those painful feelings.
Today, I am dope-free, drug-free, cigarette-free AND alchohol free. Before that, I was an ordinary, respectable professional person. When I quit smoking, the *emptiness* and *pointlessness* of life was suddenly overwhelming - but it sure as hell showed me how much work I needed to do to fix the root causes of my 'respectable' addictions.
I'm so PRO-QUIT, you wouldn't believe but I'm just angry that the whole of this smoking debate doesn't face up to the REAL effects on smoking and the real roots of the addictions that keep us trapped like slaves: - FEELINGS and our need to cover them up. When you've quit, look back at the resources / websites / articles that are out there to help you quit. Ask yourself 'where does anyone show me how to deal with feelings that will come the surface; that are the reasons I - and anyone - smoked, drank and used drugs in the first place?'
Why, as a culture, do we SO steadfastly refuse to acknowledge the psychological / emotional roots of addictions?
Good luck to everyone quitting and thinking about it. Its so worth it, but only if you're ready. Not just ready to quit, but ready to face the emotional growth that has to result (unless you just transfer your addiction somewhere else). Say goodbye to slavery but be prepared to face whatever it is that you've been avoiding all these smoking years.
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That is a very good point well made, i've tried to quit in the past and put my addictions on other areas, this time i want to stay a little more calm on the beer front and not root into anything else, and i KNOW theres possible psychological reasons to why i smoked, or picked up any other bad addictions just to get out of dealing with what needed dealing with.
Some things seem to be true for everyone (you can bet on it safely, every time) but everyone gets to learn it only in their own time, and you can't persuade anyone of anything they don't want to see And that's how it should be.
All I can say is that everyone I've EVER known (including me) who smoked seems to have had denial about their smoking and what was underneath it. Everyone I've ever known who smoked felt bad about it, got uncomfortable or angry talking about it, denied the depth of it, lied about how much, felt ashamed, trapped etc etc etc.
If my experience rings a bell and helps anyone to look at something deeper in themselves than they've been willing to do before that can help them do the work it takes to choose freedom, then I'm happy.
I am not smoking but I was trying to find the reason why people smoke. I knew it must be some deep pychological problem. I've seen several times that there needs to be an inner change in a person to be able to quit smoking and not to fall back after some months. So I was searching the web for answers but nothing convinced me until I saw your post here. You put it very well into words.
So most addictions are a form of trying to forget who you are, how it feels to be yourself. The most practical way to forget is of course smoking. A cig is always at hand. But smoking is also just a lightweight "forgetter". For some people that's not enough. Marijuana is the next step. Then comes alcohol. And so on. You can tell by the addiction how deep the pain must be one wants to avoid noticing.
hi retoh-smoking mainly is an addiction but there are a number that dnt get addicted. they start out of un and keep it to fun level-they may have a smoke in 5 mths once. its all human behavior patterns that you must understand i think. its right to say 99.9% of those who start get addicted and less than half of that % will ever want to quit and even lesser will eventually succeed!
I'm not smoking but I'm in a state of depression for about 10 years now. To me depression is also something I want to get rid of so it is probably quite similar to addiction. I always thought I could beat it one day. But more and more I come to the conclusion that I can do nothing. That the depression is there because "me" has created it and therefore "me" cannot cure it. I admit I have no power over it and only god can cure it if he wants to. This is changing my attitude and "me" who was always commenting and controlling everything is getting more and more quiet. I don't know if I'm going to be healthy but at least it's quite a relief not to have to be in charge anymore
oh my god sorry to be nosey i am quite new to packing in smoking n this forum - i have packed in for 6n half week wiv nrt(gum) - wot ive just read as answered my worse fear coming off the gum - im scared now - The thing is right if i fail to come off the gum n end up back on fags or addicted to gum or wotever will i just be another government statistic? - im glad ive read ur views everyone but at the same time wot i cant understand is that surely the length of time from not smoking to coming off the gum surely must help - please tell me it does? mmm i am now full of doubt & questioning whether nrt is a con and whether cold turkey happens whether or not anyway suppose id rather be addicted to nicoteen forever then smoking? maybe? :confused: thanks for listening
Sam has a point that I think many of us notice when we get to a certian point. I agree, that no one really mentions these points. None of these things should scare anyone away but be used as a tool to prepare.
what i would like to know is if your using nicotene patches do they stop you from getting the worst of the withdrawal syptoms or do they just delay them ??? im on patches and although i have mild withdrawal syptoms (there nothing like when i quit cold turkey previously) will i still feel that bad once i come off them?:eek:
I quit with patches and the withdrawal process from smoking was easier than cold turkey no doubt!!
When i stepped down from the patches there was no withdrawals for me at all.
Don't be dragged in by some peoples "holier than though" do goodering ways! everyone is different and people who claim to know "The only way" to do things are so far up there own A***s they can't see anyone elses needs.
you can see where ive been getting some of my worries from now lol. alot of what you read does give you huge inspiration and keeps you determined to do it, but as much as some is great other stuff can really start to send worrys spinning round your head. im feeling better after reading your post on my thread and on this one. thank you very very much. x
I'm so PRO-QUIT, you wouldn't believe but I'm just angry that the whole of this smoking debate doesn't face up to the REAL effects on smoking and the real roots of the addictions that keep us trapped like slaves: - FEELINGS and our need to cover them up. When you've quit, look back at the resources / websites / articles that are out there to help you quit. Ask yourself 'where does anyone show me how to deal with feelings that will come the surface; that are the reasons I - and anyone - smoked, drank and used drugs in the first place?'
Why, as a culture, do we SO steadfastly refuse to acknowledge the psychological / emotional roots of addictions?
Good luck to everyone quitting and thinking about it. Its so worth it, but only if you're ready. Not just ready to quit, but ready to face the emotional growth that has to result (unless you just transfer your addiction somewhere else). Say goodbye to slavery but be prepared to face whatever it is that you've been avoiding all these smoking years.
Sam, I can't believe how much I like your post and how much my thoughts are close to yours. Yes, for many smokers smoking and nicotine addiction is just a way to escape from reality and they really want not to solve their problems, because it's more easier to light up a cigarette than to make some real changes in their lives.
Smoking cigarettes is just a part of virtual reality this (modern) world is trying to obtrude us. If you really want to grow, quitting smoking is just a first step of your self-development.
I too believe your comments in a way, it is true the emotional attachment is sometimes stronger than the physical attachment. This is why people sometimes start again after months without nicotene in their system.
I think emotional addiction is more prevalent in cannabis smokers, ecstasy users, etc (more recreational drugs than 'over the counter' drugs) though, and far less so in cigarette smokers.
The loss you feel is so true. You have lost a friend when you stop smoking. Because that is the twisted way smokers see cigarettes. You have to realise the reality of cigarettes in order to fully recover.
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but I'm just angry that the whole of this smoking debate doesn't face up to the REAL effects on smoking and the real roots of the addictions that keep us trapped like slaves: - FEELINGS and our need to cover them up. When you've quit, look back at the resources / websites / articles that are out there to help you quit. Ask yourself 'where does anyone show me how to deal with feelings that will come the surface; that are the reasons I - and anyone - smoked, drank and used drugs in the first place?'
- The thing is right if i fail to come off the gum n end up back on fags or addicted to gum or wotever will i just be another government statistic? - im glad ive read ur views everyone but at the same time wot i cant understand is that surely the length of time from not smoking to coming off the gum surely must help - please tell me it does? mmm i am now full of doubt & questioning whether nrt is a con and whether cold turkey happens whether or not anyway suppose id rather be addicted to nicoteen forever then smoking? maybe? :confused: thanks for listening
