I am Raven and I am on day 5 of my latest-and last quit.
I have never been this far before without "just a taste" and am feeling proud of myself.
I have tried everything from prescription meds, shots, patches, hypnosis...nothing breaks the cycle for me.
This time I tried something new. I created my own self hypnosis tape using my own voice. I stopped smoking @ 9 pm Sat. night and the first 3 days were easy! No real cravings-no serious withdrawal. Usually I withdrawal so bad I am shaking and throwing up. None of that this time!
I am using the occasional Commit lozenge to help with the "Out of the Blue" type of situational craves. I am finding, on the whole, that this quit is easier and solid. I listen to my tape every night. I programed it for everything that I could think of that made it easy for me to fail before--such as seeing smoking objects or feeling stress. I programed it so that in a stressful situation-I say a certain word and I immediately start to relax with no need for a smoke. It is really helping a lot. I think the fact that, since it is my own voice I am hearing, I am more likely to trust in it and to believe in it.
Having said all that, yesterday and today have not been as easy as the first 3 days and I do not understand why. I was a pack and a half a day smoker for 24 years and the first 3 days of a quit usually have me throwing up, in serious pain, and almost violent in rage....none of that this time....yet today is worse than yesterday and I am missing smoking to a small degree and an in a bad mood. I have decided I really do need the support of a forum. I think I thought if I ignored it all, since it started so easy, that not focusing on it would make it all a piece of cake. I think now a little support would make it better.
I think I am more afraid than anything else..afraid I will fail and start smoking again. The pull is so strong sometimes. The "just one" mentality is creeping in. I am realizing how every thing I ever did in life was accompanied by smoking and now I am having to do all these things without that aid. I do not know how--I am learning how.
I keep telling myself things like "Non smokers do not need to smoke between work projects and neither do you," and "A non-smoker would not even consider smoking in this situation-it is silly-you are a non smoker so you certainly don't need to consider it either."
The programed word I use is "Free." When I start stressing or craving I say or think the word and it does drop the effect quite a bit--but I am frustrated and afraid.
Sunday I was so tired I literally could not get out of bed except to use the rest room. I didn't let it bother me as I marked it up to my body helping me get through day 1.
Monday at work I was real tired. Tuesday I was real tired and fuzzy headed. Wed I was clearer of head and had more energy but the cravings were stronger. Today they are stronger still but do not last long.
I hope to be able to help others and I hope to use the support of others to hold on to my quit. I do feel good about it-I just find the increase at day 5 to be troubling. Is it really going to get easier?
Thank you.
Raven
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Well done on your quit so far & welcome to the forum.
I would never have thought of making a tape of my reasons to quit, sounds like a darned good idea to me. Obviusly it ehlped you over the first 72 hours which s great.
Things will get easier over time beleive me. Everyone on here is brilliant & will give you sites to visit which have helped me enormously as well.
Keep strong, keep reading, keep posting. You WILL do it
Welcome to the forum and well done on the decision to quit possibly one of the most important you will ever make and you will be losing nothing but you will regain control of your life and that has to be good
You will find all the help and support you need on here as we all help each other just like a family we are here for you every step of the way cheering the good days and sympathiseing with the bad but the good far outweigh the bad
Read the posts on here you will find a lot of tips and advice and in the signatures of a lot you will find links to other sites just click on them Here are 2 I find very good to start you off whyquit.com and woofmang.com Read, read and then read some more as the more you read and learn about why you smoked and about your addiction the easier your quit will be
Post often to let us know how you're doing, to rant, rave have a moan whatever you like pretty much anything goes on here OK
Well done you on day 5 that's great just hang in there and bt the way that's a good post
Best Wishes
Marg xxxxxxxx
PS don't worry about being in the wrong spot it doesn't matter and the Moderators will move it if they want it where it should be OK
Welcome to the forum and well done on getting through to Day 5.
It really doesn't matter where you post, so don't worry about that. This forum is very supportive, and people will find you and offer help and support wherever you put your posts!
The answer to your question is a definite YES. It does get easier. There are times when it does not seem like it will - but it does. I can tell you this from my own experience, but also there is overwhelming evidence on this forum that backs this up.
I too found the first few days a "bit of a breeze" and that it was much tougher after about 1 week. Perhaps it was the initial euphoria of quitting wearing off. But stick with it and you will see that these difficult days will slip into the past.
well all i can say to you is well done for finding you anti-trigger support system.everyone has there own systems, so what ever works for you dude.:cool:
this is going to be a hard one for you, i've only made it to day 12 so far but i feel fantastic and the cravings are very infrequent even after just 12 days.
my triggers were alcohol, coffee, friends and stress.
i've had to avoid these things, to get me through the first stages.
but i have to admit despite all these benifits i am still a little sceptical whether i'll do it or not!
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