23rd Day Newbie - A bit worried

[nsd_user663_5110]

Hi everyone,

Although this is my first post I have been reading the forum over the last couple of weeks and would just like to say how brilliant I think it is that there is somewhere we can all come anytime of the day to support each other. I think your all fantastic with the encouragement you give each other and Margret, you are doing an amazing job!

Today is my 23rd day smoke free which I'm very pleased to be able to say! This is my 4th attempt at quitting cold turkey and definitely the last! The reason for my post is that I have got to around this point before in the past (27 days is the record) and it's always the dreaded alcohol that has made me start smoking again.

I've got my work Christmas party tomorrow where I'll be drinking quite a lot. I'm not really sure what I'm asking for here but if anyone could just give me some advice that they've used to help them through a boozy night smoke free that would be brilliant.

Many thanks everyone, now I've done my first post you'll be hearing a lot more from me I'm sure!

Rob.

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Rob

I'm pleased you decided to join our family and well done on your 23 days smoke free that's great keep it going

For the works do tomorrow please try not to fret about it what I did and advice others to do is to decide just how much you'll drink before you go and then stick to it when you reach the amount decided on then switch to soft drinks and all will be well and enjoy the party smoke free OK I know most of us wonder how we'll cope with so many things without a fag having a drink being just one of them but you know I have found that everything I do including having a few drinks is so much nicer smoke free

Most of us on here have had more than one attempt and I lost count the number of times I tried and failed over the years

Below is my standard welcome and advice post which I try and give all new members

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 sympathising 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

This link is good for the psychological part of quittingwhyquit.com/whyquit/A_Sympt...

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

Love

Marg xx

[nsd_user663_4847]

In all honesty Rob

My advice would be to have an exit strategy and keep to it, do you really want to redo the last 23 days ever again? Especially as you went CT?

In my first week went for beers with a good friend who smokes, at 6 days he grinned through a picture window whilst outside having a fag, pantomining how fab the fag was, he wanted me out with him and not inside in the warm.

At 2 weeks visited some rels who smoked, always was about being able to get away.

Also didn't drink much was worried about caving in and the fear I'd never feel strong enough to do it again.

My other suggestion woud be to have your list of reasons with you and look at them every time you need to hand over the dosh for a beer.

Keep strong and don't take another puff and maybe for just one year it's worth leaving early if it helps keep your quit, you'll also be stronger for the rest of the christmas do's and New Year.

M

[nsd_user663_2040]

Hi Rob

Welcome to the forum and well done for getting so far CT....respect.

These triggers are a pain but the fact you have recognised it before hand will probably mean it is something you can deal with. It tends to be the one we dont expect that catch people out.

Good luck....xx

[nsd_user663_5110]

Thanks for your replies guys, MAH I've taken your advice and written all the reasons I'm quitting into my phone to be armed with tomorrow night - it's a long old list!

Thanks very much for the encouragement Lorna, and congratulations on being a fellow non-smoker too!

[nsd_user663_6327]

Hi Robbiedoug - you are almost my twin, I'm on day 24 and have ditched the nico patches and am now CT since Monday.

I would suggest you read the article in my sig. - its spot on - I've been thinking about that Ahh moment and evidently, it doesn't happen when you have quit. So my advice is, read all of that and hang in there. Gotta be worth it and as it says in someones signature, we all give up smoking one day, one way or another - food for thought! Resist my friend, you are doing well. xx Common almost twin, spur me on, please? xx

[nsd_user663_5110]

Hello all,

Just wanted to say a very good morning to everyone from a very hungover and slightly still drunk Rob! (It's early I know!)

Fantastic news and hopefully a spur on for everyone else on week 3.................I went the whole of the Christmas party smoke free!!!! Really pleased and I feel like I've climbed over a really high wall here as it was always booze that ruined previous quits.

Thanks to everyone for their tips, and to my twin VivienneC - Great to have someone on the same quit day as me, stay strong fellow 25 dayyer quit buddy, we have this nicotine demon on his arse and he's really squirming!

[nsd_user663_6327]

Well done Rob on getting through the Christmas Party without a smoke, great news and another sling in the eye for the nico demon.

We are doing great - keep up the good work us!! Keep posting Rob and let us know how you are doing, everyone is very supportive on here. xx

[nsd_user663_6570]

Hi Robbiedoug

well done on getting through the party. you will find lots of support on here and nice you have vivienne as a twin.. she lovely and has given me loads of support.

you will find lots of advice off people on here.

I have a long list of reasons I hate smoking and a list of what I like being smoke free on my kitchen wall which i rea each day. also I count on my calender how much I would have spent on cigs to spur me on.. I am £100 better off as of today...

kep it up

sue x:)

[nsd_user663_4847]

Hello all,

Just wanted to say a very good morning to everyone from a very hungover and slightly still drunk Rob! (It's early I know!)

Fantastic news and hopefully a spur on for everyone else on week 3.................I went the whole of the Christmas party smoke free!!!! Really pleased and I feel like I've climbed over a really high wall here as it was always booze that ruined previous quits.

Thanks to everyone for their tips, and to my twin VivienneC - Great to have someone on the same quit day as me, stay strong fellow 25 dayyer quit buddy, we have this nicotine demon on his arse and he's really squirming!

Well Done Robbie

How are you feeling now, should be week four soon and your first month? An excellent quit building there - you should be very proud of yourself and what you've achieved. Many don't manage to quit for as long as you have. Keep your quit, protect it and keep it strong.

M

[nsd_user663_5034]

Well done Robbie....bet ya feel great now;).....and proud....WELL DONE YOU

[nsd_user663_5110]

Hi guys,

Sorry for late reply. Thanks to everyone who posted for their messages, speak soon!

Rob.

[nsd_user663_4990]

Really glad you got through the party ok, you are still practicing at the no-smoking thing, so this victory at the party should now show you that you can do the partying without having to make an excuse every hour to nip outside to slowly kill yourself.

new years eve soon, and possibly a few family gatherings? these are also going to be good practice for you to not smoke.. parties are fun enough anyway without cigs.