Hi everyone

[nsd_user663_9004]

Hello, I just thought I'd pop in here and introduce myself.

I quit smoking a couple of weeks ago, today is my 16th day without a cigarette. I'm using nicotine gum as a replacement for the moment but would like to get off that sooner rather than later - but one thing at a time!

It's been going OK so far, ups and downs as you'd expect, but I'm at the stage now where I'm starting to feel like I really don't smoke any more and that's excellent.

I don't want to get complacent though because I know that I could easily trip up if I think I've got this licked. So I thought I'd pop in here and talk to you guys for a bit of support. Can't believe I didn't think of it sooner actually!

So anyway... hello!

[nsd_user663_5920]

Hello

Good to hear you've got to day 16 and feeling OK and coping with the roller coaster that comes with quitting. Some great days, some not so great but the good days do improve so worth hanging in there.

I quit using patches but didn't want to keep with them to long due to just wanting to be on my own and dealing with whatever came my way. They were useful, as is the gum your using.

You'll get a good instinct for when to stop. I personally the think sooner is better than later but that was my choice and whilst i finished with the patches early, I didn't risk my quit either.

You'll see the same advice here repeatedly and that is to read the links in sigs for knowledge and expectation of what may come your way. It really helps as does reading ahead in Month 1, 2 3 etc. Forewarned etc etc

All the best

Pol

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Guy

Well done you 16 days is great and you're doing really well

Don't worry about coming off the gum just yet as it's working for you OK

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 quitting whyquit.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

[nsd_user663_8351]

Hi Guy!

I would agree with Marg - it really doesn't matter about the NRT, don't force it - you'll stop using the gum or whatever when you're ready, there's no real benefit in forcing the issue.

Great that you're doing so well, day 16 is a great achievement and you sound like you're not finding it too hard going, which is brilliant!

You're right - complacency is the killer, which is why forums like this are so great - tons of wise advice and warnings to be found in these pages, so keep reading, keep posting, and keep your eyes on the prize!

Lottie x

[nsd_user663_9004]

Thanks Pol, Marg & Lottie! I've been exploring some of the links in people's signatures, etc. and they contain some good stuff.

I've quit before for 8 months so I know I can get that far at least. That was about seven years ago, though, and it was complacency that got me back on the fags. We'd had a house party and after everyone had left I saw that someone had left a pack of fags lying around. I thought "I'll just have one to remind myself what they're like, it's been so long it can't possibly be a problem now" and so I smoked one cigarette and didn't stop until last month.

I was drunk at the time, though, and I no longer drink alcohol. So I won't fall into exactly the same trap this time round. It's all the other traps I need to watch out for.

I'm not beating myself up about the NRT. I'd like to get off the gum because frankly it tastes revolting (although I think it's improved in the last seven years! I used gum last time too...) I can understand why some people would like to do it without NRT because with it I'm still using nicotine, after all. But the killer for me is breaking the physical habits when it comes to smoking. The little rituals and the associations with particular times and moods and things like that.

Breaking the actual addiction to nicotine can wait - right now I'm getting used to not holding a cigarette, not setting fire to them, not putting them into my mouth and not inhaling the smoke.

So far so good though!