Road to Damascus moment….

[nsd_user663_56588]

Just been standing in the shower wondering why I’m so miserable, why I feel so rough, why my body feels like it’s changing, why I feel like there’s something missing……then I had the ‘lightbulb’ moment.

Don’t think I’ve ever fully understood the enormity of giving up smoking before. How I’ve been pumping that addictive filth into my body for years and years and years, and suddenly, I’ve taken it all away. I know my body will thank me in the future, but at the moment, it’s fighting between wanting it back in its system so badly and not being able to have it.

Was it Allan Carr that said smoking is more addictive than heroin (or maybe I read it on a cigarette packet?). So we are all effectively recovering drug addicts? I don’t think I’ve ever thought of it that way before when stopping smoking. No wonder it’s so blooming hard sometimes! :confused:

Positives will always outweigh any negatives in this situation of course! Rant over!

[nsd_user663_56237]

Well said Max

Yes, if you let him, that dirty nico demon will drag you down and kill you. What do you get in return? Nothing. Absolutely bugger all. It can be so hard to admit that as a smoker, but once you realise just how little you gain this journey begins to make sense.

We are drug addicts, but the physical side of the addiction is gone (as long as you're not using NRT), so it's mainly just sorting out your head and chucking away the years of brainwashing that you've had!

I do love a good lightbulb moment

[nsd_user663_56588]

You are absolutely right Max, it was my constant companion that got me through many life events! It really does feel that I'm going through a mourning phase for a lost friend. I know it’s an illusion, but boy, what a powerful psychological hold nicotine clearly has over us……again, something I’ve don’t think I’ve ever realised before! :confused:

Every day’s a school day with this giving up smoking malarkey!

Onwards and upwards

[nsd_user663_56588]

That's exactly it Sarah Lou...Brainwashing!

I think it may be time to dust down Allan Carr's Easyway book again. I love that book, it all makes perfect sense to me......oh, and of course, have a rant on the forum now and again so others can reassure me that I am not going mad!

[nsd_user663_54332]

Sounds like a plan Suze, the physical bit is soooooo small, our biggest battle I am convinced is with the deeply implanted brainwashing that we all have about why we smoke and that takes a hell of a lot of time and effort to remove! As far as I'm concerned Mr Carr should've been knighted at the very least!

What Kat said!!

We *are* drug addicts, unfortunately. I know an alcoholic, and her counsellor asked her why she self-harmed. She said she didn't - oh, he said but you're an alcoholic and you smoke - that's self harm. That was her lightbulb moment for the booze, although she still smokes sadly.