I replased, feeling bad

[nsd_user663_61987]

Hello,

After 32 days without smoking I relapsed today

I went out to drink with a couple of friends today, I din't smoke when around them but on my way home I got 2 cigs and smoked them just now.

I got through the past month without many cravings despite being surrounded by smokers and drinking regularly. Today I had 4 large beers and was completely fine as I usually drink rum and usually lots of it without getting drunk.

To be honest, the first cig gave me a tingling sensation throught my body not the usual high that I get when I smoke them. I lit the second one just to prove myself that I don't like them anymore and it was kinda true. I smoked it and din't feel a thing. I just smoked so that it gets over and don't feel like smoking again now.

I don't know what I am getting up to tomorrow. Will I like them ? Will I think about smoking as soon as I get up tomorrow like before ?

I really don't know what more to say now. Would like to hear from people who've relapsed like me for advice.

Regards,

John

[nsd_user663_2681]

Hi John,

Firstly sorry to hear about this, I've relapsed too most recently in March after a 12 week quit, everybody is totally different, there are people on here who have smoked got up the next morning and carried on successfully, although in my experience they are few and far between...others have blipped and taken a few weeks or even longer to get back to quitting again, as I said everyone is different, just see how you feel in the morning, the main thing is try not to feel too bad, it was a mistake and you will learn from it for next time, if you really dwell on it and feel down it might encourage you to smoke more... Fingers crossed you will be one of the lucky ones and just carry on from where you left off x

[nsd_user663_59644]

Hello,

After 32 days without smoking I relapsed today

I went out to drink with a couple of friends today, I din't smoke when around them but on my way home I got 2 cigs and smoked them just now.

I got through the past month without many cravings despite being surrounded by smokers and drinking regularly. Today I had 4 large beers and was completely fine as I usually drink rum and usually lots of it without getting drunk.

To be honest, the first cig gave me a tingling sensation throught my body not the usual high that I get when I smoke them. I lit the second one just to prove myself that I don't like them anymore and it was kinda true. I smoked it and din't feel a thing. I just smoked so that it gets over and don't feel like smoking again now.

I don't know what I am getting up to tomorrow. Will I like them ? Will I think about smoking as soon as I get up tomorrow like before ?

I really don't know what more to say now. Would like to hear from people who've relapsed like me for advice.

Regards,

John

You know, we all want to quit and having a smoke just reinforces the fact that you want to quit,

You can re start your quit tomorrow, if you want, and you do want !

Jet keep trying to quit, you can quit

[nsd_user663_62023]

I think Donna is totally correct, there are some people who can pick themselves up and carry on the next day. I am not one of them.

I have lost a quit by just 'trying' a cigarette not because of any great problem or crave just because I 'fancied' one and I was convinced that as I didn't need one it was not going to effect me. I then lasted another 4 weeks before I fancied another one. The next time 3 weeks then 2 weeks etc etc. You can see where this is going!

I thought that quit had lasted 4months and after 4 months I was climbing the walls as I had massive cravings and I thought I really can't do this. If I am still craving after 4 months then quitting is not worth the pain.

I had not quit for 4 months though. I had done week 1 4 or 5 times and if you think back to week 1 it was horrendous.

The real problem with this particular quit was that it was so exhausting and soul destroying (I was conviced I'd quit for 4 months which was rubbish) that it took me two years to try again.

I hope you wake up feeling fine and you can carry on but please be careful that you aren't stumbling into the trap that I did. NOPE has become my mantra, there is no such thing as one cigarette.

Not One Puff Ever

[nsd_user663_18145]

well said Sued

having that one or two can make you think you can be an occasional smoker but it wont work for long before that nic demon gets his claws in you again :eek:

i really hope you wake up this morning john and decide not to smoke anymore

just put it behind you and start again dont beat yourself up about it just forgive yourself and join the NOPE group it is the best group to be in

i would def go and treat yourself to something nice today too

after all you did go 32 days without smoking that is a great achievement

as long as you dont stop giving up you will win this battle

onwards and upwards is the only way to go

x

[nsd_user663_60964]

Hi John,

Some very wise words from the others and there is little I can add other than I am sorry you came a bit of a cropper. I think you can and will learn from the experience and next time you'll be that little bit stronger. I should think about the progress of events and see if you can identify exactly what the trigger was so it won't rear up and trip you again.

As for the future- whether you pick up your quit where you left it when you get up this morning or whether you decide to wait a while before starting afresh, stick around, keep posting, keep reading and talk to us. We'll all be here for you.

[nsd_user663_61987]

Thank you all for the wonderful advice.

I wanted to reply in the morning but got caught up with some work, so apologize for the delay.

I haven't smoked today, nor did I feel like smoking I am going to consider this as a slip and continue with my quit without going back to day one. Hope this is okay ?

Also since I din't feel like smoking today after the 2 cigarettes yesterday, it did come to my mind that I could be a social smoker. However, after hearing from people who've gone through the same I would stay clear of such traps.

Thank you Donna, Tracey, Carol, Skiddaw, Jenny and Sued. I really appreciate the time you spend helping others with their quit.

Regards,

John

[nsd_user663_60964]

You're welcome John.

Glad you're feeling better and a huge well done for just picking up where you lef off. There are very, very few of us who could do (or have done) that. All I would say is don't, for anyone's sake, start imagining you could be a social smoker. Been there, done that, it doesn't work John, honestly it doesn't. Social smokers aren't on the forum because they don't need to be.

I'm really, really convinced that NOPE is the only way for any of us to go if we're truly intending to be smoke-free.

Anyway, onwards and upwards!

[nsd_user663_61377]

I would imagine the majority of us have been right where you are now so we all know what its like. Just see it as a slip up, a test; and carry on as if it never happened.

In numerous quits before I fooled myself so many times with saying 'one cigarette on a friday evening is ok' or 'a few cigarettes on a night out is fine'... that soon became a trail of excuses and before I knew it, I was smoking more than ever, still convinced I was running a successful quit! The mind plays amazing tricks on us. Sadly for us, as ex smokers, there is no such thing as 'just one' and it takes lots of guts and determination to not let go if we do have that one or two. Its so easy to be consumed with disgust and disappointment... and the longer the quit goes on, the bigger the fall if we give in.

So see it as a learning experience and put it to the back of your mind that it happened. its no big deal.. you said you got nothing much from it so least you saw you dont 'need' them. Im quit now almost 7 months, cold turkey. While I have major attacks of cravings and almost slipped so many times... it does get easier as the time goes on and you almost forget about smoking completely until you smell it on the street or off someone.. and its vile! it really is.

So hang on in there and keep posting. We all know what its like.

[nsd_user663_2681]

Hi John,

It's good to her you got nothing from it and I really hope going forward you continue in your quit, all the very best to you xx