The Results are in and the top 3 causes / warnings for Relapsing are...............

[RoisinO1]

1.Stress (23)

2.Complacency of ‘One won’t hurt’ (18)

3.Alcohol (11)

37 members participated in the Poll out of our 40 active members.

So, what can we do to prevent ourselves from relapsing with these 3 most common warnings / causes?

I am just over 10 months smoke free and how I overcame the above curve balls I will share now. I realise everyone’s quit is unique to themselves and what works for me may not work for someone else.

I put out my last cigarette on 17 September 2015 at 03:15am after waking up in a fit of coughing and couldn’t get my breath. I really thought I was going to die. When it eventually eased, I lay there waiting for my breathing to return to normal and made the decision there and then that I would go downstairs and have my last cigarette. I went down stairs, got a cigarette and lighter, opened up the patio door and lit up the cigarette, took 2 long puffs and stamped it out. That was the last cigarette that touched my lips – 10 months ago.

I was on 1 weeks annual leave which was a blessing in disguise as doing it cold turkey I was pulling my hair out from really Day 4 to Day 10 – the internet and researching addiction was my saviour. But for the first week or so I had a very anxious feeling in my stomach of how I was going to handle stress and not give in especially at work as we were going through our 3rd redundancy process. I was one of those smokers that always smoked like a train with the false euphoria that smoking relieved stress. So, I said to myself, how can I cope with stress differently now I don’t smoke.

My answer was simply to speak up and ask for help which is what I did and it relieved the stress at work. I also started breathing exercises and would take myself away from a situation if it got too much for me and do them. Ice cold water is great too to calm you and make you think clearer. For home stresses, I found having ‘Me’ time helped and pampering myself, even if it is just relaxing in a bath or going for a walk.....

With regards the complacency of ‘One won’t hurt’, I always thought back to the night I put out my last cigarette and say the mantra ‘Not One Puff Ever’.

The alcohol was really only nostalgic and never really bothered me as for some reason I never done the 2 together as hated going outside to smoke after developing a horrendous chest infection going out in sub zero conditions to smoke a few years ago.

I know I must have that sword up to attack for some time yet but it is getting easier and easier as each day passes.

Please believe that it does get easier.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES OF HOW YOU DEAL WITH THESE WARNINGS AND COME THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE AND NOT SMOKE......

[Tracey3 1 Year Smoke Free]

What a wonderful post indeed, and yes we are all unique, alcohol never ever effects my quit, neither coffee, but the walk home from work, is oooooh so difficult, association, to timings, rituals, habits, all contributes to what we think about quitting.

For me this time, my I say after a few failed attempts is to make this as easy as I can, I have found this truly helpful, that's not to say, bad days here and there ( after all it is a addiction like any other) but just realising our bodies are not meant to have a white stick with smoke coming out.

It's quite a light bulb moment, just looks so very odd now.

But I always will need the forum as a back up, or indeed those troubled times.

So here I am to stay.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Tracey3]

Well said Tracey3

[Hercu Valued Contributor]

Thank you Roisin... !!

[Eire_Cailin75 6 Months Smoke Free]

Thanks for a great poll RoisinO1 , was good to read the replies of experiences, my relapse made the top 3 so now know it is vital for me to stay away from alcohol.

Alot of work went into this and your story is so inspiring, thank you!

[Hidden]

better late than never

I'm on my first week.i should be 200 days

I got to comfortable.I let my guard down.

I let stress.worries.silly problems blur my thoughts.

I advise you and indeed myselth.

be ready.always on guard

.dont get to comfortable

do keep fighting

I'm on my way again.I will not be back to any day one again

strength to al.

all take care 😊

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Hidden]

Great fighting talk Lizzy!