Stopped on the 1st of January - quitting was ok, but only because I’ve limited what I do. But normal life beckons...

[Notsosmoky]

👋🏼 Everyone! Apologies for the lengthy post but I’ve just found this group while sleepless - looking for answers as to why it feels like the cravings are getting much worse... and by reading other people’s posts and responses I can see this is a great community. I quit on the 1st of January after 23 years of smoking 😱. Obviously I know I’m still in very early days. I haven’t chosen to use any nicotine replacement therapys yet. Fortunately I never was a heavy smoker, but I just want to be free from this disgusting habit now. I quit last year for 3 weeks - unfortunately a beloved relative got ill and the stress of long distance travel to hospitals got to me and I fell back into it. I feel very motivated at the mo but am concerned that I’m supposed to be going on holiday on Monday and that will bring a lot of triggers - I’m an anxious (REALLY ANXIOUS) flyer, so need to manage that, and the friend I’m meeting is a smoker so the smell will be around. The worst craving I’ve had was walking past a pub and catching a waft of smoke. And any socialising involving alcohol is going to be hard - right now I could practically chew on an unlit butt if it’d help, so I don’t fancy my chances of resisting after a drink. I’ve been teetotal since the 1st for that reason. Should I cancel? There are a bunch of people going and the friend has some other friends there and doesn’t mind if I don’t go. I know I can’t stop doing everything but maybe I should barricade myself in the house for another 2.5 weeks till the worst is over? 🤣

[Chinnup 1 Year Smoke Free]

Yes that's a bit of a quandary Notsosmoky. I quit cold turkey about a month ago and really didn't feel like doing the social thing - but then I pretty much had to because in my wisdom I quit 2 weeks before Christmas :0 So, I braced myself, went out here there and everywhere as required, and actually had a really good time and didn't smoke at all even though there were people smoking around me every time. One thing in my favour was that I don't associate smoking with drinking so can drink quite comfortably without cravings. Plus, I was careful not to drink too much. So it all comes down to whether or not you can resist the cravings and enjoy your holiday - knowing that it will be very difficult at times. If you do go, please, please do not start smoking again thinking you can/will quit again when you get home. Maintaining your quit is much more important than your holiday!!

[Exsmo in reply to Chinnup]

Chinnup you have done outstanding! Not sure i could have made those earliest days. Had a few more under my belt but it was rough. Really proud of your resolve. Well done! Keep it up. That one month badge will be here soon!

[Notsosmoky 1 Week Smoke Free in reply to Exsmo]

Thank you Exsmo, I really appreciate the encouragement. Funnily enough writing about the cravings made them go away a bit, so I’ve done my first week now and every day gets a bit better.

[Exsmo in reply to Notsosmoky]

Its a great wat to vent your craves away. Lots of support here. We get it!

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

100 days smoke free Exsmo - doing amazing

[Exsmo in reply to RoisinO1]

Oo i just noticed. Thanks Roison!!

[Nozmo Valued Contributor]

First of all, congratulations on getting through 5 days without a cigarette.

No bones about it though, continuing through your holiday is going to be difficult; not impossible though. The three things you mention were my smoking nemeses. I'm scared of flying and would have an elaborate routine (involving smoking) before and after every flight. I also used to love sitting outside smoking on a lovely summer evening when on holiday. I also just love beer. Smoking and drinking always went hand in hand. I didn't think I would be able to break any of these habits but I did and the more you do it the easier it gets. It did however take time and the flying bit was especially daunting....but surprisingly easy after breaking my "lucky" smoking routine didn't actually result in the plane crashing.

It is a lot easier to get over these things when you're more settled in your quit but some people have gone on holiday early in their quits, have got through it and are still going strong, so it is possible but you need to be determined and prepared.

Cancelling seems drastic but if you're more concerned about your quit than you are your holiday maybe that's something to consider? Barricading yourself in the house however is not advisable

[Exsmo]

Way to go! You are almost at 1 week quit! I did avoid a lot when i first quit and gradually reintroduced things as i felt strong enough. Even then stress is unavoidable so staying close here and reading all you can, knowledge truly IS power to kick the nicodemon. I read pinned posts here and all whyquit.com tips hen i first quit. Joel explains how one puff takes your altered ( by nicotine addiction) brain straight back to day one cravings. Its very interesting and has been a MAIN reason ive not slipped. Never Take Another Puff has take on huge meaning after reading what it does. Posts on here about how our brains rewire and repair help explain many things too. Its a mind game as well and this knowledge is your weapon to win the war. Stay close you can do this. NOPE N ot O ne P uff E ver is another i cling to when craves come.

[Tracey3 1 Year Smoke Free]

Hello to you and very happy you’re with us. as with all the reply’s above, would just like to add.

( so I don’t fancy my chances after a drink ) we could if we chooose to , and indeed we all have choice, in every thing we do , may be say, I,m worth looking after, so I really and truly believe I can get through this. If we believe we can do something, we usually can . If I may say, and I do have a smile on my face, those words you wrote, are away of saying hay hoe, I told you I couldn’t do it.

But you can quit and stay quit, it could be that going away is a real eye opener, counting how many people smoke, and how many of those want to be were you are.......... and just having the ability to realise they to can quit.

Obstacles are ther, but you can, quit, you can.

[Notsosmoky 1 Week Smoke Free in reply to Tracey3]

You’re right Tracey, I was panicking at the time and thought I couldn’t get through that night let alone the holiday! But I’ve thought over my reasons for quitting and know I can and will do this.

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

Hope the holiday is going well for you Notsosmoky ?

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

You back from holiday Notsosmoky ?

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Huge welcome to our community Notsosmoky and congratulations on almost at your first massive milestone of 1 week, well done!

I quit cold turkey over 2 years ago, was a bumpy road at times but here to tell the tale I never associated smoking with drinking but did with coffee and haven't drank it really since I stopped as got very anxious and had cravings, still do after 2 years for some reason?!?

With regards your holiday, the timing of your journey of just a week could be tricky but if you prepare and set a plan in place you can succeed and remain smoke free, you are going to have to be very strong and pace yourself with the drinking, you are the only one that can control this - your post reminded me of a fellow member here, FordyP who will be 2 years smoke free in March, he too went on a ski holiday very early in his journey if you want have a look at his posts then, it starts off in Day 12....

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

Continue to read up as much as you can here and elsewhere and stay to close to us and when/if you can on holidays

[Tracey3 1 Year Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Oh yes I remember Fordy, can’t believe he’s nearly two years in.

Amazing

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

1 week today Notsosmoky hope you have a treat lined up 🥇🍦