Day 1 and Scared

[stowaway]

I'm trying yet again to quit...I smoke 4-6 clove cigarettes a day but feel as addicted as ever. I have had good luck with patches to help with the physical cravings, but I always end up caving in. I'm in my 40's and have been addicted to nicotine for 30 years...as I get older my anxiety about the damage I am doing to my health is getting really high. I eat really healthy local organic food, I don't drink sugary drinks or processed food...smoking is the one major disconnect/hypocrisy in my life, and is the only regret I have. Hopefully reminding myself of these things will help.

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Hey Stowaway, you can do it mush, especially as you live a quite healthy lifestyle, it should be easier. Finding your trigger points will be useful.

For me, I would get stressed at work, and take 5 minutes and a cig to calm down. At home, I would just get baked on the sofa, or in the garage or after a long journey. It saw it as a way to relax.

Some friends said some things to me

1) think about how you feel before you have that ciggie. Think about how it now makes you feel whilst having it and how you feel after.

This made me realise that the thought of needing it and it making everything better, didn’t play through in reality. I didn’t feel better and the after effect of the cig was gone after 30 minutes. This has helped me avoid going back for just one drag of my partners cig ( I did that once after food before the cinema and found it so underwhelming )

2) another said find when you smoke most - his was when he was out drinking, so he went out drinking more but stopped smoking during it, he found it hard but realiSed he could go without and still get the thing he wanted ( to get drunk haha ) for me it was a few things

Being at home in the couch of an evening

End of a long drive

In the garage tinkering

Going to social occasions at friends houses - bbqs etc

The last was hardest - I found myself asking my friends what the hell they do when they don’t smoke in social circles - turns out they just stay seated, don’t go out in the cold / rain / snow and just carry on chatting - I can talk for England so I got down with that

I do still want to smoke but I know that the actual act of smoking and the after effect will be so meh that it stops me picking up another cig again

Good luck mush

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Welcome stowaway and congratulations on now hopefully over 1 week smoke free, how are you getting on?

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

How are you getting on stowaway ?

[stowaway 1 Week Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Thanks for checking up on me, I had a week long set back of smoking 2 a day (it's funny how you can talk yourself into thinking a bad idea is a good one, haha) But I am back at it again! I am determined to make this work even if I have to fail a whole bunch of times first. I REALLY want to be a non-smoker. I want to smell good and feel free from the constant "when can I sneak my next smoke" thoughts that keep me from doing the things I actually enjoy.

[stowaway 1 Week Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

I am halfway through my 5th full day without smoking (using the patch) Today is harder than yesterday but I'm committed and looking forward to it getting easier.

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

Well done stowaway - wishing you continued strength, keep us updated

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

1 week now stowaway ?

[Jared01 Valued Contributor in reply to stowaway]

Good for you stowaway , congratulations on your milestone of 1 week, it does get easier as each day passes