Help, I keep slipping

[fatpumpkin1968]

Hi all, I'm new to this site and just had a good rummage around and so far I'm impressed. I stopped smoking on the 3rd January this year, all went well until the 16th January when I started having the odd cigarette here and there. Some days I don't have any and stay on track and then other days I smoke but only maximum of 3 a day and only in the mornings................ I use patches but I do take them off at night before bedtime otherwise I get awful dreams. So I know its the morning cig I miss most - any suggestions would be most helpful cos I do not want to smoke. Thanks and hope to hear from you all soon

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER]

Hiya Fatpumpkin and welcome to quit support.

you sure sound like you have a strong desire to quit and stay quit Have you tried using the ecig as this just might help get you through those strong cravings.

Try and look back on what happened that made you have that first smoke after being being smoke free for a couple of weeks. If you can identify what happened of the way you were feeling etc, you can than look at strategies to use when in a similar situation

Quitting is not easy..and more often than not it takes a few practice runs before you actually quit

Try reading Allan carrs "easy way to quit smoking" as it really does look at the psyche of why we think we need a smoke. (downloadable on pdf - just google it)

All the very best of luck on your quit journey

kidsgrowingstrong.org/sites...

[fatpumpkin1968 newly quit in reply to glolin]

Thank you and I've tried the Allan Carr before and for some reason it just doesn't do it for me. I've quit before and started smoking again. Anyway this time I do want to stop for good and not going to let this slip put me off. Just need the inspiration from people like you and this site who can put you back on track when you do fall off.

Speak soon

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER in reply to fatpumpkin1968]

cool, and there are many members here that are very supportive we truly are a friendly bunch and understand when the going gets tough as we are all on that same journey

[EllaJ1968 14 Month Winner in reply to fatpumpkin1968]

We're in the same boat as I slipped on New Years Day - we can do this!

[Dimitri2062 in reply to glolin]

Thank you Allen Carr did open my eyes.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer]

Good morning Fatpumpkin, just love your name gal and I wish you a big warm welcome to our quit support community

Rite Pumpkin, lets try and get you on track eh So your using patches, these are very good but like you, I found them not toooo good for sleeping so I got the 16 hour patches, these were a bit stronger but did the trick I would suggest, you perhaps get an inhalator, a mouth spray or an e-cig as Glolin has suggested to help you in the morning, especially when you first get up and stick your patch on, cos it takes about 20 - 30 minutes to start working.

I used to put the patch under my pillow at night, in its packet, so that it was warm when I put it on in the morning This way, it was more my body heat and started working faster

You could also try to alter your routine a bit cos some of it is habit sooooo, perhaps you get up in a morning, have a wash and get dressed, then go down stairs for a cuppa and a you know what eh well, when you get up, go strait down stairs and make a cuppa, then take it upstairs and drink it their while your getting dressed This will make your brain think, whats she up to silly old so and so and while your brains thinking that, it wont be thinking of fags eh

Pumpkin, I think the most important thing is, you have to really WANT to quit, you have to have that in your head, '' I am determined to quit this time '' and have confidence in yourself

Keep busy doing something, have you got a hobby or do some puzzle books, to keep your mind busy and maybe your hands too

If you have any questions or would like to know more about something or just want a chat, then please fire away gal and we will try to help you

Hope to speak soon, Pete

[fatpumpkin1968 newly quit in reply to monky]

Thank you - the strange thing is where I work everyone smokes but it doesn't bother me its just the morning cig..... so I'm going to do what you suggested about changing my routine in the morning.

will keep you posted

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to fatpumpkin1968]

Pumpkin, write down on a piece of paper the WHY's you want to quit and make it colourful, then stick coppies of it all over the flippin house gal to remind you WHY your doing this

Like I said before, you just shout out if you need any help

[fatpumpkin1968 newly quit in reply to monky]

What a good idea monky and I will shout if I need help.

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Hi Pumpkin, welcome to quit support. Well everyone has already given you advice so I wont repeat what they have said. Just remember your not on your own, so come on here and scream, shout, laugh or cry we dont mind.

[EmJay Partner]

Hey fatpumpkin, welcome aboard to Quit Support - our happy place I love your name!

As JillyGirl says, you have been given some sound advice and hints and tips already

It sounds as though you have most of your smoking habit sussed out and in the bag - Learning to deal with going without the first one of a morning comes down to 2 things: re-programming your mind to not automatically do it and then practise not having it

The more mornings that you get up and go without, the easier it will become

It may seem easier said than done but give it a go and you may be surprised at how well you do.

If you find you are still struggling, during the morning time - it is quite common (and effective) to use another NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) alongside the patches - usually an oral oral product such as the lozenge, gum or inhalator. This can be used on an 'as and when' basis, or something that you could use just first thing in the morning whilst waiting for the patch to 'kick in'. Are you receiving help and support from your local stop smoking service? If so, ask them about this - we call it combination therapy.

Keep us posted on how you are doing, there's usually somebody around

Remember that you can do this and any other times you have given this a try have been your practise times for the real thing

[fatpumpkin1968 newly quit in reply to EmJay]

Hi Emjay, thanks for your tips and this morning I put my patch on and just waited it out for it to kick in. So feeling rather pleased with myself. Hope to keep it up.

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Hiya fatpumpkin and welcome to quit support

You've got loads of good advice already so I'll just say stick to this great forum and the lovely people here will help you stay on track

You can do it, stay positive and believe in yourself x

[fatpumpkin1968 newly quit in reply to Briarwood]

Yes I do have and thank you to you all. Brilliant site.

[letaparadise56]

Hello darling,

I promise you can do this. Hmmmmmm....the best advice??? Imagine drowning in your phlegm. I know that is excruciatingly unpleasant, however, breathing is so beautiful. I believe visualizing quitting and being able to breathe is imperative.

It was how I stopped along with a plea to God to help me as I was coughing and going caput much quicker than I would have. The first week of quitting, I stopped coughing. A miracle.

I am a believer in trying every darned possible way and means.

Sending love and good wishes.

[fatpumpkin1968 newly quit in reply to letaparadise56]

Oh thanks and that does make me feel good and better. I know I'm not alone in this but sometimes its nice to know that others on this site have same issues. How long have you stopped for? Wishing you all the best and thank you again

[Mamaquit 8 Weeks Winner]

Just keep on keep in on. Try to only have one morning cig. Put it out half way and if u need to? Have the other half. I slipped on day 17 and smoked 2 cigs. I was drinking beer and the cravings were so bad. But? I count the cigs I haven't smoked in 18 days..at a pack a day..oh my! It's a big number!! Scary. Abt 360 I haven't smoked. Cause I was at 20 a day. Yikes!