Advice on 'drinking' for a non-smoker...

[sargasso]

Background:

- 24-year-old male

- Heavy smoker for five years

- 43 days smoke-free

Issue:

After having given up smoking (and nicotine) for over a month, I am finding it somewhat difficult to 'socialise' for fear of relapsing whilst drinking.

To combat this, whenever I've gone bar-hopping, water has been my sole-ingested liquid. This will not last, however, as I come from Irish stock; without re-fuelling with whiskey from time to time, my CNS would surely shut-down.

Now, whilst I do not drink to excess, there is little chance that I'll give up ingesting alcohol altogether; I am young (fairly), obdurate and not a nun.

So, comrades, my question to you: what advice would you give to those looking to refrain from smoking whilst delving in to other vices? Especially if those vices heighten nicotine pangs?

Once again: not drinking isn't an option. It is my one vice, and I partake with moderation and grace.

[Suehyp]

Hi Sargasso

I'm a therapist and I work with both smoking and drinking issues. I'd suggest you allow yourself one or two drinks to start, just to get used to being a non smoker in that familiar environment. When you've got that under your belt you can enlist help from your non smoking friends to distract you and/or keep you busy if you look as if you might go for a cigarette

Wishing you all the best...you've come through the worst already

Sue

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER]

hisargasso and welcome to quit support

43 days not smoking is an awesome effort and you should be very proud of yourself

Drinking alcohol is certainly up there with times when people restart smoking again. This does not mean its not possible as many many people have successfully quit smoking and enjoy drinking

You need to ready within yourself and let your drinking buddies know that you have quit and ask for their help to keep you that way when you are drinking.

try and drink water in between drinks as this will slow down the effects

stay strong and true to your quit

Let us know your quit date so we can add you to the wall of winners

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Hiya sargasso and a big warm welcome to quit support 😊

Congratulations on over a month quit, brilliant achievement so well done👍🏼

If you drink with moderation and grace, I don't foresee a problem. Enjoy your new healthier lifestyle and as you're young, it's the best time to quit before any damage is done. Stay focused and you can do it😊x

[sargasso]

Thanks for all of your warm words and suggestions.

[droopyJ]

Hi sargasso, wot a fantastic quit, well done hun 😁 for me I can now stand outside whilst others around me smoke...however, I hate how I stink when I get in...😮

I think it's important that your friends and colleagues know that you have given up and hopefully will help by supporting you.....the other thing is to try and drink something that doesn't make you do stupid things....(when I was your age, gin was off the agenda if I didn't want to lose 5 hours of my life and wake up not knowing my own name!!!) i.e. maybe your a different person if you drink wine as opposed to shorts..or if you associate different drinks with smoking....i.e. whiskey..😃 you could always make sure that there is always another non smoker invited when you go out 😃😃😃

Are you saving your cig money?? You say your a heavy smoker so if you smoke 40 a day when you drink then that means about £16

Extra spent when you drink...for what?? The hangovers aren't as bad now that I don't smoke😃😃

Sorry have rambled on a bit.... so go out enjoy yourself but just keep your wits about you 😁😁😁😁😁

[sargasso in reply to droopyJ]

I smoked pure tobacco, so smoking wasn't that expensive for me. At most, I'd spend around £30 each month, and that was only if I opted for a premium-blend 100g tub of the stuff.

I'll probably use the money saved to purchase more socks, as I do not currently own a pair without holes.

[droopyJ in reply to sargasso]

LMAO..... I don't have holes but I don't have any that match......it's a bit spooky coz I do Live on my own.....go figure...😃😃