Smoking relapse..

[koutsoun]

I was just wondering if anyone has had a relapse and how they dealt with it?

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi Koutsoun, it is  not something that i have had but many of our members have shared that they attempted several time before finally quitting permanently, so hopefully they will share their experiences  

[Maddyg]

Hi Koutsoun, yes over the years I have had several relapses. I have tried several NRT programmes and attended cessation clinics. All failed and only lasted 3 weeks the most. I guess well what I think,  is this time I really wanted to stop. The biggest hurdle . Then it was finding what would work for me and planning a date. 

The main thing that has keep me going is coming on her and having the support from these lovely people. I was at 3 weeks when I found this site , the point were I always failed they supported me and helped me through that tricky time for me. What I am saying is you don't be to hard on yourself and you try again. Stay very close to this site especially when you are tempted. Stay strong you can do it x

[koutsoun LONG TERM WINNER in reply to Maddyg]

Thanks Maddy.

[madametobacco49 in reply to Maddyg]

wonderful post Maddy

[Andyoct1983 7 YearsSmokefree]

In the first week I did relapse I had one packet over the weekend then the next day I went straight back to my quit... That was 7 months ago. It happens but u can get through it and stay smoke free. Don't beat urself up about it it has happened to many of us who are willing to admit it. Keep pushing forwards and always remember NOPE ( not one puff ever) Goodluck 

[koutsoun LONG TERM WINNER in reply to Andyoct1983]

Thanks Andyoct1983.

[droopyJ]

Hi koutsoun I quit for a year CT then stupidly started again 😡 It probably took me 4 years to think about another attempt 

Previous attempts were half hearted, would last a couple of weeks.

This time it was forced on me (I did the forcing) my GP wanted to put me on statins for high cholesterol so I thought NO, I do not want to be on tablets forever. So stuck on a patch 😊

I found this site about 6 weeks into my quit as I wanted to know how I managed to come off the patch.... The rest, as they say, is history 😊

If I was going to give anyone advise who has relapsed, then it's get back on the quit as soon as you can and tell everyone you know that you're quit..... It helps you when your thinking of relapsing 😊

Have you hit a bump in the road koutsoun??

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Found this on the web. May be help some of you.

Quitting Smoking - Dealing With Relapse

If you slip or smoke a little, don't give up. Talk to someone who has quit smoking, or to a counselor, to get ideas of what to do. A slip can quickly turn into regular smoking, so it's important to do something different soon. If you are taking medicine or using nicotine replacement, keep doing so unless you go back to regular smoking. And consider adding a new treatment, like one-on-one counseling.

You're not alone in going back to smoking. Most people who quit try many times before they quit for good.

Don't feel bad about yourself. A relapse is just a sign that you need to try a different approach to quitting smoking. If you tried to quit without medicines or a program, think about trying them next time. Medicines and nicotine replacement (gum, patches, lozenges) can double your chances of success.1 And using medicines and counseling is even more effective.

Think about what made you start smoking again. Maybe you couldn't handle the cravings. Or maybe you didn't have enough support from family or friends. Maybe something stressful happened that triggered the urge to smoke, and then you couldn't stop.

Whatever it was, remember that help is here when you are ready to try again. You might want to read Thinking About Quitting? or Planning Your Strategy to Quit in this topic.

[koutsoun LONG TERM WINNER in reply to jillygirl]

Thanks jillygirl!

I haven't relapsed and am now 40 days quit. Excluding the first 3-4 days of brain fog and my binge eating, I can say that it has been a fairly easy quit. but lately these thoughts of smoking just one...do pop in my mind lately.

[droopyJ in reply to koutsoun]

Koutsoun you might need to give jillygirl, monky or glolin your quit date as 40 days is over 5 weeks quit so you need a new badge missus😊😊

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to koutsoun]

Hi Koutsoun and a massive great big well done to you for reaching 40 days quit  

I have your quit date as the 20th March 2016, buuuuuut, I do have a ? after it, sooooo, please feel free to smack the backs of my legs if it is wrong !!! and I will rectify it asap  

[koutsoun LONG TERM WINNER in reply to monky]

Haha (smack) it's March 12/16 actually woot woot,

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer in reply to koutsoun]

OUCH !!!!! 

[madametobacco49 in reply to koutsoun]

they do pop in your head the better you feel sometimes--how soon we forget--I had a hellacious quit--so its a N.O.P.E for me   MmeT

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Your doing fine.  xxxx

[Briarwood Administrator Ducky]

Hi Koutsoun and welcome to quit support😊

Congratulations on your 5 weeks quit, brilliant👏🏼👏🏼

stay determined and positive, take one day at a time and NOPE not one puff ever🚭🚭

Good luck🍀😊

[koutsoun LONG TERM WINNER in reply to Briarwood]

Thank you!!