Smoking Addiction & Recovery Support Group
The CDC claims that nicotine is a "very addictive drug" that can be "as addictive as heroin or cocaine." Nicotine is typically eliminated from the body within 2 to 3 days, however, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms may last for much longer depending on the individual. If you are trying to kick the habit, this community is dedicated to giving smokers the...
Hi everyone. I am on day 14 officially smoke free. I was hospitalized on Dec 30 for a severe asthma attack and decided it was finally time. I was released from the hospital after 3 days and the first thing I did was have a cigarette..... then I tore up the rest of the pack and threw them in the trash. 3 hours later I was digging in the trash for one I could tape together and smoke.... so I covered the bits with oil and made it another 3 hours..... then I was searching the house for a butt that was smokable.... found one... then I went through the whole house and got rid of all the ashtrays and dumped them all..... but I forgot the one in the car.... then I found a pack of high end smokes my daughter bought me for christmas last year and smoked one of those..... Ok, so my first three days home from the hospital I didn't do so well..... but once all the cigarettes were gone I did ok. I am on the patch and have an E-cigarette that I take a puff of when things get tough.... down to maybe twice a day now. I am using all the nervous energy to clean up my house.... I have laundered all the drapes and bedding, washed down most of the furniture and am working on washing down the walls.... grossing myself out with all the yellow stuff that is coming off.
I am through the worst of the physical cravings but am now in a stage where I feel like I have lost my best friend... I keep thinking about all the things about smoking that I loved. I didn't really want to quit, I had to for my health. I miss lighting up in the car, and after meals, and I have a hard time talking on the phone because all I think about is smoking. Soon there won't be anything left in my house to scrub.... then what will I do to distract myself? I can't go for a walk because it is too cold (I live in Wisconsin) and it exacerbates the asthma. I have already gained weight from both snacking instead of smoking and because I am on prenisone for the asthma which causes weight gain.
Ideas? What can I do to distract myself? I really am determined to make it this time.
I am through the worst of the physical cravings but am now in a stage where I feel like I have lost my best friend... I keep thinking about all the things about smoking that I loved. I didn't really want to quit, I had to for my health. I miss lighting up in the car, and after meals, and I have a hard time talking on the phone because all I think about is smoking. Soon there won't be anything left in my house to scrub.... then what will I do to distract myself? I can't go for a walk because it is too cold (I live in Wisconsin) and it exacerbates the asthma. I have already gained weight from both snacking instead of smoking and because I am on prenisone for the asthma which causes weight gain.
Ideas? What can I do to distract myself? I really am determined to make it this time.
Please join us for our Daily Roll Call and when you are cigarette free also do the daily Pledge. Come here whenever you struggle as there is almost always someone here to help you thru the rough patches.
Remember, we are all here for the same goal. To become cigarette free and to live a smoke free life. We ALL started off on day 1.
Welcome to forum here! Lots of wonderful folks here!! So happy you have quit smoking!! Sounds like a rocky start, but like you are on track now! I smoked outside for most all of my smoking years, well the last 25 or so! Anyway-so I didn't have the house to clean and scrub, but clothing I had worn outside to smoke in? Those reeked and I had to wash a few coats!!
I think its great you have the patch, but be careful to noy overdose on it-by adding the e-cigg. I'm not really up on all the info, (i quit cold turkey) but i do think you can overdose on nicotine patches if you smoke as well, without removing them first. Burt then you may already already know this!
I would (as someone else said) be careful with the e-cigg. as well. To not let it become an addiction/ habit that you then have to break along with quitting reg. ciggs. That oral and hand thing is for real!!
Please come stick close to the forum, do the daily check in and pledge. Read through the "good posts". Lots of good info there.
& Try to remember each crave only lasts less than 5 mins.! There are 5 D's we refer to around the forum, these are:
Delay, Distract, deep breaths, drink water, and DS, come to post or read here.All are useful!! Soon the hardest part of your quit will be over and you'll feel so much better and I'm sure grateful to be smoke free!!
Blessings to you,
Jess
I hope you no longer use the E-cig and are on your way to recovering from this terrible addiction.
Find a hobby, read, I work Jigsaw Puzzles..keeps the hands busy...LOL Help a neighbor or friend. There is a life without a smoke..
This support group will help you and its mush easier to stay quit if you have support.
Take one day at a time
You can do this
Hugs Deb
try going for a walk, make yourself go if you feel you don't want to, it makes you feel great, take the dog out, stroke the cat, play with the kids, go shopping, in the garden weather permitting of course, arange to meet a friend instead of phoning,
use a nice flavoured mouth wash where you don't want to spoil the flavour, drink lots of water helps get rid of toxins, talk on ds as much as poss with friends,
don't think about smoking, its suprising how much better you will feel, good luck