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...
Didn't know which discussion group I should post this on, I have joined a few lately. I cared for my mom for several months until her passing, dealing with her estate now, newly diagnosed with RA, and one of my cats (14 yr) has been having reaccuring UTI and newly diabetic. Decided to do something good for myself cause I've been feeling so sad, mad..bought a very expensive pair of earrings in honor of mom. After visiting husbands dying aunt, came home to kitty having again peed blood all over the rugs. Small amounts but I can tell she is uncomfortable. The emergency vet is over an hour away and it's very late here. There is just so much to this story but you don't have the time.
I guess the point here is I have been taking Chantix this week with the intent on quitting next week. These last 2 years have been nothing but close personal losses. I'm scared to give up my crutch. I want to. I know life is stressful every day so why not now? it's not gonna get better tomorrow. What will I do without my cigs?
I guess the point here is I have been taking Chantix this week with the intent on quitting next week. These last 2 years have been nothing but close personal losses. I'm scared to give up my crutch. I want to. I know life is stressful every day so why not now? it's not gonna get better tomorrow. What will I do without my cigs?
Keep us posted on your progress and try to make your quit a life time commitment.
come back and let us know how you are doing.
I had promised myself for two years before my quit that I would do it.....BUT.......I'd wait until I finished the divorce.........I quit when interest rates dropped on my mortgage.......I'd quit when the weather was nicer.........I'd quit when.......and the list goes on and on of excuses.
I realized that life is full of stress and loss, but smoking was NOT going to change a thing and only added to the stress becuz the more stress there was.....the more I smoked until I woke up one day are found myself hooked on 3 packs a day!!!!
So it is a mind set and determination that sets the tone. If you think you will fail.....you will. However, it is a choice to stay down or you can get back up and try again.
You need to prep yourself for your quit. First....obtain a good attitude.....a "I can do this" attitude!
Next.......prepare for triggers and urges cuz as sure as I'm typing this.....you WILL get urges. With time and constantly saying "NO" every time the Nicodemon comes a knocking.....you will get stronger.
You can use sugar free gum or candy when an urge or trigger arises.
You can cut straws in half and pretend you are smoking.
KEEP BUSY BUSY BUSY. Find a hobby or something you might enjoy such as gardening, walking, knitting/crocheting, painting, drawing......or anything to replace the smoking habit. Give it time as your brain needs to process NOT SMOKING and finding that high with something healthier. Give yourself a pep talk daily or hourly....whatever it takes. Stay away from other smokers at first and change up your routine. If you smoke when you talk on the phone.......talk on the phone in a place you would never smoke (I never smoked in my house, so I would ONLY talk on my phone in my house).
I LOVED to smoke when I drove.....thought I would die when I quit and couldn't smoke while driving....lol.
My cure for that was to pop in my favorite CD(s), roll up my windows and sing along with the CD as loud as I could all the way to my destination!!!!
You just have to find creative ways to cope with the feelings. Yes.....your emotions will be raw, but just sit with them becuz your feelings won't kill you (it just feels like it will) and they will pass along with the urges to smoke.
Drink TONS of water to flush out the toxins from your body and it will also help with the urges.
Find out what your triggers are and face them head on (I had been through many traumas and losses......I also had several addictions and dropped them all one by one....smokin was the last to go).
Know you are an addict and that smoking even ONE cigarette or having just a few puffs from a friend or family's cigarette will start up the addiction all over again.
Know that you may fall off the wagon a few times or a few dozen times.....but NEVER stop trying to quit, becuz one day it WILL be the final quit.
Be kind, gentle, and patient with yourself.
Put on your big girl panties and know that you can indeed do this!