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...

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Keep 'em or pitch 'em

carried
carried
Ok, confession is good for the soul, they say. I have been quit 2 weeks, 1 day, 19 hr.s, etc. and haven't smoked 236 cigarettes (I just realized that's over a carton, right?) Anyway, my last cigarette I smoked, I wrestled with throwing the pack away. Several co-workers were sharing with me about their quits and a couple of them said for several months they carried cigarettes around with them. I kind of understand this, because before when I quit for a while, throwing them away caused me to feel this desparation. I decided to keep the rest of my pack in the freezer. A few times when I craved, I have pulled them out - once even took one out, smelled it, remembered all the times out in the weather, bundling up for three minutes, then taking it all back off and thinking how stupid it all was, the hacking, the burning throat, the phlegm in the mornings, etc. ANYWAY, now I'm wondering when it's safe to throw them out. In a way, I feel dependent on that pack (?), like it's keeping me quit. I had thought that I would do something I did once: Write a letter to my "old friend" saying good-bye, then burying them in my back yard. What do ya'll think?
deleted_user
deleted_user
hahaha...i think "whatever works". i like the idea of burying them in the backyard, with some sort of service to add closure. you've been quit for 2 weeks...congrats !! what you are doing is working for you...what i do may not work for anyone else, and so on & on....just keep up the good work & do what you "gotta do". i just hit 2 months, so i know it's possible...hahahaha
shevie
shevie
IMO, you do what is right for you. The "Dear Good Friend" letter is an excellent idea whether you hang on to them or not.

I used to be a big advocate of immediately tossing everything, clearing the house so to speak. I have since backed off on that stance because I've seen people literally freak out when they had none, even though they had no intention of using them.

I've come to equate it to walking a tightrope with or without a safety net. With one to catch you so no harm can come to you if you slip, you have no problem walking the rope. Take the net away and you are overwhelmed with the possiblilty of injury or death if you fall and the anxiety practically knocks you off the rope.

If you feel you need the net, then keep it a while longer. Otherwise, toss it.

And write the letter. :)

Keep up the great quit, carried
Shevie
Quit May, 2005
Tikka
Tikka
I couldn't do it -- but I like what the others said. Do you feel you need to do - the tightrope and net was a cool analogy.
If you haven't already, read My old Friend the cigarette posted by irisheyes. It really hit home with me. Good luck - keep the quit! You've already made it so far!!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I met a woman just today and she is on day 14 of her quit, and she keeps her last opened half full pack in her china cabinet.
Do whatever works for you. If you decide on a burial will you please let me know, I'd love to send my condolences to a pack of dirty smokes.
Great job on your quit my friend.
deleted_user
deleted_user
ive been smoke free for 29 nine days and so proud of my self but last night i was so very very mad at someone that its a good thing i got rid of them at the start,i really think i might have had one. you said the last time you wrote a letter,did you bury them then? this is so hard on us and some days are so bad for me,but thats why i come in here and that is also why i dont have any hid or put away,or its like asking trouble for me,im just not strong enough yet. i hope you get rid of them,remember we are smoke free now so why have any there. and believe me i know what you feel like. they dont need a funeral so i say take them cancer sticks and hold them underwater that way you cant dig them up and they will be to soggy to lite up. gosh hope i dont sound mean but they have ruled us to long and i hope to stay in control now. bless all of us and its day by day
deleted_user
deleted_user
I know how you feel the nite I quit. I finished my last one and the empty pack was in the garbage. It bothered me so bad every time I opened the can. I had to have my hubs take it out. I panicked alittle and was like Oh god I'm out of ciggies. but I remained strong. You do what you have to do good luck.

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1m 2w 5d 13:34 smoke-free, 604 cigs not smoked, $153.72 saved, 2d 2:20 life saved
carried
carried
Thanks for all the good responses, guys. Now I don't feel like SUCH a weirdo. I think when I am stronger, I will do the burial service, and will allow any of you who would like to send their "condolences". I have seen the "My Old Friend" post and was reminded of the last time I wrote the letter - very similar content, just more personal. For now, the pack seems to be negative reinforcement and I'm not feeling the desparation I have felt in the past when I "pitched 'em", so I guess it's working for me, for now anyway. Thanks again for all your responses, they mean a lot, and this site helps me more than you will know.
deleted_user
deleted_user
When I quit, 10 months ago, I threw out all of my opened packs, gave away about 1/2 a carton BUT I kept one sealed pack. I didn't have it in plain sight but I knew that they were in my house. Never once did I go get the pack and look at it or anything. About 4 or 5 months after my quit I was cleaning my office and ran across them. At that time, I felt pretty comfortable about throwing the pack away. I guess you could say it was my security blanket that I wasn't ready to dispose of yet. Therefore, I understand what you are doing but I think they might have been a threat had my pack been opened. Good luck to you and your quit!