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...
This is the ramble I made on my two year quit anny. I told infallble17 I'd post it because it addresses the importance of the first few days of a quit.
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Im closing on two years quit. Cool, no? Yep, pretty cool. But no big deal anymore. Ok, ok, calm down. It really is not a big deal. The first year is a big deal. The first 6 months are a bigger deal. The first month is an even bigger deal. The first week is still yet an even bigger deal.
The biggest deal? That first cigarette you did not light up. That first unlit cigarette contains (yes, present tense) the courage of your convictions, your promise to yourself, your hope for your future, the door to your freedom. As long as that cigarette remains cold, your quit is secure.
To you new quitters, and those not quite there yet, I have a few things to say. Youll read here, and other places, that quitting will be the hardest thing you will ever do. People will tell you about terrible craves, slips, relapses, the tiny chance you have to succeed, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Dont listen to them. Ignore what they say, forget what youve already learned. Thats their stuff, not yours. Do not allow anyone to define your quit. Thats your business. Your quit may be one of the horrible ones that finds you fighting every minute of everyday for months. Or it may be one of those easy ones where you just walk away from smoking with barely a twinge. The only way to know is to do it.
One of your best weapons is knowledge. Forewarned is forearmed. Knowledge is power. Learn how to combat craves should you have any. Also learn the side effects of quitting so you will understand whats happening should any of the myriad emotional changes set in. Dont assume you will need the information, but have it just in case. Better to have and not need than to need and not have.
Some would have you believe its all over in 72 hours because the nicotine is out of your system. Hogwash!! Tobacco use does a lot of damage to the brains pleasure/reward centers that takes a long time to recover. There is where the addiction resides. You wont be craving all the time, dont worry about that. I got hit by a moderate crave a couple of weeks ago. It lasted about 2 or 3 minutes, then it was gone. No idea what triggered it. Sorta pi**ed me off, but I got over it. Last real crave before that was early last summer. That was a real kicker. Before that was around my 6 month mark, and before that was a series around 85 days, or so. The absolute worst of the bunch, from day one to right now, were the ones around 85 days. Three evenings in a row spent curled up on the couch in the fetal position just waiting for them to stop. That time I was in serious violation of the H.A.L.T. rules. Recently theres been some major changes in my life, some uncertainty and major change. As a result, Ive been experiencing, not craves, but a desire for the comforting blanket of the addiction. Its annoying, but it will pass as things settle down.
You who are planning or just thinking about quitting, I say to you Do it! Use whatever method you feel is best for you and quit. It may be easy or it may be hard, but I tell you right now it is so very worth it. If I had known two years ago what I know now, I would have walked on fire to get to my quit.
You who are still actively working on your quit, I bow to you. You are in the worst of it right now. If you are having it easy, that is wonderful. But do not become complacent. Do not drop your guard. If you are having it rough, then draw courage and strength from wherever you can find it, stick it out, do not cave. Nothing you are feeling will harm you and you will get through it. If necessary, try another quit method. Whatever it takes. Just stay quit. Please!
You who have made the transition from active quitter to non- (or ex-) user, I say Congratulations on a job well done. I dont care how long it took you to get here, what paths you took, or how many slips/relapses you had. None of that is important. You are here, that is all that matters. Pat yourself on the back, give yourself a reward. You've certainly earned them.
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Wishing all your first unsmoked cigs stay cold.
Shevie
Quit May, 2005
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Im closing on two years quit. Cool, no? Yep, pretty cool. But no big deal anymore. Ok, ok, calm down. It really is not a big deal. The first year is a big deal. The first 6 months are a bigger deal. The first month is an even bigger deal. The first week is still yet an even bigger deal.
The biggest deal? That first cigarette you did not light up. That first unlit cigarette contains (yes, present tense) the courage of your convictions, your promise to yourself, your hope for your future, the door to your freedom. As long as that cigarette remains cold, your quit is secure.
To you new quitters, and those not quite there yet, I have a few things to say. Youll read here, and other places, that quitting will be the hardest thing you will ever do. People will tell you about terrible craves, slips, relapses, the tiny chance you have to succeed, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Dont listen to them. Ignore what they say, forget what youve already learned. Thats their stuff, not yours. Do not allow anyone to define your quit. Thats your business. Your quit may be one of the horrible ones that finds you fighting every minute of everyday for months. Or it may be one of those easy ones where you just walk away from smoking with barely a twinge. The only way to know is to do it.
One of your best weapons is knowledge. Forewarned is forearmed. Knowledge is power. Learn how to combat craves should you have any. Also learn the side effects of quitting so you will understand whats happening should any of the myriad emotional changes set in. Dont assume you will need the information, but have it just in case. Better to have and not need than to need and not have.
Some would have you believe its all over in 72 hours because the nicotine is out of your system. Hogwash!! Tobacco use does a lot of damage to the brains pleasure/reward centers that takes a long time to recover. There is where the addiction resides. You wont be craving all the time, dont worry about that. I got hit by a moderate crave a couple of weeks ago. It lasted about 2 or 3 minutes, then it was gone. No idea what triggered it. Sorta pi**ed me off, but I got over it. Last real crave before that was early last summer. That was a real kicker. Before that was around my 6 month mark, and before that was a series around 85 days, or so. The absolute worst of the bunch, from day one to right now, were the ones around 85 days. Three evenings in a row spent curled up on the couch in the fetal position just waiting for them to stop. That time I was in serious violation of the H.A.L.T. rules. Recently theres been some major changes in my life, some uncertainty and major change. As a result, Ive been experiencing, not craves, but a desire for the comforting blanket of the addiction. Its annoying, but it will pass as things settle down.
You who are planning or just thinking about quitting, I say to you Do it! Use whatever method you feel is best for you and quit. It may be easy or it may be hard, but I tell you right now it is so very worth it. If I had known two years ago what I know now, I would have walked on fire to get to my quit.
You who are still actively working on your quit, I bow to you. You are in the worst of it right now. If you are having it easy, that is wonderful. But do not become complacent. Do not drop your guard. If you are having it rough, then draw courage and strength from wherever you can find it, stick it out, do not cave. Nothing you are feeling will harm you and you will get through it. If necessary, try another quit method. Whatever it takes. Just stay quit. Please!
You who have made the transition from active quitter to non- (or ex-) user, I say Congratulations on a job well done. I dont care how long it took you to get here, what paths you took, or how many slips/relapses you had. None of that is important. You are here, that is all that matters. Pat yourself on the back, give yourself a reward. You've certainly earned them.
--------------------------------------------
Wishing all your first unsmoked cigs stay cold.
Shevie
Quit May, 2005
You are an inspiration.
I bumped this up for you!
Keep up the great work!
You just posted something that went straight to my heart and that is where it will stay as my "Ace in the hole".
Awesome post shevie