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...
I want to quit smoking so 5 days ago I set tomorrow as my quit date. I've smoked for 35 years. I stopped twice both times for about 4/5 months. Increasingly I became a very heavy smoker, smoking over 3 packs a day. The past 6 months I have been able to keep it under a pack a day, but I want to stop. Thankfully I didn't smoke in the new apartment when we moved. I have activities planned for places smoking is not allowed. However, what I want to ask is as the time approaches I feel more like a prisoner on death row awaiting the fateful time. Is this dread to be expected as quit time approaches or does it mean I'm really not ready to quit?
I had a ton of apprehension which led to anxiety about the approaching quit date. My doctor actually picked my date along with a script of wellbutrin. On the third day, I had a horrible reaction to the med which landed me in the ER twice within 10 days with stroke like symptoms....it turned out to be anxiety. I threw the meds and the cigarettes away and have been quit for just over 3 years. I smoked 3 packs a day....worked my way up over 20+ years (I quit when I was pregnant.....but picked it up again after my youngest was 2).
You have to have a changed mindset and a positive one to quit.
Cigarettes are NOT your friend.....friends don't try to kill you!!!! IMO
Plan for the urges and triggers cuz as sure as I'm writing this.....they will come. With time.....the urges last less time and are longer in between.
Drink a lot of water to help flush the toxins from your body quicker.
You will probably be tired.....go with it and nap when you can....your body is recovering.
Pick a hobby to replace the smoking habit. If you don't replace it.....you will more than likely pick smoking back up.
When you have an urge or hit a trigger......get busy either with your hobby or some sort of activity to occupy your mind and hand to mouth habit.
Change your routine(s). Don't go outside to smoke with your friends/family....stay inside and keep busy.
Use sugarless candy or gum when an urge hits.
Remember....it takes awhile for a new habit to form.....give it time if it doesn't work right away.
Don't get lazy and let your guard down.
Never think for one minute you can have just one puff......you are addicted to nicotine!!!!! NOPE+ Not One Puff EVER!!!!
You can never smoke just one cigarettes becuz they run in packs!!!
Come here every day for roll call.....and when you quit....do a pledge. This keeps you responsible and helps us to celebrate your milestones or help you get through the tough times. Work on one hour at a time and reward yourself for doing a good job (not with a cigarette though...lol).
Know that life will always have stress or give you a reason to not quit or quit your quit.......there is no perfect time to quit.
Take up exercise or some fun activity to relieve stress (I roller skate twice a week to make exercise fun....I now have the energy to do it).
Turn to us for encouragement. We can not do the work....you and you alone must do that part. However, ask for help BEFORE reaching for a cigarette. Have a backup plan (take a nap or walk) should you have an urge or trigger.
You can do this!!!! Ask your doctor for help should you need meds, a patch, or whatever. They are always willing to help and will help you decide a plan that is tailored for you.
I wish you the best and welcome!!!!
People do things because they want to..no one is making you smoke and no one can make you quit...It's all up to you.
Good luck on your quit.
Pledge and roll call help me.
Surrendering to addiction paves the way for long-term recovery.
impressive vid by an E.R. doctor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf5ioVczvSI
until I did it my way. A way Allan Carr in all his wisdom absolutely rejected as terrible - little did he know. it's the best possible way with the best possible side effects.
I decided if I could smoke while I was quitting, I could probably hack the pace.
So I did. I got some cigarettes from the local shop, they are called Honey Rose or Honeyrose - they're fantastic. They draw just like a cigarette. They get used up just like a cigarette. I had just broken up with teh husband, and was poor and had to go onto instant coffee instead of use the espresso machine. Within 3 days I was used to the taste.
3 days isn't so bad, I said to myself Surely if I can withstand herbals for 3 days, I'm home & hosed?
it wasn't quite like that, but it certainly was the easiest of everything I had tried. I was still allowed to smoke: I had only quit nicotine.
For the first month all I did was smoke. I just about chain smoked. I smoked 1 - 2 packs a day. I had many times when I had misgivings, but the logic never failed me.
If it's all about the nicotine, and you're a junkie being conned by the providers, only thinking you like and need smoking to handle your life, then when the nicotine addiction is gone, you will no longer want to smoke - bonus.
versus
If you need the habit and activity of smoking as a crutch or prop to get through your hellish life, then you are smoking cigarettes that cost half as much, with no arsenic, no nicotine, no cyanide or anything like that. Only rosehip and marshmallow. And half the price! - bonus.
Win:win.
Self control not required: infallible logic serves you much much better. :) Self control runs out. Clear logic never runs out. It's always there to save you. When you have the simple understanding, you are okay. :)
I don't think I've had a honeyrose in 4 years. Can't remember. Don't mind smoking, don't care about smoking. I disconnected the nicotine link to smoking, so seeing others smoke doesn't give me a reaction. I could care less either way. :)