Welcome to Become An EX
I have been smoke free for 18 days and I went out with friends, drank a bit...on the way home, I didn't think twice about my Quit and bought a pack. I'm feeling like crap for doing it, but I did. The next morning, I poured water over the rest of the pack. I feel like a failure, but I don't want to throw in the towel. Has anyone else experienced that? Could use a bit of a pep talk...
if you didn't think twice before buying a pack after 18 days, it doesn't show much respect for the work it took to go 18 days.
jonescarp 137 days ago
Yeah. By 18 days, you should be very conscious of the hard work you have put in and protecting that quit like it's life or death (because, in reality, it is life or death for about half of us).
It's fantastic that you jumped right back in. I would suggest that you would do yourself a huge favor by doubling down and investing some serious time and effort into re-calibrating the way you think about nicotine addiction, quitting, and smoking. Long-term quitters develop an early warning system that starts flashing lights and sounding sirens at the first twinge of a though of smoking. Building that safety net comes rom education and re-programming your brain after years of junkie brainwashing. That takes hard work. If you are willing to give it an hour a day for the next month, it will pay big dividends.
Click the lobster. I've got a ton of free links in my profile that will get you started.
hwc 137 days ago
You only fail if you give up I believe
BigQuitter 137 days ago
Learn from this and jump back in. You will be stronger the next time you come across that trigger.
SuzyQ 137 days ago
hwc is right, the more educated you are about smoking and quitting smoking, the more successful you will be in the long term and the long term is what it's all about. The single most important thing you need to know and make a comittment to is NOPE-not one puff ever. You need to understand why and how that is crucial, it's not just words, it's science. One cigarette, one puff even, sets you way back in the process that is happening with the neurtransmitterrs in your brain.
I am 4+ months quit, but I log on here almost everyday as one way to protect my quit. Invest the time to get an education, you're worth it.
Bonnie 137 days ago
You're not the first person to cave in after a few drinks. 18 days is a good chunk of time but you're still fairly new at this quit. Drinking is one of your big triggers (and mine) but I think it's great that you went right back to quitting!
The guilt you feel and how disgusted you are with yourself doesn't leave much room for us to beat you up - and we would never think of doing that. Don't do it to yourself, either. Slip ups happen. It's how you deal with them that's important!
Keep your focus and you will be successful - we all know how hard it is but we are proof that it can be done!!!
~ From A-Head at 246 days smoke-free
Anacondahead 137 days ago
I'm an experienced relapser who finally realized I DO NOT have control over cigarettes. For me, Not One Puff Ever (NOPE) is the only way that works - and I am so at peace with it now. Get back up there on that smoke-free pony and ride! You can do it. Get educated and just do it.
maynell 137 days ago
tcollinskeo
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No you have not failed! Remember the triggers that got you to buy that pack, and you may want to avoid those until you are stronger in your quit. Many people relapse, but you pick yourself up and keep going! Read the blogs, they are so helpful. You will find many others who have stumbled, but start over again. It is so worth the effort. You can do this! Not One Puff Ever NOPE!
tcollinskeo 137 days ago