Had a relapse

[Tommy2]

I had a smoke last night ... I am so bummed that I gave in - the night before I was at the Casino, a smoky environment, people smoking everywhere around me and I never once took a puff. Went out to dinner last night, came home and could not resist, bummed a smoke off of a friend and had one. I will say, the longer I go, the harder it gets? Is that true for anyone else?

[kristi4]

It was super-duper hard for till about day 6, with a terrifying craving about day9(i almost gave in).<--that was the last time nicodemon screamed at me. NOw, hes just a whisper.I made it through that day,and i am so happy. Im day 16,and it is relatively easy now. I think about them, wouldnt mind smoking one.But, i know i couldnt have just one. And realistically, I know deep down I dont want one. I dont get so much like a craving now, it's more like nervous/anxious energy. I used cig's as a crutch through this I think, now I have to figure out how to deal with myself:) But, I am using a NRT, which is making my life more miserable. I quit that 2mrw actually.

You did not say if you went and bought a pack, or just bummed only that one??? Also, I do not know how many days into ur quit you are? Maybe your trigger was seeing your friend smoke? Remember first to always Delay, DIstract, Deep breath, Discuss feelings(Drink water)<--which ever u prefer.

But, there is a point here I want to bring up. Remember that there is a difference between a slip and a relapse. Don't use a slip as an excuse to start smoking again(which is what I used to do). Do not go into a full-blown relapse. Learn from what happened. We have been to your point, but the difference is that we somehow did not give in. Learn from what triggered you. Restart. Educate yourself. Go to hwc's page, you will find much help there. people are more likely to succed when they keep trying. You have not lost, if you have not gave up.xoxo

[hwc]

I will say, the longer I go, the harder it gets? Is that true for anyone else?

Not really. I would say that, for my cold turkey quit, it maybe got a little tougher in terms of physical symptoms (but not really craving) on day 2, 3, and 4. After that, it was just a long slow steady climb of progress that continued from about day 5 to maybe day 120 when I felt really comfortable as an ex-smoker and had lost all desire to smoke.

It probably will tend to get harder if you are using willpower. Education is the key. You have to reverse years of junkie brainwashing and actively work on your mind to get to a point where you are thrilled to be breaking free and have no regrets whatsoever about never having to smoke again. It's not "giving up" smoking; it's gaining a life that is better in every way. Quitting is something to savor and enjoy.

Experts encourage quitters to live their lives normally and there is a lot to be said for that. Personally, I would probably recommend staying out of smoky casinos for a month, unless it's just absolutely essential. There's no point in seeking out one of the few remaining heavy-smoke oriented environments during the first weeks of a quit. It's a small investment in breaking free of the shackles of nicotine addiction. You'll have plenty of time for the casinos a month from now; they will still be ready, willing, and able to take your money!

[Tommy2]

I only had one smoke which I bummed .... I did not buy a pack, and yes I am on track again and trying hard not to slip up.

[hwc]

Sounds good Tom. I'm glad that you are back at it.

The key lesson to fully grasp (for all of us) is that having "that one cigarette" just makes it harder. That's the trap of this addiciton. Each cigarette temporarily stops the stress of withdrawal (and gets you back almost to where a non-smoker is all the time). However, each cigarette guarantees that the craving will return. In fact, the only way to stop craving cigarettes and nicotine is to NOT smoke just that one. Non-smokers don't have any cravings for cigarettes. Only smokers have cravings. You just have to view the quitting transition as a necessary step on healing, about like if you had fallen and broken your arm. Yeah, it would suck and hurt and itch, but you would put up with it because you would know it was getting better and healing. Same thing with what you are going through now.

[joy6]

Don't beat yourself up over that one mistake but learn from it. There are so many of us who had smoked for a gazillion years. If we've done it, I know anyone can do it. No, it isn't easy but it is possible to do. Please don't give up.

[kristi4]

Glad ur back in the game, Tom. How bout next time you want one get on here and write a blog screaming at the demon. I did it once, yea ppl thought i was psycho, so what 🙂 I'm here if u need me...xoxo

[Tommy2]

Kristi, thanks ... had a bad day on Sunday, but today I actually feel better, kind of like where I was before - I am going to kick this habit ... I know I need to use this sight much much more I am not taking full advantage of it. Have a good day.