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Give and get support around quitting

Tsngo
Member

Quiting AGAIN

Lost count as to how many times I've tried and broken my quit this year. But I am trying AGAIN. 

14 Replies
YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to the community!

Einstein said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  What will you do differently THIS time?  I suggest that you read all about your addiction, follow advice here of those who have been successful by planning, preparing and asking for support, and committing not to smoke another cigarette no matter what.  We can help with all but the last.

 

The important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This easy and entertaining read provided a world of good information about nicotine addiction, most of which I was not aware.  I credit it in large part with my success at quitting.   You can search for it online or at your local library.


 You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmoking.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

 

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort after you have tried to delay and distract.   I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another.  You need to start out with a plan to reduce use of them over time - which the patch does by decreasing the dose contained in them..  For the gum, you can start by cutting each piece in half, then in quarters, then sub regular gum of the same flavor in between, adding more and more regular gum.  For the lozenge, you need to start subbing a mint in between to begin, increasing the number of them over time. I do not recommend the e-cigarette for obvious reasons.

It will be informative if you do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the site. As you track each cigarette smoked, note its importance, and what you might do instead. Put each one off just a little to prove that you don't NEED a cigarette just because you think you do.
 

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.
 
You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.    Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:
 https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...


The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.


Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!


 Nancy

sweetplt
Member

Welcome Back Tsngo to the Quit Journey...forget about the last year and start this over with hard work...Plan your quit at My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX Then educate yourself on addiction through the posts here at Ex’s...Come here for support.  You can do this...but it isn’t easy...you must find other healthy things to do in place of smoking.  You must know that the uncomfortable feelings will pass, but they take time....Let this time be the Last time...~ Colleen 595 DOF 

Krack3rJack
Member

Hey!  Welcome back!  Rooting for you to make it stick this time!  I would offer advice, but I am very new at this myself.  Nancy and Colleen know their stuff and are very helpful.  I encourage you to definitely read Nancy's post a couple times.

Krack3rJack

44 days without poison 

Barbscloud
Member

Krack3rJack You have lots of "advice" to share.   Sharing what you've learned and how you've accomplished 44 days smoke free will motivate others.

Congrats on your continued success.

Barb

noetoez
Member

I get you friend. I have no idea how many times I tried and failed. The number of times does not matter. This time, I am taking what I have learned from my previous stumbles to try to do better.

I've never tried using this site for support before. Everyone here has been there done that. They're pulling for us new quitters. No judgement, only support.

Take what you've learned, take what you can learn from other people's experiences. Figure out what you need to do different this time, to make this one your forever quit. Today is my day 10, not that far ahead of you. With some determination, new found knowledge, and the support of our fellow quitters, we can make it stick this time.

Congrats on deciding to quit!

RoseH
Member

I just sent you the Quit Kit I got at the old Quitnet.com.  It is paramount to have a plan to quit, to stay quit...  You can do this Tsngo

If I can quit for almost two years not, after over 50 years of smoking, nothing is impossible!  Rosemary

Barbscloud
Member

Welcome back.  Most of us have had multiple attempts at quitting.  Work on that quit plan.  It's key to how you'll deal with life events smoke free.  When you plan new associations/behaviors instead of smoking, you'll be prepared when faced with challenges.

And, stay close to the Ex.  Reach out when you need support.

Barb

Maki
Member

Refuse to loose . 

Refuse the temptation 

Refuse to give in or to give up . 

Smoking says yes , you say no thank you . 

Glad you are back , you will do this . Post when you need a listening ear or help through before your smoke . People are here for you. You are not alone . 

Odaat . 

indingrl
Member