slips to me are failure.

[exsucker]

To me if I can't quit all the way on the first day and not slip, I am not successful.  This is my 3rd attempt and I am feeling frustated.  If I have slip then that means I cannot say that I have been quit since my quit date for so many days if I have a slip because I have had a cigarette and have not completely quit.  Help me with this additude that is stopping me from quitting all the way.  Thanks

[Breakinchains]

The question to ask is not so much whether it is a slip or not, the question to ask is why are you doing it? What makes you light up? That is what you need to focus on. Is it a stressful situation? Smoking only makes stress worse so by lighting up you are only increasing stress. Is it triggers? Avoid those situations for a time if you can. Develop a new routine that does not involve smoking at all. Focus on your smoke free future, not your past. What you used to do is over, time to move on. I agree that if you smoke you are not quit, but I think to succeed at this it's time to change your focus. Keep a positive attitude and move forward.

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

It takes some people many false starts before they finally are successful.  Don't expect failure - expect SUCCESS!  Your mindset has a lot to do with it....as does education, planning,  preparation and commitment.  We can help with all but the commitment.  You need to make the decision that you will not smoke another cigarette NO MATTER WHAT and honor that decision, sometimes a minute or an hour at a time in the beginning. 

The most 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 is an easy and entertaining read. Here is a link to a free PDF version of it:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

As well, read the sections on this site, and read the blogs, responses and pages of folks you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com and quitsmokingonline.com for the good information contained there. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested on this site

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. I do not recommend the e-cigarette for three reasons: 1) the vapor has been compared to the polluted air in Bejing on a bad day, 2) they just provide another nicotine delivery system while continuing the hand to mouth smoking motion, and 3) the batteries can spontaneously catch on fire. . But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand. 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.

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.  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.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around your head alone.  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

[Daniela2016]

New ex-smoker, my 2 cents:

1. Do not be so hard on yourself, every cigarette you did not smoke is a win for you

2. I had many attempts before this one ( I consider it permanent, and I will work hard to make it so)

3. Do read, a lot, constantly on the effects of nicotine on our brain, and how to beat them, Nancy provided you the links

4. The Easy Way to Quit Smoking helped me change the way I looked at myself as a smoker, and now as a former smoker,

5. Come back here, every opportunity you have, blog, vent, ask for help, ask questions, there will always be someone to answer you

Good luck!

Daniela

[Deena-A-Yenni]

All good info above.  If you don't succeed, try try again.  I believe education is key.  When I become anxious, I immediately engage in some exercise of some form as getting to the computer lately has been difficult.  Many good folks here.  They got the good word.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

click on my cat and read my page.

[crazymama_Lori]

just remember what made you slip, think about what you can do so next time it won't.  This can be done.  I smoked for 43 years at 2 packs a day at the end and now have 103 days (almost 4 months) under my belt.  Stick around, we'll help you along the way

[froguelady]

I smoked 54 years but have been smoke free since 3-16-11. You can do this but you must be willing to change your mindset from a smoker to an non smoker.

I hope I am not being to  critical but it isn't a slip, it is a decision to smoke one. It comes to a matter of choice.

[tjanddj]

A commitment to your quit, some education about the addiction, reading and writing blogs will get you on your way. Becoming a non smoker is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.

[prague]

Thinking that a slip is a failure...is a faliure. EXCUSE YOURSELF. My advice for what it's worth: Don't worry about the number of days you have since your last "slip". Consider the time or date you decided to quit and continue your determination. I decided to quit on 3/20, but I've broken down and smoked 4 cigs since. I'm just as determined as I was on 3/20. 

[Thomas3.20.2010]

Close the Door and Lock it!

Not One Puff Ever!

Smoke FREE is the only way to Quit!

[exsucker]

Thank you for all your comments, words well taken and critical advice well taken also,  I can and will do this. thanks again,  take care and "God bless you all!

[Dotgirl_1-28-16]

Be gentle with yourself, continue reading and educating yourself on this addiction, keep preparing for a successful quit...when you are ready...YOU WILL DO THIS! Please keep in mind, most of us have been where you are now, some of us have felt as you feel...you are not alone. Know you can do this, just follow in the footsteps of those that have gone before you. You can do this. Welcome to the EXcommunity, Im glad youre here.

[TerrieQuit]

Hello, and Welcome to EX! We are so glad you are here! This is a great place to quit smoking. You have been given links to great information and good advice above. Please do the readings and listen to the Elder's (folks with 1 year + quit) They know a lot about this addiction. Education, willingness to do whatever it takes not to smoke, determination and commitment are the keys to a successful quit!

I would like to recommend a group called The Daily Pledge Group. It's fun and will help reinforce your commitment not to smoke!

Just click on the link below and scroll down and take the person's hand before you and promise not to smoke! You can state your # of days, post a picture or whatever you want! This is your quit be proud of it! Please join us!

http://community.becomeanex.org/pg/forum/topic/8352460/mother-may-i-no-mother-i-will-keep-my-quit/

This link is also on my page.

Hope to see you there!    Terrie

I Won't Quit on my Quit!