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Share your quitting journey

Moving Forward!

Thomas3.20.2010
0 10 1

We've discussed a variety of reasons we might have become involved with and thus addicted to cigarettes which is all very interesting and has no right or wrong answers since each of us is different and our individual reasons are complex. But hanging out in the past is not the most relevant issue for us today! Like it or not, for whatever reasons we are addicts. Yes, it makes sense that like all circumstances that are classified there is a whole range of experiences of the power of addiction! Why should addiction be the exception?

But what counts today is what I will do today! My priority and yours should always be to Protect MY Quit! And yes, I still have to watch out and because I'm an addict I will always have to remain vigilant! I think we all agree on this!

Another issue that has been heatedly discussed is how to best support others in their quit! I'm a teacher and part of our training is behavior modification. That's just a lot of big words to suggest how best to support our students in prizing their learning! I have compared these skills with what we do here to find out if there is anything to offer, Here's what I found:

In order to replace any kind of addiction, the addict must find another, more positive activity! Sounds familiar!

Emotional issues are learned just as behaviors are learned and can be replaced with positive affirmations. The addict eventually substitutes faulty beliefs that support their addictive behavior. Again, Right on! I believe live.laugh,love listed them yesterday.

An addict must take 3 steps;

(1) Test addictive beliefs to see if they are valid.

(2) Introduce new beliefs that will help you change old patterns of addiction.

(3) Practice your new behavior

The following b mod strategies are recommended;

(1) Positive Reinforcement

(2) Manage Environmental Influences

(3) Goal Setting

and Yes:

(4) Negative Reinforcement

Now, remember that these are Strategies! Some combinations of these strategies work for some addicts and others work for others! Also, proportions of each are based on individual differences!

Conclusion: I see this site using all of these strategies in their support of our members. Surely, the mix of strategies offered is dependent on the personal experience of the person in the supporting role and that's O.K.! The main thing is we are not overlooking any of these strategies - they're all there for the person needing support! So take what works for you and leave the rest - just be aware, the other fella might need a different combination and that's perfectly natural! So I see no reason to criticise either those in the supporting role or those looking for support! Let's all remember that we all have one goal: Quit Smoking to Save Lives - especially mine! 

May we all be more accepting of our neighbor and address each other with respect and brotherly LOVE! Have a Fantastic Smoke FREE Day! There's nothing quite so Wonderful as living ADDICTION FREE!

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About the Author
63 years old. 20 year smoker. 11 Years FREE! Diagnosed with COPD. Choosing a Quality LIFE! It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. -Galatians 5:1