The Long Haul Problem

[gmcculloch]

Hi Everyone. I have relapsed. Doesn't really matter why but suffice to say that family care giving has been very stressful this past month. I really thought that with all I had learned on this site I would not be back at square one but here I am. Very disappointed in myself. I haven't set a new quit date yet but my relapse is bothering me more everyday. 

Finding any time for myself has been a challenge and one of the big issues was my inability to get on this site for support. While running around hospitals, trying to keep up with work and barely sleeping, getting online here was not an option for the last month. It will still be a challenge but I have to find a way to come back here. Family is not supportive and not people I can call when I am struggling as most of them still smoke and those that don't are not people I can call for help when I am struggling. To make matters worse, my company has not blocked access to all non work sites during the day. I am in the car a lot for my job and checking my phone isn't an option while driving.

I have the info that helped me before and I will set a new date by the end of this week. I was hoping that knowing NOPE had to apply would help but the effort of staying quit during this past month was just energy I didn't have in me to fight. If anyone has some suggestions as to how I can navigate this site easier I would appreciate it. It was invaluable during my recent attempt but I had a hard time finding the right place to ask questions, keep up with a helpful post, etc.

Thank you for all being there when I needed it. I will try again. I have too much to lose.

Gina

[maryfreecig]

     No matter the problem, stress amped up is the hardest thing to stand down from. 24/7 stress is what I'd call amped up. I've been there and I've also not known how to unwind. For a long time, all my problems seemed to be the cause of my stress. Slowly, I've come to realize that I was pretty bad at coping with problems--not saying life is easy, but it's easier with good coping skills. 

     In order to stay smober I had to learn to cope. I thought I'd done enough just to quit. But my strengths were not enough to out gun my weaknesses such as my poor reactions to problems--I got smober and unintentionally learned to cope. 

    All of this takes time and as so many say--is a journey. Welcome back. As for the website--I'm sure someone will respond with useful hints. I tend to click and try until I remember what does what!!!!

[Kimberlymillsaps]

Keep trying , stress is a wicked thing ... but keep trying ..

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Sorry for all that you are going through.  Hopefully you can learn from your relapse and put that to use.

[Chuck-2-20-2011]

Sorry to hear this, but you haven't given up! You still CAN save your future. Please try to understand exactly what happened that made you relapse. It's important to know so that the same thing doesn't happen again on your next quit. Use this relapse as a learning experience. Something to propel you onward to freedom when you're ready. 

 As always, we'll be here for you if you need us. Keep learning, keep fighting and before long you really can be free! Thanks for checking in. Please keep in touch!

ONWARD TO FREEDOM!!!

Chuck

[MichelleDiane]

I was there recently.  Relapsing makes one feel awful.  One thing I did this time was to take powerful sayings from this site and Allen Carr's book and put them on index cards to carry around.  This way if I can't get to the computer or I cannot use my phone I can still find support.  

[elvan]

So sorry, Gina.  Hope that you can find a way to get back here soon.  Your company might want to keep in mind that helping people to quit and to STAY quit would be beneficial to them as well as to the employee...just sayin'.

I so hope and pray that things settle down for you...please don't beat yourself up.

Ellen

[AnnetteMM]

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/thread/17808-a-wise-elder-once-told-me Check out this post from earlier today!

[Jennifer-Quit]

We have lots of new quitters here - there is no better time than now to get started again.  Unfortunately there will always be trying times in our lives - we have to learn how to deal with life's problems without smoking.  You can do this!  Welcome back to the site - lots of good advise and support here!  Stay close! 

[PRAIRIEROSELADY]

Gina- sorry to hear about all the problems that were overwhelming for you.... Pick your time, jump in with both feet,because; there are a bunch of us...... Newbies, around here.... We will HELP EACH OTHER ON OUR JOURNEYS....

In the past,I found that I didn't cope, as well with stressful situations, as others thought. Discovering and knowing why I was an Emotional Stuffer..... has really Helped on this new Journey,that I want to be my last! 

You know, Everyone will Help YOU all we can.....

Being a senior citizen,I know LIFE is Hard...

Just keep Trying, until you reach the place, YOU want to be....

I believe you, Popped in, because Here is where your Support is....

Nobody told me this Journey, would be Easy...

Many Elders, told me, it was Do-able......

I Believe them........... 100%....

As the hours,days,weeks and months pass.

I Hope to see YOU around Real Soon......

May God Bless You, Prairie