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Give and get support around quitting

Cummimel000
Member

Why am I feeling so down?

Its been awhile since I last posted anything but it wasn't because I relapsed. I've been doing very well actually, still not smoking and I have 20 days under my belt. So why all of a sudden am I sad and missing the stupid cigarettes? I have no desire to actually smoke. I remind myself that I don't do that anymore and I don't want to smell like an ashtray and I have to believe they would taste horrible at this point, so what is the deal? Has anyone else felt this and if so please tell me when it will go away?!

11 Replies
TW517
Member

My very worst day was Day 21.  Actually, that entire week was really bad. I had another few days like that around the 50-60 day mark, and again just after 100 days.  And none of the triggers I've read about here (holidays, change of season, etc) seemed to be the cause any of those times.  But it does happen to a lot of us.  Wish I could say if you just get through this time, and it will be all over .

But the good news is it does finally end.  For some it's relatively quickly.  For others like me, it took nearly 5 months.  And the period of time between those hard points does keep growing.  Glad you are with us.  Know that you are in good company.

Because you were used to doing it and not doing it throws your whole perception off.

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/thread/6040-my-welcome-to-new-members-10-years-of-wisdom- 

elvan
Member

You are FEELING...that's okay, accept it.  It really IS okay to feel sad or angry or any other feeling you can identify.  When we smoked, we stuffed our feelings down and when we stop...our feelings start to come out and sometimes, they seem MUCH more intense than they should be...because we are inexperienced in DEALING with our feelings.  It really is a journey and we discover so much about ourselves along the way.  We are here, PLEASE stay close to the site, read, comment, blog, let us help you in this journey.  I came here every morning and every evening in the beginning and I still do, for the most part, after over 4 1/2 years.  I learn from the people here, I try to reach out and help the people who need a helping hand or a reminder that they are not alone.  NONE of us have to be alone, we all have an amazing supportive group of people here and the things we can learn from one another are endless.  

I hope you feel better very soon and that you realize that growing pains happen...you are GROWING.

Best to you,

Ellen

MaineCoast
Member

I am on day 20 as well.  The past 3 days have been awful.  Probably the worst of my quit.  Someone mentioned in a comment to one of my posts that Day3, Week 3 and Month 3 were the worst for her.  I believe it.  So far, that seems to be the way my quit is going too. I feel ya!  

YoungAtHeart
Member

It's normal to"grieve" the loss of what was a constant companion.  Even if you don't feel like it, get in a bit of exercise.  Take a brisk walk in the fresh air...if you can't do that, even marching in place or a few sets of stairs will do.  That hit of dopamine you are missing will be restored, and I promise you will feel better!

Hang in there - it gets better!

Nancy

marciem
Member

Some folks say that the "terrible threes" of quitting are a myth (3 days, 3 weeks and 3 months) but my experience says differently.  You are at the three week mark, and it can jump up and bite you unawares.  It is also at the end of what my old board called "WTF week", since it is so confusing (first week - Hell Week, second week - Heck week)... you think you are beyond the worst and "day one" jumps out again and surprises you.

This is all normal.  Quitting is not an event, it is not "so over it now", it is a process, and mostly a learning process.  With some trips and blips and "WTH?"s along the way, but as long as you stick to NOPE, it will all be getting better and better.  Ever vigilant for those blips, but pretty soon the ease will be even easier .  That's a guarantee, as long as you do not smoke!!

As elvan said, feelings are good.  Feelings won't kill you.  Smoking will.  Learning to cope with feelings, without a smoke-screen to mask them, is part of the whole process we call quitting.

You're doing great!!  20 days on to 21... march! 

indingrl
Member

thanks for asking-for ME-talking about ME-not anyone else-i was so sad because MY best friend-lover of MY soul-MY 38 YEARS of comforting ME through MY HELL LIFE-a HUGE part of ME was dying-i was grieving losing MY BEST RELEASE TO HATING ALL -EVERYTHING-SMOKE! 5 stages -EVERYONE-goes through-it could be MANY reasons-quit using drug nicotine-death of loved ones-break up relationships with family-engagement-people-losing keys-death of pets-fire-tornadoes-gain weight-the LOSSES could go to infinity-the 5 stages remain the same-1. DENIAL 2. ANGER 3. BARGAINING 4. DEPRESSION 5. ACCEPTANCE-i learned that from educating MYSELF at whyquit.com-the elders here SUGGESTED-i go there and READ Joel S. FREE book titled-NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF and to watch the FREE videos to educate MYSELF on MY DRUG NICOTINE USING-no one elses- elders SUGGESTED-writing a goodbye letter to MY BEST LOVER FRIEND-NICOTINE-it sounded stupid-i did what was SUGGESTED-wrote the goodbye letter-cried-and saddness left MY MIND-acceptance came with peace to keep moving forward-thank you for helping ME MORE TODAY-to be grateful to you and EVERYONE FOR THESE 7 YEARS-N.O.P.E. LIFE STYLE-TEACHING AND GROWING EACH BREATHE-for ME in MY Lord Jesus name amen-please take what HELPS-let go of the rest-thank you.

A.N.N.
Member

Congratulations on your 20 days! Reading your post made me go back and look at what I had written. You made it longer than me.... By day 10 I was feeling a sense of loss. All the memories and moments that we associate with smoking, now are so different. It almost feels like grieving, although that is a somewhat dramatic discription.  It truly does get better. And before you know it you will be feel better. 

Ann

In a word - dopamine. Dopamine - the Double Edged Blade 

/blogs/Thomas3.20.2010-blog/2016/07/29/dopamine-during-the-first-3-months?sr=search&searchId=6c1edea...

Remember you are suffering because of Nicotine Addiction and the only way out is Recovery and you are on the right path! 

Don't let it drag you back to addiction.