Why am I afraid to give up two cigarettes?

[Sek4110]

My quit date is March 23rd.  In the beginning of March my non-smoking sister suggested that I pick a time each day that I would absolutely not smoke for example driving my car.   I chose all day all night that I would not smoke.  Since March 9th I have two cigarettes in the morning and then I don’t smoke all day all night. In the 10 days that I’ve been doing this I had one slip up and smoked a ciggarette in the evening. I am using the patch. I put it on after the two cigarettes in the morning.  I am really freaking out over the thought of giving up those two cigarettes in the morning.  I am more fearful of giving those two cigarettes up then I am not smoking all day all night how crazy is that? Any suggestions?

[Beck37]

Cause giving up those 2 cigarettes would make you a non-smoker and that is scarier than crap. You have probably been a smoker your entire adult life. I get it...... 

The mental part is the most difficult of the whole quit, but you will be okay.  Stay out of your head. The moment you start to think about smoking just shake the thought right out of there. You are doing things right and should be proud. We are here for you so just cry “help” and we’ll be there for you.

Congratulations!!!!

Beck

[Sek4110]

Thank you for your reply. Yes I have smoked more years than I care to even admit. 

[JACKIE1-25-15]

We have all had the fear of failure and letting go.  Those fears are based on false expectations that appear to be real.  First you have to make a commitment just as you did with the two cigs.  Commit to NOPE. Not one puff ever. That will be the start of true freedom.  You will be happy that you did. You have come to the right place to get support to quit smoking. Education is the key to a successful quit.  Start first by educating yourself on addiction to nicotine.  It is advisable to read Allen Carr's Easyway to Quit Smoking which can be found on pdf on the web.  Another good site to get info is www.whyquit.com.  There are several articles to read.  Nicotine 101 and Freedom From Nicotine My Journey Home.  Quitting takes planning and preparation go to EX Plan | BecomeAnEX  to decide how you are going to go about quitting. To get help on navigating the site go to. Community He My lp‌.  Again Welcome, there is more to come.  If you have any questions you can do a search with the magnifying to respond glass type any keywords and research.  If you have any questions just ask and give us the opportunity to respond.  We are here for you. In the meantime /blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoke?sr=search&searchId=cfc0...‌

[Sek4110]

It never even occurred to me that I might be more afraid of failing to give up those two cigarettes than I am of not having them to smoke.  This is my problem. I want to succeed so badly. Thank you 

[YoungAtHeart]

That final goodbye is, indeed, the most difficult.  It's why so many want to quit but don't.  The best advice I can give you is to completely change up your morning routine - and try to fit some exercise into it.  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. 

You aren't getting much nicotine from just two cigarettes - so what you are facing is more the habit/association/trigger part of the addiction.  Make up your mind and don't have ANY cigarettes around on your quit day.  Put any remaining under running water and smash before trashing.  You can't smoke what you don't have.

Make the commitment - you can do this!

Nancy 

[Sek4110]

Thank you Nancy.  I did not expect this but those two cigarettes do not make me feel any different physically.  Before I stopped smoking all day and all night I felt relief/satisfied after my two morning cigarettes.  But of course I have the patch on afterward.  I have cravings during the day but they pass.  My breathing is already better.  Oh dear me, what will Saturday (my quit day) bring!   No cigarettes for Susan (me) on Saturday!  

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Cut a straw into thirds and chew on it, use it to fidget with your hand. A distraction.

You are likely getting a whole lot more nicotine than you were from those two cigarettes as the lowest dose patch is 7mg and 2 cigarettes deliver 2mg..

I did the same thing. Used a 21mg patch  when I was down to 5  day before I quit, but, I listened to my body and when I forgot to wear the patch two days in a row the end of my second week, I put one in my wallet with a promise to put it on rather than smoke.

I never even came close to thinking about it but, it was there my first year.         

 My Welcome To New Members (12+ Years Of Watching)           

[Sek4110]

I would jump for joy if I forgot to put a patch on 2 days in a row!!!  I pray this happens to me too!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I quit on a Tuesday and forgot to put it on Friday. It was 10 minutes away so I didn't panic.

The next morning I felt like I needed it so I put one on.

The end of week two was when I forgot two days in a row.

I had no intention of stopping them but when you forget 2 days in a row, logic should kick in, and, it did. 

Listen to your body not the nicotine addict. I went from the 20mg patch to nothing those two days.