Help

[kaycod2020]

I need help it feels like there is only so much help someone can offer me when I'm in the mood to smoke. But I feel like. A failure just got done smoking and tomorrow's my quit date. I'm struggling. I feel like I should be stronger than this.

[SuzyQ411]

Hello kaycod2020‌.. I am sorry you are having such a rough time of it. It certainly is not easy to quit smoking but there are so many on this site who have been successful in quitting. I'm curious if you are quitting "cold turkey" or if you will be using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) such as medication, or patches, or nicotine gum/ mints.? It's a personal decision, but many express benefits of using NRT's to get a quit off the ground.

I hear what you are saying " there is only so much help someone can offer me when I'm in the mood to smoke" but by having your back, we can help guide you off that ledge. One thing that helps many quitters is preparing ahead of time by reading all you can on nicotine addiction, setting up a quit plan to include "tools" to use when the carvings hit, etc. Have you taken time to do any of these things? I ask because these steps can help a person be better prepared when the date of the quit arrives.

For some, drinking lots of cold water helps get through these rough times. One of our members suggests sticking your head in the freezer and taking a deep breath, another actually bites into a lemon. It seems these actions sort of "slap them back" into reality, reminding them that they have chosen to not smoke anymore and then choose to get back into the swing of the quit. 

I'm curious if you've tried to quit before and if so, what may have helped you during your journey. 

Here's a reading about planning your quit kit that might be helpful... /blogs/Christine_Aka_Legend-blog/2014/08/22/quit-kit 

And here's a list of things to do rather than smoke https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex/blog/2008/05/03/things-to-do-instead-of-smoking 

I, myself,  have tried many times over many years to quit smoking, I will be honest. The longest I had ever gone before now was one month. I was a heavy smoker for more than 60 years, and will soon be one YEAR quit on January 6th. I know quitting can be a real struggle but I also know it can be done.

I'm going to give a heads up to our informal Welcome Wagon Lady, Nancy, YoungAtHeart‌ of your struggles tonight and you will hear from her soon with a whole bunch of helpful tips. Until then, please take deep breaths to calm yourself and write down all of the reasons you choose to quit.

We care. Hang in there.

~Suzy

[kaycod2020]

I found a place that sent me 2 weeks worth of patches but I was hoping to find a place that had the gum. Maybe it will work better.

[SuzyQ411]

Have you started using the patches yet? What strength are they?

[Trisha76]

I used 21 mg patches for five weeks along with 4mg gum which I usually used only when I could not get rid of the craving.  I also worked at the self talk until the craving subsided every time.  Always the breathing exercises and then NOPE (not one puff ever).  You Will have to do this many times a day particularly at the start. Then after a couple weeks after coming to this site every day and reading and learning new ideas, I started cutting back on everything. Cut the gum after a month and stop the patches when I felt like I didn’t need them anymore.  I just listen to my body and figure out what I needed to do. Then I got off the gum and now I’m at 109 days of freedom. You have to stay very committed to your quit.  I had smoked 50 years before I quit. You have to do what works for you.

[YoungAtHeart]

SuzyQ411 

I gave her my welcome on her other blog - but thanks for the heads -up.

Nancy

[SuzyQ411]

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Welcome to EX you are in the right place for  support (help).  That's what we do. Quitting is difficult but once you get started and stay on the path it becomes easier each day.  Quitting requires you to make the commitment that you will not smoke no matter what. As time passes and each time you say no the journey gets easier. It is up to you whether you make it easy or hard because it is what's between the ears. Your mind.  You  have to change the way you think.  You have to reprogram your brain after years of smoking to understand that it is an addiction and you do not have to smoke. Just think about it what do non smokers do. 

Education is the key to successfully quit. Come here often to Read, Study, Blog  and askQuestions.  Be willing to do the work. Whatever it takes not to smoke no matter how hard it gets.  With the help of the EX Community you can have a forever quit.  Start by educating yourself about the addiction to nicotine. Know the LAW!  Go to My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX  and review the videos and learn more about  your triggers and how to prepare when the urges come if you haven't already.

 Take smoking off the table as an option and do something different. 101 Things to Do Instead of Smoke SINAO smoking is not an option.  Establish a /blogs/Christine_Aka_Legend-blog/2014/08/22/quit-kit  and with the NOPE concept Not one puff ever you can make it.  We have to be willing to do the work. It is not by will power but your willingness to NOPE NMWE no matter what..   Quitting is the easy part.  Staying quit takes work. One day at a time.  The journey begins  and continues...

[sweetplt]

You have gotten great advice above me.  Do the work and keep close to the support site.  We are here to help...Colleen 726 DOF 

[SuzyQ411]

I'm thinking about you kaycod2020‌ and wondering how things are going with you?? {{{ HUGS }}}