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Give and get support around quitting

643dpbaseball
Member

Why it's important to see myself tobacco free

I have been chewing tobacco since I was about 20 years old.  I am 31 now.  I want to be tobacco free because I can be free and not feel like I have to hide anything from those I love.  I'm tired of hiding this and feeling ashamed of myself when I get caught with it.  I want to regain control of my life and not be controlled by chewing tobacco.

13 Replies
YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to the community!

No matter the delivery device, nicotine addiction is nicotine addiction, and how to break free is pretty much the same across all ways of getting a fix.  .  You will need to sub "chew" for the references in the reading I will give you that will refer to smoking or cigarettes.  I'm glad you are here.  We CAN help!  We are a community of people of all ages and backgrounds who share a common addiction to nicotine.  Some of us are years ahead of our quits, some in the first year, some newly quit.  We KNOW what we are talking about because we have (or are going) through the journey.

The important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.”    You can search for it online or at your local library.  Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

 

Let me know if you decide to use a quit aid and I will give you my thoughts on them.

 

It will be informative if you do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the site. As you track each cigarette smoked, note its importance, and what you might do instead. Put each one off just a little to prove that you don't NEED a cigarette just because you think you do.
 

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  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! .  Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.
 
You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. You might visit “Games”: https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/games. The active ones are at the top of the list going down the left side of the homepage.   Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:
 https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...


The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.


Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!


 Nancy

Barbscloud
Member

Welcome to the Ex.  I glad you came to this decision while you're still young.  Many of us smoked for a lot more years, so hopefully you'll avoid some of the health issues others are suffering from.  Educate yourself about nicotine addiction and create a quit plan.  These two steps are a positive way to begin your journey.   We're here for you, so just reach out if you need encouragement or want to share your journey to freedom.

You got this, one day at a time.

Barb

AnnetteMM
Member

We recognize the truth here, that we're addicted to nicotine, and that putting nicotine into our bodies in any way, shape or form is gross and disgusting. WE'RE not gross, the addiction is. We deal with addiction by looking at it with openness and honesty, and by creating a plan to break free.  Your plan will depend on what works for you. You can read all about everyone else here, and then pick and choose.  Personally, I went cold turkey, and used Tootsie pops and Twizzlers at first, and made sure I kept my hands busy all the time. (I crochet)

Here's one place to start: 100 Things to do instead of smoking! 

The Law of Addiction states, "Administration of a drug to an addict will cause re-establishment of chemical dependence upon the addictive substance."

MartyO
Member

Welcome here!  You have come to the right place to kick the nicotine habit.  So much valuable information and support here.  

We all wish you well on your quit journey.

Know you CAN do it!

Rooting for you

indingrl
Member

Cool

maryfreecig
Member

Welcome to Ex. Sounds like you've found your reason to quit.

MarilynH
Member

Welcome to the community you've made the best decision that you'll ever make in your lifetime and it's definetly the best gift that any of us will ever give ourselves which is the GIFT OF LIFE, You can and will succeed in living a life of Freedom we're all here to help you in any way we can please read everything you can because there's a wealth of information right here on this site, You can do this quit believe it deep breaths and believe in yourself. 643dpbaseball

Strudel
Member

Welcome to EX and congrats on deciding to quit! 

Ooooooh someone else who wrote a #tobacco_free_vision

Way to go 643dpbaseball