4 days and counting

[michelle-f]

I just lost power for a few minutes and what is the first thing I did.  I reached for a cigarette.  G-D I can't keep doing this.  I hate myself for the reaction I had.  I need to learn on how to channel my reaction to a more positive outcome.  Any suggestions. 

I have reading from quitsmokingonline.com and it has helped me a little.  I also posted tis website to my facebook page.

What I have learned so far is that I'm a junkie addicted to nicotine.

[anacondahead]

You reached for a cig because that is what you always do. It's a habit. Write down the reasons why you want to quit. Ask yourself if  you REALLY want to quit or just sort want to quit. A half-assed attempt at quitting will fail. You need to focus your mind on your goal and just do it. The fear of quitting is much worse than actually quitting - it's true.

We are proof there is life after you quit. A wonderful life. In fact so many millions of people have quit in the past 40 years that today only one in five adults still smoke. We are all life-long nicotine addicts. We cannot take just one puff or we will be right back in nicotine addiction. That's a simple fact that we all live with becasue we have no other choice. Nicotine addiction should be respected but not feared. YOU can take charge of your own destiny. We have. You can, too. It's not about will power or who is stronger. It's a promise that you keep one day at a time. Join us.

[kevin61]

I''m certainly no expert....but I do have a couple of suggestions..  I've been a quitter now for 5 1/2 days - so we're in the same boat....

Take a walk.  When I just can't take it anymore - I take a walk.  Maybe around the block - maybe just around the house.  While I'm walking I try to imagine what life will be like once I'm done with cigs...

Use this site.  I've never been a facebook person - or really much of an online person.  But.... last night I went to party.  I could have literally killed someone for a cig.... but I didn't.  Partly - because of willpower.  But mainly - because I knew that my new "friends" would be disappointed in me.   Plus - I added my quit clock yesterday - and really do not ever want to reset it!

Lastly - don't hate yourself.  You just slipped - and you might slip again.  But ... if you just keep at it - eventually you will have the power to overcome it!

'til later.....Kevin

[aztec]

Stay away from cigarettes, if you haven't thrown them away, do so. try hard not to be around smokers when they are smoking, if you live around smokers, give them a paper contract, (make one) saying that they will not give you a cigarette no matter how desperate you become. Take that step and it will help with your committment and maybe let someoneelse know they can do it to like you are doing.

all great posts.

Not one puff.

regards aztec

[Yaya2.6.10]

I made a list of things to do when I wanted to smoke.  Self talk of waiting for a certain amount of time helped too.  I also told everyone I knew that I was quitting so that gave me determination not to fail in front of the world.  The biggest thing was jumping on this site whenever the urge hit.  Now my husband is threatening to take away the computer.  LOL

[hwc]

Nothing wrong with reaching for a cigarette. Hell, I reached for them for 38 years. Trained like a pet dog. That habit can't be expected to end overnight.

So what? Of course, you don't have any cigarettes in the house, so reaching for one isn't going to make much difference, right?

[Thomas3.20.2010]

Make it VERY difficult for yourself to get a cig! That will give you some time to think about your decision!  If that cig is only an arm's length away - no wonder you can't resist!  Throw everything smoke related away! Cigs, lighters, ashtrays, all of it - Don't lie to yourself that it's just for guests or just to light a candle, etc. It is JUNKIE PARAPHERNALIA! If you can't resist then spend $6 on a pack and smoke one and throw the rest away! Make it HURT in your pocket! Get serious about No More Cigs NO MATTER WHAT! YOU CAN DO THIS!

[Live4thedash]

The most important thing you said is "I'm a junkie addicted to nicotine"!   And brother that's the truth!!! We all are addicts..and the most important thing (In this guys humble opinion) is admitting that.  Once you know you're an addict and once you know how an addict thinks...then...you can change your behavior to not be an addict....and get this....it's easy....acceptance shall set you free!!! 

[michelle-f]

Once I get past my morning routine I'll be ok.  In the morning it's the hardest.  I went out this afternoon and enjoyed myself.  I was in a crowd and I looked around and saw how the non-smokers were enjoying themselves.  That was a real boost.

Along with my health I've been looking at the financial aspect of quitting.  I will save over $3,000 a year.  This is money I could spend to go on a vacation or buy a photo printer.  I'll be able to be free off the cigs.

[sfaoro]

QUOTE: What I have learned so far is that I'm a junkie addicted to nicotine

So now you understand.  Want to continue being a drug addict?  No? Then never take another puff?

[shytowngrrrl]

Sounds like you've got a ton of great advice to start from right here on this blog : )

I can empathize...keep educating yourself about nicotine addiction and ask yourself the hard questions...

Am I ready to commit to being an ex-smoker?

Am I willing to let go of the junkie mentality?

Am I willing to do whatever it takes?

You can do it, girl!!!!

[michelle-f]

I could do it.  I know it.  I mentioned earlier seeeing people not smoking was great.  I might be having a big test tonight.  I need to prove something to myself, by going to the casino.  If I go I'll blog about it later tonight or tomorrow.

[JoAnne5-14-2008]

I still can't seem to comprehend WHY ARE THERE CIGARETTES WITHIN REACH OF SOMEONE WHO NO LONGER WISHES TO SMOKE.  - If they are within your reach, that's asking for trouble.  Get rid of anything that reminds you of smoking.