A little help from my friends

[toby7]

Hey gang, I need your help. I HATE going public with this because I don’t want to discourage any new quits here. I am on day 52 and have been struggling the past couple days. Until now my urges have passed easily and left me alone for awhile but they have really been tugging at me lately. I am almost to the “just one” point. Why is this happening now??? I thought by now I would be a “happy quitter” too!!!!!!! I bought “The easy way” this weekend hoping it would help but haven’t had much time to read. Think I will read some now after this blog. I really feel bad after acting so cocky about how easy my quit has been. The urges aren’t painful so why is my mind playing hard ball now???

[jordan11]

think of it this way, your this far now why ruin such a good thing, do you want to start over and go back to the withdrawals all over again your passed the storm now do you want to go back in it ? is it worth it i get that feeling too but just fight it and it will passed i dont think you want to go back to day 1. One cigarette will lead to 3,4.5 then next thing you will be buying another pack and feel horrible about it fight the cravings it will get better

[bj_15]

There may be a trigger that your unaware of that happened. I just wrote a blog about what I think to myself when I get a craving. I am new, only on day 5. I can't speak for anyone else, but hearing that you are having a problem after so long doesn't discourage me, it helps prepare me for my future. Please don't be afraid to write about what is happening, that;'s why we are all here. To get help and HOPEFULLY be a help to someone else! You should be proud that you didn't do it, NOT ONE, NOT EVER!!! Keep me posted!

[Strudel]

Toby - First - you did the VERY smart thing of coming here! Second - what you are feeling is normal. You have been - and will be - a happy quitter! However, there are ups and downs. It is normal! I'm so glad you got "The Easy Way" - hopefully it will help.

For me, knowing that these addict type thoughts ("just one") will creep in, is okay. If I know about them - I am prepared. I can look at them, realize that they are thoughts or memories left from my old way of life. I can then tell them to "get lost" (or something a bit stronger!) and move on. It's not knowing that they can sneak up on you that would be a problem. That's part of why I stay here - to remeind myself to protect my quit at all times! Be aware!

Third (and last- I promise) - you have not been cocky! You have been truly happy and feeling good - we've heard it in your blogs and comments. The thing is that there will still be these thoughts. Remember how long you smoked - it takes a while to retrain that brain! You are doing great!!!

[Breakinchains]

You are dealing with smoking memories. They will surface from time to time, but you just have to push through them. You smoked for several years, you cannot just be rid of this habit completely in a month or two. It takes time. You will have to be patient. It's not physical, it is mental. Break your train of thought and move on. Continue with your smoke-free routine, and you will be fine. This is the reason the time up to about 4 months  quit can still be tricky. Don't let your guard down.

[toby7]

smoking memories, I like that. Kinda goes along with the "phantom urges" I blogged about earlier today. Thanks!!!

[Bonnie11.3.2009]

Have you been to quitsmokingonline.com?  The free course will help a lot with the memories you're experiencing and how to handle them.  Takes a year to go thru all the triggers and memories.  You're doin the "re-learnin" thing and it can be uncomfortable, especially if you thought you left all that behind.  This too shall pass and you can still be an Ex smoker.  NOPE. 

[twinnie14]

158 days, 18 hours, 45 minutes and 25 seconds since my last smoke and sometimes I get that feeling too...not to discourage you.  I hit a spot like you at that time and again just recently--you get through it but you have to take a good look at yourself.  I was told by Jim who is someone on this site to take a look at my comforts and relaxers and to see if I have those covered or replaced since I used a cigarette to do that before and he was 100% right and I had to come up with a list of new ways to comfort and relax.  I also found out that I don't really know how to comfort myself really in tiny ways so it was a little eye opening but helped me a lot...matter of fact...I need to let Jim know how much he helped me since I was a jerk face and took his advice and didn't respond 🙂  Good luck and hope this helps.

[vickys79]

Every good quit I have ever had ended with those kind of cravings.  Someone told me once that it is easy to quit at first because you feel so crappy from smoking, but once you start to feel better, the quit gets harder. Maybe that is what you are experiencing.  I don't have an answer, but I would appreciate it if you let us know how you get through this stage.  I'm pretty sure I will be facing it again some day.

[toby7]

after going 52 days without smoking would using a nicotine replacement, like an inhalor, be taking a step (or two) backwards?

[healthyjayjo]

Toby, my opinion is that you'd be going backwards. You're not missing nicotine, you're missing the associations with smoking. NRT isn't going to help that at this point, I don't think. You just need to ride this out.

[Bonnie11.3.2009]

When you re-introduce nicotine into your body in any form you would need to quit again, and of course, the 3 day withdrawals would be waiting for you.  Do yourself a big favor and go to quitsmokingonline.com now and get some relief from the way you're feeling.

[Sootie]

Toby- I think using nicotine would be going backward---but it's your choice.

The thing is---you are getting too upset with this phase---and it is just a phase. It will be gone soon---hang tough.

However, even after this phase is another and another. The thing is----they all get easier to get through...even somewhat amusing after awhile. I am quit for over a year and still get some---cravings? longings? memories? of wanting. Easy to get through...

You'll be fine. Go back to the one minute, one day at a time and this will pass. Do not smoke. 

[Sootie]

PS--I don't think any of us "discourage" newbies if we simply tell the truth about what is ahead. If I am traveling on a road, and you are ahead of me, I appreciate knowing when a sharp curve is coming up!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Its because you are in No Mans Land

This is the exact scenario I've spoken of.

You think you got it licked

then those thoughts of smoking start coming.

and you wonder why

and your quit is fragile

UR IN IT

This is why most people don't make it.

They say no mans land is days 30-100.

I say you aren't truly comfortable in your own skin until you've been through 4 months.

SO

Give yourself 4 months and see if I'm not correct.

what have you got to lose?

Your QUIT!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

If you start back on nicotine now

YOU"RE A GONER

[toby7]

A big THANK YOU to everyone that extended a hand!!! Doing much better now. All hell break loose with work but the upside was I didn't have any more time for a pity party!!! I guess Dale is right, I just hoped I would be much closer to not thinking about smoking at all by now. This is a great site for support and encouragement. I am a prime example of how you guys helped me through a slick spot. I have no doubt if not for this blog I would be back smoking again!!