FEELING LIKE A BAD QUITTER. WANT TO BE A GOOD QUITTER.

[Michaelle]

I really need to do this. I have recently done this by taking Chantix. Within 8 days, I stopped taking it because it gave me bad dizzy spells. I occupied myself with a coloring app on my iPad. It helped keep my hands busy. I have recently become a member of a rock painting group (dont laugh, it IS a thing) and that helps as well. Except when I wait for paint to dry, then I use that as an excuse to go smoke. 

So....I have reached out to this group for a little extra support. My hubby is trying to quit again, too, but isn’t good support. He’s critical, not supportive.

So here are my methods of trying to keep myself busy:

As I stated before, painting, coloring and walking the dogs.....

but I also have a vape that I should try instead of picking up a cig. I never do that, tho. And I should.

I AM angry with myself. I did so well the last time i tried to quit. I just feel weak and stupid not being able to make myself do it again.

[Mortalzeus]

I believe a "Bad Quitter" is a bit of a oxymoron and if you are looking for some extra support, you have come to the right place!  It will be coming in waves.  Thank you joining us and sharing your challenges.  I would suggest you spend some time here reading, reading, and reading some more.  The success of my quit is rooted in this community and would have never been possible without the love and support of the beautiful people here.  You can DO THIS

Stay Strong and Embrace the Journey

Darren

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

The only "bad quitter" is the one who stops trying!  I think when you educate yourself about this addiction, you will better understand it - and will be better equipped to conquer it.  Btw - vaping after nicotine has been out of your system for at least three days is a bad idea.  Read and you will understand why!  Most people here were unsuccessful in past attempts to quit - but with the materials we recommend, the site program of tracking, delaying, distracting and support, they have been successful.  You can be, too!

The most 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.” This is an easy and entertaining read. You can search for a free pdf of it on the net (copyright enforcement won't allow me to post the link here).

 You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmokingonline.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested in My Quit Plan http://www.becomeanex.org/my-quit-plan.php

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort.  I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another.  I do not recommend the e-cigarette for three reasons: 1) the vapor has been compared to the polluted air in Bejing on a bad day, 2) they just provide another nicotine delivery system while continuing the hand to mouth smoking motion, and 3) the batteries can spontaneously catch on fire. . But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand. 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. Buy your gas at a different station. 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), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.    Get busy!  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

[Thomas3.20.2010]

You are doing a lot of the right things, actually! By learning more about Nicotine Addiction and Recovery and getting support from your New BecomeanEX Family, in just a few weeks you'll be well on your way to a Successful Quit Journey! Nancy YoungatHeart has given you a Great Place to start! 

Read, Read, Read and share! We want to hear your successes, yes, but we also want to hear your struggles, whines, frustrations,....all of it! Only by sharing can we help you with positive ideas that can help you get the perspective you need to really live Addiction FREE! We've all been where you are now and you will soon be where we have come!

WELCOME!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months 

[maryfreecig]

    Life is normal without cigs and as quitters, it's all about relearning that. Recovery will come to you one day at a time, so stay close to Ex, make a new quit plan and begin again. Yes you can do this.

   Before you quit, you can do a few things to wake your brain up to the reality of this addiction; save all your smoked butts in a clear glass jar and do not hide it away. Use your digital camera/ur or whatever to record yourself talking about why you smoke (skip the why you want to quit for now...all smokers...ur most....want to quit). Wait 24 hours, then listen to yourself.

   Just a few suggestions and only my two cents worth.

    Welcome to Ex, so glad you are here.

[c2q]

Hi there. I also have to say that when it comes to quitting, there is no bad or good, only quit or not quit.

As far as I am concerned, vaping is not a means to an end for quitting smoking. Vaping in itself is very harmful to your health. It's not cute, and it's not a distraction, any more than smoking is. Rock painting, THAT sounds like a great distraction, and fun besides. I'd love to see pictures of what you've done, I bet they're really cool.

Give quitting a chance. It takes time for new habits to settle in. You can do this.

[Sandy-9-17-17]

You are definitely in the right place, because if I can do it after 43 years, anyone can!  Hopefully you don't wait until you get medical news of why you should quit!  I'm one of those!  Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!  You have already heard from the Elder's.  I like the one phrase especially though this time....the only bad quitter is the one who stops trying!  Never quit quitting, because you will get it right!  Stay close to this site, you will never receive better advice and support!  Again, WELCOME to EX!  

Sandy

[elvan]

Welcome to EX...I really cannot add anything to what has already been said...just one thing.  What do you think is going to happen if you just let a crave be a crave...acknowledge it, figure out what triggered it, plan for it to happen again...because it WILL and plan for something to do instead of smoking.  If you smoke because you are waiting for paint to dry...paint something else and then something else so you always have SOMETHING to paint.  This is a one step at a time journey and baby steps count.  Do the reading, become educated on nicotine addiction, make a plan...you can do that right on the first page when you sign in...identify and rate your triggers, figure out the worst ones and the easiest ones and plan for both.  Set a quit date and commit to it, don't play with it and keep kicking it down the road..."If you are quitting smoking and you are still smoking, you are doing it wrong."  It is not easy, I won't pretend that it is but if you set a date and stay close to this site, reading, blogging, asking for advice and then TAKING it...you CAN do this.  We have all been where you are and we all had obstacles that could have and in some cases, DID, pull us down.  This is a journey and the things you will gain from being quit are absolutely beyond explanation...you will get to know you...you as you were always supposed to be, not the you who was hidden in a cloud of smoke.  Boy, I guess my statement that I cannot add anything...was a "bit" off.  Stay close and follow the steps to a successful quit.

Ellen

[Mandolinrain]

Welcome, hope you take in all the terrific advice above and hope we see you around often. Its doable ( quitting) but you gotta DO IT.

[Mandolinrain]

....AND

....AND, my personal favorite....I kept this last one with me 24/7...

[Sandy-9-17-17]

Oh and by the way, rock painting is so much fun!   I found some larger rocks and painted them and put them in my garden!  It is so much fun and relaxing to me!  It really is a thing!

[Iamkfaz]

Welcome to the community.  There is so much information and support to assist us quitters.  Please read as much as you can, knowledge is the best weapon to this addiction.  One of the things I use when I have those hard cravings is Black Pepper Essential Oil.  I don't know if I am using it correctly, but whenever I have the craving I just smell the oil.  The smell helps me redirect myself.  Almost like the smell interrupts the craving.  Again though, the best thing you can do I learn all you can and come this site everyday.

Welcome!!

Karyn

[elvan]

Michaelle  How are you doing?  Are you feeling any better? Stronger?  Just wanted to let you know that I really am thinking of you...btw what kind of paint do you use to paint rocks?  I have some areas where I might want to put some painted rocks...

Ellen

[Michaelle]

Hi! I’m doing alright. Been busy with holiday stuff, and helping with a fundraiser for next weekend. I’m keeping busy! Thank you.

I just use acrylics for my rocks and seal them when dry with clear gloss krylon spray.

~Thanks again,

Michaelle

Sent from my iPad

[elvan]

Michaelle I am so happy to hear that you are doing well and that you are helping with a fundraiser...I think that keeping busy, particularly in a way that helps others is very, very valuable.

Hmmm, thanks for the information on the rock painting...I really think it's a cool idea.

Remember to stay close to the site when you can...we want you to be successful and we will help in any way that we can.

Ellen