I need some help here friends....

[maryv]

Six weeks today!!!! Cant believe it!  Still holding on and its gettng alot better.  The urges are few and they dont last long!  Even after I eat(which was a biggie for me) is really getting better.  Now, I have  been home alot.  Yesterday I went to a picnic.  It was a little rough but made it.  Now I am really asking for some help for when I go to the casino later this week.  Of course I always was puffing away as I pulled those slots but I know I cant do that this time.  My friend will help out by not smoking around me but I know this will be a big test for me.  I want to keep my cool and have a great time.  All without smoking!  I have to learn to live in the real world as a nonsmoker, but if anybody has ideas on how to get through this please feel free to let me know!! Thanks, love you all!!

[Deena-A-Yenni]

Don't have any tricks for you as I'm a newbie myself but perhaps to visualize yourself as a non smoker as you're pulling away at those slots breathing in good clean air.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

take some vicks and smear a small amount under your nose.

it will help with the smoke smell annd that little burn will distract you and remind you of your quit.

[annb]

There was someone here ..... Hmmmm thinking, can't remember - that had a successful casino visit not long ago. Anyone reading this remember?? Anyway maybe they will be along to share their experience. They had a great smoke free time as I recall!!!

[marilyn_marmac]

  

It will be a HUGE test for you! Even if your friend doesn't smoke, and that's a darn good friend, the casino will be full of cigarette smoke. You need to pack a kit to take with you. Cut up straws, hard candy, peppermint sticks, gum, whatever you enjoy chewing on. Drink a lot of water and don't allow yourself to get thirsty. Watch your alcohol intake too! If you feel like you can't hold out, admit it and get out of there. Just don't allow yourself to give in.

[elvan]

I have never been to a casino and it sounds absolutely terrifying to be around a bunch of smokers INSIDE...but I like Dale's idea of the Vick's reminding you of your quit.  I have also heard that cough drops are distracting.  I went to two pool parties a couple of weeks ago and the first one was really challenging, the second one was not as much because I KNEW I could do it.

I so hope that you can get past the feeling that you cannot have fun without smoking.  Combine that with alcohol and I would really worry about your quit.  I chose not to drink at the party even though I had several people try to talk me into it.  I told them that I HAVE to protect my quit.  They did not have to be told more than once.

Happy Anniversary!

[Florflor]

Hello, Maryv. My name's Flor. You just got one month and a half without smoking. Don't put yourself at risk. It's been magic having those days of victory. My suggestion is to give you more time before t test your willpower. Someone sed to me once: «No one can step over mud without get dirty» Congrats on those six weeks. I'm on ny 138 aeay from puff. Have a nice week. See you.

[Giulia]

Take something with you that when you look at it keeps you grounded to your quit.  A photo of someone you love, perhaps.  And I don't mean a photo on your cell pbone.  I mean a real photo that you can take out and hold in your hands.  Cell phone photos aren't real.  The ones you hold in your hand are - if this makes any sense.    Maybe a  note stuck in your wallet that you can pull out and read.  Again - not on a cell phone/tablet, one that you can actually hold in your hand.  Write that note in advance.  Think about it a LOT as you're creating it.  This is a note that just may save your quit under craving times. So you need to come up with the key words that speak to your own heart.  You are putting yourself in known smoking  jeopardy - so have very strong preparation going into it.  Whatever that may be for you. 

Six weeks quit is magnificent.  It is also still a drop in the bucket as far as this addiction is concerned. So whatever you do, and however you go about it - plan well and protect your quit at all times. 

[karen230]

I was also faced with a challenge recently when we went on a cruise. Lots of great suggestions here that I used, especially using a scent a I liked to spritz on when the smell of smoke was getting to me. The biggest key though for me was to recognize that the fear, the romantic thoughts of past smoking, imagining how I used to think I enjoyed smoking were all worse than the reality of being on the ship with smokers all around. In other words my own thoughts were the real ememy, not the environment I was in. So the same kind of  distracting myself from my own thoughts that I do any way  was the most helpful thing for me. 

I think most casinos have non-smoking sections so I would make sure you stay in those areas.

You can do this and you will feel sooooooooooo much stronger when you see that you CAN succeed!

[smorgy8513]

First of all, congrats of 6 weeks!    That is an amazing milestone and you need to be proud of yourself.      NOW you don't want to lose that!         I went to a casino about the same time into my quit as you are.     For the most part it didn't bother me.     My conviction to remain a non-smoker was bigger than the urge.      When it did feel uncomfortable or I thought "it stinks" I moved to the non-smoking section.        Just be sure you don't add a drink into the mix.

Alot of great ideas listed above.     Take advantage of the wisdom you heard and stay strong.

Good luck.......at the slots, not at staying smoke free (that isn't luck)

Sharon 336 DOF

[maryv]

Thanks for all the good advice.  I am definately going to try the vicks and maybe my favorite perfume to ward away the evil smoke!  I want to jpin the living!  I have been like a hermit and want to go putin the real world.  I will keep you posted on my success!

[Sootie]

Please.  Be careful. I so know the feeling of "wanting to get out".........but a new quit is a fragile thing. The casino is probably a huge trigger for you. Expect to be tempted right and left. Only you know if you are ready for this......be honest with yourself. Stay strong