My Crutch, My Friend

[Mdye]

After discussing my strong desire to quit smoking once and for all  , my doctor convinced me to try chantix again after a bad reaction 10 years ago. My desire to quit over ruled  my fear of the side effects I had experienced prior.

I started the medication December 1st with the understanding I would be on it 3 months. Without reading all of the material I smoked the first month as I normally would and set a stop date for New Years day. Failing miserably. I didn't have a plan, I was not prepared, I was not ready or committed. I was expecting a magic pill.

At the start of January I was receiving texts messages for support, I am now on EX community, and smoking half of what I normally would. I found it easier to skip my morning cigarette and the cigarette after dinner. New stop date: February 1st.

There are three options in the chantix material, I went with the smoke half then smoke half again until you're down to zero cigarettes. February 1st... I still had 5 a day to go so I reset to March 1st.

Things are getting easier. I am reading more material on X community. I'm driving and not even thinking of smoking. I can fold laundry and run the vacuum without thinking of taking a break and smoking a cigarette. Walking outside to let the dog out without grabbing a lighter. Dealt with some strong triggers; extreme pain, family drama, sex. Smoked after my quit date. Received lots of help from the community. Wrote about my thoughts and my struggles.

I'm now in my 4th month and last month of chantix. I am NOT smoking now. People can smoke around me and it doesn't bother me but I still think about it. & I still have triggers to work through.

I worry about coming off of the chantix. Did I give myself a new crutch? I fear  the chantix is what is keeping me away from the cigarettes?! Did I trade one addiction for another? I know all the nicotine is out of my body. And it's only my mind that has the urge to smoke. I also know that I can breathe better today. I can't taste food, my sense of smell is stronger, my teeth are already starting to look better, my kids are proud of me and when it is raining and storming outside... I don't have to go stand out in the rain lol I like being a non smoker. An EX smoker. 

So in close, I will be coming off of chantix soon. I am nervous about being off of the chantix. I will let you know how things go.

Marlo 

[anaussiemom]

No One has to be a saint to quit... The goal is to quit!  Some people stay on chantix  for months and months to relearn new good habits.  Try meditation with chantix.  To not struggle with thoughts, perhaps just 3 minutes a couple times a day.  I was amazed that it calmed my body.  I am always a bundle of nerves.  Really have to focus and keep bringing your thoughts back to your breathing and what word you might use.  Check out You Tube.  You have got this!! Mdye  

Hugs Kim

[JonesCarpeDiem]

You only gave yourself a new crutch if you believe Chantix is all that is keeping you from smoking.

Changing your smoking pattern and getting off autopilot by thinking before you smoke is very important.

[YoungAtHeart]

Your mind is the only thing you will have to fight when you finish your course of Chantix.  YOU can change your mind's direction, but it takes some discipline.  When you do, you will understand what it takes to remain quit.

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! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station.
 

This takes effort in the early days.  You can't LET yourself think about smoking that cigarette.  You can't win an argument with yourself about smoking...you made the decision - now stick to it!  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.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. 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.

You CAN do this - the psychological part of this addiction, I think, is the most difficult to get past.  BUT - you CAN do it!

Nancy

[elvan]

Please pay attention to what YoungAtHeart‌ has advised.  You have to do the work...there are no magic pills, growing psychologically is part of this journey and it has to be taken one step at a time.  It takes time and you need to work on it every day.  I came to this site every morning and every evening and every evening, I read blogs, I tried the things that were working for others.  I knew I would not smoke again but I wanted more than that, I wanted to feel like I was in recovery.  This site is the door to recovery.  I have no experience with chantix but I have lots of experience with trying to quit over and over and over again.  Trying is not an option...I had to rethink the entire process...my quit HAD to happen and there  were no more excuses I could accept...it really became a matter of "life or breath"...

This is not something that anyone can do FOR you but remember no one can smoke for you either.  That's a choice that you make and you will reap the benefits!

Ellen

[Mdye]

I love this, very helpful thank you 🙂

[Mdye]

Thank you Ellen, I agree with you 100%

[Beck37]

I quit cold turkey 84 days ago and still dealing with the addicts “mind games”. It doesn’t matter what form you used to quit, its still going to be there and can take years to work thru. Chances are you have smoked your entire adult life and have to learn how to navigate life smoke free. Every day will bring a new “first” time. 

Every challenge you overcome will just add to your feeling of empowerment. You are doing great. Be proud of yourself. Enjoy the ride and continue to be Amazing!

Beck

[sweetplt]

Hi Marlo,

I don't think you are giving yourself enough credit.  I think you will be able to keep the quit...you are doing amazing and look at all the positive.  Keep vigilant as you come of the chantix, but I have a feeling you will do great...Keep it here...and Keep that beautiful quit going...be proud of YOU...You are choosing Life over Cigarettes.  Colleen 105 DOF

[maryfreecig]

Nicotine is a nasty addiction, you have done your homework and quitting work. Congratulations. Try to remember--yes you can, because yes you have. And it is only one day at a time.

[indingrl]

WELCOME and CONGRATS ! WAY TO GO MARLO AND Yahoooooooooo.

[MarilynH]

You are doing this quit and you're doing it one precious Smokefree Day at a time or hour minute or even a second at a time just keep moving forward and stacking up your precious DOF  - Days Of Freedom so each evening you can say YAY for another Day WON .....

[elvan]

Look at you, doing this and doing it WELL!  CONGRATULATIONS!

Ellen