We know you’re here because you want to quit nicotine products.
So, you joined the Ex, posted your desire to quit and even picked a quit date. What’s next? We hear that you’re interested in quitting, and you’ve given some thought to it, like most of us, for years. You’ve taken that first step. The desire and intent are there, but we may not hear from you again. Whatever you do, don’t feel embarrassed or feel you failed. Quitting a nicotine addiction is one the hardest things you can do and we’re here to help you get it.
This isn’t easy. Like myself, it took me 50 years and many unsuccessful attempts. I thought I was doing it right. At least that’s what we were told. I picked an aid and a target date to quit. Trust me, I’ve tried them all. NRT gum. lozenges, patches, acupuncture. hypnotism, Chantix, etc. But something was always missing. For my final quit, I used Wellbutrin and nicotrol inhalers. I tried the inhalers alone the year prior, but that quit didn’t last long.
I think we pick a day; Monday is always a good day so we can smoke over the weekend, and an aid and expect something magical to happen. But this takes work, loss, overcoming fear, anxiety, sadness, and for many some serious physical withdrawal symptoms.
What was different this time? Three things for me. I had a strict schedule to cut down for a week prior to my quit date. This may sound odd, but I concentrated on each cigarette and took the time to enjoy it. In the past, I would get lost in my thoughts and smoke another without even being aware that I smoked.
I have a wonderful Pulmonary doctor who didn’t give up on me. He prescribed my quit aids. And I accidentally found the Ex a week prior to my quit. I signed up for text messages and looked forward to receiving them. I was finally inspired to believe I could do this.
I read a lot on the site and learned there were things I needed to know and do to achieve my goal. I didn’t have a written plan but began to think about what I would do instead of smoking. I never did that before. How could I replace anything for smoking? It’s what I did with everything for 50 years.
Finally, there was support from fellow quitters. They really wanted me to be successful. I could reach out for help, and someone was there to cheer me on. It was rough emotionally, (not physically) for a long time for me and I thought about giving up many times. But there were people on the Ex that knew just what to say when it was going down that hole.
I’m no different from you. I’ve made all the same mistakes and gave into the addiction many times. Do I miss smoking at times? Yes. The only reason I quit was for health reasons when I was diagnosed with mild emphysema. I believe you must want to quit. I WANTED to quit for my health.
Some of the things other quitters talk about I don’t really feel. I really didn’t mind finding a place to smoke and being outside. If it’s cold, you put a coat on. I met some great people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I didn’t want to quit because of the price of cigarettes. I’d switch to cheaper brands. I know I’m supposed to feel free, but that’s not my reality and maybe it’s not yours. Do I feel different? I exercise the same amount as when I smoked, I work just as hard physically, etc. The biggest difference is I may not cough as much in the am and my fingers aren’t yellow. At my age and 50 years of smoking my wrinkles aren’t going anywhere, doubt my teeth are going to be a lot better, my skin isn’t going to be more vibrant, etc. I hardly doubt it.
Am I happy I quit? Not sure it's about happiness for me. Am I proud I achieved my goal for my health? Yes, but that doesn’t have any guarantees for you or me. In life, we do things that we don’t want to do for whatever reason we do. That’s the best we can do for ourselves at times.
All this being said, we welcome you here. You’ve taken that tough first step being vulnerable reaching out and we’re proud of you for doing it. On our side, we’ve taken the time to tell you we care and share what we can to keep you here and begin your quit. Whatever you do, don’t give up. Always come back when you need us. We’re not here to question how stressful your life is. We’re here to tell you our lives are too, but we’ve found a way not to smoke despite it all.
Stay busy and stay close.
Hugs
Barb
