It has been a while since I've been on here, but I want to report that I remain smoke-free!!! I feel I had to come back here today and thank everyone that helped me thus far along and encourage new quitters to turn around and help those that are just starting out. I say this because my friend called me last night.
He had not had a cigarette for 8 days and had been feeling really good about it. The problem was that he was heading to the bar to meet up with some friends and he knew that they were gonna smoke. He had been thinking all day that he could have just one drag, maybe one cigarette and he'd be fine. So he called me for advise on how to not smoke. The first thing I did was tell him how proud of him I was.
I then went over a few tips I heard on here like just take it one minute at a time; chew on straws or gum or your nails; when someone else lit up tell everyone around you what your reasons for quitting are; ask the smokers to not smoke around you; think of a realy nice present you could get for youself for making it through without smoking; etc. My last suggestion was the hardest as in don't go. Just simply stay home from the bar until you feel stronger in your quit.
He just kept saying that one drag wouldn't hurt, and I asked him if a heroin addict asked for one hit or an alcoholic one drink if they could stop? He didn't respond and I think that kind of slapped him into realizing that this is an addiction, NOT a habit. He quickly said he had to go and we said our good byes.
A few hours later, I texted him and asked how he was doing. He wrote back that he had decided to stay home after all. He rented a movie and told his friends that he just didn't feel like drinking tonight. He thanked me for reminding him that the excuses for smoking were so similar to any other addict excuses. I know that approach may have been a little harsh, but the other suggestions wouldn't have worked and he would have smoked. He would likely have then woken up the next day mad at himself for having to start over again. I am just glad that I could be there for him when he need someone that had gone through it!
