Sonya

[sanyanonsmoker]

Ok, today is the day!  I have been smoking for the past 15 years? Shameful I know, but I need to stop! Friday is my favorite day to smoke and drink! I am sure that this is the heyday for many smokers-drinkers! This is a big step for me. I just can't post something like this on Facebook because I am a closet smoker. I do need your help!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Welcome,

I'd like you to read my page. It's not about me. It's about whatI've watched and learned since I quit for the past 8+ years.

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/people/jonescarp.aka.dale.jan_2007

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-...

[JonesCarpeDiem]

but, by all means, go drink and smoke first. 🙂

[Terri103]

Welcome!  You will find that lots of people will support you and give suggestions.  There is tough love from some and sometimes I need that.  Some will be more soft love?? and make comments that really are supportive and a little more gentle.  Once you pick a quit date, make the commitment and accept that you are NOPE.  

NOPE = Not One Puff Ever

there are two teams, Smokers and Non Smokers.  I choose Non Smokers!!!   

[kristen-9-7-15]

Welcome!

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

Smoking and drinking really do go hand in hand ----- and I have seen a lot of quits lost because of drinking alcohol during my time here.  When you quit, it needs to be your #1 priority for awhile --- and for awhile longer it is a good idea to limit yourself.

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. Here is a link to a free PDF version of it:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

As well, read the sections on this site, and read the blogs, responses and pages of folks you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com and quitsmokingonline.com for the good information contained there. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested on this site

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. 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.

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.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around your head alone.  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

[sanyanonsmoker]

Today is the day that t stop both destructive decisions in my life. I am so tired of the cost, lies and health issues from these dessisoions.

[Barbara145]

Welcome!  Congratulations on quitting smoking and drinking. Glad you found us.  This site is the reason I was able to quit after smoking for 52 years.

[summer-07-06-15]

Glad you're here. I agree with everybody above. You'll want to stop drinking in your early quit.  Remember there is no such a thing as one cigg.

[Thomas3.20.2010]

Closet smokers don't fool anybody! Their noses give you away! Do the reading and you will find your brain changing toward smobriety.

[Terri103]

How is it going?  Still keeping those cigarettes away from your face??