Starting My Quit Journey

[odhinn]

Hello all! My name is Erik, and I decided to quit smoking cigarettes on August 18th, 2016. I have been smoking for 25 years, and that is enough! Last weekend I did a 24-hour bike ride where I had 13 hours in the saddle, and rode for 150 miles. Afterward, I was thinking to myself, if I am capable of this type of feat at 40 having smoked for 25 years, what am I capable of as a non-smoker? Then it hit me. I was done. 

I feel like I have a bit of training under my belt and support in this as I am also a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I was addicted to those substances as well for 25 years, and quit everything except cigarettes and caffeine 26 months ago. I will be practicing a lot of the same principles to this as I did to that, a couple of them being total honesty, and not isolating. Hence the reason you are reading this, I am always looking for any support I can find and also offer. Thank you, and I wish the best to you all. If I can be of any assistance to anyone, please let me know. I keep what I have by giving it away!!

Erik

[Thomas3.20.2010]

Welcome, Erik!

Read up on Nicotine Addiction so that you know what you're up against! 

We're here to support your recovery!

It's isn't easy but it is doable!

[Giulia]

Hello Erik.  Welcome!  13 hour bike ride, wow!  You like to push yourself.  You'll do well on this quit journey.  And I see you've already jumped in and added support already.  Wonderful! 

Since you've already conquered two other addictions, you're familiar with the process.  Education is one of the keys.  The stronger your preparation, the more likely your success. 

If you can ride 150 miles in 13 hours and smoke, there's no telling what you'll be able to do when you ditch the cigs.  Glad you've joined us.  I'd say have heart, but it's obvious you've already got a big one!

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

I am glad you are here!  With your addiction history, a lot of what I will recommend may not be new - but it won't hurt to refresh yourself on it!

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. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort.  I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another.  I do not recommend the e-cigarette for three reasons: 1) the vapor has been compared to the polluted air in Bejing on a bad day, 2) they just provide another nicotine delivery system while continuing the hand to mouth smoking motion, and 3) the batteries can spontaneously catch on fire. . 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

[plug66]

WELCOME ERIK, YOU SOUND QUITE CAPABLE OF QUITTING AND ALSO CAPABLE OF OFFERING SOME ADVICE

[prjimm01]

Best decision you ever made my friend!  Welcome and enjoy your new life.  Keep us posted.

[Christine13]

Welcome Erik!  It sounds like you have a lot of determination especially if you can ride 150 miles!  Good work on beating your other addictions, It's not easy, but I know you'll do it! with the smoking one too!

[shashort]

Welcome Erik nice to meet you.  This is the greatest group for support and greatest decision for quitting smoking. 

[SimplySheri]

Hi Erik!  This post made me smile...your enthusiasm and energy is a positive force which will definitely help your quit.  Glad you found us!!  Welcome.

[JACKIE1-25-15]

You have come to the right place.

Start here

First, by educating yourself about nicotine addiction.

Freedom from Nicotine My Journey Home and Nicotine Addiction 101               

 http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html

 http://whyquit.com/ffn/

Read   Allen Carr’s book, “Easy Easier Way to Quit Smoking”.       

The link is here http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

Go to the home page https://excommunity.becomeanex.org  click on   About EX tab and get started. 

[maryfreecig]

Welcome. Keep coming back and keep talking, Erik.

[Strudel]

Welcome to the site! You have come to the right place so be sure to stick around! Congrats on your quit!