looking for some friends :)

[sonja-runs]

this is going to sound a little pathetic, but...i think i need some friends on here 🙂 coming up on another weekend (when i usually have a few drinks and socialize with those who smoke) and i think i will need some support. i read the infamous "Reset Quit Clock" blog and though, since my original Feb 15th quit date, I have slipped a good six or seven times (having about 25 cigarettes total), I have not returned to my worst place of smoking daily and have not wanted to smoke daily. again, i want them around other people who are smoking (usually when there is drinking involved also or at all so it's a good thing i don't drink daily i suppose).

i also still believe that these are relapses are relapses so i reset my quit clock. i had one last friday but i haven't had one since. before that i hadn't had one since the weekend previous. obviously i have become more of a social smoker, but i want that out of my life as well.

someone be my friend?? 🙂 i'm awesome, i promise 🙂

[suzyq4]

You have lots of friends here sonja! I just had to laugh at "I have become a social smoker" because years ago when one of my kids had to go to a drug recovery program they had a saying about social drinkers. "Having a drink? So shall I!" In this case it's "Having a smoke? So shall I!" Keep educating yourself about nicotine addiction. By continually feeding your addiction over the weekdend you are allowing the nicodemon to be fed. Starve him out! Can you maybe go elsewhere when your friends smoke? Is there a different activity or place you can go to while they smoke? Just trying to find a way to pull you away from temptation.

[jay23]

When I quit I stopped drinking as much.  Taking away the triggers made my life a lot easier!  Remember, quitting cigarettes is one of the most important things you will ever do for yourself!  Make sacrifices and stay strong!! You can do this!

[onelasttime]

I agree quitting is the best thing you will ever do for your health take that advice from someone who has already damaged thier lungs. Suzy is right you have to distance yourself from the smoking until you are strong enough to resist the temptation I hate to tell you this but I don't think you are a social smoker you are a addict just like the rest of us. If you enjoy running let me tell you GF you had better  lay them down and do it now because eventually they will rob you of your ability to breathe which will in turn rob you of your ability to run or for that matter walk with any ease at all.You should read DR HUrts article on alcohol and nicotine addiction. You have to make a committment to quitting and stick to it avoid those triggers sounds like you know what they are already. This is a great support site but you still have to have the wilpower needed to stop.Only you can do that part. But you will find alot of helpful information here and support when you need it . It is also a great place to vent your frustrations. So just blog and someone will respond. It really sounda like you have alot going for you and you ae young why not quit now before you do any lasting damage. To be able to run a marathon is a victory. You should take care of that great body God has given you. If you want to see and learn about addiction (social smoking) go to whyquit.com. I have 66 days I am a nicotine addict  my husband a social smoker has 3 weeks clean. It can be done we both drink socially.

[budman12]

I have been smoke free for almost 4 months now and I've drank moderately through the entire quit. It can be done. It's kinda rough at first but it gets easier as time goes on. Like Jay said, when I dropped the cigs , I sorta  noticed that I wanted to drink less as well. I guess the two really went together more than I realized.

[jay23]

I agree w/ Budman, I didn't give drinking up all together but it sure helped out a lot to just cutback.  Actually, I'm going to a bar tonight w/ some friends.  Now that I distanced myself from the coffin nails I can drink without getting the urge.  @Budman, I definitely don't drink as much as I used to.  I was talking to my boss about that very same thing this morning.  Nothing went better together than a beer and a smoke.  I definitely wouldn't give this quit up, though, to have those two together again.

[Breakinchains]

Quit drinking for a few months, until  you are strong enough  to be around it and NOT  smoke.  It's not  forever, just long enough to be comfortable with not smoking. This is your  life you are talking about here,  don't sacrifice  it because you want a drink on the  weekends.

[patrick-marsh]

hey dont drink for awhile get the quit down on the cigs then go back or not!1 just have to do it!!

[copernicus]

We can be friends if you would like. I have been quit since Dec. 15th and have not had a slip (knocks on wood). I also saw that you are getting married soon. My fiance and I are getting married on May 30th so I can identify with all that goes into that. Feel free to reach out if you need a little support. The only thing that got me where I am today are the people on this site. Keep your chin up

Matt

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Hows a bout a belly laugh instead of a drink?

[sonja-runs]

wow. ask and you shall receive, indeed! thank you so much, everyone, for your advice and support. i needed to hear every word of it. i am very aware of my biggest triggers and can certainly afford to take it easy on alcohol for a while and focus on this quit, as, after all, i have both a race and a wedding approaching 🙂

i appreciate the suggestion regarding engaging in other activities or going elsewhere when my close friends smoke. the biggest challenge is that my husband-to-be smokes and since we live together, i can't always remove myself from the situation completely 🙂 however, though he continues to smoke (he's just not quite ready), he does support me in this effort. i know that my desire and willpower to quit are my greatest weapons. however, hearing from all of you (advice, support, jokes, and straightforward calling-you-outness) really helps as well. when i have quit for longer periods of time in the past it has always helped me to be accountable to someone or someones 🙂 thank you, once again. off to soak up this beautiful long beach evening on a 7-mile run! 🙂 have a great weekend everyone!

[sonja-runs]

*recieve) (sorry, that was bothering me...i before e, except after c.:p)

[Sootie]

OMG---"or when sounded as "A" as in neighbor and weigh"!!!I am sooooooooooooooooooooo happy that a 27 year old knows this!! I thought they stopped teaching that long, long ago!! Well you are a winner--no doubt! You can do this. Remember-----

The journey is the reward