I have been smoke and chewing tobacco free for 18 months now after maintaining both habits heavily for 13 years. A pack a day and a can of Copenhagen every 2-3 days. Do I miss it? From time to time, but it is a faint memory of who I used to be. I would not go back to that way of life after all the hard work I have put in to excommunicate myself from the nicotine addiction that was largely in control of my life. Plus, after all that I have learned during the most difficult times of quitting, I am too educated now to make that decision to give in to nicotine when I feel like I need help. I can do it on my own without a crutch like a smoke or chew.
Here is some advice. If you start your quit date and you have all your best intentions in quitting despite the nervousness, you have begun quitting. It is common to give in during the first couple months. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE A SMOKER AGAIN OR CHEWER! It means you got knocked down. SO GET BACK UP ON YOUR OWN! I will not lie, you will be tested by every situation in your life that causes stress, even things that are not stressful will test you. One of the lies that your mind will tell you is that during your main quitting period, the first three months, is that when you do give in, that YOU HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS IS A LIE! Do not believe it. keep moving forward toward your goal. Quitting at times will take everything out of you, rest may be needed or a break. One thing that helped at times was not chewing gum, but some soda or anything with some sugar in it. Remember though, the sugar thing will have to come to an end as well in order not to replace one habit to another. The sugar helps in giving a boost when needed to get through this difficult time.
Keep moving forward and do not dwell on guilt that you gave in. Guilt. It is the uppercut to the jaw when you least expect. But, once you realize that you are laying face down on the canvas because of the guilt (depressed), GET UP! You can and will stand up to it again, this time with the knowledge that guilt can sneak up on you at any time, which is preparation for your next bout that will soon take place. As long as you keep getting back up on your own, you will win the fight in the end. The beauty is, the fight ends when you no longer have the feeling to fight or the need to fight the habit. You will have gained control over your life the way it was meant to be, more aware and conscious of who you are at your deepest level.
I know this is a long post, but I wanted to pass what I have learned over the past 18 months because I know exactly what all of you are going through and know there are a lot of questions in the beginning. Some of you are probably seeking advice from non smokers, and feel that it does not help. Furthest from the truth, since those who are listening to you are supporting you, just the answers are not at the level you are hoping to hear. This is why you are in here trying to find others who hear you and can relate. I did the same thing on another website for a brief time just to read what others had to say about quitting. It helped.
I hope I did as well.
