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I'm new here... And wondering what to expect.

Question asked by Kyleebabyyxx on Aug 24, 2017
Latest reply on Aug 26, 2017 by freeneasy

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I'm sixteen years old, and I've been smoking since I was ten. I don't know what my ' triggers' are, except anxiety and stress. I smoke more than just when I'm anxious or stressed though. I smoke when I wake up. An hour later I smoke again. I smoke after I eat, I smoke when I look at the time and say "oh it's been awhile, it's a good time to smoke again." I smoke after sex (tmi but the counselor from 1800quitnow asked if that was a trigger so...) I smoke all the time. I smoke cigars, Swisher Sweets to be specific, and I smoke anywhere between 2 to 5 a day. When I have cigarettes, I'll smoke 7 or 8 a day. I've never tried to quit but I might be pregnant and if I'm not I do plan to be soon. My quit date is September 5th at the latest, that's when I will have access to the nicotine patches and gum. So my questions are.... What do I expect? What are withdrawals like? How do I avoid smoking in general? How do I use patches and where would the best place to put them be? What are they like? Does the gum taste funny?

Thank you for your time.

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JACKIE1-25-15 Aug 25, 2017 7:03 AM
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What to Expect in the First 4 Months
Welcome to EX.
Congratulations on making the decision to quit smoking. You have come to the right place for a new day and a rebirth. This is all about you and what you are willing to do to be smoke free. Quitting smoking requires hard work. It can be challenging at times but you will learn that it is doable if you adhere to NOPE not one puff ever no matter what.
Start first, by educating yourself about nicotine addiction.
Education is the key to a successful quit.
Read: Freedom from Nicotine My Journey Home and Nicotine Addiction 101
Here are the links: http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html   and http://whyquit.com/ffn/
I also encourage you to 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 http://www.becomeanex.org/how-to-quit-smoking.php#thl and get started.
We will support you. You are on your journey to freedom
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jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 Aug 25, 2017 9:12 AM
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Where Does It Come From?
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- jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 @ jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 on Aug 25, 2017 5:01 PM
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  the link I posted above will teach you how to learn before you quit if you will read it.
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Youngatheart.7.4.12 Aug 25, 2017 9:16 AM
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Welcome to our community!

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking at such a young age. I am proud of you for being willing to work on this!

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 also highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read.

You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmokingonline.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested in My Quit Plan http://www.becomeanex.org/my-quit-plan.php

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'm glad to hear you will be using the patch. Be careful adding the lozenges that you don't end up putting MORE nicotine in your body than you were when you were smoking. They should be used sparingly and as a very last resort when you just know you will smoke if you don't get that extra :hit."

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. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.

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. 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-instead-of-smoke

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
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elvan Aug 25, 2017 10:53 AM
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Welcome to EX, PLEASE stay close to the site, come here just as you did today and ask questions, let us know how you are doing and KNOW that someone here has been EXACTLY where you are at any given time. Quitting smoking is a journey, one day at a time, you are wise to begin it as soon as you can.

Ellen
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shashort Aug 25, 2017 9:13 PM
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Hello and welcome to the community. Is a great place for education and support. Take the time to read and learn all you can about this addiction this will help you prepare for your quit day. Congratulations on making a great decision for yourself especially at a young age. You can do this stay close and ask questions if you have any. We are here for you.
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freeneasy Aug 26, 2017 2:00 AM
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I used the Walmart Brand patch it worked well for me.

Learn How to Quit Smoking (and Make it Stick)
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I'm new here... And wondering what to expect.

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