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How to deal with crisis that has come up with only 10 days into quitting

Question asked by cat52 on Jan 31, 2018
Latest reply on Feb 1, 2018 by cat52

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I am on day 10 of no smoking and today I feel like I could start crying any minute. I feel like the smallest thing may send me over the edge. I am overwhelmed also right now due to a crisis that has happened with my oldest daughter. It seems to compound my missing smoking. I realize smoking is how I coped with stress, but I do not want to be that person anymore. Today I am so sad though- please tell me this will get easier. How have others coped when a trauma arises early on your quit??? In need of support today. Thanks!!! Cat52

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Jennifer-Quit-05-01-14 Jan 31, 2018 1:59 PM
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It's OK to cry. Makes me feel better sometimes to have a good cry.

Smoking will NOT do anything to help with the crisis going on with your daughter. Remember that. The only thing that it will do is put you back to day one. You should be very proud of those 10 days - don't give them up!

Take a walk, get a little exercise, play a game, do a puzzle, take a bubble bath, read a book - do whatever is necessary to get yourself through this rough spot - except smoke. It's not worth it.
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- DiamondB @ Jennifer-Quit-05-01-14 on Feb 1, 2018 10:43 AM
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  Love you suggestions. For urges and withdrawals i had. To screenshot
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Valerie30 Jan 31, 2018 2:03 PM
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Hi I'm Valerie30, who is coming up on 5 years! It gets easier with time. Smoking will not help with any crisis. I can't imagine how you feel, but I can tell you this, the urge and the crisis will pass. Give it time, keep yourself busy. Go for a walk, yoga, gym, puzzle and yes, keep those hands busy doing something. Drink plenty of water and convince yourself you are not going to smoke. It's not worth losing the time invested in quitting, no matter how many days you have under your belt.

I do hope this helps!
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David_100 Jan 31, 2018 2:05 PM
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Cat, if your so inclined, I find this to be particularly helpful:

Ephesians 3:16 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
I helps me, hope it will help you.

Prayers for you and your family.

David
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NeedToBe Jan 31, 2018 2:34 PM
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I would second Jennifer-Quit-05-01-14. Smoking will not do anything to assist with the crisis. Something that halps me is deep breathing. Specifically "box breathing". I originally read about here then googled it. Essentially it entails taking a breath for 4 secs; hold for 4 secs, exhale for 4 secs, wait for 4 secs.... and repeat.
It sounds pretty basic but it does really work!
Hopefully this crisis will pass soon will no ill effects.
Good luck.
Jerry
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kristen-9.7.15 Jan 31, 2018 3:26 PM
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Hi there. It does get easier. hang in there. I got injured at work and had to have surgery in the very beginning of my quit. I never thought i would make it through but I did and I'm glad I did! Smoking will not change any circumstances.
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Marilyn.H.July.14.14. Jan 31, 2018 3:57 PM
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I also dealt with stress or any emotions with smoking, I think we all did, I smoked for 40 yrs and finally quit a little over 3 and a half yrs ago, I also cried over the slightest thing one minute and felt like screaming or laughing the next but it'll pass with some time under your belt and it's definetly worth it to be Free, you can do this quit one precious Smokefree Day at a time or hour minute or even a second at a time but you must stick with quit and every day you get through is another Day WON....
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crazymama_Lori Jan 31, 2018 4:10 PM
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a lot of deep breathing and kept asking myself, what do you think a nonsmoker would do in this situation? I knew if I wanted to stay quit, I needed to find ways to simply deal with life on life's terms. I've never been a drama queen and when I quit all of that just surfaced. Now, I've learned not to overreact. I can only be responsible for the things I can change myself physically. If I can't, then I can only be supportive to the person that needs me.
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shashort Jan 31, 2018 4:31 PM
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I third what Jennifer said. Smmoking will not help you it will only make it worse. Lord knows I went through lots of life events in the beginning days of my quit. This is what helped me: I stayed in touch with this group, I took lots of deep breaths slowly through my nose out my mouth and chanted I don't do that and NOPE (not one puff ever) and stayed determined that I would not smoke and I didn't and now I am 628 days of freedom. Hang in there and know that each crisis you go through makes your stronger, remember you are learning to live without cigarettes and smoking you will get there. Just stick to your guns. Stay busy! My favorite was making it a ME day! I would put scented candles in the bathroom, take a long candle lit bubble bath closing my eyes and focusing on breathing. IAwe it is so relaxing, then you will be able to tackle anything. YOU CAN DO THIS! YOu did good posting here. Another day won. Hurray!
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minihorses Jan 31, 2018 4:56 PM
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cat52 Believe me and everyone else here that putting a piece of paper with shredded pulp in it in your mouth (those aren't tobacco leaves you're smoking, it's a paper pulp product), lighting it, and sucking down it's nasty burning smoke, 4000 chemicals (literally), and a dose of healthy road tar will NEVER solve any problem. I know it feels like it will at least take the edge off but that's a lie from the nicodemon. The situation with your daughter will in no way change while you're out smoking for 10 minutes at a time. I know it seems impossible to cope right now but it DOES get easier. Do absolutely anything but go for that smoke. Bet you weren't sure in the beginning of your quit that you'd last 10 minutes let alone 10 days. But you HAVE made it 10 days without smoking, and you don't really want to go back to having to put out that 'last' smoke and start the withdrawals again. You might even just give up completely thinking that you "failed so why bother." It's actually EASIER to stay smoke free than to start the process all over. I promise this does get easier. A little background on my situation, I have bipolar disorder. At times, more often than I'd like to admit, just being awake is a crisis situation. Guess what I learned, smoking or not smoking didn't change anything about the crisis situations. They still come, I'm just learning to handle them differently. Be good to yourself, cry, scream, yell obscenities out loud or into a pillow, swing chickens, whatever it takes to get through that craving. It gets better and fewer and farther between but they can creep up on you. Pack a Life Preserver bag or box that contains lots of little distractions, gum, hard candy, a journal and pen, a favorite cd, games, books, whatever you like and put it in a prominent place at the ready for the next crave to come around. You can get through this WITHOUT going back to smoking. Stay close to Ex, we've always got your back.

Julie
93 DOF
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cat52 Jan 31, 2018 5:27 PM
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Thanks for all the support and strategies to stay on track! I feel stronger and more positive just knowing you all took the time to show you care and share your experiences. I am so glad I have Ex- you are great people!
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- minihorses @ cat52 on Jan 31, 2018 5:31 PM
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  Also check out the blog "Managing Stress By Having Gratitude And Acceptance" by Dr. Hays. It can be found under the 'Expert Advice'
  tab at the top of the page. Keep up the good work!
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Sootie Jan 31, 2018 7:17 PM
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cat52 I'm a bit late jumping in here....but, for future reference, please go to whyquit.com and read the articles there. There is a topic there for EVERYTHING and they will illustrate to you in a very common sense way why smoking only causes more stress....it really does not "help" with stress. Sounds like you made it through a crisis point....GREAT JOB!
Stay Strong
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Barb102 Feb 1, 2018 12:35 AM
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I’m sorry that you are going through this crisis. If u need to cry that’s ok. Please don’t smoke not even one. I lost both my parents 10 years ago. At the funeral someone gave me a poison stick to calm me down. I had quit for 2 1/2 years. It only took the one . You know what, it didn’t calm me and it didn’t change anything , except I was hooked again. It took 10 years to try again. So here I am
I’ve quit for 13 days now. I get stressed , we all have problems , but those cancer sticks never make anything better. I’m here for you, we can get through this together . Say the Serenity Prayer it helps a lot. Let me know how you are doing.
Barb
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- cat52 @ Barb102 on Feb 1, 2018 10:19 AM
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  Thanks Barb! I am so glad I did not give in and have a cigarette. I am feeling really good about it today. Sometimes I start to convince myself that I could have just one, but from reading your post and others on this board, I realize that will put me right back where I was. I appreciate the encouragement. It seems we are about at the same amount of time on our journey- I would like very much to be support for each other!!! Cat52
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  - minihorses @ cat52 on Feb 1, 2018 10:43 AM
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    WOO-HOO you made it through!!!!! GREAT JOB!
    Julie
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    - cat52 @ minihorses on Feb 1, 2018 4:24 PM
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      Thanks!!!
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  - Barb102 @ cat52 on Feb 1, 2018 11:16 AM
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    I just added u to my following. We are going through the same stages you caln also email me away from this site any time. Bsproules411@gmail.com
    we will share the journey and support each other
    Barb
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How to deal with crisis that has come up with only 10 days into quitting

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