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Give and get support around quitting

magicpaws
Member

My Quit Day is June 1, 2018

Hi, 

Help! I have smoked for 50 years. I have multiple health issues and of course, all my doctors tell me to quit smoking. However, when I don’t have cigarettes in my possession, I panic. I’m scared because I’m not sure how to stop this habit of smoking. I understand the health risks, and all the negativity with smoking. I’m an intelligent professional woman and understand that I must quit or die early. You would think this alone would make me quit but it hasn’t. 

Has anyone experienced the same feelings? I’m scared for tomorrow because I’ll be without my cigarettes and I don’t know what the side effects will be mentally or physically. Can anyone tell me what I should expect, experience, or be aware of?

i really want to quit!

17 Replies
YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to our community!

Most of us here have experienced the feelings you describe.  What I CAN tell you is that quitting never killed anybody!  The same cannot be said of smoking.  You are starting your prep work a bit late - but better late than never.  Get started reading right NOW!  You CAN do this!  We can help!

he 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. You can search for it online or at your local library.

 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 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 in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  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.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. 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-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

AnnetteMM
Member

Hello and welcome!  You've come to the right place because we have ALL been where you are.  You panic because you're addicted to nicotine, and the nicotine is telling your body it wants more and more and more.  Smoking is NOT a habit; it's an ADDICTION.  Once you realize that, everything else falls into place.  We will all be here every step of the way.  Congratulations on a very smart decision!

magicpaws
Member

Thank you so much! I appreciate your support and understand that nicotine is an addiction. I don’t know what to expect from nicotine withdrawal? I will Google it!

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SaraPeach
Member

Watch the daily quit videos on www.whyquit.com. Read all you can there as well. Feeling panicked and scared is normal. You'll probably be tired the first few days, might get a headache, nothing you can't handle. Most of it is mental/emotional. Trying to change your mindset about how you view cigarettes is key.

magicpaws
Member

Thank you Larry, you are right! Most of what I’m experiencing right now is emotional and mental. I have my mind set to stop smoking tomorrow. I’m feeling anxious to start. I definitely will watch the videos.  Thanks again, Joy

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JACKIE1-25-15
Member

Congratulations on making the decision to quit smoking.  You have come to the right place. I believe most of us have had those fears.  The best thing you can do is to educate yourself about nicotine addiction and you will understand why you are feeling the way you do. Education is the key to a successful quit.  It is more of an addiction than a habit.  Come here read study blog.  Read the suggested material.  Youngatheart.7.4.12  of us have been where you are and have been successful quitting smoking.  Stay close never give up. 

gregp136
Member

A few quick rules.  Stay close and read a ton here.  Stay close and share here.  And lastly, stay close and ask for support here.  I am also quitting tomorrow!  It is our day of freedom!  Yes, lots of struggles ahead, and learning about ourselves, but it will be worth it!  It is a rebirth.  It will be a joyous, victorious day for both of us!

FREEDOM, HERE WE COME!!!!

Greg

magicpaws
Member

Thank you Greg,It’s great to know there are so many supportive people. I enjoyed reading your blog. You seem to have a positive outlook on this journey. Eventhough, we both are quitting tomorrow, if I can be of any help,please write. Please let me know how your feeling.

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