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Give and get support around quitting

rutlandvt
Member

ALMOST THERE

Just took my day number 6 Chantix pill.  Sunday is my new quit day this time around.   Tried Chantix 5 years ago and it worked well for 2 months but then,  you know --- Damn addiction!!!   Have not read alan carr's book yet but am definitely going to.  I like the theory he uses about cravings and addiction.   Lollipops, carrot sticks, play with a pencil or just walk.   Any other suggestions?

7 Replies
YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to our community!

The important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind.  To that end,  I am glad you intend to read Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.”


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, quitsmoking.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. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.
 

It will be informative if you do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the site. As you track each cigarette smoked, note its importance, and what you might do instead. Put each one off just a little to prove that you don't NEED a cigarette just because you think you do.
 

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

sweetplt
Member

HI and Welcome to Ex’s rutlandvt 

Drink water, bite into a lemon, write down 5 things you are grateful for, pray, etc., here is a good list /blogs/Maggie_quit_8-1-2010-blog/2012/03/19/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoking?sr=search&searchId=2... You got this...make Day 1 ... Day Won...~ Colleen 319 DOF 

Barbscloud
Member

Welcome to the ex and congrats on your decision to quit.  Chantix has certainly helped many quittesr to be successful.  Walking is great.  I'd get a crave and just walk out the door for a few blocks.  I used Sour Patch Kids and chewing on straws--I could do some damage to those straws.  Read everything on this site to understand your addiction and to know what to expect on this journey.  And don't forget, just reach out if you need support.   That's what we're here for--the community save my early quit several times.  Stay close.

Barb

JACKIE1-25-15
Member

Medications can make a positive difference in stopping smoking and can increase your chances of success however you still have to do the work to relearn your behavior and thinking or the medication becomes a waste.  They only take the edge off and make the transition from smoking to not smoking easier.  Do not depend on Chantix to do it all.  Education is the key to a successful quit.  Many here have quit and use their EXperience and what they have learned to pass on to others.   Study, Read Blog and you will go much further to a forever quit. Have a plan My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX 

maryfreecig
Member

Keep it a one day at a time journey of smobriety. What good chantix does for you can be amplified all the more by you working on your quit attitude. Ex is a great place to get that kind of support. Welcome to Ex.

elvan
Member

It really does have to be one day at a time and sometimes, one EMOTION at a time.  Dealing with our feelings is part of the journey in recovery.

Welcome to EX,

Ellen

aboyd63
Member

I do it one day at time. Read as much as I can. Ask questions on here. Walk and make a lot of suggestions or advice or your knowledge on how to stay quit.  Congratulations  sorry I'm  so late to respond to your blog

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