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Give and get support around quitting

Butt-out4good
Member

Hello. I’m a newbie 😊

It’s good to know there’s support. I’m going to reach out and try to talk my way thru my triggers. I just hope there’s someone here each time to converse with. 

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9 Replies
YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to the community!

Looks like today is your quit day...congratulations!  I will give you some reading to keep you busy, some tips for dealing with associations and triggers, and some ideas for things to do to distract through a craving.

 

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 highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This easy and entertaining read provided a world of good information about nicotine addiction, most of which I was not aware.  I credit it in large part with my success at quitting.   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, 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.

 

You didn't say if you are using a quit aid, so I will give you my take on the various products   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 after you have tried to delay and distract.   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.  You need to start out with a plan to reduce use of them over time - which the patch does by decreasing the dose contained in them..  For the gum, you can start by cutting each piece in half, then in quarters, then sub regular gum of the same flavor in between, adding more and more regular gum.  For the lozenge, you need to start subbing a mint in between to begin, increasing the number of them over time. I do not recommend the e-cigarette for four 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,  3) it maintains the addiction to nicotine, and 4) they are proving to be unsafe.

 

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

wlh
Member

There seems to be someone all the time and if not just wait a short time.  Just remember, we are all in this together and have or are having the same or similar experiences.  

Glad you are here!!

Lynne

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Barbscloud
Member

Welcome to the Ex and congrats on your decision to quit.  Reach out if you need support.  We're here for you.

Barb

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AnnetteMM
Member

I'm here in the mornings, and try to check back in the late afternoon (EST).

If you put the word "HELP" in your subject line someone will respond.

sweetplt
Member

HI and Welcome to Ex’s Butt-out4good 

Glad you made the decision to quit smoking.  Nancy YoungAtHeart gave you some great information to get you started on your journey.  It is good to talk yourself out of triggers, also keep busy...here is a list of “to do’s” other than smoking.  /blogs/Maggie_quit_8-1-2010-blog/2012/03/19/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoking?sr=search&searchId=e... We are here for you.  Colleen 411 DOF 

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Giulia
Member

Howdy.  Glad you've joined us.  Distracting yourself through triggers is the wise thing to do.  The more ways you have to refocus, the better.  Here are some craving diversions for you:  https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/docs/DOC-1821-craving-diversions 

And here's a neat little refocusing trick which many have found useful:  Craving Buster Technique

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Gai.C
Member

Butt-out4good‌ Congratulations on your decision to Quit. You are giving yourself the best gift. Make a plan and stick to it. Read everything you can get your hands on. Do what's best for you. 

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maryfreecig
Member

I'm here usually 4-5 pm eastern time. 

Help yourself by making a plan as to how to deal with a crave or urge. Coming here is one, but also what else are you willing to do. Write it out, keep it handy.

Welcome to Ex. You have a quit family now.

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ClearColors
Member

Good of you to post and wonderful decision to Quit.

People are around here, as you can see.

Great user name. Welcome!

Very useful info on this post for a newbie.

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