psychological triggers maybe?

Discussion created by lyrikal-dreamer on Jul 15, 2008
Latest reply on Jul 19, 2008 by carlie

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I smoke when Im at work. On my breaks and my lunch I have a cig in my mouth. When Im heading to work, I have to have a cig and when Im leaving and driving home (2 min drive either way) I have a smoke. Once Im home, I dont need a cigarette. Unless work crosses my mind, Even right now as I type about work I want one. Its like work is a psychological trigger. Anyone else have any input on this? Maybe ideas for seperating myself from that "calming cigarette" on the way to work or from work.

Outcomes

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jim_taddeo Jul 16, 2008 9:58 PM
Hmmmmmmm? First and foremost.........I am an addict....I will attempt to twist reality to suit my needs so that I can continue to practice my addictions no matter how detrimental they are to my well being. I AM OUT OF CONTROL!
None of those cigarettes are helping you!
All of those cigarettes are killing you!
They don't help with traffic, they don't help with the boss being a turd, they don't help with you just thinking about work. They definitely don't help with dissatisfaction of any kind at all including work! THEY DO NOT MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER! Quitting smoking is not going to make your job better unless they don't like you because you smoke! But that would be a damn good reason to start smoking again because THEY didn't HELP me quit! But you will have more oxygen to figure out what to do about it. Do you like your job? YES or NO? Simple answers not some long winded "well I like this.......BUT......there is so-and-so".....puff...puff....and "there are the computers that are really cool......BUT......the IT guys won't let me use what I want"...........puff.....puff......????????

NOW, This is coming from an addict's mind, mine, to you, if I was behaving like that I would see it as I have a real life problem, for example, I don't like my job very much, that's a good reason to abuse myself...puff..puff....man I need this money and if I try to talk to these people they might fire me....good reason to smoke....puff...puff.......or they'll give me really crappy work to do....puff...puff....oh what if that happens....puff...puff....puff....puff.....driving 2 minutes? Gas costs so much and I have to use the money that I hate making at work to buy that gas to go to a job I hate going to....man I need a cigarette for that one for sure....puff...puff...no I need two....puff...puff.......Now I'm really feeling bad inside and when I feel bad inside I can justify doing bad things to myself because deep down in my being I KNOW that I'm KILLING MYSELF! So there has be someone or something I can blame it on, IT CAN'T BE THAT I'M AN ADDICT! IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING ELSE! NO WAY I'LL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY ACTIONS! And so I will play games like that with myself until I convince myself that I'm right. Do you want to know the worst part of it all? I know that I just LIED to myself and I'm pretending to have bought it which is really screwed up so now I can feel even worse and so I must be a low down smoking self killing fool! THAT'S JUST ME! I'm not saying this is what YOU are doing. A little insight from AN ADDICT!

SOOOOOOOO, Are going to QUIT? Are you going to do it for YOU? We will help you for sure! But YOU have to do it! That Cigarette on the way to work IS NOT CALMING! You are telling yourself that it is! THAT CIGARETTE IS IRRITATING AS HELL AND IS MAKING YOUR PROBLEM WORSE NOT BETTER! Sounds like addiction to me. LOL :-) But What do I know? :-)

I AM AN EX SMOKER and TODAY I CHOOSE NOT TO USE!
Jim
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lyrikal-dreamer Jul 17, 2008 5:30 PM
I have found a new "crutch" of sorts. I stuck ORBITZ Gum (unchewed) in my mouth before I step out of the door on the way to work at 3 or 4 am. I did that yesterday, and I didnt have the want for a cigarette. I did have one on my break before lunch because the gum wasnt working on my already frazzled nerves. However I didnt have one for lunch and I did not smoke on my way home.
I definately want to quit Jim. I stay active even though I smoke. I know some smokers who get winded standing up. But I stay active, I swim I walk I jog I wrestle with my doberman and periodically run out of the house at break neck speed screaming and go racing down the street because I think I saw a spider. I do not get winded walking 5 steps or a mile, but, I know sooner or later my smoking will catch up with me. So I have made a very conscious decision to quit. And I accept any support and help from everyone. And hopefully soon, I too can say loudly and proudly that I too am an EX smoker. HUZZAH!
Thanks Jim.
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phoenix2 Jul 18, 2008 3:39 AM
Perhaps you've got some emotional needs about work - things that need to be addressed - and in order to not let emotions cloud your "rational" thinking about work.... you smoke?

I know I do this with many things... and have been putting in the work to stop reacting this way.... getting there; work in progress!
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Giulia Jul 18, 2008 6:28 PM
Hey there Dreamer,

Sounds like you're already making some good changes - even if you qualify them as crutches. Ain't nothin' wrong with a crutch. But there will come that time to toss it away.

I too am very active and didn't have many smoking side affects. And , like you, I was wise enough to know that sooner or later it would catch up with me. The point is we don't want it to be sooner. Thus the sooner we stop, the later it may catch up.

There are many techniques for calming oneself. From meditation, to listening to soothing music, slow square breathing, to getting a flat nice feeling "worry stone" and fingering it in tense moments. Or those Greek worry beads. (http://www.worryknot.com/hist.htm). My suggestion: use your imagination and experiment.. Find an object that you can hold and caress (so to speak). A couple of marbles, a smooth piece of wood, stainless steel object....something that you can finger and take the place of a cig. A substitute. But not an equally damaging one.

Play. Discover. Let your mind flit and fly and dance.

You'll do this. You've got it in you.

A part of your cheering section....

Giulia
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jim_taddeo Jul 18, 2008 10:29 PM
Not only will you get the support you need but the right support too. :-) Work on your plan to quit and then execute it. It sounds like you are doing just that. Very good! Have you picked a date? Commit to it and do it. You can do this for sure. I know it sounds cliche but this is true.......If I can pull this off then ANYBODY can. We are here for you. God Speed and Strength. And I am cheering for you too, sometimes I'm a little harsh so if anyone see's that just shoot me a note..or scream....ha ha...the point is supporting THIS QUIT! Mine is in progress. :-)
Jim
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jim_taddeo Jul 18, 2008 10:38 PM
AS far as crutches go........holy crap......I had wheel chairs, stair lifts, probably a hospital gourney or two.......LOL Methaphorically speaking. I have quite the history and believe it or not the cigarettes were one of those crutches as I chose to be done with other more pressing issues. :-) They like all the other crutches, addictive substances, HAD TO GO and now I am CLEAN, SOBER, AND SMOKE FREE! And All I have left..........IS EVERYTHING GOOD AND A REALLY GOOD CHANCE OF FINISHING THE SECOND HALF OF MY LIFE! IT IS SWEET!
God Bless,
Jim
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carlie Jul 19, 2008 5:55 AM
Bless your heart, Jim...You were the one who told me "If I can do this; anybody can do this !!!" You have a way with words; a kind of "tough-love" attitude that's called TRUTH. I read your posts everywhere..and wanted to say thanks...I'm on 19 days and counting...and doing fantastic.

Dreamer - have you thought of chewing the Nicarette gum ?? You're an addict...and when that nicotine from the cigarette isn't getting into your body, and your brain, your body goes into withdrawal. Chewing the Obitz gum gave your mind a "fake-out" but your body craves the nicotine. I'm on 19 days, and chomping on the gum whenever I feel a bit "jumpy". The frst day my jaws were actually sore from the chomping. Now, I only chew 2 or 3 pieces all day. My body is finally free of the nicotine - but you have to work with yourbody - help get the drug out of your system - be kind to your body, and let your mind work to be your friend.
Good Luck !!!
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jo_6 Jul 19, 2008 11:08 AM
i would like stop howq does one sttop when the frist thing yyyyou want is a cig when you get upset
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lyrikal-dreamer Jul 20, 2008 2:39 PM
its not that my body craves nicotine, its what I am assuming to be a psychological issue. Because Im not craving a cigarette right now. When I am at home I dont need one or at school I dont crave them. After I eat I dont jones for one, even when Im out at the bar with friends and they are smoking Im not going into convulsions because my body is deprived of nicotine.
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lyrikal-dreamer Jul 20, 2008 2:40 PM
Find a different way to deal with your frustration. Find another outlet. Go for a walk, do some breathing excercises. Pop some gum in your mouth. Count to 100.
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psychological triggers maybe?

Outcomes

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