Boo

Karen, if you are currently working with a medical professional you should consult with them. Your question sparked my curiosity and I attempted a bit of research. I couldn't find much in the way of serious research into the relationship between nicotine addiction and bipolar disorder. The few scholarly articles I found reached open-ended conclusions and the internet being the internet, there were a few sources that took a bit of anecdotal evidence and treated it like holy writ. People with bipolar disorder have successfully quit smoking, but BD does present unique challenges in the process. Whether you decide to stick with cold turkey or try another route, the important thing is to get yourself in a place where you can break the hold nicotine addiction has on you. Hang tough Karen. Everything worth doing presents a challenge.

Makes sense. Back in the days when I was getting three sheets to the wind on a regular basis, I would chain smoke the whole night. I never considered that chemistry might be colluding with my self-destructive behavior. That weird crossroads where science and mindless hell raising intersect...

NOPE!

Any seat in the no smoking section is a good seat. A cold turkey quit is nothing to fear. There are no dosage and timing concerns. You don't have to worry about running out of anything related to your quit. And, it is free. You just quit feeding yourself nicotine and in three-days, the nicotine is out of your system and you can focus solely on the mental aspects of your addiction. Simplicity is a great thing. Commit to the process. With each NOPE you start to pave new pathways in your mind and eventually not smoking becomes your new normal. The benefits just keep rolling in. Best wishes Karen.

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Good morning Quit Train. Let's start the week off right... NOPE!

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Safe travels and good times Doreen. Doreen is ready for Portugal, but is Portugal ready for Doreen?

Cigarettes that have been smoked cannot be un-smoked. What's done is done. I applaud you for jumping right back in. Starting over is a challenge, but is a far better option than staying mired in the addiction. You've got this Carlos.

It's a good question. I'm still trying to figure out where I'm at with alcohol since I quit smoking. A beer or two here-and-there presents no issue, but the last couple of times I had a bit of Scotch or bourbon I started craving a cigarette almost immediately. For the time being, I have cut back my alcohol intake as quitting smoking takes priority. Sometimes you just have to go where the process takes you.

It's good to see you again Karen. Those cigarettes are not doing you any favors, so it will be good riddance when you cease your relationship with them. You know the drill...Climb aboard the train, commit to NOPE, and take back your life. You deserve better than what smoking is giving you.

NOPE!

Saturday morning. A bluebird sky. It is far too nice of a day to even consider smoking. NOPE!

It's good to be on alert. Ex-smokers can imbibe a bit of marijuana or alcohol the same as people who never smoked, but our nicotine addiction does warrant extra precautions.

In my opinion...the addiction we all have in common is to nicotine. Any relationship with marijuana and THC are separate matters entirely. The whole matter of breathing any kind of smoke into your lungs is a thin-line matter that we have to be more aware of as ex-smokers. As far as brownies go, I don't see any reason you can't enjoy a bit of space cake and remain 100% confident in your quit.

If you're going to be travelling back through the Charlotte area with kids in tow, you might want to check out the U.S. National Whitewater Center. They offer rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain bike trails, zip lines, etc., and you can rent any equipment needed at a reasonable price. If you're not feeling adventurous you can always take in some live music or just enjoy a cold beer by the Catawba River. Good times.

Hello Friday my old friend... NOPE!

Good work TAC. You just keep rolling right along and showing them how it's done.

I love the sight of a group of people making a declaration of newfound freedom. Loud and proud... NOPE!

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I'll give it what I've got. I can't promise that I will fulfill expectations, but I am enthusiastic.

Thanks Nancy. I'm glad to be here and glad to be free of the thousands upon thousands of cigarettes I would have smoked otherwise.

It is early! I need something peppy. Like the kids on American Bandstand used to say: "it has a good beat and you can dance to it."

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