Sazerac

You will find true Joy in your real self, the self that is not feeding a nicotine addiction. Nicotine gangstered our brain receptors responsible for rewards (i.e. dopamine). One by one we claim these receptors back. It takes a while for the endorphins and dopamine to kick in. This is why rewards are SO important, and why we recommend rewards for every crave/trigger and for every celebration. I propose finding something beautiful to listen to or look at or remember when you are in a crave. It will assist your brain to trigger endorphins/dopamine for Good things, for Clean things, for appropriate things and wean itself away from the poison that is nicotine.

Here are two from our friend, Joel Spitzer, concerning relapse. Intentional Relapses I Will Control My Smoking Now

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

We need to be RUTHLESS in rooting out junkie thoughts (romance ugh). Don't let your brain finish the thought, interrupt it by looking or thinking of something of Beauty. This will give you a bump of endorphins. Before I got to 'the beauty' part, I would yell, FREE YOUR HEAD !!! or FREE YOUR (expletive, expletive) HEAD. You have to break up the thought pattern and be merciless about it. Soon, they will fade as your brain receptors are reclaimed from the tyranny of nicotine.

-16 a stick spanking to celebrate your anniversary, Ms V !

Congratulations, @Vivianne on your First Month of Freedom Thank you for sharing your quit with us and thank you for all the support you are giving. You are an important voice here and a beautiful one also. Morning Elephant Ear Bloom, Courtyard 7/11/19

-14 good morning/afternoon/evening all.

Welcome Steve, I lurked for the first 10 months of my quit and used that time to educate myself about nicotine addiction. It was and remains eye opening and a process that continues even with a six year quit. The knowledge must be assimilated completely. This empowers a successful quit. We must recognize junkie thoughts and Red Flags and shut them down Immediately ! Relapses are always premeditated. Only you bring that cigarette to your lips and make the choice to breath in poison, it never just magically appears. Understanding NOPE, committing to NOPE and standing by that commitment is the only way to break the bondage. Keep watching our friend, Joel Spitzer's Video Index. Watch them over and over and over and read all the information here until your eyes bleed. Stay honest with yourself and save your life. Keep close here, the more involved you are in your quit, the less likely failure. Congratulations on your quit, Steve, build it with knowledge and commitment and truth. You will succeed. S

and this from our friend, Joel Spitzer

-11

I will read my own damn list.

-9

Smoking Leaves Lasting Marks On DNA

@forestgreen I just bumped this thread but, in case you miss it, have a look Hey-you-smoked-for-42-years-why-on-earth-would-you-think-you-can-get-past-the-addiction-in a couple of months, cut yourself some slack Smoking changed our DNA and the addiction is with us forever. All we can do is put it to sleep and stand guard over our quit. It is to be expected that associations and odd triggers will pop up, even over the course of our life. These are never commands just reminders to hold fast to our commitment to NOPE (Not One Puff Ever)

Bump

excellent, Ms V, love to see you rockin' your quit ! A lovely day here. -7

-5 hello beautiful nicotine free creatures including The Honorable Triumphant Chicks.

Could occasional underwear need tailoring ? Savor

No zealots acquitted

-1 Oh, I do love the spanking. Maybe a bit too much ?

Love to you Senor Porcini, get well soon ! Did you get into things you shouldn't ? Naughty Piggy.

Welcome, Steve ! I was a lurker for the first 10 months of my quit and have a special place in my heart for lurkers. Congratulations for quitting smoking ! Nine Days of Freedom. NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Hello Steve, I had a big scare and want to avoid meds if I safely can. I quit drinking for a while, cut out all caffeine, no smoking (of course), paid Extreme attention to diet...way less salt more potassium, oatmeal, berries, ACV, greens... and was able to bring BP down to a safe level not requiring meds. Good luck with this, monitor yourself and don't fool around, we don't want you stroking out or kaput. and welcome to the site, @Steve63!

The hopeful assume things signify These