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@robin0212 I remember that when I was younger I would want to fight someone whenever I tried quit. The frustration, anxiety, and anger(at myself, I later realized. How could I allow myself to become an addict? Me?! AN. ADDICT.) would just cause me to blow up! I have a scar on the outside of my hand when I just so happened to hit a wall where a paneling nail had backed out of it. Yeah, I smoked a bloody cigarette. Deep breaths. They worked wonders for me. They still do. You say in your mind or aloud if you want, you can even scream it, “I’m not doing this.” Walk away and breathe. Just breathe. Just breathe in all of the beautiful air that you can and be thankful for it. Or you can pull the covers over your head and cry it out. I cried, ugly cried, and sweated and fought the Nicodemon in my mind for three whole days when I first quit and that was with the patch! I suffer from severe anxiety and panic attacks. I don’t take medications for it. I really needed the assist from NRT. I know that you read this all of the time on this board but, “if I can quit, anyone can.” It is so true though. As bad as it is, it’s still not as bad as I imagined it would be. You can do this. However you need to do it. For you. It has to be for you. I hope that you succeed in your quit. Don’t give up. Keep trying. Show those girls of yours just what their Mama can do!

YAY YOU!!! You’ve got this! 🤗

Thanks @beazel! The amazing people on this board and the words of their journeys are absolutely what saw me through the hellacious first months of my quit. I would not be quit today without QuitTrain. Your words of encouragement are so supportive and kind. Thank you again!

You are amazing SP! You’ve come so far in such a short period of time. I love to see it when the chains are completely broken and fall free of one’s mind. Beautiful!

Congratulations on your 7 year quit @G67! You are winning!

Congratulations Overcome! 11 months is awesome. I’ll be seeing you here on the Lido Deck soon!

Congratulations @Sandi149! You need never experience Hell Week again! On to Heck Week!

Awww man! When it hits the fan it hits the fan! 💩 I feel so bad for you. I sure hope you get over the shingles soon. 🙏🏻 And I do hope that y’all don’t have to evacuate.

I had to figure it out too, @overcome! LOL

🥳 Congratulations Wayne on your 7th year smoke free! You are awesome!

I love this! It’s so important for smokers to realize that they are addicts. That they are not only fighting the nicotine addiction but the danger of replacing it with another just so they can cope. Most of us didn’t start smoking as a crutch in dealing with life’s issues, but it surely ended up that way and now we have to learn healthy living behaviors. Not only physically, but mentally too.

Congratulations on your 7 year quit @jillar! Thank you so very much for being here and helping myself and others on our own journeys. You are awesome!

🫡

You are doing great! Every time you get through situations you used to smoke your way through without lighting up only makes you and your quit stronger. 💪🏻

Congratulations on your 9 year quit, Sirius! 😎

Congratulations on your 11 year quit Jenny! 🥳

Another beautiful day done SP! And isn’t all of that fresh air amazing? 🤗

Sandi, my urges were a gnawing sensation in the pit of my stomach. Sort of like an empty feeling that was calling to be filled. It’s the same now and before quitting when I am experiencing anxiety, but it was more prevalent during my first 9 months of being a non smoker. Being a non smoker gets easier, I promise. Don’t give in. It’s so worth it.

This is so awesome SP! I’m so proud of how far you’ve come along in your quit! I hope that you have a wonderful day!

Stay close to us today @Sandi149 and reach out with an 🆘 if needed. We are here for you!

Hello Sandi! It’s great that you are reaching out for help. I quit by using the patch. They helped me so much by reducing the severity of the withdrawal issues. I skipped Stage 1 altogether, shortened Stage 2 drastically and I really don’t think that I was on Stage 3 long at all before I just forgot to put a patch on and at that point I knew I was done. I still had to go through the mental hell of quitting but I can say that made me a stronger person too. I confronted and dealt with a lot of issues I had been carrying around for a long time while I was clawing my way up and out of that darkness. I’m 2 years quit! You’re going to have to let those last two cigarettes go. Like Christian said, they are keeping you in a constant state of withdrawal and your anxiety levels are worse because of it. I hope that you find the help you need here. We all want to see you quit and living your best life!

You’re doing great Brioski! You’ve worked so hard to get where you are and it’s been wonderful watching you succeed! Keep being amazing and I hope that you enjoyed your carbs! lol

You are doing amazingly well @Slow progress! I’m so proud of and happy for you! 🤗 I couldn’t decide who had the best…uh…eyebrows! Yeah, eyebrows! I’ll let y’all decide. lol 🤤

This is awesome news @AceWhite! Good luck in the playoffs!

Welcome @LeapOfFaith! It’s good that you’ve decided to quit smoking. If quitting cold turkey is not for you there are nicotine replacement therapy products that are available for you to use. I suffer from severe anxiety and depression and I knew that I would not survive a complete break from nicotine. I used the patch and they helped tremendously. I still had to suffer from the withdrawal of all of the added chemicals tobacco is laced with and that in and of itself was rough. Eventually, as I worked my way through the step program of the patch I basically just forgot to put a patch on one day and I knew that I was done. I’ve never looked back. You are going to have to throw out all of the cigarettes and smoking related items(lighters, ashtrays, etc.) and resolve to not buy new ones. Like with myself and so many other addicts we have the “if you’ve got ‘em smoke ‘em” thought process. Grab a glass of water or fruit juice, brush your teeth upon wakening, something, anything to keep that mouth and those hands busy. You have decided to do something so good for yourself. I hope that you stick with it. It is so worth it. There are a lot of us here to help. Make use of the SOS forum as needed. The more you stay connected with us the more grounded you will be in your quit. Everyone here wants to help you along the way and wants for you to succeed! See you around! 🤗