Hi Everyone,

 

I'm trying to get a sense of the forums. This one is titled Introductions and About Us but it seems to be the only place where people post miscellaneous stuff about their own personal quit, unless I'm missing something ?The reason I ask is because I want to post things in the appropriate places. Anyway, let me delve into whats going on in my head as I round out hour 6 (with NRT, but still impressive given my recent history)

 

This is a nasty addiction and its harder to kick than the addiction to other substances I've managed to beat into remission and stay clean from one day at a time.   Nicotine is much harder. I smoked for 36 years and have been vaping for the last 3 years. I love the experience of vaping: everything about it except the embarrassment that I was doing it. When I'm quit, once I entertain the idea of smoking  or vaping (just once! lol) the desire grows and grows and grows even as I remind myself its a terrible idea, of how I've been doing well and of all the reasons NOT to. Then it seems like I can't NOT smoke or vape. I know I can make the choice not to though. I've made it before! I've had two long term quits in my life! So I know I can do it.  I want to coexist in my nonsmoking family as a nonsmoker and be around for years and years to come!

 

This is a very very familiar pattern to me. Its the same thought pattern and behavior as I had with drugs and alcohol, and the same one I still struggle with, with food.  So it stands to reason if I use the same tools I learned in recovery and apply them to smoking, which is what I did on my last significant quit, that I WILL STAY QUIT. 

 

I am still open to any suggestions, advice or recommendations. I'm going to spend my evening reading and chatting on the forum, watching Joel Spitzer's videos, brushing my teeth repeatedly, deep breathing and sipping cooooold ice water (helps me more than gum) I also plan to start a blog in the blog section. I also want to encourage others, not only because I want to help others but because it will help me as well. And I need to remember that my sister and brother in law, who are four years older than me, are healthier than me and look much younger than they are. Younger than me maybe even. They have that smooth skin and no vertical lines around their lips, no vertical lines on their neck when its tightened up. IDK if I can reverse the signs of smoking on my face or just stop it in its tracks but the most important thing is my health and longevity anyway.

 

Thanks again for the tough love guys. My every intention at this moment is to stay and have a permanent quit.

Michelle, you can post in the main forum, quit smoking discussions,  anything smoking related like this thread. We also have a vape forum now with a ton of info you may want to check out. Lots of good info there.

There's no shame in using NRT's, we have a bunch of successful quitters who used them. Glad you're sticking around and reading and watching videos. Try to make a daily habit of it and let's do this

Thank you Jillar! Which one is the main forum? The first one I see in the list is introductions and about us. I'll check the vape forum for sure. And I'm planning to use this site instead of Facebook LOL. It sure is more uplifting!

Michelle, it sounds like you have overcome many challenges in you life.  This one is doable too.  Keep posting and we will be there.  

12 minutes ago, MichelleDoesntSmokeAnymore said:

Which one is the main forum?

 

You should see the SOS forum first then

Introductions and About Us

Quit Smoking Discussions , this is the main board

Vaping forum

The Daily NOPE

Celebrations

Video Library

Then the Nonsmoking Lounge with the various social forums which are great for a distraction