February 26, 201511 yr I have been smoking 2 months shy of 26 years (started at 15- ugh) and have never managed to quit longer than 35.5 hours. I am not kidding- could never make it through withdrawal. I have no idea what is on the other side of withdrawal. All I know is that I needed an exorcist and short of that, I went back to smoking. Once a month, I get 4 days off in a row. I decided it was time to quit. Actually, I KNEW it was time. I couldn't "not quit". I figured that I could hide in the house for four days and not be a danger to others. I got to work this morning and decided to quit TODAY (about 5 hours ago), not tomorrow. Figured that waiting until tomorrow wouldn't make any difference. Cold Turkey all the way. The remaining cigarettes went down the toilet at work. By 10 am tomorrow, I'll be through the first 24 hours and that's usually when the crying begins. Yay, me. I keep looking outside at the sub-zero weather, like I should be out there right now freezing my pom-poms off or something. Instead, I'm cozy at my desk in front of a space heater, twitching and drooling. Maybe I'll put on the fuzzy slippers I usually keep with me. Anyway, I signed up for this forum because I don't have any support from living, human beings. My cat supports me, but he can't talk me down off the ledge. I have family members & work associates who would actually WANT me to fail, so I have to keep this whole thing silent.
February 26, 201511 yr Welcome and congratulations Leila :) Stick close to the board Leila... we are all friends here and want you to succeed!!! All you have to do is not want to not smoke and you have got this When you feel a crave... take deep breaths... some little sips of water or suck on some candy Craves only last 3 to 5 minutes... I know time distortion makes them seem like hours long but trust me they only last minutes You have got this quit Leila :D
February 26, 201511 yr Hi Leila and welcome on board the quit train, congratulations to you on making the best decision you will ever make in your life and that is quitting, there are some wonderful posts here and plenty of advice, read as much as you can my lovely and start to re-educate yourself on the benefits of stopping smoking, the hardest part is done and that is making the conscious effort to quit, you need to remember that you are an addict and that you need to wean yourself off the nicotine, the first 72 hours is when the nicotine is leaving the system, but please remember if you can go 1 hour without a cigarette you can do 2, then 3 and then 4 a whole day, you are stronger than the addiction. Pledging to the NOPE every day is wonderful, even if you have to repeat NOPE to yourself every 5 seconds. if you are a cat lover you will get on well here, just watch out for Bakon he is a secret cat napper .....post as often as you can, we will give you all the support you need, you can do this we will help. So looking forward to sharing your journey with you xx
February 26, 201511 yr Welcome, Leila. So glad you found us! You're in the right place to make this quit last forever. What's on the other side of withdrawal? Freedom. What Is Withdrawal Really Like? This video discusses how withdrawal reaction can vary for people, but generally will not be as bad as most anticipate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbEoMEpmMX4&index=7&list=PLCDB8BA311D538113 The Fear Of Failure This video explains how many people are fearful of even attempting a quit because they are convinced that it is impossible for them to succeed. The attached videos examine the reasons for this fear and will help to illustrate that smokers can quit if they understand the addiction they are fighting and how to take control of it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_64RhiVj9Y&list=PLCDB8BA311D538113&index=8 The Fear Of Success This video explains how many people are fearful of attempting a quit because they realize that they may actually succeed. The attached videos examine the reasons for this fear and will help smokers to understand that the fears they have of their lives being ruined are based on the false assumption that cigarettes were helping them to live as opposed to recognizing that smoking was ruining their lives in many ways. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHhWSOsWoBE&list=PLCDB8BA311D538113&index=9 The Fear Of Relapsing Video explains how many people are fearful of even attempting a quit because they are convinced that even if by some miracle they succeed, they will likely lose the quit at some future point in time. This video explains why they may have this fear and what resources we have to deal with it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoWuSG8W_2E
February 26, 201511 yr I hear ya sister...some people think failure means you will remain part of their gang. Stay with this gang. I absolutely want you to quit. Rant, rave, cry if you need to...but I think you'll be surprised...when you want to quit, it's not always bad. Some is amazing and exciting and make sure to feel and celebrate that. Coping techniques are great for the withdrawal...but you're gonna love the freedom that's coming and you absolutely can do it...just don't put anything in your mouth and set it on fire! Do anything else pretty much. Welcome! x
February 26, 201511 yr Author Thanks everyone. I keep finding new "bonuses" to quitting. Bonus #12: I won't be outside smoking, so I won't be bothered by that creepy lady who works next door. And it's official: my brain is trying to chew it's way out of my head... in another four hours, I will be in the safety of my apartment... roll on, 7pm!
February 26, 201511 yr Welcome Leila! that's it....focus on the positive. One day at a time..and these first few days it's sometimes one minute at a time. But the good news is..you will never have to go through withdrawal again. No more quitting and going back. Quit and stay quit and I guarantee you...you will not suffer. You will be free from the struggle and life will be more enjoyable than you ever EVER imagined. Congrats to you on the best decision of your life :) Stay close to this board..we will help you through it
February 26, 201511 yr Lelia, I am SOOOO cheering you on! I can relate to much of what you said. Like you, I knew it was time. I think that was the main factor to getting through the initial craves...I KNEW i wanted to be done (nervous about it but wanted it) AND I had the time/space in front of me to go through the ugliest days alone. It IS doable..trust that. I was a diehard smoker for 36 years...it was time...and with each passing day life is getting better and better. I'm not going to sugarcoat it and say the first few days were easy, but I allowed the tears to flow, I stayed in bed when I wanted, I took baths when I wanted, I went for walks when I wanted.....whatever it took to get through those first hard craves. You can do this too. Curl up and cry, run and curse, drink fruit juice, chew pack upon pack of gum, whatever it takes! 72 hours and it's gone from your body...gone!! GO LELIA! You're in the right frame of mind to reclaim your life. Soon you will find you don't want to smoke. Imagine that! Good stuff.
February 26, 201511 yr Lelia, I am SOOOO cheering you on! I can relate to much of what you said. Like you, I knew it was time. I think that was the main factor to getting through the initial craves...I KNEW i wanted to be done (nervous about it but wanted it) AND I had the time/space in front of me to go through the ugliest days alone. It IS doable..trust that. I was a diehard smoker for 36 years...it was time...and with each passing day life is getting better and better. I'm not going to sugarcoat it and say the first few days were easy, but I allowed the tears to flow, I stayed in bed when I wanted, I took baths when I wanted, I went for walks when I wanted.....whatever it took to get through those first hard craves. You can do this too. Curl up and cry, run and curse, drink fruit juice, chew pack upon pack of gum, whatever it takes! 72 hours and it's gone from your body...gone!! GO LELIA! You're in the right frame of mind to reclaim your life. Soon you will find you don't want to smoke. Imagine that! Good stuff. I love this for you Lelia, be present in all you do (and avoid) and do whatever you need to. Be gentle with yourself, you are giving yourself the gift of a free life and it's not to be sniffed at. You will feel amazing in what seems like no time, honestly! Smoked for almost 30 years and feel fabulous less than a year on. It honestly is ok...just get past the bit you feel now. Get some coping techniques. Write down why you quit and carry it with you, read it if you find times hard. Drink fruit juice, sips of, it keeps the craving down as a lot is weird blood sugar levels. Say NOPE, just for today or another mantra...and actually, sign on the nope thread and commit to not smoke today. Don't think too big. This moment, this hour, this day, we are not going to smoke. Be excited!! It not allbad, some is great and amazing!! You got this...when it's time it's time!! x
February 26, 201511 yr Hey Leila. You quit. That was the hard bit. The rest? Easy. Stay close, shout, scream whinge, cry. 1 rule. Don't put things in your mouth and set fire to them. Welcome aboard ;)
February 26, 201511 yr And stay close to this board, post as much as you want, watch those videos, read lots, write out the list of why this quit is important to you then refer to this list if your junkie mind is gets loud.
February 26, 201511 yr Welcome Leila - Bandito is right it is very easy - follow a few simple steps each day and next thing you know viola you are through hell week and more etc. Pledge NOPE (Not One Puff Ever) each day on this board reach out for help and educate yourself - find an outlet instead of smoking - clean, exercise, make some tea or have a glass of water but do not smoke no matter what - the craving are emotional not physical - it is a habit - you are a non-smoker - keep repeating that one phrase to yourself - so if anyone asks you can will be conditioned already to say I am a non-smoker (don't ever say I quit - your psyche doesn't like that perception) take it minute, hour by hour, day by day etc... you can do this.
February 26, 201511 yr Hi and welcome aboard.. All the support you need to succeed is right here... Read everything you can about this addiction...it helps to understand why and why we stayed hooked... I would recommend you read Allen Carr easy way...if you haven't read it... It has helped a lot of folks .... Stay close to the board....posting often.... Congrats....
February 26, 201511 yr Congratulations Leila and welcome to the QT. Stick close to the board! Love your avi :wub:
February 26, 201511 yr Welcome Leila :) There are so many different ways this board can help support your quit. Stick close to it, read, vent, whine, post nonsense or hang out in the socializing forum...whatever it takes, just don't smoke. You are among friends here, we get it, have been where you are and will be cheering you on along the way. All we ask is that if there is a chance you might relapse, you post a new topic in the S.O.S. forum. Almost immediately, members will be there to talk you out of it. It really works.
February 26, 201511 yr Welcome to the board! Make no mistake...as you have already experienced , nicotine is powerfully addictive, but every one of us here is proof that it CAN be beat! We are all former smokers, and will offer ANY help... WHENEVER you need it to help you achieve the freedom we all cherish! It IS difficult in the early goings, but as many of us can testify...it is shrt lived, and it DOES get better.... You smoked a lot of years.. It takes a little time to retire your brain to your new normal. ..any questions, don't hesitate to shout out!
February 27, 201511 yr Welcome and Congrats!!!!! Dtink lots of water and crankiness could be low blood sugar related to body changes due to quitting (all good changes) so drink some juice also.......keep healthy snacks around and a few naughty ones as well ;) lol you got this keep on going!
February 27, 201511 yr Welcome, Leila! Something that helped me was when I learned a true physical craving only lasts 3-5 minutes...I knew I could do anything for that long. After that you are just obsessing and need to go take a walk or eat something. Keep in mind your blood sugar will be crazy...so have regular snacks or juice... We have all been where you are now...and if we can make it, you can, too!! Lots of wonderful information, and friends to support you, here.
February 27, 201511 yr Welcome! Just try to keep in mind, every min/hour/day/etc gets a little easier. As an ex smoker, you hold all the cards now. You chart your own course to freedom. And of course, we are hear for you every step of the way :)
February 27, 201511 yr Hey Leila the family and smoking friends suck!, they will try and drag you down, whistle to your own tune hun, because you are better and stronger than that! Welcome to the train, where you can and will quit :) You are amongst friends and are not alone!
February 27, 201511 yr Welcome Leila ... So happy you found us Stay positive - quitting is doable - if I can I know you can do it to ! Now stay close ... We all want to support you
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