Staying strong
Today is day 13 cigarette free after 31 years of smoking? I am finding the cravings really hard ,as all I seem to think about is smoking now? I also have P.T.S.D and I'm finding that my anxiety is very high all the time. The thing is I don't want to smoke anymore, I don't want to destroy myself anymore with smoking and I don't want to live my life anymore chained to an addiction that is damaging my mind,body and soul. Any inspiration and insight would be greatly appreciated. 😊
Congratulations miss Lizzy, 13 days is a great achievement. To combat the cravings if necessary try one of the NRT's, you don't have to use them all the time but the can help, Also chewing gum, lollies or lollipop.
I am 81 days smoke free and it is only about the last 5 days that I have stopped constantly thinking about cigarettes I still think about them but it is getting better. I smoked for about 46 years and in the end about 40 a day, so I figured it was going to take me a while to stop thinking about them, it is not that you actually want to smoke the thought is just there. The anxiety you suffer was it there before? If so smoking didn't make it go away, so you need to find something else, a lot of people on this site recommend exercise try it, if it doesn't help at least it won't hurt you. So hang in there, it can be done it just takes a lot of work, self talk and will power keep posting and let us know how you are going.
Hi Lizzy, 13 days is fantastic! You must be so proud of yourself, so BE proud! Storm is right about exercise, it works for me but also try meditation. There are some great guided meditations on YouTube, try Boho Beautiful. She has a lovely voice and they are only 10 minutes long, worth a try. At times of craving, I use sugar-free gum, thought these are getting less and less though but I hadn't smoked as long. I'm afraid I don't know much about PTSD but I do know nicotine and THAT used to make me anxious. Staying away from smoking will bring your anxiety levels down, it's only your head that is telling you it's not. I did meet a lady in Tasmania who had PTSD, she had metal plates in her head too, she was telling me about research into PTSD & surf therapy, which reduced it. Google it, it's fascinating. Sorry, I'm wittering a bit. Let us know how you get on, if nothing else it will keep your focus off smoking.
PTSD is no fun and stopping smoking is no fun add them together and its double no fun.
I do have PTSD and its a battle to get out of my own way at times , 66 days without a smoke for me, and yes it hasn't been easy.
I have had bouts of depression crazy sleeping patterns etc..
I agree with above exercise is very important, but its not so easy when I cant get motivated to hang the clothes out.
so for us PTSD sufferers quitting has that extra edge of difficulty as we all know nicotine hits the dopamine receptors in the brain so for us all its a feel good, and for me a anti depressant.
some days just not smoking is all I can do and now with this crappy no sun weather just heightens the whole how I feel.
so its not easy but yes exercise is a good way for the body to create its own dopamine that's why the term gym junkies they are getting high also.
anyway take this for what it is and no its not easy and we have to learn what works for us all in recovery from the effects of smoking and how to quit and stay quit and content , its a journey like all others with good and not so fun spots but I think its like anything we want in life we have to work at it to get something out of it.
hang in there and you are not alone and it is doable and we have to work at it.
IC
Hello Lizzy, congrats on your achievement, well done! The mind is a powerful thing indeed and it can be trained to focus elsewhere and/or on positive things and it takes time, patience and perseverance. You have been given some great tips, I hope you are encouraged to really try. Is there something you really enjoy that you could focus on. Smoking is not an option...keep reading these posts, ask questions or even just vent...either way we are all here for the same reasons, and we have each other to lean on. I am 21 days smoke free, thinking less and less about smoking and feeling great. Good luck and keep it up.
Congratulations Lizzy! You even make us feel stronger that you have have made that decision. You know that we look up to you and we don not want want to be resigned to smoking for so many years. That is amazing!
Thank you so much to everyone for your support, it's awesome. Today is 2 weeks cigarette free and I am so proud of myself😍. I am using the patches and the gum, which are helping. I have noticed that my anxiety from the P.T.S.D is more magaable from not smoking. Normally when I would have an episode or flashback all I would do was chain smoke and down coffee, and nearly end up in full blown panic attack,but now as a non smoker, I can calm myself down easier and do some breathing (which funnally works so much better without smoking). P.T.S.D for me is probably a lifetime thing, but I go to therapy for it and it is not who I am and I am not going to let my past dicate my future any more. That's why I have quit smoking, I do not want to destroy myself any longer and cigarettes are a self destructive time bomb, they are not my friend at all, they are an abusive relationship that finished. I feel like I've just rambled on here, must of needed too. Again many thanks for your comments, I am new at social media too , so I'm still figuring out how to use this site. Talk soon xxx😎
Thank you so much to everyone for your support, it's awesome. Today is 2 weeks cigarette free and I am so proud of myself😍. I am using the patches and the gum, which are helping. I have noticed that my anxiety from the P.T.S.D is more magaable from not smoking. Normally when I would have an episode or flashback all I would do was chain smoke and down coffee, and nearly end up in full blown panic attack,but now as a non smoker, I can calm myself down easier and do some breathing (which funnally works so much better without smoking). P.T.S.D for me is probably a lifetime thing, but I go to therapy for it and it is not who I am and I am not going to let my past dicate my future any more. That's why I have quit smoking, I do not want to destroy myself any longer and cigarettes are a self destructive time bomb, they are not my friend at all, they are an abusive relationship that finished. I feel like I've just rambled on here, must of needed too. Again many thanks for your comments, I am new at social media too , so I'm still figuring out how to use this site. Talk soon xxx😎