hard and a little bit crazy!
5 and a half days....pretty hard sometimes but i just try to take it one craving at a time and observe its arising and passing without holding on to it...i find it worsens if i let it. I must be stronger than this addiction and I must accept that the cravings are part of letting go. I also try to imagine myself in the future...happier and healthier and proud. Spending time reading and commenting on this site is such an excellent distraction, inspiration and motivation. Thankyou to everyone...this is not easy! I am using patches and also bought a nicotine spray which i used when I was out celebrating my sister in law's 30th birthday...didn't drink alcohol as i knew it would weaken my resistance. That was really interesting as there were, of course, smokers, non smokers and ex smokers...was ridiculously cold outside where people were smoking...I went out briefly and was happy to discover that I really did NOT want a cigarette at that point!(I know replacing the nicotine in cigs with sprays and patches etc may seem counterproductive to some, but I reckon it's what I need to do for a while...)Those who have become non smokers were really supportive...seemed that I couldn't help but mention it to almost everyone!! Hopefully that will pass as I learn better self control...it's pretty boring as small talk!I did have to leave earlier than i may have otherwise, but i think that was a good idea....started to feel stressed rather than actually craving a cigarette, but i didn't want to smoke as a response to stress...I think that was caused by just getting used to the change in habit...leaving a social situation to smoke has been so much of my socialising pattern for such a long time. Anyway...could be that i'm just a bit nutty!!!Never been great at self control. Wishing all the best especially to the newbies but also to all who are trying again and to those who have had such success!
You have done so well Katie, Im so happy for you! You say you have never been great at self control....well look at you now. You ARE in control and you're not allowing the cigs to control you anymore. I understand how you feel about the ' going out for a smoke' thing. It's not only social but some thing that is so ingrained with smoking. I see people do that now and I think ....' I used to be them' so glad I am not them, I pity them actually.
Keep up the great work, you can do this.
Cheers :D
Thanks so much for your encouragement!Today is ok...I did slip up and had half a rollie today...god knows why i didn't ride that one out. Guess I'll have to be on the lookout, hey....I do NOT want to be a smoker ever again.
Hey Katie,
NRT is most definitely not counterproductive. In the early days as you are in, the NRT helps ease the withdrawal and craving symptoms. The nicotine is not delivered in the same way as a cigarette is. It's really important for you to know that you are doing most of the hard work. In a matter of weeks, it then starts to work on the habit part. You would still be in the withdrawal stages and it can take some time for our brain receptors to catch up and realise it's not being fed the nicotine it's used to.
Don't let that slip up deter you. Just get back on the bike and keep pedalling. I fully understand that some people are totally against NRT and that's their choice but this is not their journey and they don't walk in your shoes.
You have already made huge progress into being a healthier you. That in itself is something to be proud of. We smoked for many years and it can take awhile to get used to the "new us".
You've got this and you'll get through 😃
Thanks so much Kim26...this is really helpful and encouraging.you are an inspiration to me!