Third Attempt
Ok so I am in day 4 on my third attempt to quit smoking.
My first attempt was in 2015 and it lasted for 16 months, I thought I was over it and just lit a cig and it tasted so bad but somehow the habit kicked in again and soon I was a smoker again. So lesson learned was “Never get to confident, smoking is an addiction and only one cigarette can damage over a year of being smoke free”.
My second attempt was in 2018 and it lasted for only 15 days. My mistake was leaving a half empty pack in my room which made cigarettes easy accessible to me. So in one of the many week moments I just lit one and that was it.
This time I am having a different approach and mindset. I have this feeling inside me that I am a non-smoker and that smoking is not an option for me anymore. I still have those cravings and the “void” feeling but by now I know it is only a step towards breaking free of this addiction. I am positive it will work this time.
Welcome to the forum. You sound just like me. Two successful quits but in a moment of weakness with just one puff I was back to square one. Third try is a charm for me because i am employing NOPE mantra (not one puff ever). As a former addict my opinion is we have had our brains rewired by nicotine and as soon as we have just one puff our addiction kicks right back in. Be strong and vigilant. Good luck.
So it's Day 5 Dorian, good job! If you quit cold turkey you know that there is minuscule nicotine in your system and you are only at war with your own mind. Retraining the mind and wholeheartedly accepting this journey goes a long way in the ease in which you can accomplish this. You have done this before and are adamant in making this your last quit. Your positive attitude will help you immensely.
NOPE, Not Once Puff Ever is the mantra that you learned the hard way. We hope others learn learn from your mistake and candor. Just one puff can send you back to Day 1.
I love the positive attitude Dorian. Keep it up!
Hello Dorian, I agree with you. Never become complacent. I did not smoke for 9 years but then a couple of months ago I gave in to the urge and here I am on day 8 of my quit. I have quite my inhaler as i used one ever since i quit in 2010. Still have one in my hand but i have not replace the cartridge and will not. Need to remember we are smokeaholics and will never be non smokers. Non smokers are not tempted by a cigarette or need NRT in an form, but for an exsmoker the temptation is always there, and we all know what one puff will do.
Thank you all, now it is one week and things are getting easier by the day. Was wondering if any of you is using NRT to ease the cravings?
I had two opinions regarding NRT :- 1. You can’t fight nicotine addiction by taking more nicotine into your body; 2. NRT is usually controlled and is easily given up once the cravings are gone.
I failed many, many times going cold turkey. I had will and power but no willpower. LOL. I used cytisine based aids and they helped me a lot on the front end. They are naturally occurring alkaloids in some plants. Good luck.