Needed a reason to stop
Don't have any hints or tips yet. On week 3. Stopped due to having dental surgery. Knew it would help me before surgery and definitely help post surgery to heal. Smoking has ruined my teeth and gums.
Problem I've got is that I've always really enjoyed smoking. I can go weeks without one, if there is a reason. However when that reason has gone, I start again. Once my mouth heals, I know that although I will probably have problems again, I will tell myself 'but they may be fine I'll deal with it if something happens'. It's ridiculous and I hate myself. I need someone to talk to to get through this and never start again. My family are pleased that I have stopped again but don't really understand what I am feeling.
It is a perpetual reason. I enjoyed smoking at times too!~!
Smoking and drinking and neglecting to clean my teeth has my teeth in ruins and my gums are improving in leaps and bounds since i quit the smokes over 2 years ago......
Your job is to choose to smoke or not to smoke? Or. You could go weeks without one? Or was that one ...or two or a packet?
When you get old enough...... or poor enough. ....or sick enough or unable to breathe enough.........You will have your REASON to STOP.
Let's hope you can find "reasons" before the negative impact smoking has on us.
What about freedom, pride in your appearance and how you smell to others? Watch others , how they only enjoy the first few puffs for their "FiX" and the rest goes unnoticed. Do you really want to be like them? Do you really believe that you are immune to becoming addicted. You seem to think you have a choice right now, are not addicted, or are you afraid to admit the truth even to yourself...... I am not saying that you are a liar, but I hope to warn you that if you have a choice, take it. Take it now and don't flirt with the devil!
Choose wisely. Live life to the fullest!
Hi DEBP.
What an awesome reference/ comparison to smoking made by Happiness.
So clever, just love it!
"Don't flirt with the Devil."
Brilliant advice!
Ok, I clearly didn't explain myself very well. 'Happiness' I'm not deluded to think I won't get addicted. I AM addicted, I have been for 40 years. What I was trying to say was that I have been able to stop when something is going on, like, surgery, pregnancy etc. I struggle the rest of the time, when there is nothing wrong, my addiction kicks in again and thinks well one won't matter. I was simply hoping to find someone to talk to, like you would at AA but for smokers, to give me that encouragement to carry on not smoking. I decided this was the time to stop for good, with this surgery, but can feel the cravings more than ever now that everything as settled down, I'm healed etc.
Maybe this isn't the site to find that encouragement, that's fine, I'll just rage to myself and argue with myself outside cigarette shops.
Perhaps it was I who confused you someone else who claimed that they were not addicted. As smokers we are very good liars to ourselves most of all. You have to agree that smoking is a stupid, destructive act and that we continually found excuses to continue to do so. We didn't want anyone else to tell us how to live our lives, yet we let nicotine do so.
We are addicts and must admit that fact. Just one starts the cycle over again.
We do not enjoy smoking....we enjoy not feeling cravings and light up to avoid them. Perhaps you do not get these nicotine cravings the same as we do? Nicotine withdrawal itself is barely perceptible. It is the psychological part or habit one might say is the hardest part of quitting smoking. Clearly, that is what part you are struggling with. . Forever seems unthinkable to you as well as countless others. You have amazing willpower and that is good, but I feel that willpower takes a constant effort while learning to think differently about smoking, (which we call the mindset) is acceptance.
This site and other forums do help individuals , do give ideas , hope and support to others who are seeking their freedom from smoking. I hope that you will stay, read and learn about nicotine and perhaps yourself. We are all different, but with the same goal.
It has been slow around here since Christmas when I think we lost a lot of followers due to a technical issue. But there are lots of stories to read and gain insight and confidence in yourself and your desires.
Be proud that you can control your smoking when necessary. Do take that ability and make the most of it. One day at a time, one goal at a time, one reward at a time. Make it an adventure, make it a great feeling , keep that smile that you have invested in, make your family proud.
There are lots of incentives to keep you quit. Lots of things that you could buy and experience with the thousands saved. Life to live with the extra time. Smile, stand proud and confident that you CAN do this!