I seem to be able to stop smoking until i have a drink ... HELP
Well here I go again. I have been "giving up smoking" for 2 years. I am at the stage where I can quit fairly easily until I have a drink. I only have to have a glass of wine and I am doomed. I know it is all in my head but I cannot seem to overcome it. Any advice, experience with the same thing would help. I am hoping I can nip this in the bud forever - I HATE SMOKING !!
Hello Jakksta,
This is how I did it. I planned a night to get drunk at home with a non smoker friend of mine. A very supportive friend. That night I made sure there was no smokes, I did a sweep of the house to make sure there wasn't any I had stashed somewhere and had forgotten about. The house was clean. I just figured being at home, I would be in safe non- toxic, smoke free environment. There was no chance of me getting my hands on any smokes, shops are too far away to walk and cause I was drinking, driving was out of the question. Well at the start of the night I was thinking about smokes heaps, but as I relaxed and started to enjoy the night I thought of them less. Anyway ended up having a really awesome night and not a single smoke. Once I got through that night I knew I could handle any night. I'm on 8 weeks now and I'm able to go out for drinks and not crave a smoke, but I must say I don't drink as much as I use to now. I happy being sober these days. I’m loving life right now and that’s what keeps me going.
Hi Jakksta. I agree with the above advice. So far, in the last 6 weeks I've done 2 such nights with a trusted non smoker friend (no access to smokes at all). The first was a minimal challenge, not much to speak of & the second didn't bother me at all & both were great nights. My advice is don't be taken by surprise & think well I did that I can now go to the pub, no worries. What's at the pub? Smokers. What are they doing? Blowing smoke all over you! Toxic! Old patterns! I discovered it to be a real challenge & am thankful the shop was closed. I had to stop at 4 drinks & was out of there at 7pm in mass panic mode but.....I made it & learnt from it. If you have to be there for some outrageous reason, 2/3 drinks max & leave with happy determination. I know the drinking thing gets a lot of us but it really is doable. If I can do it you surely can. Give it a go!
Thanks for your advise although I won't be giving up a couple of glasses of wine a week (bit extreme). I think you are right in the fact that I best not have those couple of wines with a smoker for a while. I am determined to quit this time, therefore I am being very cautious and do have my guard up. Bali on Sunday for 8 days so this will be a good test. I am glad I am not the only one who appears to have trouble with this. Thanks for your support - going into my sixth day, smoke free .. Oh and well done for leaving the pub Bronte, good advise if I am in that situation x