Its all I think about !
The sensation to smoke is so overwhelming finding it hard to concentrate long enough to complete this post . Been smoking for about 50 years and as of today day 17 I had 4 smokes by taking a couple of drags and then clipping and saving them for another craving . knowing that I don't have a smoke stashed some where is the hardest
Hang in there Sonny. We all have experienced what you are going through. The patch helped me out allot in your stage. Back in day 17 in my journal I was struggling as well, but as time went on it got better. Try to stay relaxed and not think so much about it. And if you need NRT it's way better to do that than smoke. Then you can work on getting off the NRT later. Maybe first concentrate on stopping smoking, that's how I did it, one thing at a time and one day at a time. Oh and another thing I had to get rid of the temptation so I gave away the rest of my last pack to a buddy at work. Then I just never went back and bought any. Take care and I hope it gets better for you.
Mike
Thanks Mike1972 for the advice .Amoung other things I guess its the triggers that get to me ! There are so many, When the wind blows its a trigger . Its time to dump the last few smokes I have AGAIN and getting honest
Hi Sonny,
Congrats for going almost 17 days smoke free. I'm saying that because whilst you have explained that it's all you think about, you did manage to go that distance without one so you can get back on the bike and start riding again.
I'm only assuming here but sounds like you've gone cold turkey? Some people can do it that way and have a lot of success but others find it way too hard.
It has to be an individual choice and what works best for us individually. I do agree with Mike though, if you need help to ease things a bit then nothing wrong with nrt. Far better to be smoke free than inhaling all those toxic chemicals.
I'm patch free now and think I quit that at the six week mark. Now I just cut a lozenge into quarters and if a strong craving hits, I just use one of those.
Please keep posting because there is support here.
Welcome Sonny.I too had smoked for 52 yrs and had good reasons to call it quits. Been nearly 10 nths now and i will not kid you it was not easy to continue the journey. After so many years of smoking you as i and many other smokers have developed a form of compulsive smoking disorder. This is what you fear when you say "no smoke stashed away". As smokers we ensured we had supplies maintained same as petrol in the car. You need to ask yourself the true and honest reason you desire to quit. If then ,your answer is genuinely honest in your mind to quit, buy some nrt that is suitable and give it all you can to overcome the first 14days...being the hardest. I assure you it becomes easier the longer you go. Good luck, keep posting. Cheers.
Hi Sonny,
I am only on day four and I can relate to you so much, yesterday day 3 was really hard I was wishing I had just one cigarette and would do what you are doing just a few drags and save it for a few more drags, but I didn't have any so that was the best thing, I went and had a glass of water and went on computer and the urge went, I actually went down and brought the groceries one hour later and had to walk past the smoke counter to leave, well I felt so good that for the first time ever I didn't give in to the smokes and buy a packet, I cannot believe I was that strong, so hang in there Sonny you can do it, we can do it. Cheers.
Hi Sonny , like Johnnie I gave up after 53 years of heavy smoking. I am now 611 days away from a cigarette and confess the initial stages were not easy. There was a psychic change needed before I quit inasmuch as I knew without doubt that I was going to give up whatever the pain. The habit of smoking came in various forms ( mental physical and spiritual ). I first had to recognize that I was actually worth the effort of quitting. After a while I recognized that to stay quit It was necessary to believe that my whole identity was changing from being a smoker to a non smoker. When I believed this the pain of quitting became somehow positive ( weird but true ). Eventually the cravings subsided but I could not avoid the journey. Good luck and keep posting.