2 and a half years.
Tomorrow marks my 2 and a half year cold turkey quit. I rarely log on the site anymore, but do log on to see a few individuals that are around the same quit period as me. Unfortunately, although it has been 2 and a half years, the nico-demon has made a reappearance. I have decided I will be reading Alan Carr's Easy Way to Quit again (I find his book invaluable as a tool to take away the negotiating power of the nico-demon!). I am confident I won't give in, but at the same time, find it frustrating that it has been close to a 1000 days and the nico-demon still has a presence. The strongest presence came in a dream the other night. It began with the thought process that I would steal a cigarette from a friend (I have strong values against stealing), and smoke just that one. In the dream, I was debating in my head and finally, decided to light the cigarette. The lighting of the cigarette was very vivid. I saw everything and it was a slow motion process. I immediately felt disappointed in myself BUT knew that wasn't my last one and already started justifying my next cigarette and that I would smoke only 1 a day! The power of the nico-demon is strong and the quit process is different for everyone I believe. I take the dream as a warning sign that I need to read the book again AND that having "just one" is not possible. I would return to a full time smoker in no time.
Hello again Notthistime. Thanks for reminding us not to become too complacent with our success. The nicotine monster is a crafty one and we need to be equipped when he comes abeggin. Allan Carr is an excellent read for anyone on this journey, contemplating taking the journey, or even completed the journey as I have. You can never have too much knowledge or preparation in self confidence and a plan to thwart any slippage.
As someone stated on your earlier post, taking your advice would have made the quit much easier overall. It seems you have imparted a great deal of information and it would be worth reading your stories of your journey to gain this insight. I intend to read more than just the last post at your two year mark . I hope others will as well.
Of course, like you , I can't convey the worth of reading Allan Carr, which I recently posted and there is a PDF link . Absolutely free, and absolutely invaluable. I am sure you will find key words and ideas to reestablish your peaceful status. Don't forget to check in with us here as well. Remembering why you took the journey and the good and bad times during will help to reinforce your quit while at the same time helping others.
So good of you to return NotThisTim, it takes a lot of courage to come back when things have taken a downward turn. You have forewarned us that the Nicotine is still hovering, which I always knew as this is hopefully my last quit after relapsing a few times, you might need to keep in touch a little more now this has happened and its time once again to get back on your horse. Thankyou
Hi Happiness,
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment. You made an excellent suggestion and I believe it is the best tool in my toolkit next to reading Alan Carr's book again. That is to review all my posts from the start of my journey until today. I have read the most recent 3 posts and realize how much effort and merit I put into my quit. I had become so used to days passing without any thoughts of smoking that when the nico-demon did return, (he/she?) caught me off guard and I am really unprepared. Perhaps thats how the nico-demon thinks (he/she) will have the best chance, waiting until we are no longer actively guarding our quit and strike at that time. Thanks again for your comments Happiness, the suggestion has and will help me tremendously.
Hi Softly40,
You made a very good statement that drove a point home for me. "its time once again to get back on your horse". This statement made me realize that I was in the mindset that it should be 100% easy now that I am at "X time point". I am now not sure it will EVER be 100% easy and that I should always be aware that the nico-demon lives on and is patiently waiting for the perfect storm to occur for the chance to strike. I should also mention that I have been giving into other vices over the past few months as I have had some pretty hefty traumatic experiences occur. These vices are mostly food related (I've gained 15 pounds in 4 months, GRRRR!). I believe, for me, my physical and mental well being has to be approached with a holistic mindset. Once one realm is out of whack, it causes other realms to get out of whack. Knowing this now, I will "get back on my horse" for both guarding my quit and also revisiting my holistic lifestyle approach. The traumatic event happened over 4 months ago and I believe now is the right time to accept the change has occurred, I have given myself time to accept and its time to move onto the next stage and get myself back to a healing and a state of moving forward. As always, there will be more storms in the future and I must prepare and make myself as strong as possible for these storms!
I think we all need goals. I tackled losing weight soon after i felt comfortable in my journey. And I do believe you should feel comfortable and believe yourself to be a non=smoker, just don't let up your guard. You would think losing a few pounds would be easy after finding this journey easy. Only lost a couple of lbs which was disappointing. I threw in the towel a few days ago, while hubby is on holidays. That isn't going to help however. I simply need to get my head (and heart) back into it. I did not gain weight when i started this journey, but could stand to lose a few.
You will recall that Allan Carr wants you to accept being a happy non-smoker and stop waiting for something that you hope will never happen.
First of all congrats on being 2 1/2 years smoke free. Secondly, you realized that the addiction is waiting on a perfect storm and you are being proactive. Good approach. In the past I had two semi successful quits, one lasting 2’years and the second one lasted just over a year. Both times just one puff took me right back where I started. Nowadays It’s NOPE (not one puff ever) for me. Similarly, very recently I too had a dream that I decided to smoke one cig a day. I suppose that it’s a reminder to stay vigilant 24/7. Good luck and i hope your traumatic experience is behind you now. Cheers.
I've given myself 2 months after quitting before starting my diet again. I love my food - but what I did do was up the exercise more this kept me about even. First things first - No smoke then later on less food. Lets know when you have straddled that horse
I've given myself 2 months after quitting before starting my diet again. I love my food - but what I did do was up the exercise more this kept me about even. First things first - No smoke then later on less food. Lets know when you have straddled that horse
Hi NotThisTime. Your dream / nightmare sounds like the thoughts and dreams I had years ago as "Margaret Thatcher" tried so hard to get into my head and to reward myself for any success I had. I was able to tell her where to go. Margaret is the name of my craving. It is not me that craves a cigarette. It is Margaret telling me to do so. For over 4 years, cold turkey, I have been able to tell her where to go. $32000 later is better in my pocket than the ashtray. My, how the overs and unders tray grown. All surplus funds and a source of squandering on whatever I like... Think about it.
I really enjoyed reading your entire journey start to finish. I also believe that ginger reduces cravings and that that is why I may have accidentally begun my quit. I took this simple concoction morning and night for about 8 days and suddenly didn't feel like a smoke first thing one morning.
Trying to better my health , I was also eating even more nutritiously and drinking more water, which cleanses our systems. Of course, I was putting cigarettes out of reach, becoming more mindful of my smoking habit.
Once deciding to join a quit forum I realized that I could quit smoking.
I love the key phrases that you use and may steal them to use.....escaped not quit smoking. The main benefit being self empowerment....awesome!
I especially loved your post of April 14 where you actually list the "Techniques" that helped you to your 15 months as a non-smoker. I hope others will take a look at it and take value from it.
I am surprised that your cravings have persisted for so long, but I am also equally confident that you are knowledgeable and determined enough to stay empowered. May I ask if you have become a parent yet? I do hope that you do get your life back on that schedule and commitment to healthy eating , sleeping and exercise that worked so well for you. Do you still take your ginger? I added it ( and turmeric) to chicken broth and have it instead of so much coffee as a beverage. I really must get back to doing that again. Ginger, turmeric, garlic and onions have such health benefits.
A healthy body and a retrained mine can empower you to take control and escape the vicious cycle.
Thanks for the tips Notthistime, and stay on course!
I once read that losing 80- lbs was equalvalent to the benfits of quitting smoking and vice versa... Imagine.. A few pounds or kg put on is nothing compared to the benefits of being smoke free. I was merely stating how hard i found it to lose weight, while i found quitting smoking to be easier! Strange but true.
Hi there,
Just checking in to see how you are going. When you get this feel free to write back. You wrote down some tips for me when I was in the early days of quitting. It really helped , so thank you. Hope you are going well.