Seems like such a huge mountain to get over......
Like others on this iCanQuit chat forum I have smoked for 40+years and finally hit the wall of common sense in that I really do HAVE to quit smoking. Just back from a week in Mexico and smoking up a storm; I had planned in advance to quit smoking on Feb. 12th as I have. I have the spray mist and the gum which is helping me immensely and I think I am doing OK......... I will keep reading the tips yo'all post and keep a positive attitude to beat the butt ! Hugz from the Great White North.
I also smoked for 40 odd years, at least 40 a day. Now at day 27, some days have been tougher than others. Couldn't sleep more than an hour at a time in the first few weeks. Smoking for me tied my world together, i used it as a starter and a break, so have a major problem with concentration and procrastination but spoke to the Quitline today who gave me some good ideas. Onwards on this new journey to a life of freedom from the demon.
I have kept in my head at all times when I have been super stressed with an issue at work or home and wanting a cigarette, "what will having that cigarette do to solve the problem - it wont solve it - so why would i do it"
Good luck on your quit :-)
Gandalf more power to you!!! It's been 322 days for me and I can assure you that once you get over the hump of the first few weeks it will get much, much better. Physical pain is bad enough but feeling that you are betraying your so called "friend" who helps you cope with life's problems and joys is sometimes too much. Once you are over the hump you will ask yourself why did I ever spend my hard earned money and wasted my health on this nasty addiction??? And you will feel a sense of accomplishment that you were strong enough to quit. And you will not be suffering anymore when your nicotine level is low because there will be no more nicotine in your bloodstream. And maybe once in a while you will have dreams while asleep that you lit up again and you'll wake up feeling guilty but then feel relieved because it was only a dream. And that's the time when you have to be very, very vigilant because by then you somewhat have forgotten how addiction works and you may feel strong enough to tell yourself that just one puff won't do me any harm and you inhale one puff, and then the next, and the next all the while telling yourself I am not really a smoker yet and before you know it you become hooked again. Stay strong and good luck!!!
TLG, Safe2017, thank you so much for your kind advice and support, it is very much appreciated by me. You both allude to smoking being your friend and it is so true; simply consider how long smoking has been with you and how many stressful scenarios have played out in your life to-date where smoking has been the so called comforter. Well, I have formally filed for divorce, both mentally and physically from my smoking relationship. "Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero" meaning "seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future."
Thanks Red-67. Believe it or not I have read Allen Carr's book 3 or 4 times but I will dig it out again tonight to add a little more assistance and insight to stay smoke free. Today is Day 3 ...........
I haven't read Alan Carr's book but did read "Never take another puff" by Joel Spitzer. It's available free on internet. Made a lot of sense to me. Cheering on the sideline for all of us!!! Good luck.
We all know it's hard, but not impossible. Some people use patches for several months ..one study a lady used them for a year. Patches, gum better than never stopping and do help to some extent with cravings. But strong psychological resolve and finding ways to beat the cravings might hopefully help. My aunt is so ill with stomach cancer and now extensive gum disease, I know just couldn't keep going with the ciggies without putting my health at serious risk. It's a challenge but not impossible.
Thanks LizRokka, I am at the 10 day free mark with zero slip ups and haven't killed anyone yet. My very loving and supportive wife Heather suggested I keep normal Excel chewing gum handy and to substitute the Excel gum for the Nicorette gum once in a while. I will give this a try next week..... Anyway, feeling positive and those daily "trigger moments" seem; at least at this point in time less severe which is very much welcomed. Thanks all ! Phil
Day 14 and feeling pretty proud of myself. Vaulted over this past weekend with a few triggers going off when going downtown to the St. Lawrence Market (Toronto, Canada) and walking about but worked through it. Still "think" I need the Nicorette mist and gum and it really does help...... Monday morning at work and wishing y'all a great smoke free week !