Being around other smokers is big trigger ... For me anyways
Hello everyone! I will be 10 months quit, cold turkey in one weeks time. Hard to believe its been that long. Overall, if I were to graph my cravings and thoughts of having just one it would be declining at approximately 2-3% a month rate. There are days/weeks where the cravings / thoughts increase but the overall monthly average are definitely declining.
I have noticed that being around others smokers is a BIG cravings trigger for me. Even seeing people smoking on tv or internet triggers thoughts of smoking. For me, this is where I become vulnerable to giving in to "just one". It not only lasts while I am observing the person smoking, but ignites future thoughts of smoking. Its like a snowball effect.
In past quits I fail when I am not accountable to anyone. I would wager that the majority of quitters that fail are alone when they give in to having just that one. The funny thing about it is that first one would be horrible and would not be release any endorphins associated with intaking nicotine. But for whatever reason, we are tricked into thinking, I didn't get hooked, I can have another....
Hello, have you read Alan Carrs easyway? Perhaps it would be timely to change your mindset from wanting to smoke and using willpower not to, to being glad that you are finally free of the little monster. It would be really awful to start again and be trapped all over again.
Not meaning to rain on your parade - your achievement is terrific and I congratulate and envy you.
Hello weewillem, yes, I read easyway when I first quit and read it again at around the 2 month mark to refresh myself. I hadn't thought about it before you mentioned it, but I think I might read it again to instil the message again. Thanks for the suggestion!
Hang in there Not This Time 1 Year is coming up get Ready for Your first Birthday 35 Days for me but I will get there You Can Do It. Ron
Hi Ron, Thanks for the supporting comment. Thats what I find helpful about this support forum; sharing experiences and giving support and acknowledgement to others.
Today marks 10 months for my quit. 2 more months and I have been cigarette and nicotine free for an entire year. Good luck with your quit. 35 days is an incredible feat... Keep knowing that staying quit is more important than anything that comes up. Nothing takes priority over your quit.