Stories & experiences

Hi Paula, I know EVERYONE on this site can relate to what you're going through. I went through it - now at day 71 cold turkey with no slip ups. I found the best way to deal with cravings was to just think through in a rational way what was actually going on with my body. The craving was the addiction trying to make me smoke again. I don't want to smoke, so don't listen to the craving. It's like a voice in the head. I actually spoke back to it out loud and told it where to go. Also, knowing that the craving will pass ... just a few seconds of will-power to get through it. Knowing what a set-back it would be if I gave in at the 9 day stage, with the hardest work behind me. How disappointed would I be with myself!! At 9 days Paula, you have done a great job. You are strong ... much stronger than the addiction.

Please don't give in, you wrote such agood comment for me.
I'm only just starting out on day two, but it'd be such a shame for you to give in now.
Remember the horrors of that smoking cycle, and remember how much you wanted to break free.
Your doing so well, don't go back now.

go man

Hang in there Paula, you can do it!

Paula ,hi Lucifer here did you send me the email for the contact of my hypno therapist ,just want to know if 1. it is you 2.have you contacted him ? 3. you are not the paula I wrote to .Anyway do not give up the fight ,it sounds to me that you `need something to replace or keep yourself more busy mentally when the cravings start .I once quit for 6 months by every time I want or have a craving was to pick up a good book and continue where

I stop prior .Keeping yourself motivated .Now I walk nearly everyday pushing the pram of my 3 month old that id besides starting my morning off at 445 am and returning home usually by 530 pm having dinner 630pm then walking and returning home by 800pm get the bath ready for my little one 830 packing everything away then rocking her to sleep 900pm .keeping busy thats what it is having a full life

so where the did I find time to light a smoke up anyway

Keep going Paula. I was where you are a few months ago. Exhausted from the fight. Read my stories. I struggled big time. I am now day 165 or just shy of 6 months. I still have the odd craving but i work through it. I know i could never never have just one. I would LOVE ONE but that would lead to more. I never want to go through the quitting again. It was too tough. I am excited about where i am. i don't smell of smoke and i am free to go places and not wory about if it's a place i can smoke lol. keep up the good work. DAY BY DAY

Thank you so much MickeyJ, chief, rweirdp, Gayld, lucifer and kathyrose for your support and encouragement! It really means a lot to me. I've been smoke-free now for 26 days and trying to keep myself busy.

Ironically I haven't yet experienced the 'feeling healthy/energetic' phenomenon -- in fact I've been quite ill and now on antibiotics, lol.. And I've put on a few kilos due to compulsive eating (swapping this for the compulsive smoking I guess). So I don't look or feel my best right now!

The demons whisper in my ear, 'Just have a cigarette. What harm can it do? Look, you're feeling worse now than you did before you quit!' -- but I haven't given in to the urges yet! I agree that I don't want to go through this whole quitting process all over again -- too painful.

For me, stopping smoking is kinda like having to destroy your conjoined twin & truest friend -- I know how nuts that sounds, but cigarettes have been my companions all my adult life - they have been an emotional prop as well as a way of distancing myself from some aspects of life. I need to convince myself that they are actually a toxic presence and not 'comforting' at all.

The struggle continues -- thanks again for your comments.

If you need any extra support e-mail me at kathyrose9468@yahoo.com

Thanks, kathyrose : )