posted
So I quit smoking cigarettes yesterday after nearly nine years addicted to the stuff. Today will be harder than yesterday, but I am determined to do this.
It is time to be healthy. I am young enough that in a few years it will be as if I never smoked at all. (At least that's what I've read.) The inside of my mouth already feels better.
Wish me luck! I may use this post as an outlet for withdrawal crankiness. I also might just cry for a couple of days. <sigh>
IT'S FOR MY OWN GOOD!!!
Posts: 511 | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
Good luck with that. Are you trying any quit-smoking aides? Use of nicotine gums, patches and lozenges as well as support groups can boost your chances of success.
Anyway, the good thing about quiting is that if at first you don't succeed, you can always give it another try until you do.
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I'd wish you luck, but this is really all up to sheer will power. Hope you can stay the course! Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Smoking is evil, and bad for you, and gross. And if you smoke, you're ugly and can't read good.
Posts: 5462 | Registered: Apr 2005
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That's odd, Glynn, since there's little that anti-smoking people (such as myself) like to hear more than a smoker saying that they are committed to quitting.
Congratulations . My advice is to keep confident. Consider yourself already to have quit. You've decided you will never smoke again, so you won't. Your will is stronger than any craving.
Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999
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That's odd, Glynn, since there's little that anti-smoking people (such as myself) like to hear more than a smoker saying that they are committed to quitting.
I understand that perspective, but I also know that some people around here like to find any platform to rant about whatever it is that gives them their self-righteous jollies.
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
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Thanks y'all for the support. I'm trying to look at it like it's a bad relationship that needs to end. Would I stay with a boyfriend who was slowly poisoning me and would eventually kill me? No, I wouldn't. I would flee in a minute.
I'm also not going to turn into one of those ridiculous anti-smoking proselytizers. I know too much of how good it can feel to smoke. Nicotine is a drug that makes you feel pretty calm. To those who are anti-smoking, but have never smoked: How could you understand how it feels? To those of you who smoke: It's hard, but not impossible to quit. If you want to you can, if you don't, I don't care. Posts: 511 | Registered: Mar 2006
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Tante: The only aid I am going to use is my own will power and drinking a whole lot of water. I have no interest in replacing my oral fixation on cigarettes with an oral fixation on food, for instance. (Water, I'm okay with.) I have tried nicotine gum before and it is probably one of the most disgusting things I've ever had.
One of my best friends is also going to quit, so I do have a quitting buddy. Thank goodness for that; it will be much easier with him than by myself.
Posts: 511 | Registered: Mar 2006
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I think that the quiting buddy is a great idea. It's trashy habit and awfully hard to break. I'm glad you are quiting. Stay strong.
Posts: 5600 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Luet, all I have to say is good for you! I'm glad you've taken this step and I wish you luck in what will undoubtedly be a tough journey. Just think about the rewards in the end, though. Your health is worth it. Keep us updated on your progress.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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quote:I'm also not going to turn into one of those ridiculous anti-smoking proselytizers. I know too much of how good it can feel to smoke. Nicotine is a drug that makes you feel pretty calm. To those who are anti-smoking, but have never smoked: How could you understand how it feels?
I don't have to have tried heroin in order to encourage people not to shoot it.
But I don't want to turn this into a debate, as that would belittle your accomplishment .
Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999
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Just out of curiosity, Luet, have you tried quitting before?
I don't smoke, but I hear it's a terribly difficult habit to break. I think it's really admirable that you've decided to quit. Best of luck to you!
Posts: 866 | Registered: Aug 2005
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I am pulling for you! It was SO HARD for me to stop! I quit in '97. It killed me would-have-been mother-in-law and the Hubby said if I didn't quit he'd leave. I never did it around him because I knew he hated it but now he was really against it. I couldn't blame him so I quit. I still want one but I want him more. ANd now I've got my little girl to think of so it keeps me in check. About 3 years ago, I gave in and took a drag off a friends. It was awful! I don't know why I miss it!
Posts: 601 | Registered: Sep 2002
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I smoked my first cigarette a couple weeks ago, but I haven't thought about smoking another one since and I don't plan on turning it into a habit. I didn't see what was so good about it.
Posts: 2054 | Registered: Nov 2005
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Luet, you can do it! It takes only 100 times of saying "no" to a craving to quit smoking totally. You are stronger than any addiction! We're all rooting for you!
You are doing such a smart thing by quitting now. You're being good to yourself. You're so right that nicotine is an evil boyfriend who is using you for money, and destroying your health. Not a nice guy. You deserve far better. Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Luet13: I'm also not going to turn into one of those ridiculous anti-smoking proselytizers. I know too much of how good it can feel to smoke. Nicotine is a drug that makes you feel pretty calm. To those who are anti-smoking, but have never smoked: How could you understand how it feels?
You know I heard that about a year ago from an uncle who smokes. I decided to take the next opportunity and smoke a cigarette when offered. I have since smoked 3 cigarettes, and the third one I enjoyed the most. I am a 3 times a year smoker I guess. I still think it is a bit gross, but I do understand what it feels like.
Btw- I am SO not the type of person to smoke, so don't worry, but it is an interesting experience if you have never smoked at all. Worth actually trying? Maybe, maybe not.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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The whole, "one and you're hooked" thing wasn't my experience at all, nor was it with anyone I can think of. I suppose it's possible with someone who has a particularly addictive personality, but even people I know who I consider to be pretty addiction-prone haven't gotten addicted after one cig.
quote: You are doing such a smart thing by quitting now. You're being good to yourself. You're so right that nicotine is an evil boyfriend who is using you for money, and destroying your health. Not a nice guy. You deserve far better.
But...but..he said he loves me..
Seriously though, Luet, good luck with quitting.
Posts: 2907 | Registered: Nov 2005
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You can do it! Let us know how it goes, I'm really curious in the day-to-day ordeals of Quitting.
Posts: 3636 | Registered: Oct 2001
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It may be true that people don't become literally "addicted" after just one. But every cigarette smoker in the world started with one. And everyone who has smoked zero cigarettes is not a cigarette smoker.
Because of that I think it's risky to try it even once. The only surefire way not to be a smoker is to never start.
But anyway, best wishes to Luet13! I've heard it's tough, but it can be done. Even if requires more than one attempt. Good luck!
Posts: 120 | Registered: Jun 2005
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Well I actually got to go to work today. That was a bit hard because I had to wait for the bus (a favorite smoking place) and do more traveling than the past 2 days. I also had to figure out what to do with breaks. I decided that today I would stay inside.
It was kind of funny and sad when I realized my coat still smelled like cigarettes, and I began to voraciously inhale stale smoke. Now I'm at home, and am going to wash the d*** thing and all my other coats. No surprises when the weather changes.
I haven't really wanted a cigarette, but I've been feeling very, very twitchy and somewhat on edge.
P.S. For those who asked: This is probably my fourth or fifth time quitting. Longest I lasted was 3 years ago for about 3 months. This is the final one though, I can feel it! Posts: 511 | Registered: Mar 2006
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Have you ever tried carrying around a pen or pencil with you, Luet? I hear having something roughly cigarette shaped to fiddle with when you have cravings, or in locations you usually smoke (like at that bus stop) can help ease the process. Especially if you are a more tactilely attuned person.
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I studied some orkshops on knocking the habit and the things I remember is to have healthy snacks handy like fruit or rasins (mmm, rasins & peanuts... mmmm). Another cool trick is to exhale all of your air slowly, then inhale all the way slowly, and repeat that 3 times. You have to be careful if you've never done it before because you could have a severe coughing fit because you end up recycling air in parts of the lungs that aren't use to it or something. And it also sends a rush of oxygen to the brain. Or something.
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I've heard that one of the things that helps a lot is to keep pretzel sticks around...sometimes people just get so used to the motion of smoking that it helps them to have the big pretzel sticks to substitute, I guess.
My mom had to quit smoking before she could have me, but my dad has been smoking for probably more than fifty years.
quote:To those who are anti-smoking, but have never smoked: How could you understand how it feels?
I know how it feels to live with a smoker...but my mom is a former smoker, and she's never seemed tempted at all...and as I said, she only quit so that she could have children, so it's not like she was cigarette-free for that long before I was born.
I've gotta say, though...my dad has stayed a smoker even through my elementary school "Daddy don't smoke; I don't want you to die" phase...so it's gotta be hard to quit.
Thank you, everyone for your suggestions and support! I am very grateful to have this outlet to vent in.
Today has been pretty darn easy. The greatest feeling was waking up and having my mouth feel clean and it's felt clean all day! I forgot that there was a different state of being for the inside of my mouth. I know that sounds silly, but it's true!
Also, it was raining in Chicago today, and instead of my hoodie smelling like a wet ashtray, it just smelled like a wet hoodie. I'm beginning to be able to smell again, and it's a good feeling.
To those who are suggesting food (even the healthy stuff), I am trying to not replace my oral fixation with more oral fixation. The only thing I'm doing is drinking water whenever I get the urge to smoke. I spend an inordinate amount of time in the restroom, but it has the added benefit of cleaning out my system without adding unwanted weight.
BRING IT ON, DAY 5!!!! <punches the air fiercely>
Posts: 511 | Registered: Mar 2006
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Awesome! I'm so proud of you! You can do it!
Don't be disappointed if your cravings go away for a few days, then you get hit with a big one. That's how it happens. Be ready for it, and have plenty of water on hand, and perseverance too. You will feel so much better!
Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Dav: It may be true that people don't become literally "addicted" after just one. But every cigarette smoker in the world started with one. And everyone who has smoked zero cigarettes is not a cigarette smoker.
Because of that I think it's risky to try it even once. The only surefire way not to be a smoker is to never start.
I agree with you, but common. Every addiction to anything starts by doing that thing. Since you can get addicted to perfectly benign things, you can't mean we shouldn't do anything that can lead to addiction- many natural behaviors for some grow into addictions for others- Food, sex, excercise, you name it and its a source of addiction for someone, somewhere. Personally I'd rather try something if I knew it wasn't going to hurt me or anyone else to try it. (But there are alot of exceptions to that statement to be sure).
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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No work today or tomorrow, so I'm power cleaning my room. I just baked some chocolate chip cookies. I haven't been craving cigarettes constantly, but once in a while I get a strong urge to have one.
Tomorrow night will be a challenge. I'm starting the night at a benefit for my friend's theater company, Silent Theatre. I'll be playing some piano, eating, and most likely drinking. Later, another friend is having a party with DJs and so forth. I've been drinking less, but I'm still unsure of how drinking and not smoking will go together.
Ooh, and the Crosstown is this weekend! GO WHITE SOX!
(Sorry, that had nothing to do with anything. It just popped in there...) Posts: 511 | Registered: Mar 2006
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Ooooh, I hope you decide not to drink. To let this night be a night you say no thanks and stick to diet coke or something. Drinking will definitely take a big big hit on your willpower. The two work together.
Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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quote:I've been drinking less, but I'm still unsure of how drinking and not smoking will go together.
They don't.
Don't drink. Even if your willpower is astounding, it can drop into the negatives with alcohol. Combined with the fact that the desire to restart smoking is greatest when you're around others who are doing so (as may be likely in a party situation), you're asking for trouble.
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
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This is what happened Friday night: Of course I drank, there was no question that I wouldn't. And I did end up smoking 4 or 5 cigarettes.
HOWEVER: I was riding my bike across the city, and then back. (Probably a grand total of 8-10 miles). Also the next day I felt AWFUL. When I was smoking, I had a feeling that was how I would feel the next morning. And believe me I did. My throat hurt and I felt stinky.
Consequently, I haven't had ANY cigarettes since Friday night. I haven't even had the desire for any. And last week, I definitely was craving smokes. These past two days, nothing.
No one said this would be easy, and I think I'm doing pretty good so far. I'm allowed to have moments of weakness, as long as I don't lose sight of my goal.
The oddysey continues...
Posts: 511 | Registered: Mar 2006
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Keep going! Everyone has big setbacks when they drink. I will warn you against the thought that you can have one or two from time to time without it really messing you up, though. That idea is one of the ways your brain will lie to you to get you to let it keep smoking.
It's hilarious how many ways your brain and body will have of tricking you.
But you totally can win this battle. Your will is exceedingly strong. It has tremendous power. All you have to do is make up your mind to apply it.
Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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quote:This is what happened Friday night: Of course I drank, there was no question that I wouldn't. And I did end up smoking 4 or 5 cigarettes.
Luet, seriously, do not rule out the possibility that you may have to quit social drinking - at least as long as you're trying to quit, and possibly forever.
There are NUMEROUS accounts of smokers who cannot quit because the social aspect of drinking & smoking (especially around others doing the same) is simply unbreakable.
When I quit (and admittedly, it was for a whopping seven months), I had to do just that. I was completely dry for that entire time - and a good amount of time thereafter, too.
Not that that's a bad thing. Saves you a bunch of money and a lot of headaches.
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
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And being designated driver is fun! You can tease your friends by hinting at all the silly stuff they did while under the influence. Posts: 6246 | Registered: Aug 2004
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