Quit smoking support group

No, Angola, it's totally the lack of nicotine.

Whether it's chemical, learned, or a combination of both, I started to completely zone out for stretches without nicotine.

I've managed to stay off the smokes (except when I go out drinking, but that's a different battle, and one I don't know that I'll ever win) but I'm back to the lozenges at work.

I'll be staring at the screen waiting for the words and then pop one of those bad boys in and it's off to the races.

Ugh. I hate to think I can't write without them. But, I'll just go back to using as much as I want for a couple weeks and then weaning myself off them. That worked the last time. And, I figure, so long as I'm not smoking, it's progress.

 

all of you, strength, and good job.

zeke, if you're not inhaling smoke, it's definitely progress.

am rooting for all of you here, in a week where i lost a friend and co-worker to lung cancer at 55.

 

I smoked, although never heavily, on and off, for 20 years. Finally quit two years ago. Surprisingly, I didn't have a big battle around missing them when drinking. But I understand what you mean about missing them when writing. For the first few months, I used to hate being under deadline without cigs. Hated it.

But after a few months, I was fine. It really takes months for all the nicotine and other shit to get out of your system. Once your body's gotten rid of all that crap, you'll be ok. You won't want it any more and you'll actually recoil at the thought of one. Excercize will speed the process since it jacks up your metabolism and helps your liver process stuff. Aerobic excercize is the best, since that puts your lungs into high gear and releases those trace amounts of gunk that are still lurking in there. I was a bicycling and treadmilling fool there for a while and it really helped. I know the withdrawal period would have been longer had I been sedentary.

 

i stopped smoking at the end of november, and i went cold turkey.

for me, it was a matter of health. after 22 years of smoking a pack or more a day, my lungs really started, for the lack of a better term, fucking back.

the biggest hurdle for me was losing the rewards system.
finish a long day at work: have a smoke.
finish an awesome meal: have a smoke.
spend quality time with friends: have a smoke with them.
write a solid column: have a smoke.
finish a long drive: smoke.

i still feel empty at times, simply because i can't reward myself after i believe i've earned positive reinforcement.

it does get easier with each passing day, though, and i only became violently angry three times since november.

on a side note, i still have two half-full packs of snags in my truck. i've left them on the passenger seat since november ... just to let me know that if i ever really had to be a pussy and light one up, there they were.

 

Update.

I'm wrapping up Day 6. It's been tough at times and not tough at others. It's weird.

Tomorrow is the day that is the scariest for me. I'm off and my girlfriend will be at work, so basically I will be sitting around all day with nothing to do. I know the temptation will be great and I plan on beating it. But it is definitely the day I've been most worried about.

Anywhoo, I hope others who are quitting are finding similar easiness. Good luck everyone.

 

that, right there, is a tough day.

simply focus on the end of the day and laying down to sleep instead of the next five minutes. i have confidence in you.

 

I hopefully will be joining you at 2 months without a smoke soon, my friend.

I am confident heading into tomorrow. A bit scared, but confident.

 

it's been 11 days. i have a bit of willpower, but not much. those of you who are thinking of quitting should come join me on the good side. i've learned quitting has an immediate pay off. i could breath, move, smell and taste better within 24 hours. come join me. it's still hard, psychologically, but not physically. it's better. i promise. oh, and if anyone wants to talk pm me, because i'm far from infallible, plus i'm starting to have the dreams where i swear when i wake up that i smoked the night before.

 

oh, and fuck my 'friend' i hate cigs.

 

jump right back on the wagon, dog.

 

Dude, fucking take those out. It's a temptation you don't need.

I think I might've beaten them this time. I haven't had one since a day or two after New Years. I just didn't buy a pack for a few days and kept myself busy. I've wanted one about three times since.

I've found in those cases that if I chew on a drinking straw that in about 10 minutes the urge passes.

 

it's odd, bags, it gives me comfort knowing they're there. and to be honest, when i quit, i left them on the seat so i'd have the opportunity to sneak one from time to time ... but i didn't.

i really think i have it kicked. my last strong craving was four days ago. i was out on the porch with a beer looking at the new dog. i actually sat my beer down and turned to the door to grab a smoke. i actually was able to laugh about it, though, instead of being angry.

i wish you luck.