quit smoking new years eve.  I am going to kill someone.  I feel like a friggin heroine addict.  My poor family.  When does it start getting easier?  I am chewing up to 6 nicorettes a day to stay sane.   Why did i ever start?  Need to vent.  Deep breath.  deep breath, deep breath deep breath deep breath........................ergh!!!!!!

Hang in there buddy, it wont be long before that goes away!!

Stay strong!  [smiley=headbanger.gif]

Good on you, man!

Go find a big piece of wood - some great long nails and a bloody big hammer.  Go outside - hammer nails into wood - take out your frustration on the wood.  All the while talking to yourself about how bloody good you're going to feel in just one more day!  Who knows - you may even create a masterpiece whilst you're there.

One hour at a time buddy.  Good on you for trying!

Carol

That's it. Take big deep breaths. All these feelings will pass soon.

Awesome work Kev. Tomorrow is another day you can add to the tally of non-smoking days.

Keep it up!

xx

Keep reminding yourself that you are now in control, that cigarettes and nicotine are no longer the master and you are no longer the slave.  You are no longer allowing something else to completely control your life, you are in the stages of taking back control.

You've already quit, now you just have to withdraw the substance from your system.

It isn't easy, but it IS doable.  You can succeed, think of a cigarette as an attack, while it hurts like a mofo, you KNOW it will end, it will be over and you will feel fine again.

Then think about all us poor suckers who are still brainwashed and slaves to the monster.

It ain't easy, but you have taken back control and each day will get better - it takes only 72 hours for nicotine to be completely removed from your system, and if I remember correctly, only 6 months for your body to believe it was never a smoker.

Hang in there, and hold on to the support from your CH family and know just how incredibly proud we ae of you.

Cat

No crave lasts longer than five minutes.

Can you point with one finger to where the crave is causing you physical pain? No... You can't. It's not a physical pain. Purely a mental construct. If you fixate on it, it will only grow. Distract yourself. Tell yourself, "Later.... I'm busy right now," and then keep putting it off.

Why don't you have a craving to shoot smack? Because you've never shot smack before. (eh... Hopefully...) The craves are not caused by quitting. They are caused by smoking.

Each crave is a sign of healing -- Of weakness, disease, addiction, and slavery leaving your body.

Enjoy them. Don't resist them and look upon them as something negative to be avoided or wished away. Look at each crave as a sign of healing. :)

Stay strong.

Also, remember HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired: These are the big triggers for craves, whether you're trying to kick alcohol, smokes, heroin, cocaine, or speed.

Good luck!

Quote:

I am chewing up to 6 nicorettes a day to stay sane.

 Kev,   On the Nicorette package it clearly states to take at least 9 per day for best results.  You may not be taking enough to help you through these first days..

Well, I currently smoke.  Not all that much, but still...

I'll probably try quitting again sometime soon.  I quit for a year once.  I distinctly remember the first couple days.  It made me a little edgy.

Did you know that's it's possible to pick up a recliner and throw it?  It is--but I only managed to heave it a few feet, and I didn't get much loft.

The itch gets better after a few days.

Best,

George

The first 72 hours are the physical addiction - after that it's all in your head  ;D  You have the hard part behind you - read and re-read what Frank said.

Hang tough - it's worth it!

Marc

One last thought:

Why do people get grouchy when they quit?

It's because they have the mistaken perception that they are depriving themselves of something.

Stop: Quitting smoking is something NICE that you are doing for yourself! :) You aren't depriving yourself of anything. Addiction turns us into Stockholm Syndrome victims. We turn to the very thing that has held us hostage and kept us in slavery for years, all the while killing us and making us pay them for the "pleasure," and we gaze upon it with fondness.

It's bizarre, isn't it?

Quitting is something nice that you are doing for yourself. :) There's no reason to be grouchy or feel grudging about it.

Good move, Kev!!!

Wow!  Frank packed a lot of wisdom into a short post!

I smoked for 33 years, and have been quit for 5 years and one month as of today.  I must've tried to quit a couple hundred times, but one day it finally 'took'.

Hang in there.  A WHOLE lot of the agony is, literally, "all in your head" - particularly since you're taking the Nicorette.  You're working on the psychological aspect of the addiction first.

It's damn near impossible to explain, but it'll start getting easier when you find and flip the little 'switch' in your psyche that changes your perspective from 'smoker' to 'non-smoker'.  I don't mean to downplay your pain at all - been there, done that, many, many times - but believe it or not, it really is in your control.  You just have to find the button  ;).

I have to disagree with Linda.  Use as little of the Nicorette as possible, and get completely off of it ASAP.  As long as you're taking it, you're feeding your addiction, and not really getting 'clean'.

One other tidbit - I think that one motivator for me was when, at the age of 46, I realized that allowing for compounding of interest, I had spent enough on cigarettes to buy a fairly decent little house!  :o  Man!  What I wouldn't give for a chance to go back and never start smoking!

Hang in there, Brother!  You're tough.  You're strong.  You'll win.  Then you'll discover it really wasn't that hard after all  ;)

Very best regards,
Jim

Wow.

Just wow.

If I ever decide to quit smoking, I want you ALL on my side.

This is inspirational.

Nicotine, like many other drugs alters brain chemistry. I guess the gum might help with that. I quit in 1980 when my dentist told me how badly my clothes stunk. He was right. Everything in this house stunk too. It helped me to quit when I discovered this.

For me, it got easier every week but I knew I had it beat after 4 months. I could sit in a bar, drink beer without caving in.

Good luck and remember that it gets easier every damn day.

Charlie

I didn't expect anything less from you all.  Thanks.  Anther day under my belt.  Went to a party and had a few drinks.  It wasn't easy but today was a tad easier than yesterday.  Amazing how llong 3 days can seem.  Well, off to bed......the baby should start screaming any second

ps...tobacco companies are truly evil!!!!!

kevmd wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 1:13am:

..........................  Went to a party and had a few drinks. ...................................

Wow - drinking was the one thing that I couldn't do when I quit - no way.
Good for you! That shows that you really are in control.

Keep it up, it's worth it.

Marc

Hey Kev, here is my  [smiley=twocents.gif] worth.
I was a 30 year smoker and had worked myself up to two packs a day. I quit cold turkey Sept. 03, 2005, and have not looked back.
My motivation was I wanted to have a little more energy while biking and knew if I gave up the smokes that would help me tremendously, which it did.
I changed my daily routine but most importantly I really wanted to quit smoking and I did it!!!
Trust me, I had my share of moments when I just wanted to say "screw it" but took a short walk to shake it off. I even had a "friend" tell Angie that that she saw me having a smoke outside my workplace one day??????? >:(

Hang in there bro, YOU CAN DO THIS!!

Mosaicwench wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2009 at 11:11pm:

Wow. Just wow. If I ever decide to quit smoking, I want you ALL on my side. This is inspirational.

This thread is gonna get printed and put on my fridge for when I do (I will be quitting by month's end)

Kev, AWESOME good on you!  Stay strong, you CAN do this.

The physical addiction to nicotine is finished within ten to fourteen days, and the discomfort of withdrawal from nicotine itself, is so slight as to be barely noticeable. Smoking is primarily a psychological addiction, which makes it easier and harder to beat. It's like a chess game that we play with ourselves.

One thing that has helped me, is a little note I made:

"Craves are signs of healing. There is no such thing as 'Just one.' Before having 'Just one,' ask yourself, 'Do I really want to start this whole mess up again?'"

Kilowatt3 wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2009 at 10:51pm:

I have to disagree with Linda.  Use as little of the Nicorette as possible, and get completely off of it ASAP.  As long as you're taking it, you're feeding your addiction, and not really getting 'clean'.

I'm going to agree with Jim here.  Unfortunately, by using the Nicorette, you are basically prolonging your withdrawel.  I was one of the lucky ones, I was able to use Zyban/Wellbutrin to help with the psychological aspects of withdrawels.  Didn't mean that I wasn't stressed out, just meant it took the edge off and made it easier to deal with.  

I was smoking at least 2 packs a day (sometimes up to 3), when I realized several things, (1)it was costing me a small fortune and (2)I didn't want to end up like my mother-in-law, who died partially because of emphysema.  When I made up my mind to quit, I went from that rather *large* number to a half a pack a day and I laid them down.  That was February 28, 2005.  I attended the OUCH convention in Dallas in July (and anybody who's ever been to convention knows that smokers outnumber non-smokers 5-1).  I made it through that without killing anybody  ;).

I think I'm probably one of the few who has not had any desire to pick a cigarette back up.  It's worth it not to stink anymore and have more money to spend (bought my first DSLR camera when I quit).

Carolyn

Feeling healthier and a few more bucks in the pocket are two of my motivators to stay off them! :)

I bought my very first quality mountain bike, then a computer and some home theater components as well. All paid for in full with my smoke money!! 8-)

I do not preach to anyone about smoking, to each their own, but willing to help anyone who needs it or support someone trying to kick the habit! ;)

Quote:

Re: hyperventilating! quit smoking Reply #18 - Today at 7:08am      Kilowatt3 wrote on Yesterday at 7:51pm: I have to disagree with Linda.  Use as little of the Nicorette as possible, and get completely off of it ASAP.  As long as you're taking it, you're feeding your addiction, and not really getting 'clean'. I'm going to agree with Jim here.  Unfortunately, by using the Nicorette, you are basically prolonging your withdrawel

And I agree with both of you.  However Kev made the choice to go with the Nicorette and so I was just telling him what the package said as far as the dosage.   ;)

 I have a friend who quit around 7 years ago.....To this day he is chewing nic. gum day and night.....

I disagree with Frank. Smoking cigarettes is almost entirely addictive. The psychological effect is rather small in comparison. Pipes and cigars on the other hand, have some serious psychological features; pipes especially. The elaborate process of preparing and smoking a pipe is a large part of it. Cigarettes are a PITA. Nictotine is by many accounts as difficult as most narcotics to break at first. Whatever lasting "need" though for nicotine is buried very deep and I rarely think of it. The worst thing is that it now and then pops up in dreams. You have no idea how glad I am when I become aware that it was only that!

Wow. I couldn't stay off cigarettes if I took a drink after only a few days. I'd stay away from it for awhile if I were you.

Hang on!

Charlie

Congrats. You are stronger that me.
Don't give up!

It is 99.9% a psychological addiction. If it weren't, there would be rehab centers with medical staff for people going through withdrawals, the way there are for people coming off of alcohol, cocaine, and heroin.

Kev, did you ever end up reading Alan Carr's book?  Just curious.


Quote:

ps...tobacco companies are truly evil!!!!!

You got that right!!!

Frank_W wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 4:26pm:

It is 99.9% a psychological addiction. If it weren't, there would be rehab centers with medical staff for people going through withdrawals, the way there are for people coming off of alcohol, cocaine, and heroin.

From Drugrehabtreatment.com:


Quote:

"Despite the difficulty in determining which drugs are the most addictive, Dr. Jack E. Henningfield of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Dr. Neal L. Benowitz of the University of California at San Francisco attempted to define the most addictive drugs by ranking six psychoactive substances on the five criteria they found most applicable to addiction: Withdrawal - The severity of withdrawal symptoms produced by stopping the use of the drug. Reinforcement - The drug's tendency to induce users to take it over and over again. Tolerance - The user's need to have ever-increasing doses of the drug to get the same effect. Dependence - The difficulty in quitting, or staying off the drug, usually measured by the number of users who eventually become dependent. Intoxication - The degree of intoxication produced by the drug in typical use. Based on the level of dependence, the most common measure for determining the addictiveness of a drug, the substances ranked as follows, from most to least addictive: 1.  Nicotine 2.  Heroin 3.  Cocaine 4.  Alcohol 5.  Caffeine 6.  Marijuana"

There's no doubt that the psychological aspect is very powerful in cigarette addiction, but so is the physical.  The 72-hour mark, when nicotine is essentially eliminated from the body, is a huge milestone in an effort to quit.

The main reason you don't see so many nicotine rehab centers all over the place is that there are no judges ordering people into rehab to quit smoking, and there are few tax dollars available to divert into the programs.  Not many people are threatened with prison, or the loss of their jobs, for smoking.  Even still, the "quit-smoking" industry is a multi-billion dollar a year business.

Hang in there, Kev - It'll get better!

Regards,
Jim

Melissa......never read the book.  I'm not big on reading in my spare time.  Today has been easier.  Even with a sick wife and 2 sick kids while watching my Eagles play.  We have 2 cases of stept throat and 1 ear infection.  

Still easier than yesterday.....I have had 3 pieces of gum today.  I'll probably take 1 more before heading to bed.  

Kick it to the curb, Kev!!! [smiley=headbanger.gif] [smiley=hammer.gif]

I am not a smoker but lived with one all my life until I moved out for college. My mom died of emphesema and I promise not to get on my soap box about how bad it is for your lungs, you already know that. Two things I've learned from addiction counselors is the 72 hr rule which has been discussed and the personal pledge you take, the reason you decide to do it. The best reason I can ever give other than the damage it does to your body is those sweet two little babies in your life!! I would have done anything to grow up in a smoke free home. I am so proud of you and anyone that can give up cigarettes. Hang in there!! You can do it!!

Charlotte

Quitting cigarettes causes no physical illness or danger. People kicking heroin get sick, sick, sick... Like the worst case of the flu you've ever experienced. People kicking alcohol run the risk of seizures and even death, and ditto for cocaine in its various forms.

Meh... Whatever... I'm a dumbshit.

Anyway, Kev: Good for you, and continued strength and best wishes to you.

Kev, how are you doing, brother?

Quit 12 years ago - best thing I've ever done for myself.

You can do it. It was easier than I made it out to be.

There's a whole industry built on the idea that this is the hardest thing you'll ever do. They benefit from you believing it is hard to do and changing your "dependence" on cigarettes to gum, or prescriptive medication.

Understanding why you want to ignore the warnings associated with continued smoking, what makes you think you won't be the one that gets lung cancer, or why you think lung cancer would be a better way to go, is where you should spend more time.

:o

scott

still going strong Frank!!!  Still not easy but still smoke free!!!! Think I need some fresh air.

Awesome!! Your sense of smell and taste should be returning. You may start hacking up a lot of crud as the cilia are no longer paralyzed by smoking, and begin to do their job of removing tar and gunk out of your lungs.

Within 20 minutes of smoking that last cigarette, the body begins a series of changes that continues for years.

20 MINUTES

   *
   * Blood pressure drops to normal.
   * Pulse rate drops to normal.
     Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal.

8 HOURS

   * Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal.
   *
     Oxygen level in blood increases to normal.

24 HOURS

   * Chance of heart attack decreases.

48 HOURS

   * Nerve endings start regrowing.
   *
     Ability to smell and taste is enhanced.

2 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS

   * Circulation improves.
   *
   * Walking becomes easier.
     Lung function increases up to 30%.

1 TO 9 MONTHS

   * Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease.
   *
   * Cilia regrow in lungs, increasing ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection.
     Body's overall energy increases.

1 YEAR

   * Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.

5 YEARS

   * Lung cancer death rate for average smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half.
   *
   * Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5-15 years after quitting.
     Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker's.

10 YEARS

   * Lung cancer death rate similar to that of nonsmokers.
   *
   * Precancerous cells are replaced.
     Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.

15 YEARS

   * Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker.

Way to go, Kev!  Stay tough!

Sounds great Kev. Frank's list is a good one.

It turns out that things like hemorrhoids are thought to be less frequent in non-smokers too. The best thing though is that you will no longer be an outcast standing outside in blizzards or monsoons catching a smoke. Please feel free to send me all the extra cash you save...... 8-)

Charlie

Well Kev?

Time for an update.  You're under the microscope now!

Hang tough!
Jim

So how's it going?? We are all in your corner. You CAN and WILL do this! Keep it up!

Charlotte

I am resurrecting this from page two.


Kev....chime in here and let us know how you're doing please.  Even if it isn't great, we'd still like to know.  Every smoker or ex smoker here knows what you're up against.  If you're not doing good....let us help you get back on tract where you want to be.  O.K.?  Please?

Linda

Bump

Kev--you can do it. MHO, you should get off the nic gum as soon as possible b/c you are still putting nicotine into your system. I quit this past August and have fallen 3 times but have not smoked since December. The cravings diminish but it is hard.

Keep plugging day to day. It is a stuggle and remember the pain of cravings is well worth your health.

Stay strong.

TomM

Toothpicks, gum anything to get your mind off of it.

It was easy for me, however I only smoked for about 10 years
and 1 pack or less/day.  I remember after the first 2 weeks it seemed
like a big accomplishment and then the 1 month, and 6 months and so on.  Now, I only have a desire after a rough night drinking.  That rarely happens, so it's been good.  

Good luck my friend and realize you're doing a great thing for your body!  Who knows, you might even reduce the CH intensity like myself, however what do I know it could be one big coincidence.

Chad

still smoke free baby!  Of course now its a more serious reason to stay smoke free.  At this point, I do not think I could possibly ever go back.  but i would love too.

Quote:

but i would love too.

Nope.   That is called "stinking thinking"    AA, I believe coined it.

If you still believe you would love to, then you're setting yourself up for failure in advance.  Think of what a nasty ash-tray smells like and ask yourself if that is what you love.


I am proud of you and I thank you for giving us an update on how you're doing.  


Linda

my true feelings are that I wish smoking was good for you.  I honestly can't see going back.  I am already not hacking up a lung anymore. Breathing much better.

And you don't want those sweet little children of yours to think Daddy smells like a dirty ash tray!!! Great news!! Keep up the good work and thanks for posting.

Charlotte

Way to go Kev, you are doing great!!!! [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Way to go Kev!  Two weeks is awesome!

Just don't give in to the stinkin' thinkin'  >:(

Nice going Kev and I know how you feel about restarting. It's too hard to go through it again. Keep it up!

Charlie