Quit Smoking - so far so good...

[svandamme]

Originally posted by lendaddy
Kudos.

The dreams will start soon if they haven't already...But on the upshot the smoke is very satisfying even in dream form

oh man, forgot all about those smoke dreams....
Nicotine is such a rotten mistress..

[cstreit]

Originally posted by Jim Richards
So Chris, you actually survived the Gruppe B beer night without succumbing to temptation? Nice.

Jerry would have ratted me out...

[beepbeep]

I really never really understood nicotine habbit. I did get a mild buzz in early beggining, then it just withered away and got replaced by a sense of anxiety and cravings when I was without it...

Silly, isn't it?

I never smoked but it sounds even more weird...you choose to inhale burning leaves mixed with whatever chemicals tobbaco industry mixed in to get you more hooked. For most of addiction, you don't feel a s**t, only thing you really feel is when you are without it. In mean time, you are poisoning yourself slowly...

I guess drug addiction is similar after prolonged use...

[cstreit]

Yep, like any addictive drug, pretty soon you're taking it to feel "normal"

[lendaddy]

Smoking had a mental-relaxation effect on me. When I had a problem I would have a "thinkin' stick" and I would de-stress. I admit it, I miss smoking, it had its' benefits.....none nearly as large as its' negatives however.

It stopped being about the "buzz" after a few weeks.

[legion]

I smoke cigars. The most frequently I've ever had them is maybe 2 in a month.

I find them extremely relaxing.

I try to space them out so as to preserve the effect.

[svandamme]

cigars is something else, since one generally does not inhale them...
you basically suck on the buggers for a taste in yer mouth, not to satisfy a nicotine need...

the only reason why cigars are dangerous for ex nicotine junkies is because of the motor reflex to hold something in yer hands and suck on em ,which might bring back the nicotine cravings/reflex/addiction



off course i could be wrong, and you could be having a 2 cigars a month nicotine addiction which probably is plenty good to get beat up by proper junkies in a Betty Ford detox program

[cstreit]

Update

Today starts week 6. The last week has been difficult, perhaps second only to the first week. I'm starting the smallest dose nicotine patch today as well. Wish me luck!

[svandamme]

just loose the patches Chris
the sooner you do, the faster you'll be without cravings...
the patches aren't what keep you off the ciggies, your own determination does that for you, just stay determined.

[lendaddy]

You can do it Duffy Moon!

[azasadny]

Chris,
Congrats! Keep up the good work!!!

[DonDavis]

Bump for good karma to Chris.

Deep breaths, my friend. You can do this!

[svandamme]

just went with the work folks on a fridaynight booze out
and must say, the smokers at the table didn't bother me one bit

might not feel like that right now Chris
but i can assure you, when you hit 8-9 months , it won't bother you either, nicotine will probably say other wise at your 6 weeks, just ignore that... you WILL get used to beeing smoke free amongst smokers, and that's all that matters.

[bigchillcar]

good for you, fella. +1 on the cigars..love 'em.

[ben parrish]

Keep it up. No ciggs for me either; I have had two cigars though. I really think I am done this time but I can't let my guard down.

[cstreit]

Thanks guys,

Stjin, I don't think I quite have your willpower, I KNOW that other smokers at the table would drive be up the wall. Not because of the smell, but because I know I'd enjoy it.

I have to keep reminding myself that the enjoyment is not worth dying for. (seems like a simple concept when you say it... )

[lusso]

Chris,
Congrats!! I quit two years ago. I was a pack and a half a day smoker for 15 years. The day my '73 911 arrived was the last one I had. I did it cold turkey and have not looked back.
My wife said it was the worst two months of her life.........but well worth it.
David

[Beethoven]

Chris,

I'm going to come around one of these days to show you a couple of breathing exercises. True, they make you sound like a kangaroo in heat, but they helped me combat all cravings and calm me down, too. Ten minutes a day, is all. You can do them in the trailer before a race.

I suspect you'll have another bumby two days when you actually quit the patch, but from then on you're home free. I personally never think about nor crave cigarettes, even when I'm blind drunk (=every week end).

[DJQ911]

Firstly Chris, you are doing great. Well done.

I stopped cold turkey some time ago, it was easier for me as I was in the cardiac care unit at the time

9months 3days 2hours not smoking
6977 cig's not smoked
£1797 money not spent on cig's
3 weeks 3 days life saved

I have a quit meter on my computer at work. It just gives me a little boost every morning.

I got the meter from here http://www.silkquit.org/sqmmiv/meter.aspx

Hope it may help you.

Derek

[svandamme]

Originally posted by cstreit
Thanks guys,

Stjin, I don't think I quite have your willpower, I KNOW that other smokers at the table would drive be up the wall. Not because of the smell, but because I know I'd enjoy it.

I have to keep reminding myself that the enjoyment is not worth dying for. (seems like a simple concept when you say it... )

well , i used to think that as well,
but like i said earlier , just get in to the "anti and angry at ciggies" mindset while your busy quitting, and at some point it just becomes easier, and you'll be less "anti" , and a bit longer, it'll just become annoying in terms of smell... smoke these days , annoys me because it just stinks bigstyle, it doesn't bother me in terms that it makes me crave for one...

if you ask me , it doesn't matter what smokers say about your beeing anti, and the crap they will spew about "if you are anti when you're quitting, you're a hypocrite" that's BS in the end, it's your health, and there's no law that says you have to be tolerant to smoke when you quit

the end , justifies the means...
when smokers talk agressive in defense of smoking, it's not them talking , it's the nicotine.... that's just a fact.