I'm having a rough day today wanting a cigarette, I've noticed that my addiction is triggered when I eat something that is exceptionally sweet (I made rice krispie squares today). I know these tuggings won't last forever but I've had them last for days at a time without subsiding and once I had a tugging last for 3 weeks and struggled every single day for those three weeks. My gum chewing doesn't help much when I get these intense periods, deep breathing helps some and so does getting up and changing gears often, and of course sleep helps, I was never a smoker that got up during the night to smoke.
In less than 2 weeks I will celebrate 11 months without smoking and I'm still amazed that I was able to accomplish this goal. More than the amount of time or the amount of money saved, I'm flabbergasted at the number of cigarettes I haven't smoked (and this is on the low side) in this almost 11 months...........6,534 cigarettes - OMG, I really was killing myself. I'm also more aware of how nasty I smelled cause when I come near a heavy smoker I'm overwhelmed at how they smell like a wet ashtray - YUCK! When I pass near a smoker, I'm still drawn to the Ahhhhh feeling.
In less than 2 weeks I will celebrate 11 months without smoking and I'm still amazed that I was able to accomplish this goal. More than the amount of time or the amount of money saved, I'm flabbergasted at the number of cigarettes I haven't smoked (and this is on the low side) in this almost 11 months...........6,534 cigarettes - OMG, I really was killing myself. I'm also more aware of how nasty I smelled cause when I come near a heavy smoker I'm overwhelmed at how they smell like a wet ashtray - YUCK! When I pass near a smoker, I'm still drawn to the Ahhhhh feeling.
22 COMMENTS:
Your battling the strong urges and that is hard. I am really proud of you. I would like to say that it goes away, but from experience I can't say that. It never goes away. I quit for over 2 years once, and the urges would always come, I would dream that I was smoking, I could smell and taste it in my sleep. Unfortunately the last strong urge that came, didn't leave and I started smoking again. I will quit again someday, when my brain says enough. I wish you will power and tons of strength.
Stay strong hun, i can't say i understand really, I've never been a smoker but i've seen my entire family struggle with it and I hope that it gets easier for you soon. I'll pray for your addiction to get better and you pray for me to end my affair with chocolate lol. Deal?
I wish I could talk to my Dad, he quit cold turkey almost 30-years ago out of fear and sure he had those same cravings, but I will send you energy and positive thoughts to resist the temptation :)
Perhaps it may help if you put the money that you would have spent on something very special for yourself ... something that you have always wanted but have never treated yourself to. That extra special something that is deep in the back of your mind but you never allow it to come into your mind because ... just because.
I think for anyone to give up anything is really difficult - I have had to give up wheat which is in almost everything. Sometimes I think of my Grandma's shiny black top cottage loaves spread liberally with lashings of tub butter. Sometimes I think of nice juicy gravy which is never the same I always think unless it has a smattering of Bisto which just so happens contains wheat so ... Ice cream cones are also appealing on a hot day ... I can't tell you how long the list is as it is almost endless even things like Mars bars!
I am sure that you will remain strong but seriously though ... don't be frightened to pat yourself on the back and say: 'well done me' then treat yourself.
Y'all are incredible women, absolutely, positively the best thing that's happened to me in a very long time!!!
I will fight these urges because I never want to return to smoking again, it was too hard to reach today, almost 11 months quit.
I can't even imagine quitting for 2 years and going back to it but I know it would be easy given the right circumstance.
All of you are right, it's hard giving up anything that you like.
Thank you for being there with friendship and encouragement.
Hang in there, MamaFlo! I still experience that kind of thing once in awhile, but I don't need to tell you that it does pass and gets easier once again. It's worthwhile, but you know that, too, so I'm just letting you know that I'm thinking of you and hoping this part passes quickly.
Stay strong sister. Just think that sweet grand baby to give the strength in rough times!
Way to go! It is a good thing that you noticed eating something sweet can trigger your addiction. This will enable you to be in better control. :)
yes, smokers have a nasty stench. I never want Rudy to have to smell his Nana, smelling like an ash tray. It triggers memories... He needs nothing but good memories about his Nana.
Stay strong my friend. You can overcome... You need to go on that cruise.. It's not coming fast enough...
You've done great for a long time now and I'm sure you won't throw all of that away. I can only imagine what you're going through but just keep telling yourself that you've beat this before and you'll beat it again!
I hope the urge passes soon!
Keep on Going Mamma! This addiction is harder to break than any other drug. In my life before marriage I met an addict that had kicked pot, alcohol and coke, but cigs were kicking his butt. Most addicts will tell you smoking is harder to break then all the rest!
Mama.
Sometimes I just need to let it out when I get an urge and then I feel grateful that I did not take the action I was thinking about. As an addict, I know that I must take contrary action or I can end up back to being a pack a day smoker! I had an experience the other day that made me SUPER grateful that I am off of that nicotine demon! It will be nine months for me Monday so we both need to be able to celebrate staying clean.
Peace,
Diva
You're amazing Deb, I know that it is not easy to quit -- even though i never smoke but i can tell what you've been through, my hubby quit smoking aswell and it's already 10 months now and he's doing well...you're so brave and i wish you all the best.
I quit in 1999. Trust me, you will eventually get over those cravings. I am now at the point where cigarette smoke actually bothers me! Never thought that would happen! You can do this!! You really are past the toughest stage and that's the first three months where the nicotine is leaving your system.
You have done sooo well and as I'm sure you know you deserve congratulations for your achievement.
Your "urges" may be with you forever, and you just have to manage them, which I think you are doing very well..
STAY STRONG!! :)
Stay strong!!! I quit 15 years ago and I went through phases. For a long time I would get really bad cravings like you're describing. Then, for a few years, I thought I was totally immune to cigarettes. Then I went through the phase where just the smell made me crazy, I hated it. Now I'm to the point where every once in a while I wonder if I could smoke just one. I'll never do it but sometimes........
You should be really proud of yourself for doing so well for so long. My Daddy died of lung cancer and he smoked right up until he didn't have enough breath to drag on the cigarette. I know just how hard that addiction is to break.
Remember what they say in AA...take it one day at a time...a minute at a time if necessary. Don't worry about tomorrow, just worry about not smoking right this minute.
Be very, very proud. Not many people make it as long as you have so far.
I don't personally know what you are experiencing but how I wish I could send you some hugs and encouragement from up here in Illinois. Just know that so many people out there are pulling for you.
I think you are doing so well. I told you before that I gave up smoking, and just when I thought I had it beat, the urge just took over and I started again. The next time, I was wiser and used Nicorette gum. I know some may not want to chew gum, but, with it, you don't ever get the urge to smoke. It is now about 25 years since I smoked, and I have never once had the urge to light up. I think Nicorette gum is a sure fire way to give it up easily.
I spoke the my doctor and was assured that (with the very low amount of nicotine in the gum) it was far better to chew it and not smoke. It is all the chemicals and tar that are the danger.
If you find the urges too much of a concern, just try it out. It really did make it easy for me.
Congrats to you. I know how hard it is. You might like the link here to quit smoking meters you can put on your blog (I used them on my computer desktop, they're fun) that I used when I quit.
href="http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksDMeters.html
I have an award for you ~ come collect it!
Mama..hang in girl! I am 13 months quit this time around but I don't have the long periods of struggle just short ones that do pass. I hope your struggles become less and shorter as well. I send you hugs for strength. It's certainly a hard road to travel but its worth it. I for one am hoping that I have quit for the last time, I started smoking again after being quit for 18 yrs! Then struggled with smoking and quitting a few times..hopefully this it it. Stay strong.
My mom got a new refrigerator this week, and when I talked to her on the phone she was hesitant about liking it.
Finally, she pin-pointed it: "It's too white."
I said, "Well, everything else in the kitchen is just nicotine stained, give the new fridge a week and it will be ghastly yellow like everything else."
She saw my point.
I'm sending out good vibes for you. You CAN do it.
I'm an alcoholic, and this weekend I was craving a cold beer. But I stayed sober.
YOU CAN DO IT.
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