smoking

[bigjon]

nice =)

[tater03]

Wow, you all are doing so great. I have a question what do you guys do when you get stressed or upset that stops you from going back to smoking? That's my problem when i have tried to quit whenever I get upset or stressed about something that is when I always end up starting again. You guys keep up the good work.

[Mikelb]

Well, I used to have that problem... but the few days before quitting I increased smoking a lot... I overdosed myself on nicotine, then my body didn't really crave it... then by the time that my body realized that it wasn't getting nicotine anymore (and after getting over being sick/poisoned), the side effects weren't so bad...

To tell you the truth, I have quit... but it is only for now, I'm gonna be the kind of person that can quit for 6months-6 years... not even really crave them (the thought will always be there, but not always out of desperation) and pick them back up for a little while... then quit again... I don't really think that I'm addicted, but I don't think that I will ever completely quit, as I don't have that type of personality...

To be honest, the real reason I started was social... friends did it, and I was wanting to just give it a try, and do it in social places/events... and I did it that way for a few weeks and then realized that in larger amounts I could "self-medicate", as I had chest colds (smoking stopped me from coughing), allergies (smoking numbed me to it), struggled with joint pains/RA (smoking numbed my mind to the pain, and bought me some time till the pain pills kicked in [OTC stuff guys, I'm not a druggie]), and it eased my depression (several studies have been done, someone depressed is 3x more likely to smoke and become addicted than someone not depressed)... So I used it to take care of things... even though it seemed to do good for me, I knew it was doing bad...

In that time, I was able to discover some meds that help not only ease the pain, but take away the inflamation... I have also been able to come off of my depression meds, and so far have been ok and stable without them...

I do believe that if I do begin to actually struggle with depression again, that I will be more likely to smoke again...

It's also tempting for me to pick up some Black & Milds or something of that nature, as I consider smoking to be cigarettes, and those to be a sort of treat...

I do believe that personality disorders can be what makes the addiction stick in many people... and that should be properly treated, not with "self-medication" as I was doing... I might also suggest using nicotine supplements, i.e: patch, gum, etc...

it will help stop smoking (not necessarily stop the addiction to nicotine, but that comes later) and that can save your lungs and heart, well... save your overall well-being...

I wish you luck...

if really interested, I suggest googling the subject "How to stop smoking", or even to better understand why you do it "why do people smoke" (Researching the subject will help you alot)

Again, I wish you luck... and keep us posted

[bigjon]

i bought this about a week into my quit.



it shows you every lame excuse for going back to smoking and gives you the strength to overcome them.

it was a HUGE help for me. i am also in the middle of reading another book, Never Take Another Puff.

it is free online, just do a search. that is another huge help.


quitting is very tough, but the one thing i have learned from trying to quit in the past; that first one after a long quit tastes horrible and i always feel terrible for starting up again. i refuse to do it to myself this time.

that little book of quitting is a must for anyone in a quit. allen carr wrote a full size book that i will recommend to anyone still thinking about quitting.

[bigjon]

another big help is to take it one day at a time.

eventually you do forget to think about it.

[bigjon]

mike how is your quitting?

mine is going strong!

Your Quit Date is: 8/1/2006 10:00:00 PM
Time Smoke-Free: 97 days, 15 hours, 35 minutes and 54 seconds


Cigarettes NOT smoked: 2929
Lifetime Saved: 22 days, 8 hours
Money Saved: $735.00

[Mikelb]

going good...
Here's my stats:
My Stats:
Your Quit Date is: 10/12/2006 12:00:00 PM

Time Smoke-Free: 26 days, 1 hour, 40 minutes and 22 seconds


Cigarettes NOT smoked: 521

Lifetime Saved: 3 days, 23 hours

Money Saved: $90.22


Other news, I've taken a bunch of tests here lately (personality, addiction, etc...) and found out that I am the type of person who can pick this up as easily as I put it down... I most likely won't have very strong withdrawal symptoms or problems with quitting, but will most likely pick it up and drop it several times... maybe one cigarette/drink, maybe one pack...

I haven't really craved too much since I quit... but I think there will be times in the future where I do smoke again (not continuously like I used to, but one smoke here or there)...

I have also found out that my brain/body has a problem producing certain chemicals that control emotion/excitement,etc... and that's why I use these things to trigger that part of my brain. The way the body burns that nicotine also helps with the pain and inflamation from Rheumatoid Arthritis (and I'm only 20!!!! eek!)

I have a daughter on the way, and that's one of the reasons I have stopped, also to prove to myself and others I can, and to save the money for my car...

so far, I saved $90... I bought a used turbo on e-bay for $85, and with another $300 I'll slap it on and be putting down a/b 400-450 hp...

[bigjon]

do what you want... all i can say is that about a week ago i finally feel free. if you go back to smoking, fine, obviously.

i am at the point now that i don't even think about smoking. it IS a great feeling.


my advise would be to give it 100% of your focus for your daughter and don't look back.



hey, just trying to help. =)

[Mikelb]

True that... I kinda wanted to tonight, my best friend just left. We were outside and he was smoking, I kinda wanted one, but I didn't ask for one. I just got a house (as of tomorrow) and tonight got some confusion cleared up about some bills in my name that I didn't authorize (long story), so I can't even afford to look at a cigarette right now...

I'm working towards not even wanting one, but I'm sure that it won't be easy... though I often get some sort of emotional rush out of standing around and not smoking when everyone else is...

[bigjon]

Your Quit Date is: 8/1/2006 10:00:00 PM
Time Smoke-Free: 101 days, 4 hours, 44 minutes and 48 seconds


Cigarettes NOT smoked: 3036
Lifetime Saved: 23 days, 4 hours
Money Saved: $765.00