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Challenging Worry

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-04-20 11:42 PM

Depression Community

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Hello

Linda Q

2024-04-11 5:06 AM

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Addiction

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-04-08 3:54 PM

Managing Drinking Community

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Browse through 411.749 posts in 47.054 threads.

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Please welcome our newest members: BXAMUELLE CHRISTIEN, Heinz57, eggmegrolf, PearlCat19, mima


13 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
cold turkey!

I was initially attracted to smoking as a teen - it suited my personality as a risk taker - my favorite hard driving rock bands looked good with clouds of smoke wafting over the stage. Many of my friends also bought into the theory that smoking gave them an 'edge'.  We had a network of like minded individuals who banded together to sneak butt breaks at school; cigarettes were the common ground that brought the group together. I sincerely believed I was above the addiction and could quit smoking any time I wanted to - with no repercussions.   I was wrong! As an adult I've lost contact with many of my former 'smoking buds', yet haven't managed to successfully  drop the cigarette habit (for good).  I quit for 3 years (from 2004 to 2007) but gaining 25 lbs in those 3 years made smoking look like the lesser of 2 evils.  I'm tired of this addiction; my kids think it's a disgusting habit.  I've been a 'closet smoker' since 2007 and even stopped going to the gym - too embarrassed !  I tried to quit using dermal patches on Dec 30, 2010, but skin irritation at the patch site gave me an excuse to start smoking again. This time, I'm trying for a Cold Turkey quit and am currently on Day 2. I've read many fellow quitters posts here; heartfelt and inspirational.  A positive network of like minded individuals with many words of wisdom and genuine support to share. Here's to no more 'ifs, ands or butts!'  
13 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
cold turkey!

Thank you so much Samantha and Aloha for replying to my post!  I sat by my computer for a few hours trying to put into words what I could possibly admit about my smoking addiction to this 'virtual' support group of fellow quitters. Then I sat here for another few hours reading other posts and wondering if someone might notice me.  I am preoccupied with smoking, even when quitting, I'm still  thinking about smoking, so I'm giving this forum a try - it is a good distraction and provides inspiration.  My family and friends were not impressed with my return to smoking after having quit for over 3 years ('04 to '07) - they've seen me go thru the whole quitting thing/crankiness/weight gain and then go back to smoking quite a few X over the past 3 yrs ('07 to '11) ever since. So they're less than impressed when I tell them I'm quitting again; guess I fit into the category of crying 'Wolf' a few too many times.  I work in healing arts/health care and if I admitted that I've been smoking recently, I believe I'd lose some of my clients who have a Zero tolerance to smoking!  So  I've been a 'closet smoker/occasional quitter' now for almost 3 years!   Your pampering suggestion (not the diapers! LOL) was sweet Aloha. Thx!  I did have two puffs yesterday - sigh!  Cold turkey is pretty hard. Today I'm heading to the gym instead of smoking and inhaling deep breaths of  oxygen w/o the smoke!  
13 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
cold turkey!

Thank U Nonic, Pen and Sally for sharing you personal insights into making the quit stick - love the anthem Pen; had to dance to that a bit in the wee hrs last night - my kids wondered what the heck was up, LOL! On day 3 now and NO Puffs so far - going to Gym in a few minutes instead! Finally beginning to realize that you're (all) right about N.O.P.E.  I might be writing words of wisdom here too if I hadn't allowed a single puff in '07 to derail my quit after 3 yrs of being smoke free! Sigh! I thought I had the nicotine out of my system for long enuff by then that a little puff once in awhile would do no harm. My sister does this all the time; she only smokes on weekends or with the occasional drink, so I figured I could too!  Was X!  Also, I quit in '04 by using the patch and found that Hell Week was pretty easy when quitting that way, so decided to just pop a patch on if I slipped or got a craving out of the blue. Was X again! Ended up getting addicted to the patch too -I just kept using them at Level 1 and then started smoking again every 6 - 8 wks.  The band aid solution became part of my addiction. It Sux! I have some drug allergies and am afraid to try medications to quit, so here I am - back to good old Cold Turkey! So I picked my neighborhood eagle as my Avatar- to keep an Eagle Eye on my 'Cold Turkey' quit! This eagle lives near my beach and visits us often - I have a towering  fir tree in my backyard, where our eagle loves to perch, and have watched our eagle family grow for a number of years. My beautiful eagle is majestic, strong and flies free!  So offers another dimension in inspiration. Your responses are wonderful!  Thanks for sharing.  I was too embarrassed by my behavior to sign up here, but that was X too! Signing up is the best thing I have done - so will keep U posted. from here on in.  Sally, Good Luck with your quit this time!  Sorry to hear about Miss Marple - I came here too late to meet her, but her spirit and msg has lived on with your (and others) posts here.  If it helps, I can share my eagle to watch over you too while you are getting through the worst of this quit. We can be strong and fly free; No more Ifs, Ands or BUTTS!
13 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Welcome New Quitters!

Thanks for the Welcome to new quitters and for your great advice Rock - not sure what the train ride is all about, but am going to check into it.  No more If, Ands or Butts :)  
13 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Welcome New Quitters!

Hello:)
Curious to find out what U mean by 'virtual travel by train day' on Thursdays, Rock?  Can't seem to find further info on this; maybe I haven't researched well enough to map out where the virtual train station is located or how one is to join up to get their virtual train ticket to ride.  Or is it meant just as a reminder to log in on Thursdays to support this great group of non smokers?  Just wondering . . .
13 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
cold turkey!

Hi Megan;  Your Public Pledge is good.  You are worth much more than a cigarette (or if you go back to smoking, 'a' cigarette can easily turn into 1000 or more).  Just check out the long time ex-smoker's Freedometers to see their #s of cigs not smoked and you'll be amazed.  As far as I can tell by checking out the successful quitters here is that they inevitably follow the N.O.P.E. rule (Not One Puff Ever!).  And they've all figured out their own way to handle stress.  I'm an newbie here too, but really want my latest Quit to Stick too!  I wish you well in your quitting journey :)  eya  
13 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I messed up!

Hello Jules
Good luck on your first day back on track! Wow - you have been through a lot lately, but it really sounds like you've taken steps to make this next quit successful.  
eya 
13 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I Hated this Site yesterday!

I had to set my quit meter over again today. Too many days in a row with 'slips' - and I only quit 4 days ago.  I was fine ignoring my little occasional puffs - telling myself I was 'basically' smoke free.  But I couldn't sleep for 2 nights in a row; couldn't get any work done and couldn't get logged off this stupid site!  Posting an 'I'm smoke free today lie' in my diary just wasn't working for me.  Guilty conscience! Sneaking a little puff here & again ruins the diary. And all this heartfelt support, with long time members, educators and friends alike cheering on all you people (who are doing well with your quits) just ticked me off! I hate that it's required to post your age in the personal profile - I hate thinking about how long I've smoked and at what cost. It feels like an invasion of a lady's privacy and makes me feel like a research 'stat'. I read a ton of threads  from beginning to end over the past few days and couldn't find a single member with a successful long term quit who was able to have the occasional puff!  All successes are a great big N.O.P.E.  So I thought I'd kick this site like a bad habit and go back to my closet smoking in peace and not have to post my failure to quit smoking all over the internet for the world to see. But couldn't seem to do that - so am back today; and so far am absolutely 'smoke free'.  Feels good. I lost my Dad to cancer a few weeks ago - I really love my Dad!  But he wouldn't be proud of me using my grief on his behalf  as an excuse to smoke.  I know today that I have to do this quit on my own.  It's hard when my family smokes around me - but that's their journey. I also realize today that this site  is not the culprit or something to Hate; it's the nicotine. So today I'm grateful to have found theses words of wisdom at a time when I really needed a wake up call.  So will continue to read voraciously,  This is a good platform for those who truly wish to face their addiction head on and maintain  their quit.  Am coming out of the closet for good.
13 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I Hated this Site yesterday!

Wow, this is amazing~! Thank you all for your thoughtful replies. Each reply is excellent; food for thought in many arenas/emotions. Making it through the morning drive without even one puff today was the hardest; that's always the worst time of day for my cravings and is the smoke (and coffee) I look most forward to everyday. Felt so good to get past that 1 today!  Also, resetting my Freedometer in anticipation of a clean NOPE quit from here on in felt good. It was so weird to log on here the past few days, knowing I'd only had one or two little puffs and yet feel so GUILTY    I thought I was such a loser and undoubtedly alone in this 'sneak' behavior. It's hard to believe that  I have become such a  slave to nicotine that I was willing to twist or deny the facts just to keep defending my smokes! Eye opening and not flattering!  My lungs feel crispy today and are rattling; coughing too and basically feel spaced out and like crap.  Baggy eyes & look worse than I feel.  Sigh!  But funny -am a bit proud of my true 'cold turkey quit' so far today. NOPE from now on! I feel like I have missed meeting someone incredible with your good friend MM - am so sorry to hear of her passing so young.  May her quitting spirit live on here! 
13 years ago 0 823 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Messed up again

Hello Talulha
I read through this entire thread today - you have been on a wonderful journey, and received (and shared) some great advice and very caring support.  To be at a place in your life now where you are simply enjoying life without thinking about smoking (for the most part) is Great!  I hope Jules and you are right; that after hard work and time, this will become the norm!  You are doing so well & are a great inspiration :)