new phase-- uncomfortable
Hi Deb,
Again congratulations on your success....The next little bits are my thoughts on this subject and for the purpose of offering a different perspective on things....I understand that everyone quits in their own way so if the next lines don't offer much comfort take them with a grain of salt.....Just know I care....
I will admit there is a certain amount of cognitive-behavior involved in this thing but I wouldn't give it too much credit...The times that this shows are on days like when CD went up to the counter and asked for a pack after quitting for such a long time....He didn't decide to smoke or even mean to ask for them....It's just automatic like the dog and the bell...The actual need for the nicotine not so much...
I think the biggest problem is the illusion....I know I've beat this one to death but we claimed to need a cigarette because we were so stressed and then again because we were so bored and then again when we are relaxed....My motto is "If the drug cures everything it doesn't cure anything."
I've quit using carrot sticks, straws, gum, walking, water, etc.....Every time I failed....I don't believe the VOID has anything to do with the cognitive behavior after this amount of time....I'm not saying that these things don't help but I think it's during the first weeks when your getting the nicotine out of your system that those things help....The void I believe is something else altogether....I'm not sure what that is for you and I'm not sure how to make it go away....For me it was an understanding of what smoking really was and how the trick really worked...That helped me understand that their really isn't a void at all....
If you don't see a void, there is no void.....If you do see a void you need to figure out what exactly your missing....If you still believe your missing something there is a problem....Your a smart women and I don't believe this is anything other than the nicodemon realizing that he's losing and taking one last shot.....
If that's not the case well then consider void fillers that don't associate with smoking...
In other words.....Going for walks will make you feel better and they are always refreshing....Walking around with a straw in your mouth will make you think about smoking forever and enforce that cog-behavior....
Be very still......The tiger is watching you right now...
Your friend...
Mr Q
My Milage:My Quit Date: 8/4/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 65
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 1,560
Amount Saved: $487.50
Life Gained:Days: 7
Hrs: 0
Mins: 28
Seconds: 27
