eli ray, a picture is worth a thousand words...keep up the fierce attitude, you're literally fighting for your life! Stay strong, very stubborn and remember "N.O.P.E." (Not One Puff Ever)
I like the title of your post..."one helluva drug". Because that is PRECISELY the truth. Nicotine is a ruthless, deceiving, cunning entity! In fact, many times here at SSC we referred to it as the "Nicodemon".
You have to be prepared for the Nicodemon's attack any time. That craving that felt like it would cripple you to your knees. Oh yes, been there, many times.
But one craving at a time, we have the ability to pull out the coping tools! Sipping water, deep breathing...REAL deep breathing, walking, napping when possible, good crime dramas, etc. These are only a few coping tools that helped me, and they were my lifeline...my defence against that Nicodemon. Its fun to see that Nicodemon squashed like a bug!!!! And to know that we all have the power to do it!
Hi eli , you're doing great. I just wanted to comment that you are so smart to have recognized what cigerettes are doing to you while you are still so young. Quiting now means that in a very short time you will virtually reverse all the damage caused by your smoking . The younger you are when you quit, the better for a full and total recovery.
Many researchers use "pack-years" as a measure of exposure, you have a chance to keep that stat very small indeed. Don't pass it up eli. We are here for you !!! We CHEER for you !!
Eli, one day at a time, one hour at a time, and your numbers add up! Do whatever it takes to stay smoke free. The benefits are wonderful!!! They say nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. In the same context, there is no pleasure from smoking that is better than the pleasure of being smoke free! Congratulations on your success!
I also succumb to the "delicious" temptation (how embarrassing is that!!), as well as the classic "I deserve it," and "I'm tired of depriving myself." It's just so idiotic, knowing intellectually how ridiculous and self-destructive those statements are, but being a 13-year-old boy stuck in a 50+-year-old body, I still fall back on the adolescent attitude. I am lucky enough to have insurance partially pay for an addiction counselor (HMO, I LOVE it), who is helping outgrow that attitude. Still, I know it's up to me, and me alone to grow up and start enjoying the rest of my life...
Great Job eli ray ! You WILL make it. I know what you mean about smoking being compareable to a great tasting food item but that is because nicotine has hijacked the pleasure / reward systems in our brains and is telling us we need to smoke as much as we need to eat. It is telling us if we don't smoke we will starve and that is one of the most powerful motovators(sp?) humans (and all animals i suspect) have. The good news is that it is a lie! Our brains have been hijacked ! Keep telling it NO nicotine and soon, very soon it will return to normal and we will always stay in our natural, beautiful state of mind so long as we NEVER let nicotine back into our bodies.
Congrats on 2 days! Soon you will be amazed at 2 months!
It is great that you are focusing on how smoking harms you. Good motivation. Will will not smoking help you? How would your life be different without smoking?
now that it's been almost 48 hours i can confidently say that i CAN quit smoking. i have already gone almost two days, which may not seem significant now, but to me, this means i can stick it out another two days, and another two, and another two. the hardest part is how my brain sometimes kicks in with the "i dont actually feel like quitting smoking - i like smoking" and i have to tell it to shut up, because even though smoking is quite enjoyable, comparable (for me at least) to the most delicious food item, it's also disgusting, awful and self-mutilating. i'm sick of being addicted to killing myself for a few moments enjoyment - and paying WELL for it. time to change myself for ever.
It’s been a while since you were active on this site. Please extend your session below
You have been logged out due to inactivity.
Please sign back in.
We use cookies to help us learn about how our platform is used and how we can improve your experience. To
learn more please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
!!!! And to know that we all have the power to do it!
