Tomorrow 24 hours without nicotine

[Solène]

For sure I am anxious - I'm 51 years old and I have been smoking since 14 - sometimes I stopped but as I was drinking and drugging I don't remember well how it was. Since AA and NA I am free of alcohol and drugs. I really would like to be free of my nicotine addiction.
I have gathered lots of info and your sharings have helped a lot - there are some really precious suggestions and I am really happy for those who stay away from the smoke and I have hope for those who relapse (this will probably be me) - from what I heard relapse is frequent and the thing is to try again and again as fast as possible. For the moment I try to tell my brains that smoking is not a pleasure and does not give any of the good things I imagine.
Guess I will have to be very humble and admit my illusions.
I am preparing to go 24 h without smoke tomorrow.
Thanks for reading me.
God bless you.

[annalittlebit]

:1: :42:

[admin]

Thinking of you and praying. Take it one day at a time. Keep us posted. We are here for you. :42:

[Solène]

Thank you for your support -I made it for 23 hours. I realize it is all in my head - in fact it seems as if my brain tells my body to smoke although she doesn't want to because she knows it's not good (signs are coughs, bad circulation, dry skin etc).
My brain is altered by the nicotine which sort of makes my brain go crazy : makes me feel like I cannot do anything without a cigarette - this is really weird and false too, but I like to believe it in order to stop the craving. I wish I could just forget that cigarettes exist.
How long did it take you bluidkitti and analittlebit and others before you forgot about smoking ?

[annalittlebit]

To be honest---I still want one----I find this much harder than when I quit drinking--I have never craved a drink----BUT--I haven't come this far to cave in now-----Focus---Determination----GOD----Not neccessarily in that order!!!!!!!!!! :195:

[Solène]

Thanks Anna - yes it is very difficult. The habits and all that, which make this addiction so particular - in Europe, France, smoking has not diminished like in the States - amongst young people it is still cool to smoke;
I know that for me any addiction is not good, even if it is a less significant one (chocolate for example), because it shows me I don't think right and that can lead me and others to trouble.
So I will expect to always want to smoke, but will just not do it, so at least I have a choice.
Hugs :42:

[annalittlebit]

And you'll have me in your corner!!!!!! :D We can Trudge together!!!!!! :D

[Solène]

Second day without nicotine. It's easier than yesterday - still wanted to smoke every half hour but not as intensly - I have accepted that I can't have both : stop the tobacco intake and no suffering. If I chose to stop I have to accept to suffer for some time (not as bad as a headache or toothache just uncomfortably and repeatedely). Somehow my ego is hurt - for so long I have been smoking and never realized how crazy it is - good opportunity to work the steps.
Grateful for today - thank you.

[annalittlebit]

:smile:

[Solène]

:D 3 days

[annalittlebit]

860

[Solène]

Hi Anna and everybody who is reading - just checking in to give some news : evening was very smoky - everyone smoked except for me. Weird thing happened I was feeling like suffocating and was glad to be outside to take a deep breath. I definetly start to dissociate cigarette and pleasure.
6 days clean from nicotine.
Hugs

[annalittlebit]

That's awesome----You should be very pleased with yourself as it's not an easy thing to do----I had a few rough days but I'm still thinking of myself as a Non Smoker---It's great not to have that concern of --OMG, do I have enough cirarettes to get me through---It's a Win Win Situation all the way around---Thanks for keeping us posted!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D:29:

[Solène]

hello Anna and all of you - just wanted to drop by and read you before sleeping - there is a real beautiful clear sky with lots of bright stars tonight - it's quite cold. Tonight 13th day with no smoking, I feel so much better.
Hugs.

[annalittlebit]

You Go Girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :12::12: Sweet Dreams :42:

[BIG AL]

I am praying for you and wishing I had the strenght to do it keep on keeeping on

[Solène]

Thank you for your support Anna. :42:

Al thank you for your prayers. You can do it Al, just one day at a time, not for a life time. :42:
I pray for you too.

Have a good sunday eve.

[serenity3]

Good luck good luck xxx hug:29::195:

[truckbrz]

Hi there,

I am glad to see your post. I too am quitting. Today is day six of no smoking. I ate lozenges for the first 5 days. Today is my first nicotene free day. it is okay so far. I have made it through some rough urges at my usual smoke break times and I am a little nervous about after work. I get off in 30 min. I don't want nicotene relacement because I can see how I can get hooked on it too. I am ready to just get through the dicomfort and move on!

[Solène]

hi - yes that's how it works best for me : acceptance of the discomfort as you say, prayers, sharing and move on as you say. Thanks for being there truckbrz.
Today is my 33rd day and I am happy about it.

[annalittlebit]

:29::1::42:

[Solène]

37 days !! I had a very tough time this weekend - lots of stress at work last week due to reduced staff and on saturday I had a nervous breakdown, was feeling very shaky, crying a lot. I was trying to find some substitute, any substitute, but finally I resigned myself to sleeping and going for a long walk on sunday. Today I feel better.

[annalittlebit]

sleeping and walking---great!!!!!!! so glad you're feeling better and you're doing an awesome job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Solène]

Hello everyone. 50 days today. But not all smokefree just nicotine and all the other poisons free. I smoked a herbal cigarette (100 % ayurveda herbal) which made me have some compulsive behavior for one evening as I smoked 5 herbal cigs and I only wanted to smoke one as they are supposed to heal sinusitis and I also thought it would keep me from eating as I gained more weight than I like (I have been anorexic in the past)
Now I am sure if I just smoke one cigarette I will be back smoking a pack a day in a short time.
So I will keep the herbal cigarettes only for a month or two. One a day seems to be good for sinusitis, but not more. I smoke one as if I drink herbal tea in the evening after work now. But I don't want it to become a habit. I am very careful with this. It seems to relieve also my anxiety as it seems to calm me mentally after the stress of the day.
I also try hard to change diet - eat more fish and vegetables and I try to avoid sugar binges which are really bad for me because I also have tendency for diabetes.
Letting Go and let God, reading and sharing here, going to meetings and working the steps for nicotine anonymous should do it. It seems tougher though as for AA and NA maybe because I still underestimate the poison nicotine.
Thanks for reading me and for your support.

[annalittlebit]

How Wonderful!!!!! :D Keep Up The Great Work!!!!!!! :29::29::42:

[Deeters]

Hi Solene!

After 35 days I relapsed. I came to this safe place and shared how I felt about what I had done. Some people graciously kicked me in the rear and told me to pick up and move on and others have offered their prayers.

We are on this journey together and as my sober friend of 14 years tells me, he's 1 drink away from blowing it all and all it takes is 1.

You are in a safe place here as I've come to know. We will walk with you through this journey as you take each new day and we all choose how to live.

Hang in there!

I know after having only 30 days after drinking almost nonstop for 2.5 years, that sobriety is so much better than being a drunk.

Now, it's back on the saddle as I think bigdaddy told me. Get back on the horse and ride.

Dee

[Solène]

Hi Dee - so glad you are feeling better and that you are back on the horse again. My doctor used to tell me 'start the motor again' which comes down to the same thing.
My favorite toy when I was a little girl was a rocking puppet when I pushed him over he always got back up. This fascinated me - I always remembered him.
Always get back up and always keep coming back and life will get better.
Thank you for sharing and your support.
:42:

[Solène]

Just dropping in to wish you a good day and for some news.
In France spring has arrived and it's so good to be breathing freely and so good to feel mentally healthier. My mental illness is to think that the negative destructive things I do to my body and brain are great and necessary to my well-being.
Today 76 days smoke-free, 2 years and 4 days drug-free, almost 7 years alcohol-free. Life is good.
God bless you all.
Light and love to everyone. :D

[annalittlebit]

:D Awesome stats Solene!!!!!!!!! :29::29: CONGRATULATIONS On All Counts!!!!!!!!! :29::29::42:

[bluidkiti]

Way to go Solene! :85:

[robpodney]

that is, I want to quit tobacco today. Familiar with 12 steps and all, I will agree to come here tomorrow to say yes I'm off or no. Either way, I am stopping today. Thanks, and take care until tomorrow. Rob P

[Camel]

that is, I want to quit tobacco today. Familiar with 12 steps and all, I will agree to come here tomorrow to say yes I'm off or no. Either way, I am stopping today. Thanks, and take care until tomorrow. Rob P

Rob, I would like to give you advice, but every method I have tried has failed. I can say that cold turkey was always the best though. I will pray for you, and hopefully you can help me quit later.

Camel

[robpodney]

first of all, that's a great looking camel. I am still using tobacco. I use Copenhagen, and I really wanted to stop, I have before, but this time it's like quitting air. or stopping the wind, or so it seems. I'm annoyed, but not freaking out. I intend to STOP. but what a good looking camel.

[Camel]

first of all, that's a great looking camel. I am still using tobacco. I use Copenhagen, and I really wanted to stop, I have before, but this time it's like quitting air. or stopping the wind, or so it seems. I'm annoyed, but not freaking out. I intend to STOP. but what a good looking camel.

Haha...:tongue: yah, its not that kind of camel....:mrgreen:

[Starlight]

its not that kind of camel....:mrgreen:

:lol:

[Starlight]

Today 76 days smoke-free, 2 years and 4 days drug-free, almost 7 years alcohol-free. Life is good.

I know that I'm late in responding to this...but Whoooo Hooo! What you have & are doing, is something to be so proud of!
Congrats on your stats...keep it up girl! :85:

[Solène]

Hello everyone - 4 months in two days - I have a hard time believing it. Tomorrow another 24 hours nicotinefree; I begin to like a lot having gotten rid of this addiction, but I know I am rid of it only as long as I stay away from the first cigarette - just that one - you know the few grams of dried herbs rolled in a paper and full of poisonous additivies which make me go insane because it makes me believe it is good for me and that I need it in order to function...
:D Take care everyone - light and love to you.

[bluidkiti]

Hey Solene! That is fantastic news! Way to go! :29: Keep it up one day at a time. :42:

[annalittlebit]

Awesome Solene!!!!!!!!!! You ARE A Non Smoker!!!!!! Way To Go!!!!!!! Love Ya Girl!!!!!!

[robpodney]

this is my 17th day without using Copenhagen. At the moment, I'd very much like to USE tobacco, and my intention for today is, DON'T.:sad:

[robpodney]

day 27 of no tobacco. It's a bit odd that so few people are on here. Kinda dead. I appreciate the few folks who responded, but it's like being in a virtual ghost town. Anyway, I was quite intent on staying stopped from using tobacco, and this is 27 days.

[notsure]

hello solene and robpodney! I hope you're still not smoking despite the ghost town! i stopped 12 days ago and am feeling a little shaky. I forgot about the mood swings and now they're happening I'm starting to hear that voice telling me that it'd be better for everyone if I just had a cigarette. But a friend of mine told me I'd be crazy for six weeks and then I'd be better, much better than i've felt for 35 years (that's how long I smoked). I hope he's right! I feel pretty crazy right now! How are you feeling?

[Solène]

Hello - I am still not smoking - it's been 5 months now - yes Notsure I know this crazy feeling and I think it is more difficult for me to deal with this than with the cravings. However, although I was not sure of this 1 month ago, it is definitely a fact that cravings and weird feelings dissepear sooner or later, there will only remain the benefits of being free of this addiction, and it is a terrible drug ! I was surprised of the difficulty !
Some time ago I had material trouble because of a lighting which struck my house and I said to my sponsor that I was going to smoke again that this was just too much. She said 'some people in your situation will start to smoke again and some people won't'. Well I want to be of those wjho don't start smoking again whatever the situation. Because smoking is not a solution it is the illusion of a solution whiwh makes us sick and dependent.
I pray for us all.

[annalittlebit]

Big Hugs Solene and Congratulations on 5 months!!!!!!!!! I keep you in my thoughts and Prayers!!!!!!!

[Starlight]

Hello to all! :17:
Just wanted to congratulate everyone of you on doing so well! :1:
I know all too well how tough it can be, and all the mind games our junkie thinking puts us through... hang in there...it keeps getting easier & easier, to the point that you can barely remember what it felt like to be a smoker. :15:

What I have found that works for me, is to never become complacent about my quit, never let my guard down, and always remember the pledge of N.O.P.E. (Not One Puff Ever).
What a wonderful gift we give ourselves when we make the commitment to quit :D

[Solène]

hello everyone - 6 months smoke-free ! Thanks for all your good suggestions and example - I am really happy and feeling free. I even lost 6 - 7 lbs of the 12 lbs I had gained earlier than I thought, through eating more consciously after a 6 day health fasting cure. I learn to respect my body instead of destroying it. I am trying.
And it is getting a lot easier after 6 months.
Very grateful.
Hugs and Prayers

[Solène]

7 months http://kay.smiley.free.fr/images/3685.gif

[yukonm]

http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu291/yukonm/congratulations-2.jpg

[CD BUCKBERRY]

Solene,Keep trying,you quit all of those other things.Tobbacco and nicotine are drug also.It gets better,you will breath better.Try and find something to keep your hands busy ,they held the smokes.I used a med called chantix,it took four trys heart sugery for me to quit.I still do not like being around people smoking.

[robpodney]

I am once again stopping the use of tobacco. I've been quitting, then taking it back for a long time. I hate being chained to an addiction, I hate the expense, I hate the health risk, and for TODAY, Sat the 15, I don't get to use tobacco. I have GOT to quit, and for today at least I will.:eek:

[yukonm]

robpodney,
Never quit quitting. I will keep you in my prayers.

[fountuna]

I have found the patch to be most helpful. Good Luck!

[Solène]

pfff - not so proud - I have been having a car accident - I didn't get much hurt but the car is broke - it wasn't my fault but whatever - my ex boyfriend is back and helped me a lot, but he also stresses me because of the history of drug and alcohol abuse we had together and all the mean things which came from that.
Since the car accident - now 2 weeks ago - I have been having nicotine cravings - I didn't rest since, as my boyfriend sent his sister and brother - very loud people - to do work in my house - which was necessary, I agree,but I was fragile. They painted the windows and wooden surfaces in a colour I dislike without asking me while I was gone and thought it was a nice surprise !!!
I feel tired now that they are finally gone - they were smoking a lot here in my house while working and finally I bought cigars and took puffs since yesterday.
I am not good anyways in saying no but there I feel abused because I was in a shock because of the accident. Of course I have to pay them too - a price which is acceptable - but buying a new car + the work I had not planned (but my ex did) I find myself with no money.
Furthermore a very good AA friend 'fell in love' with me and when I refused he insulted me and avoids going to meetings when I am there and does not want to do infos with me anymore. As he seems very out of balance I don't go to meetings anymore so that he can go.
Of course I know I am wrong everyone has his/her place in a meeting - I think maybe first thing to do is go back to meetings.
All this is a big mess and I do have a very hard time not to pick up smoking again.

Sorry to be writing so much - but it feels good to get all this off my chest.
God bless you all - hugs.