Newcomer Introduction

[nancyd]

Hi – my name's Nancy.

A bit of an introduction. I’m a newcomer and although I’ve tried and failed several times before, this time I am letting go of smoking cigarettes for “myself” – not because someone else thinks it’s a good idea, or it’s the politically and socially correct thing to do, etc. etc.

I’m using the steps and principles of Alcoholics Anonymous to conquer this smoking thing once and for all. Why? Because I KNOW it works. Although I’ll always just be one drink away from a drunk, I haven’t had to pick up a drink for over 30 years now. If the program and God have protected me from picking up the first drink through all the traumas (and celebrations) 30 years of life has brought my way, I’ve gotta’ believe the Power is there to break the nicotine addiction as well.

Actually, a while back, I sort of turned the nicotine thing over to God to handle and let me know when it was time to stop. I got tired of beating myself up for not having the “willpower” to just quit. For no particular reason, a week or so ago, I just started cutting back. I was a one pack a day smoker, dropped down to a half pack. But what when I cut back my lungs knew something was goin’ on and wanted to start the process of clearing themselves out. So I started coughing and wheezing like crazy.

That juncture kind of put me at the crossroads, so to speak. This time I listened to what my body was trying to tell me and enlisted myself in the healing process. So I feel and sound terrible as my body purges itself – but I totally trust the programs' assertion that “this too shall pass.”

I believe my addiction to smoking cigarettes is no different than my addiction to alcohol was. It’s spiritual, mental and physical. I know I smoked at my frustration, impatience, anger, fear. I smoked as a reward after completing a task or chore. I smoked because cigarettes seemed to be my only friend on those occasions that I felt alone and isolated. I know I smoked (and drank) to fill this gaping emptiness I sometimes feel -- and what I know to be true is that all I have to do is as God (as I understand Him) to come in and fill in that empty space with His grace, love, acceptance and peace.

Thanks for bein’ there. Hang in everybody. And I’ll try to as well.

N.

[yukonm]

I am so glad you made a decision to stop smoking. I stopped smoking many years ago because it was so "bad for your health". Ironically I continued to drink and use drugs for many, many years after I had stopped smoking-----go figure. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you begin this chapter in your life.

Mary

[nancyd]

Hi Mary --

Thanks so much for taking a moment to say hi. I really, really appreciate it. Forty-four hours now (but whose counting, right??). I'm feeling pretty good. I keep going back to my first days, (weeks, months) sober, and remember how I kept wondering, how in the heck am I going to do this? What in the world am I going to do with all the time I used to spend drinking (or planning to drink, or getting well). How am I going to be able to talk to people?

I have those same questions and thoughts now with putting down cigarettes, but I really know it'll all work out if I can just keep putting one foot in front of the other and start to stack up those days, 24 hours at a time.

I consider your ability to stop smoking without the foundation of the program a major feat girlfriend. For me, smoking is a much more incidious addiction because on the surface it seems so harmless. With alcohol, believe me, there was no question regarding the chaos caused when I picked up a drink (and then the zillion that followed the first).

So now that it's come time to take this step with nicotine, I'm like way grateful to have this foundation to hold me up as I "trudge may way to happy destiny," as they say in the Big Book.

Will check back in with ya Mary, and thanks again.

Nancy

[admin]

Hi Nancy, Congratulations on you making a choice to be smoke free. I stopped smoking March 16, 2007. A suggestion I heard in the beginning was to think of myself as a nonsmoker. I did like you suggest above using the AA steps. I also joined quitnet.com .

I have to say my first day not smoking was probably my worse day so far. I had gum handy to chew instead of smoking. I still keep the gum around but don't chew as much today. I didn't put on the weight some folks do. One of the things to do is to have a plan of what to do when and if a craving hits. I start my day asking God to keep me smoke free and I thank Him at the end of the day.

I will say a prayer for you. Keep us updated here. We care.

[CD BUCKBERRY]

HI NANCY,Keep trying cigarettes are a drug they are not an easy thing to quit.It takes a lot of willpower,staying away from people who are smoking.You have to train your brain that they smell awful.I attend N.A.,I still can't go out at break and talk with the smokers ,it rings a bell in my head that makes me think about cigarettes.Keep Trying.

[nancyd]

Thanks for the encouragement. Currently in the AM of day three.

[yukonm]

Hi Nancy,
on your progress!!
Keep up the good work.
Mary

[Goodperson]

Excellent job, Nancy! I'm going to join you. I managed to quit once before for 8 months and then went and had a cerebral aneurysm. Great excuse to start up again, don't ya think? Excuse, of course, being the operative word. A thought that helped me quit before (and hopefully will again) was that if you start smoking because you have a problem, adding the smoking habit just increases your problems!

I've been railing at myself as well and I'm going to stop it right now.

Thanks Nancy and keep it up!

[BIG AL]

BIG AL here,trying to quit smoking but seems to never happen.havent a clue how to start or if i am even ready to go threw the proccess but trying