So glad I found you!!

[gr8ful & thankful 56]

Hi everyone! I am a dual diagnosis--depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia and have been in recovery from alcohol 22 years, stopped Klonopin and other psych meds 7 years ago, gave up all caffeine five years ago and now I'm facing quitting smoking for the umpteenth time. I am having so much trouble giving up the cigarettes( even though I'm smoking only a 1/2 pack a day) but as we all know, addiction and alcoholism are progressive diseases. I am in a stressful household at the moment (husband with health issues and a gambling addict) and a son who has OCD. Through the years I always had the caffeine and nicotine to be my pals when I gave up everything else. I gave up caffeine and REALLY made the cigs my best friends. Now that I am on allergy meds and an inhaler I have tried to quit smoking and the depression from it almost makes me suicidal! I have tried to concentrate on my 12 steps, but given that I have concentration problems from the fibromyalgia, I'm trying to find a better way to work the steps. It would be wonderful to get some suggestions to help me to "keep it simple" and help me get over the insanity of this habit. If anyone can help an old AA---Al-Anon veteran start her life over again, I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much--Gr8ful

[janbear]

gr8ful and thankful, Nice to meet you. I have tried to quit smoking several times over the years unsuccessfully. I do know of some who have been sucessful in quiting by placing smoking in place of alcohol using the twelve steps. "We admitted we were powerless over smoking, and that our lives become unmanageable." That is how they kept it simple.
Please make yourself at home and look around the board. I look forward to getting to know you better.

[Doraine]

Take it 1 hour at a time or less if you have to.

Hello, I'm Kai, a grateful alcoholic and bi-polar complicated by a seizure disorder. So, glad that you made it here.
Wellbutrin (sp?) has been popular to help stop smoking. It is a very mild antidepressant and antianxiety. So, you might talk to your doc. It could really help through that first month or so.
I understand a little about the stress. My oldest boy, 17, is schitzo-affective and my daughter, 12, has depression. I have a very close friend with fibro??????, I know that alone is very stressful.
Keep coming back. There are tons of people here who can help with anything.
Love ya later. kai

[zoomie]

Hi I too smoke and one day wish to give it up,so I don't have much to offer except for a hi and welcome!!!

[Misselle]

Welcome, Gr8ful! I quit smoking ten months ago, but I had to because I was pregnant. Now I am still dealing with BIG urges, so I totally feel your pain right now.

We look forward to getting to know you!

Nicole

[admin]

Good Morning Gr8tful, I smoke also and wish to give it up some day. I have heard of others doing what Jan said, using the steps to help them stop smoking. Also joining a support group for those who are and have stopped smoking helps. Please feel free to come here and share with us. We also have an Online Journal/Diaries forum here that some use in their recovery. Feel free to start your own journal also. Just know that we are here for you.

Love,
Tammy

[Aprilskyzz]

Sorry, but I cannot give you much advice at all. When I gave up the drugs, the smoking increased for me and i am struggling to cut down right now. I know taht being new to recovery, it is not a good choice for me to try to quit the cigs. I am struggling with not taking the pain meds right now and I have to concentrate on that before I even consider to quit smoking.

Welcome to our family. Sorry that I could not be of much help. Best wishes to you.
April

Hi Gr8tful
I am cassie, recovering alcoholic. My hubby smokes and he has explained how hard it is to quit. My prayers are with you. That old saying comes to mind - "I know God won't give me more than I can handle - I just wish he didnt' trust me so much."

I am glad you found us - the support and friendship from this group is awesome. So please keep coming back.
cassie

[peajaye]

Hi Gr8tful--I love your userid.

I try to encourage anyone who is endeavoring to quit. If I can do it, anyone can. Here is my story:

I quit smoking on my 7th aa birthday which oddly enough, was 12 years ago today. I cried a lot. I had quit umpteen times. The last time I relapsed on cigs, I smoked for another 3 years. What I discovered though in that experience was that I knew exactly what triggered my picking up the cigs and that was my insecurities. (my story, maybe not yours) The REASON I wanted so desperately to quit was because I knew that no matter what I did or said, I loved nobody and nothing MORE than cigs. They were my first love and I knew that God ought to be. I knew that God would love me no more if I didn't smoke, but I love myself better. I know exactly how hard it is. Nothing I have done in life was harder. Like Doraine said, sometimes I had to take it minutes at a time. A craving only lasts no more than 90 seconds, so if I can distract myself for 90 seconds, I am good until the next craving hits. I better stop because I can go ON and ON, it is a subject I love. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk about it.