Get the Support You Need

Learn from thousands of users who have made their way through our courses. Need help getting started? Watch this short video.

today's top discussions:

logo

Challenging Worry

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-04-20 11:42 PM

Depression Community

logo

Hello

Linda Q

2024-04-11 5:06 AM

Anxiety Community

logo

Addiction

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-04-08 3:54 PM

Managing Drinking Community

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Browse through 411.749 posts in 47.054 threads.

160,526 Members

Please welcome our newest members: eggmegrolf, PearlCat19, mima, FrannyLou, AABBYGAIL RUTH

Does it ever really get better??


18 years ago 0 1521 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Lala, Interesting question. I do believe that this is something you will have to ask yourself. Will you miss something for the rest of your life??? I strongly feel that you are missing out if you continue smoking. If you truly want a healthier, happier lifestyle, you will do this and be successful! Take Care, Melanie __________________ The SSC Support Team
18 years ago 0 9 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey, Lala... I feel for you so much. All of my friends smoke, so I have to seperate myself from them, if you suffer from depression, you don't want to isolate yourself either. Maybe try to spend time that you usually spend with smoking friends, with nonsmoking friends, or family. I know family isn't usually as fun, but if you have family that doesn't smoke, they may save you from yourself. My family drives me crazy (I think we are too much alike), but when I start to isolate myself, even though I don't want to, I can count on them. Maybe if you belong to a church, you could become more involved, or volenteer for something. Being around positive people may give you the strength you forget you have sometimes. Good luck! Lots of love... from little mama [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/27/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 71 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $11.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 19 [B]Seconds:[/B] 48
  • Quit Meter

    $590,382.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 4423 Hours: 14

    Minutes: 35 Seconds: 48

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45414

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    908,280

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 1687 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Lala, I just read your message and I agree with Peter, it does get better. Today is day 54 for me, I had tried many times before but this time I have a different mind set. My husband died of lung cancer March 30, 2005. And yes, I continued to smoke until Jan 7, 2006, that was my quit day. Just take one day at a time and try to stay busy, plan for these times because they only last for a few min's. I still have cravings they just come out of the blue. I still don't go to places that I would be tempted, I know that one day I will be ready and so will you. I pray that you are still with us. I look forward to a post from you. I am new to this program and don't know too many of the people. But I look at alot of messages and they really help me. I will be thinking of you. :) Sunshine [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/7/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 54 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 931 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $189 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 9 [B]Seconds:[/B] 54
  • Quit Meter

    $229,908.38

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 6396 Hours: 4

    Minutes: 22 Seconds: 21

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45414

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    681,210

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 125 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Lala, Hang on to those 18 days, they are precious! You can get through this. Are all of your friends the drinking and smoking type? Isn't there someone(s) you could begin a new Friday night tradition with? I see your quit date was on a Monday but if it helps you get through Fridays maybe that is when you celebrate your weekly rewards. Just find something to replace that old outing and give yourself something to look forward to. N.O.P.E., it's not worth loosing the quit! Sheila [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/4/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 14 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 430 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $70 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 23
18 years ago 0 456 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey Lala55 ! It sounds like you are really missing those Friday nights out with the guys. Your body is nicotine free and the Zyban is to keep your mood up. I will tell you that either you have to stay home forever or you will have to go ahead and learn to deal with the Friday nights out. Don't be afraid.. plunge in.. do not put your life on hold ! The sooner you get on with your life without considering cigarettes in eveything you do.. the better. Do not anticipate that it will be terrible. Do not set yourself up to feel bad.. you are going out to be with your friends not to hang out with a cigarette. If it gets to you.. go home and try again next week. You would be suprised at how far you have come.. you are staying home on Friday nights for this quit.. OMG I have faith in you.. Check with your doctor about the Zyban.. can you stop it for one day a week ?? Will the effects be out of your system so you can have one or 2 drinks ? Quitting doesn't mean quitting your life.. it means CHANGING your life for the better. Don't be afraid.. you are strong !!! Hang Tuff !! Knight Christine [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/1/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 19 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 489 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $66.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22
18 years ago 0 2 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I have now been off smoking for 18 days. I am on zyban and usually feel pretty good. Getting up in the morning is nice, nice when you can breathe :) Fridays however, for the first and the latest (today) I have been reduced to tears at the loss that I feel. Have I quit smoking and in turn quit my "life"?? Typically, Fridays after work we all get together and go for drinks. I feel like I have lost this aspect of my life. I have not gone for the last three Fridays for the mere fact that a) you're not supposed to drink on zyban and b) smoking and drinks go hand in hand. So, I struggle through my Fridays and go home to my "nothingness" (or that's how it feels right now) and try to manage through the rest of the night... not smoking. Once home, I am usually alright. Today, I was making deals with myself... that if I should fall off this wagon that I am on, that I will not just fall off, but that I will do so FANTASTICALLY and smoke as much as I possibly can in order that I do not want to smoke ever again... which is exactly what I did before quitting 18 days ago. I am giving myself permission to fail, not that I want to, but just in case I will BURN this wagon down. Zyban has taken me from a smoker to a nonsmoker. However, although the cravings do not come as often as they used to, they come with such high intensity that all I want to do is cry. Am I alone in this? Does quitting ever get better? Or are we destined to miss something for the rest of our lives??? [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/30/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 18 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 303 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $94.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 27 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8
18 years ago 0 2 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
It was close, but I've made it successfully to DAY 19!!!!! Thank you all SO MUCH.. you are all the reason that I am on this site... I can't thank you enough for your words... and I don't feel totally alone in this... and the really good news... I didn't lose it on anyone last night hahaha :D THANK YOU... from the bottom of my 19 day smoke-free heart <3 Lala [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/30/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 19 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 311 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $99.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27
18 years ago 0 96 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi lala. Congrats on 18 days. You are doing it and things will get better. Right now, at 45 days,I am feeling the same "missing out on life" sort of thinking. But really...What are we missing? The chains of a smelly,life threatening habit? No!!!! Thank goodness we can be free. Last time I quit,it took 3 months to feel strong enough to hang out with smokers and have a beer. I used to play with a beer cap to keep my hands busy. Things do get easier, Just stick it out. A year from now,you'll be out with your friends and you'll be glad you don't smoke. A few of your friends may even follow your lead. Don't give up before the miracle happens. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/4/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 45 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,133 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $506.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 55 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18
18 years ago 0 254 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
The next time your mind starts down that path of thinking, stop it and ask yourself "What exactly is it I am missing?" You haven't moved to a desert island, or developed some highly contagious disease which prevents you from socializing.....you are making the choice to NOT go out for an evening so you can protect your quit. Which is very admirable. I have read many posts here on how folks have lost it after having a few drinks. Is it possible for you to go out and not drink, so you can still have the socializing aspect of your Friday nights? If not, then turn Friday into your own "treat". Think of something wonderfully selfish to do - I would personally go out shopping, or get a manicure/pedicure or facial, get a bucket of Ben and Jerry's and bring it home to watch some wonderfully sappy chick flick. Make your next couple of Friday's something to look forward to instead of dread. Then, one Friday, you WILL feel strong enough in your quit to go out with your group. When you are ready........ Hope your weekend is fabulous........and smoke-free! [IMG]http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f81/SSC4me/u_rock_kitty.gif[/IMG] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/19/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 61 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 921 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $411.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 17
18 years ago 0 52 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Lala55, I'm not sure you're going to read this but I feel it's such an important question I'm going to bump it. Honesty is always important. For a number of weeks I felt it didn't get any better. For about the first 6 weeks it was rough for me. In fact I remember writing a thread entitled something similair to yours after about 5 weeks. I tell you in all honesty IT DOES. Those friday nights you describe are comparable to my late night dvd's in my living room. Even now I can't quite enjoy them the way I did went I was smoking but that is just unfinished reprogramming. For 6 weeks I didn't even try to watch movies downstairs - now I'm beginning to. You will be able to enjoy those friday nights again, just not now. But it's worth hanging in there. To all those in the 14-35 day region asking the question - does it get better, do the cravings go - the simple answer is YES - but you have to hang in there. [b]'Stay strong and no junkie thinking'[/b] Peter [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 53 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 803 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �265 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 40 [B]Seconds:[/B] 57

Reading this thread: