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now I am beginning to understand addiction


15 years ago 0 1843 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
There are months when I swear every road in Columbus, OH is under construction with orange barrels everywhere trying to detour you around the city!  I saw a sign yesterday that said "temporary inconvenience - permanent improvement" as I tried to find an entrance ramp after getting lost during the detour.  Yeah, I was upset that I had to go out of my way, that I got lost, that it wasn't easy.  But then I thought how wonderful things would be once the construction was finished.  I think of quitting smoking in the same way Sweepr05.  The first couple weeks will drive you crazy!  Its the nicotine departing your system.  Its your brain telling you that you need a smoke.  Its triggers that try to draw you back.  Its the stresses in life that "were always resolved" by smoking.  Just remember that all of this is temporary.  It will get better!  And boy what a permanent improvement it will be.  Congratulations on surviving Hell Week!  We're all rooting for your continued success!
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 8/20/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 176
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 7,040
Amount Saved: $1,408.00
Life Gained:
Days: 26 Hrs: 6 Mins: 52 Seconds: 1

15 years ago 0 880 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
sweepr05
 
My heart goes out to you at this time.  Yes I understand and wish that it could be another way for you now, but I know that it can be difficult at the start of the journey.  This is new to you and your body and mind are wondering what is going on.  For a long time, as addicts we have participated in the endless cycle of meeting out needs with cigarettes.  Now you have made the wonderful decision to find another path.  Unfortunately the body and the mind don't like this.  But I promise you that if you work toward the goal, eventually both will follow your lead. 
 
Try drinking tons of cold water.  It helped me keep to the new path in ways I don't truly understand.  But it was helpful.  The good news is that it does not remain this way indefinitely, over time you will adapt to the better circumstances that you are creating for yourself. 
 
Keep posting here, I found that writing was very therapeutic and you will find that there are countless others who understand what it is like to seek cessation.  They will respond to you and you will know that you are not alone in this.  Sometimes, in the worst of times, that is enough to get us through that next moment, hour and day...
 
stay well
 
 
nonic 

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 12/25/2006
Smoke-Free Days: 780
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 23,400
Amount Saved: $8,190.00
Life Gained:
Days: 148 Hrs: 21 Mins: 0 Seconds: 54

  • Quit Meter

    $66,549.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 1373 Hours: 3

    Minutes: 37 Seconds: 39

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    6338

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    190,140

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

15 years ago 0 816 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello sweepr05  Sorry to hear that you're having a hard time right now. I know what you're going through. If it's any consolation you've made it through the toughest week there is , Hell week. You're asking when it will get easier ? It's a gradual process. I'd like to be able to tell you that it will ease off tomorrow but I can't , everyone's different. I didn't start to really notice a change until week 7. I know it's tough , anything worthwhile is. Are you drinking cold water when you get a crave ? Are you keeping yourself occupied doing things you like to distract yourself from craving. Are you rewarding yourself ? This may be the biggest battle of your life. You're starving the nico demon by not smoking and it doesn't like it one bit. Stand your ground. Dig your heels in and tell that demon " no way Jose " , not today. Be good to yourself. Don't get to hungry , angry , lonely , or tired. Hopefully you'll have it easier than I did and I hope you do. Remember one thing though and that is that you've already been through the worst of it. Be determined that you are going to win this battle and you will win. Remember N.O.P.E. Not one puff ever. Other people have done this and so can you. You can do this. breather 93 Addict 0
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 11/11/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 93
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 4,650
Amount Saved: $2,232.00
Life Gained:
Days: 17 Hrs: 1 Mins: 38 Seconds: 32

15 years ago 0 2 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I have been awake most of the night - going between worrying about all the stress that's going on in my life and being desperate for a smoke. I really didn't think the craving would be so intense. Well, I have one week quitting in and I am determined to not give in. I read another post that said "smoking will never make any situation better." This is so true and I keep repeating it to myself. But, I have also searched the house for smokes (there were none) and seriously contemplated waking up my 18 year old and telling him that I am going out for awhile (obviously to buy smokes). So far, I haven't. I never realized the power that nicotine had over me (truly) until these past 12 miserable hours. I don't think the lozenges are helping much, the stiff drink didn't help much, and trying to meditate is like trying to having a picnic in a hurricane. It will get better, right?
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 2/5/2009
Smoke-Free Days: 7
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 42
Amount Saved: $20.16
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 15 Mins: 45 Seconds: 56


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