The issue with slipping that many people don't realize it that the first one is the hardest. Once you've made that first slip, the next one is easier, the next one is easier yet, and so on until you give up and are fully relapsed. Then the person typically smokes for weeks, months, years, until they are once again ready to take the leap.
R2Q, if you want to break this cycle now, you have to stop smoking, toss all smoking materials, and get back on the wagon. "... a little slower and with more difficulty ..." don't cut it. You are allowing the addiction too much control, even though it appears you are winning. Know how to catch a fish? Let him run with the hook for a bit, then a good yank to set it and he's yours. So how long will you run with your hook before Ol' Nic sets it?
r2q, kill the junkie thinking. Make the decision. It is all or nothing. But don't give up because you slipped up. I marked the number of days I went without smoking in January, I made it 5, then I made it a goal to go more days in February, by the time I got 7 days under my belt I didn't want to start all over again, so I am just saying NOPE.
To be fair, my junkie has told me so many lies over the years, that I just don't believe that guy anymore.
Hey Ready, maybe I should have said, 'those little junkie thoughts' because that would have made it clear that they come from you, not from outside you. You seem to be playing with fire here, thinking that you can somehow control how much you smoke. Since you're addicted to nicotine and the hundreds of other chemicals in cigarettes, you absolutely cannot control it. This little game you're playing with yourself, not smoking for a few hours, then smoking again at some imaginary time will only lead to one thing. Full blown all out smoking all the time.
Unfortunately, yes, you have to go back through all the painful withdrawal cravings again. The good news is that you have a recent memory of how nice it was to not be a slave to smoking or the thought of it. If I remember correctly you said that took just a week. So, how about going back to this: "I release the need for this in my life" and "I'm a junkie. I'm always one puff away from smoking again" ?
It's amazing how many young (figuratively) quitters think they have it all under control, go against the advice of those with experience, step into situations where they are overwhelmed with triggers and have their inhibitions and control reduced by alcohol, and slip. You might as well try to tango on sheet ice. OK, that's all the thumping I'll do.
R2Q, you have had a taste of freedom and you are annoyed to have back stepped. Not the addiction, but YOU, the rational person who has a desire for better health and life. This time, make sure YOU stay in control for sufficient time until YOU are certain you have control over the addiction. You indicated concern, a lack of certainty, by coming here and asking. Next time you will know that if you question your solidity in your quit, then it probably isn't solid enough and more time must pass.
I don't know if I'd describe them as withdrawal symptoms - just intense craving symptoms. But they pass much faster than they did in my initial withdrawal. And my thoughts are constantly trying to find a justification for continuing to smoke - so it's really annoying to be back to that stage. I felt so strong last week - this week I kind of feel like it's just another quit attempt.
But I'm sticking with it. I enjoyed all the benefits too much last week to want smoking more.
Sorry to hear you caved, Ready, but glad to hear you're back to not smoking. If you still have any cigs around it might be a good idea to destroy em, because the junkie might just whisper it's little lies to you, "You don't want to waste the money you spent, Might as well finish 'em and start over later, What's another day of smoking? You've already smoked for days anyway." We all know that the longer and more you smoke the more your body will be craving them. If you feel like it, would you let us know how your withdrawal symptoms are? That might help others who are about to succumb to the "Just one won't hurt" thought.
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