If i happen to light up i do not have the patch on. I think u have a good idea their cut back then complety quite. But I am determined to quite. I know i am not perfect cause i am only human, and as a human i will make mistakes. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/21/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 0 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 0 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $0 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

Is it me or does everyone slip now and a again. I hope i am not the only one that may have or did. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/18/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 2 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 68 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $21 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 40 [B]Seconds:[/B] 14

I stumbled here and took off the patch and lit up a smoke. I know this happens but in the last 2 days i had only 5 smokes and that is a lot less then i would noramily smoke. Normaily i would have at least 2 packs done in this amount of time. :( I hope i can cut back like this for good or actually kick that habit. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/21/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 0 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 0 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $0 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

Shannon people do slip up its human nature but so long as you get back into the quit mentality you will be ok!! sad to say i have slipped up a few times!!!

Shannon, We have a saying around here - N.O.P.E. - Not One Puff Ever. If you want to quit, then you don't smoke and if you continue to smoke, then you are not quit. Plain and simple. Five smokes in 2 days can, and most likely will, turn into regular amounts in no time flat! You're a junkie, just like I am. We cannot have even one cigarette and keep our quits. If you justify your smoking by saying that you're not doing it as much as you used to, then you're headed right back into your addiction really quickly! Be careful! Even 5 cigarettes in 2 days is smoking. No, you're most certainly not alone in slipping. Since finding this site in June of last year (I recently rejoined), I have had 3 "slips" and after the last one, I reset my meter and have been smoke free ever since. So yes, it can be done after a slip or relapse. There are many, many, many successful quitters around here who have quit, then slipped or relapsed, and went on to have successful quits. You can do it too! But first, you have to ask yourself a few things. Do you really want to quit? If so, then why are you still smoking? I don't mean that as a rude question and I'm not asking for an answer... I just want you to think about it for a while. You can not smoke and still be quit... those two things are mutually exclusive. So what is keeping you from having a successful quit? Figure out what your triggers are (the things that make you want to smoke) and figure out what substitutions you will use instead of smoking when you are faced with a trigger or a difficult situation. Plan out your quit. And make sure that you know why you are quitting... make a list of reasons to quit. And also make a list of rewards that you will give yourself after 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, etc... of being quit. Give yourself something to look forward to! That way, you might not be as likely to light up if you know that you can't have "such and such" if you smoke. Give yourself some goals and reward yourself for quitting smoking. Rewards are very important! So, yes Shannon, you CAN quit, even though you have slipped up. Many, including myself, have done it. Now, you just have to find the will and the dedication to do it. Best wishes! Crave the Quit! Pam [B]My Milage:[/B] [

Shannon, Please do be careful when using the patch. If your smoking on top of it, there is a danger of overdosing on nicotine. Cutting down before your quit is a great idea, it helps for an easier transition. Why don't you take some time to practice not smoking before your next quit date. In the next few days, leave your cigarettes at home or delay having one. Use new coping strategies instead and find out which ones work best for you when trying to fight cravings. (e.g. gum, cold water, deep breaths, candy...) Overcoming a few cravings may give you some confidence, will allow you to practice this new habit and identify your triggers. Please keep us posted, we can't wait to celebrate your first smoke free day.

Shannon, Some members slip, some do not. It's pretty varied. What matters is that if you slip you learn from it and keep going. Identify what led to the slip and plan how to get around it the next time around. Danielle ______________________ The SSC Support Team

Hi, Shannon. Congratulations on 2 days quit. Slipping and relapsing is quite normal for any addiction recovery. It is not an evil thing as many seem to profess, nor does it signify any weakness, defect, or failure. It is simply a part of the process for many. It is very rare for someone to "get it right" the first time, regardless of the task at hand. If you were charged to build a house, do you think you could do it mistake free? How about design an automobile - engine, transmission, body, suspension, everything? Would you drive it when you were done? I'll guarantee you, if [u]I[/u] designed one I certainly wouldn't let it out on the road, LOL. So there's no reason to expect yourself to quit fully on the first attempt, either. Slips and relapses are not bad [u]IF[/u] they are used as learning experiences. You slipped. Now learn. [b][color=blue] Why? What events and/or emotions were at play that caused you to smoke? What did you think the smoking would do to help? Did it help? How or why? What could you have done other than smoke to get through the situation? What would a non-smoker have done? [/color][/b] These are just a few questions to ask yourself. Use the answers to shore up the weak spots in your quit, dust yourself off, and get back on the wagon. You can do this, Shannon. I know these things. Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 454 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,095 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1725.2 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 84 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 54

Oh Shannon, no, you are not alone. The important thing is to resume your quit immediately. The other important thing is to get rid of any cigarettes, butts, ashtrays, and other paraphernalia. Make sure there aren't any in your car or pockets. Then jump right back on the wagon. Remember you can't smoke and quit at the same time...it's one or the other. Rusty [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/13/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 615 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 17,241 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2152.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 84 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37