12 step meetings and smoking

[serina]

i went back to AA after a long hiatus and want to keep going but now I'm wanting to smoke. i always want to smoke when i'm stressed or depressed. i quit smoking 2 years ago after smoking for 10 years. its really difficult being around a whole group of smokers and not smoking. does anyone here attend AA/NA and NOT smoke???

after the meeting everyone was standing around outside smoking and talking but i just left b/c i wanted to smoke so bad.....urgh!!!

[cali]

I had my last cig 3/12/06. I sometimes want to smoke too but after visiting whyquit.com, I feel connected to the individuals, their stories about their lives, and their death. I am listening to "The Story" by Brandi Carlisle now--this song reminds me of "Noni"....take a look--it'll change the way you look at your "urges" at least it did for me..
good luck

[serina]

thanks Cali i'll look at it now.

[Astro]

I totall agree with cali, www.whyquit.com helped me quit chewing tobacco in Dec. 04, and I sobered up in Feb. 05. Reading the stories made me realize how I was killing myself and hurting the people I loved most. Keep in mind too that the 12 Steps of AA can also be applied to smoking.

A new law was just put into effect in our city which prohibits smokers from being within 20' of a public establishment, so at my AA hall the smokers have to hang out in the alleyway instead of the breezeway. It helps, but the smell still lingers.

[serina]

i checked out that website. that is so scary and sad. i can't believe pics of that guy that died at 34. i think i'll take some candy with me and water. that's a good idea about the smokers staying away from the building....and the steps. i need to hear the recovery in the meeting but don't want to die from smoking either. the laws are changing here too. the hospital and school campuses are going smoke free. i still see people smoking though. i think for me the toughest thing is being in the social setting and wanting to smoke to be more comfortable with myself and be more social. i just need to keep stuff in my hands i guess....a book, bottle of water, purse, something. once i'm more comfortable it should pass....i hope. also i started working out more and i know if i smoke i can't run and do weights....need to increase the activity.

thanks for pointing me to that website!

[Astro]

I thought I would die without chewing tobacco, beer, and vodka. Two years clean & sober and I'm still alive and breathing freely. Sure, I go through sunflower seeds like a fiend, but it works! ;-)

Have you joined the Daily Check-In thread on this forum?

[serina]

Astro, do you use 12 step meetings F2F or just SR?

[Astro]

Minimum of one AA meeting every day, and SR while I'm at work. SR gave me a way to alleviate the "stinking thinking" during my working hours. This site is a blessing.