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Alcohol Addiction 12 Steps
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10-04-2007, 06:10 PM
| #1 (permalink) |
| Resentment Building  Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 163
| Aristo - given up the smokes
Hi There, Aristo here - alcoholic - been sober 7 months, 3 days and 10 hours. Yesterday I turned 40 and decided to give up the smokes - I had been planning to for about a month - As a birthday present to myself. I'm using patches. I haven't had a smoke now for 1 day and 11 hours - AND ITS KILLING ME ! ! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH So I thought I would post on here. Patches kinda work - but I am getting cravings from my tongue - it's weird.... My mouth is salivating. Maybe I need some of that chewy.... And yes, I know it is suggested to not give up smoking in the first 12 months of sobriety - but I feel the time was right for me - It had been playing on my mind for ages. And my fitness and health is suffering - these two things I want to get back ! So - with your support and encouragement, my actions, my powerlessness, my HP, the patches, my friends in AA, and who/what ever else I need - Hopefully I can beat this habit ! Am taking it 5 minutes at a time at the moment - And will post progress of how I am going for who ever is interested - or just for a record for myself  take care ! |
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10-04-2007, 06:33 PM
| #2 (permalink) |
| Member  Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: media, pa
Posts: 243
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hehe what is the most difficult drug to stop? first it was heroin, then it was coke, then it was crack, and then it was meth. but i often hear cigarettes are the hardest of them all, and they don't even have that much of a buzz... good on you for quitting smokes. i used to smoke on top of the patch, which is dangerous i hear. i quit smoking cigarettes at the same time as my DOC, and i haven't looked back since. on occasion i will get the cravings, but they are fewer and far between since i quit about 4.5 weeks ago. a lot of professionals would err on the side of caution and recommend no one quit cigs and alcohol at the same time. but it's been done many times. and also people have sabotaged their recovery by quitting both. it really depends on the person, their commitment to health, and so on. Happy Belated Birthday |
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10-05-2007, 12:12 AM
| #3 (permalink) |
| same planet...different world  |
Hi Astro !!!! way to go! maybe lok up the stuff on chantix - i dont' want to recomment something you're not interested in , but man o man - it's worked wonders for me.
__________________  "When banks fail, it is seldom bankers who starve."'Going Postal', Terry Pratchett |
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10-05-2007, 06:50 AM
| #4 (permalink) |
| Resentment Building Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 163
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2 days up now - far out - Y'know - When I was drinking - although it was daily and in large quantities, I could get thru most of the day without a drink - and when I stopped, it was in re-hab and I didn't really notice any ill effects as they put me on valium. But this Nicotine withdrawl is HARD ! Man - and it's constant. I got it all the time ! My tongue is still salivating for nicotine - even though I have a patch on. I got me some Nicobate chewing gum - helps with salivation factor - but tastes like CRAP ! YUK ! But I chew it anyway. I'm going to any lengths. Have rung my AA sponsor twice today to distract myself from the cravings - plus I rang two other members - And I am not a ringing type person. I must say though - that my body is feeling better for it already - I have a clearer head and seem to be breathing easier - So the good is outweighing the bad at the moment. I still have a good feeling about quitting - and as long as I keep doing what I am doing (which is not smoking) - I'll be a winner ! Cheers Guys, |
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10-05-2007, 06:52 AM
| #5 (permalink) |
| same planet...different world |
keep upu the good work hon! and ... chantix really helps with that... while not giving ya any more nicotine. you're stronger than me tho!!!!!
__________________ "When banks fail, it is seldom bankers who starve."'Going Postal', Terry Pratchett |
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10-05-2007, 06:53 AM
| #6 (permalink) |
| Resentment Building Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 163
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Oh and Barb -yes I have researched Chantix - sounds like good stuff - but unfortunately we can't get it an Australia yet...... So I am doing it the new old fashioned way.... Soon my body will be 100% drug free ! ! ! ! ! Yipeeeeeeee |
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10-05-2007, 06:58 AM
| #7 (permalink) |
| same planet...different world |
woo hoo! ok - Ill lay off about it then - sorry. But it's been a GODSEND for me. oh. duh. says right there. sydney. NSW ... ok. well obviously chantix doesn't make ya SMARTER ... LOL
__________________ "When banks fail, it is seldom bankers who starve."'Going Postal', Terry Pratchett |
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10-05-2007, 08:54 AM
| #8 (permalink) |
| Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: media, pa
Posts: 243
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you might even experience coughing up phlegm, which means your lungs are getting rid of the toxins! now they can start healing. they say your lungs can return to almost full health. dont look back! it gets easier |
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10-05-2007, 09:09 PM
| #9 (permalink) |
| Resentment Building Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 163
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Day three - still no smokes. But thinking about it all the time. I am reading a good murder/thriller book to try and distract myself - And also watching the motor racing on TV - so plenty to keep me occupied. Was at a meeting earlier this morning and shared with everyone that I am on day 3 of not smoking - and am getting a lot of support from my fellow alcoholics. Thanks for all the encouragement ! |
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10-06-2007, 07:23 PM
| #11 (permalink) |
| Resentment Building Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 163
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Day 4 and still have massive cravings albeit being on patches. I am trying to Psych myself out of the cravings - I think back to where I had a broken leg and I had constant pain - I just had to accept that the pain was there and there was nothing I could do about it. Much the same with the cravings - I am a non-smoker now, so having a cigarette is not an option. I have to accept that I will have these cravings for a while - but they will go away ! |
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10-07-2007, 02:36 AM
| #12 (permalink) |
| To Life!  Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: centered again
Posts: 8,057
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Aristo; CONGRATULATIONS!!!  You've got the winning formula for quitting. Keep doing something different and know that there will be cravings and that they will go away! YEA!!! I saw a smoke cessation counselor when I quit. He said - statistically - quitting both together increases the success rate of quitting alcohol and cigarettes. He was a social worker with credentials in addiction. I learned quite a lot from him. Anyway, keep up the great work. You're doing it, one day at a time. I have now been One year, ten months, one week, 22 hours, 35 minutes and 36 seconds nicotine free. That's 27077 cigarettes not smoked, saving $7,445.89. Life saved: 13 weeks, 3 days, 25 minutes.  Remember to keep the quit and post before you puff!  Shalom!
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10-07-2007, 03:36 PM
| #13 (permalink) |
| Resentment Building Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 163
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Day 5 - still no smokes. I am finding that waking up in the mornings is a lot easier. I used to feel like a zombie when I woke up. Now I only feel like half a zombie  The added bonus is that my day is starting earlier. Before, I used to get up, have a coffee and a cigie - then another - and maybe another - then have a shower and get ready for the day. Now - since i got rid of all my coffee and am not smoking - it's just up, have a shower and get on with it. It's 7:30am now - and I have already been for an hours walk. So - even after complete days of not smoking - I can tell there is a positive difference. |
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10-09-2007, 06:38 PM
| #15 (permalink) |
| Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Westborough, MA
Posts: 63
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Keep up the good fight Aristo! Soon this will all be just a memory, but lets never forget what quitting is like, I do not want to do this again. Once is enough for me. Big deep breath in the nose, deeper, deeper, now slowly out the mouth. Ah, that feels soooo good! |
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10-11-2007, 03:20 AM
| #18 (permalink) |
| Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: long island,ny
Posts: 175
| "I have quit for the LAST time"-my new mantra
hi all...aristo,i,too,am battling two addictions at one time.....yesterday,i decided,after a rough day,that i was going to stop at the liquor store for a SMALL bottle.....but i knew i would want to smoke with it.....and i didn't want to slip on both counts,and feel doubly bad in the morning....so,i drove right past my old liquor store...and this morning,i am so glad i did."I have quit for the LAST time"......KT
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10-11-2007, 06:00 AM
| #19 (permalink) |
| Resentment Building Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 163
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Day 8 done and dusted. - And now off the patches - have been for 1.5 days - It actually seems easier off the patches. The metalic taste in my mouth and tongue had something to do with the patches as it has nearly gone. Still feeling pretty confident. And as each days goes by - seems to get easier....slightly......... |
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10-12-2007, 10:26 PM
| #22 (permalink) |
| Resentment Building Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 163
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Day 10 - the worst side effect for me is the insomnia. Since being off the patches, I can't seem to sleep for more than an hour. Sleeping very lightly too. I beleive this will pass..... |
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10-12-2007, 11:29 PM
| #23 (permalink) |
| same planet...different world |
I'm also sleeping light - and if i GET awakened - I'm .. up. For a while. One thing helps me with that - housework. The mere THOUGHT of pulling out rags and cleners ... will usually put me right back out. I'm one of those 'domestics' who'd rather just ... leave this world than labor. LOL Also bought this yoga tape - I *think* you're suposed to do the stuff along with them, but i wind up falling asleep - LOL
__________________ "When banks fail, it is seldom bankers who starve."'Going Postal', Terry Pratchett |
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10-13-2007, 10:25 AM
| #24 (permalink) |
| Member  Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York
Posts: 83
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I had a few nights of waking up like a zombie also...oh my gosh. When I opened my eyes....WIDE AWAKE FOR HOURS!!!!!!!!!!! I had to cut the Chantix pill back to half. It is working with the sleeping, thank god, cause I have to be at work by 7. But still not 100% quit yet. But i'm not giving up.
__________________ Puddinface |
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10-13-2007, 06:01 PM
| #25 (permalink) |
| Resentment Building Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 163
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Day 11 - woke up about 4-5 times last night. Which is not like me at all - usually when I fall asleep, I don't wake up until I really really need to. Still no cigs - I went out for coffee last night (probably shouldn't have coffee at night when I am not sleeping well - hey) after a meeting - The others were smokers - didn't worry that much at all - No major compulsion to smoke.... I think what is keeping me from not smoking - is not drinking - I think back to when I was drinking - and I DO lose all my will power - If I had had a few drinks last night, I would have busted on the smokes for sure. Just goes to reinforce the fact that I CAN NOT DRINK - just for today anyway  |
