Five months smoke free - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Firehazard · 07-20-2009, 04:31 PM

Five months ago I began to add cigarettee addiction into my morning prayers because I felt like I couldn't honestly look at my anxieties while stuffing them down with smoke. There were many other reasons as well. I had tried to use my will power on this crutch before and not only did it not work but it also really made me intolerable to others. I decided to use the first three steps on it as it had been working on my drinking. It has worked!!!! 1-powerless 2-insane behavior 3-divine intervention plea I have not craved cigarettes after the physical stuff passed at around thirty days. I am so Happy and feel much better.

outonalimb · 07-20-2009, 05:44 PM

Congratulations Firehazard !! You are my hero and you've inspired me to keep my quit going. thanks...and great job !!!!!!!!!!!

SeekSobriety · 07-21-2009, 09:38 AM

Congrats on the 5 months!
What an amazing joy to be free from the shackles of cigarette/nicotine addiction. It is truly a joy is it not!?

***Impurrfect*** · 07-21-2009, 09:58 AM

Congratulations!!! I'm a couple months behind you...doesn't it feel GREAT to be smoke free?

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

Firehazard · 07-21-2009, 10:49 AM

Thanks for the support. It does feel like I have alot of energy now and almost like a the cloud that dirtied my senses has gradually peeled back. The colors are brighter, tastes explosive and generally my thinking is a bit sharper. Everything is very intense now so I really have to take care of myself with excercise and relaxation techniques.

TTOSBT · 07-21-2009, 11:22 AM

Wow firehazard. Thank you so much for sharing this today.
I am so inspired!!!!
I am on Day 7 and it means so much to hear this kind of positive message.
Congratulations on your 5 months!!!!!!!!

Firehazard · 07-21-2009, 05:29 PM

One week down awesome. BREATH DEEP

Angel1 · 07-21-2009, 06:03 PM

Congratulations to ALL OF YOU that quit....great job!!

(In just a few short days I will be celebrating 3 years of being nicotine-free)

Firehazard · 07-29-2009, 01:35 PM

Smoked a cigarette this morning. It really sucked after five months. Not going to drink over it. Officially starting the clock over. I am a non-smoker. I am a non-smoker. I am a non-smoker. I am a non-smoker. I am a non-smoker.

***Astro*** · 07-29-2009, 01:46 PM

Glad to hear you're starting over. Never give up the quit. Be sure to post your progress on the Daily Check-In here if you're not doing so already. Sometimes it helps just to have the accountability and the inspiration of others.

SeekSobriety · 07-31-2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firehazard

Smoked a cigarette this morning. It really sucked after five months. Not going to drink over it. Officially starting the clock over. I am a non-smoker. I am a non-smoker. I am a non-smoker. I am a non-smoker. I am a non-smoker.

Thanks so much for your honesty but wow I am tad confused, you had 5 months and just recently posted how happy you were about it and how good you were feeling. What happened?
Was it worth it? Did smoking that cigarette truly make anything better?
If the urge ever arises again Please post before you take that first puff.
Dust off your clothes and stand back up you can totally do this.
No matter the crisis, smoking will not make things better, it is an illusion propgated by the strength of nicotine and it's hold on our dopamine receptors once we understand that it only can regain power if we take a puff we shatter it's illusion.
Tips to help for today. See if you can find a nicotine anonymous meeting in our area, Buy Alan carrs easy way to quit smoking book ($12) check whyquit.com, do some light excercise eat well and drink plenty of water.
Limit 2nd hand smoke exposure from active smokers and immediate triggers for the time being.
You can totally do this!!!!!!!
(obviously I am no expert but these are what has helped me for almost 10 1/2 months)

Firehazard · 08-01-2009, 11:31 AM

You are so right. But hey I'm not perfect. My main issue is alcohol and I am still happy with my sobriety. First Things First I could go on forever about my program but I'll stick with smoking issue.
Why? I can only figure this. The temperatures in the town I live in went into triple digits for three days and we don't generally have AC here. My morning meditation/breathing practice couldn't be done. It was just to uncomfortable. My body was stressed beyond its normal threshold. Waking up in a pool of sweat after two hours sleep was a new curve ball. My body wanted one so I gave in.
What was it like? It worked and my body was relieved and refreshed but I hacked and am still hacking. The term substance abuse assumes that there are proper ways of using them. Tobacco/nicotine does have anxiety reducing properties and I feel I used them in the right way. In my new way of life I am more grateful for all things that come into my possession so I will finish this pack of American Spirit yellow of which I have five left. A prayer will mingle with the smoke as it enters and leaves my lungs and I will be a non smoker once again. With the support of SR and HP. Bottom line is 1(cant afford it 2)it a nasty habit if I let it happen 3)I want to not smoke
THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME THINK

outonalimb · 08-01-2009, 08:21 PM

Hey Firehazard.

I've quit and started back up so many times it makes my head spin.
I even quit for 7 years once and started back up when I bought into the idea that I could be a 'social' smoker.
With every quit...and every relapse or slip...we learn something.
I've learned alot of lessons with all my failed quit attempts.
This time I've got 25 days under my belt and each day presents a new challenge.
Don't beat yourself up.
Learn what you can from the slip and get back on the quit.
You CAN do this !!
YOU CAN
YOU CAN
YOU CAN !!!

KOOKS · 08-02-2009, 12:24 AM

That's the puzzling thing. One day you can feel great and the next......well!!

The thing is you have picked yourself up, got back into the right frame of mind and stopped again. It's not easy to stay positive all the time but you can do this Firehazard....as outonalimb says we learn something new each time. Take what you can from it and look to a bright, clean, healthy, smoke free future.

SeekSobriety · 08-05-2009, 05:03 PM

Don't forget to check out whyquit.com WhyQuit - the really neat cold turkey quit smoking resource There may be some things that you connect with. I know it has helped me IMMENSELY. Check it out see what you think.

RedRuby · 08-19-2009, 08:51 PM

I should pray for strength in myself too. I'm having trouble staying quit.

Firehazard · 09-07-2009, 08:43 PM

Six days today and feeling like I am truly back as a non smoker after several attemps. The first three days sucked/ whole lot of tenth step work due to withdrawl symptoms. I even screamed at a complete stanger on day two. For nothing. I haven't acted like that since Early sobriety my first time around in March 07

SeekSobriety · 09-08-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firehazard

Six days today and feeling like I am truly back as a non smoker after several attemps. The first three days sucked/ whole lot of tenth step work due to withdrawl symptoms. I even screamed at a complete stanger on day two. For nothing. I haven't acted like that since Early sobriety my first time around in March 07

Congrats on the 6 days!
Have you been doing any exercise? I have found that it helps me tremendously. I started with 3 minutes of walking and have now built up to 1 hour of a mix between, jogging and strength training. Even a 3 minute walk at a brisk pace can very helpful to releasing anger and brightening moods.

Firehazard · 09-08-2009, 12:34 PM

Hi Seek, Thanks I will go on a nice four mile walk mid day now that I am

suitable to be around other humans again. I am going to mix walking, biking,

and stairclimbing with a nightly hour stretch after shower. That regime work

the last time to burn off that extra energy

.

SlvrMag · 09-08-2009, 01:17 PM

Congratulations on quitting! I attempted to quit on the 2nd of August...smoked again on day 4. Now my desire to quit has seemed to disappear. Guess I'm just not ready yet? I WANNA BE READY!

SeekSobriety · 09-08-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firehazard

hi seek, thanks i will go on a nice four mile walk mid day now that i am

suitable to be around other humans again. I am going to mix walking, biking,

and stairclimbing with a nightly hour stretch after shower. That regime work

the last time to burn off that extra energy

.

awesome!!!!

07-20-2009, 04:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Firehazard SHARING THE LOAD Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 410 Blog Entries: 15	Five months smoke free Five months ago I began to add cigarettee addiction into my morning prayers because I felt like I couldn't honestly look at my anxieties while stuffing them down with smoke. There were many other reasons as well. I had tried to use my will power on this crutch before and not only did it not work but it also really made me intolerable to others. I decided to use the first three steps on it as it had been working on my drinking. It has worked!!!! 1-powerless 2-insane behavior 3-divine intervention plea I have not craved cigarettes after the physical stuff passed at around thirty days. I am so Happy and feel much better. __________________ "Your sucess and happiness are forgiven you only if you generously consent to share them"--Albert Camus

07-20-2009, 05:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
outonalimb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: my own little corner of the world Posts: 818	Congratulations Firehazard !! You are my hero and you've inspired me to keep my quit going. thanks...and great job !!!!!!!!!!! __________________ Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is. - Mark Twain We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. -E.M. Forster

07-21-2009, 09:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
*Impurrfect* Community Greeter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 9,464	Congratulations!!! I'm a couple months behind you...doesn't it feel GREAT to be smoke free? Hugs and prayers! Amy __________________ "I'm not where I want to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be" - Joyce Meyer

07-21-2009, 10:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
Firehazard SHARING THE LOAD Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 410 Blog Entries: 15	Thanks for the support. It does feel like I have alot of energy now and almost like a the cloud that dirtied my senses has gradually peeled back. The colors are brighter, tastes explosive and generally my thinking is a bit sharper. Everything is very intense now so I really have to take care of myself with excercise and relaxation techniques. __________________ "Your sucess and happiness are forgiven you only if you generously consent to share them"--Albert Camus

07-21-2009, 05:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Firehazard SHARING THE LOAD Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 410 Blog Entries: 15	One week down awesome. BREATH DEEP __________________ "Your sucess and happiness are forgiven you only if you generously consent to share them"--Albert Camus

07-21-2009, 09:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
SeekSobriety Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 158	Congrats on the 5 months! What an amazing joy to be free from the shackles of cigarette/nicotine addiction. It is truly a joy is it not!?

07-21-2009, 11:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
TTOSBT To Thine Own Self Be True Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,832	Wow firehazard. Thank you so much for sharing this today. I am so inspired!!!! I am on Day 7 and it means so much to hear this kind of positive message. Congratulations on your 5 months!!!!!!!!

07-21-2009, 06:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
Angel1 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 379	Congratulations to ALL OF YOU that quit....great job!! (In just a few short days I will be celebrating 3 years of being nicotine-free)

07-29-2009, 01:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
Firehazard SHARING THE LOAD Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 410 Blog Entries: 15	Smoked a cigarette this morning. It really sucked after five months. Not going to drink over it. Officially starting the clock over. I am a non-smoker. I am a non-smoker. I am a non-smoker. I am a non-smoker. I am a non-smoker. __________________ "Your sucess and happiness are forgiven you only if you generously consent to share them"--Albert Camus

07-29-2009, 01:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
*Astro* Humble Door Greeter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Scottsdale, AZ, two families in a big new home! Posts: 9,280	Glad to hear you're starting over. Never give up the quit. Be sure to post your progress on the Daily Check-In here if you're not doing so already. Sometimes it helps just to have the accountability and the inspiration of others. __________________ "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty, and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming---WOW-What a ride!"

08-01-2009, 11:31 AM	#12 (permalink)
Firehazard SHARING THE LOAD Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 410 Blog Entries: 15	You are so right. But hey I'm not perfect. My main issue is alcohol and I am still happy with my sobriety. First Things First I could go on forever about my program but I'll stick with smoking issue. Why? I can only figure this. The temperatures in the town I live in went into triple digits for three days and we don't generally have AC here. My morning meditation/breathing practice couldn't be done. It was just to uncomfortable. My body was stressed beyond its normal threshold. Waking up in a pool of sweat after two hours sleep was a new curve ball. My body wanted one so I gave in. What was it like? It worked and my body was relieved and refreshed but I hacked and am still hacking. The term substance abuse assumes that there are proper ways of using them. Tobacco/nicotine does have anxiety reducing properties and I feel I used them in the right way. In my new way of life I am more grateful for all things that come into my possession so I will finish this pack of American Spirit yellow of which I have five left. A prayer will mingle with the smoke as it enters and leaves my lungs and I will be a non smoker once again. With the support of SR and HP. Bottom line is 1(cant afford it 2)it a nasty habit if I let it happen 3)I want to not smoke THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME THINK __________________ "Your sucess and happiness are forgiven you only if you generously consent to share them"--Albert Camus

08-01-2009, 08:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
outonalimb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: my own little corner of the world Posts: 818	Hey Firehazard. I've quit and started back up so many times it makes my head spin. I even quit for 7 years once and started back up when I bought into the idea that I could be a 'social' smoker. With every quit...and every relapse or slip...we learn something. I've learned alot of lessons with all my failed quit attempts. This time I've got 25 days under my belt and each day presents a new challenge. Don't beat yourself up. Learn what you can from the slip and get back on the quit. You CAN do this !! YOU CAN YOU CAN YOU CAN !!! __________________ Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is. - Mark Twain We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. -E.M. Forster

08-02-2009, 12:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
KOOKS Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: scotland uk Posts: 283	That's the puzzling thing. One day you can feel great and the next......well!! The thing is you have picked yourself up, got back into the right frame of mind and stopped again. It's not easy to stay positive all the time but you can do this Firehazard....as outonalimb says we learn something new each time. Take what you can from it and look to a bright, clean, healthy, smoke free future.

08-05-2009, 05:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
SeekSobriety Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 158	Don't forget to check out whyquit.com WhyQuit - the really neat cold turkey quit smoking resource There may be some things that you connect with. I know it has helped me IMMENSELY. Check it out see what you think.

08-19-2009, 08:51 PM	#16 (permalink)
RedRuby Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 46	I should pray for strength in myself too. I'm having trouble staying quit.

09-07-2009, 08:43 PM	#17 (permalink)
Firehazard SHARING THE LOAD Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 410 Blog Entries: 15	Six days today and feeling like I am truly back as a non smoker after several attemps. The first three days sucked/ whole lot of tenth step work due to withdrawl symptoms. I even screamed at a complete stanger on day two. For nothing. I haven't acted like that since Early sobriety my first time around in March 07 __________________ "Your sucess and happiness are forgiven you only if you generously consent to share them"--Albert Camus

09-08-2009, 12:34 PM	#19 (permalink)
Firehazard SHARING THE LOAD Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 410 Blog Entries: 15	Hi Seek, Thanks I will go on a nice four mile walk mid day now that I am suitable to be around other humans again. I am going to mix walking, biking, and stairclimbing with a nightly hour stretch after shower. That regime work the last time to burn off that extra energy. __________________ "Your sucess and happiness are forgiven you only if you generously consent to share them"--Albert Camus

09-08-2009, 01:17 PM	#20 (permalink)
SlvrMag Jason's Tree Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern California. Posts: 907	Congratulations on quitting! I attempted to quit on the 2nd of August...smoked again on day 4. Now my desire to quit has seemed to disappear. Guess I'm just not ready yet? I WANNA BE READY! __________________ ~~ Clean Since 06/07/08 ~~

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