How do I quit?

[bubblze30]

I asked this question in another post or a reply to a post. I thought I should start my own thread. If some of you dont know I was planning on quitting the end of last month and was to scared. Yes, to scared. I have built up this fear of quitting like I think the worst. Almost if I quit I will die, well not all that bad but I am hoping some one understands. See I planned it. Felt good about it. As the day grew closer I thought oh know I can't, I just can't quit. I have smoked for so darn long its a way of life for me. I also used drugs most of my life and I no longer use. So why does it seem so scary to me. I need to know how some of you did it. I need to know if anyone else had fears as strong as mine. I mean my whole life revolved around a ciggerette. I get stressed I smoke. I eat I smoke. I watch a movie I sneak out and smoke. I have sex(not in a long, long, long time LOL) I smoke. How? How do I stop? How do I never pick up a smoke again without such fear? Why? Why must my fears of quitting be greater then my fears of not using drugs? Will this fear ever become minimal in my life and not be so damn strong. Why do I let it have so much power? I guess what I need to know is how some of you got through it and continue to stay away from the nicotine. Please help !!

sick and Tired of the fear,
bubblze

[dotcom]

bubblz,

the way i see it is that nicotene is the same as any other drug. only its legal and a lot of people puffpuffpuff. for me, there was never a good time to quit. if i set a date, id miss it because if i couldnt just stop at any given moment so how would i stop on that date? of course, i could stop i just psyched myself into thinking i couldn't.

so, after my mom and dad sufficiently b****** my ears off for five years i gave it a shot. i had my mom buy me the gum (the gum sucks, use the patch) and it burned my throat. so i was SOL right? no, i just kept denying my cravings and after the first three days it was smooth sailing.

however, at the 2 week mark i bought a pack and chainsmoked. then i quit because man, i missed being smoke free. another two weeks and i chainsmoked. then i quit again after having a taste of the smokefree life. then a month and i went to a party and had a smoke or six. then i quit again and went two months and at the damn casino i had to bum a smoke. that was my last smoke almost 5-6 months ago. i lost count.

its just like using drugs ... same principle. you can do it bubblz! just say nononononononono ... as many times as you have to.

hugs,

dot

[mnj1024]

Hey bubblze. I had set a date too and the closer the date got the more aprehensive I was about quitting. But I just went ahead and did it anyway. The first day was the worst, just tried to stay busy. I am surprised to see the patch working as well as it has, for me anyway. Doesnt mean I don't have cravings when I get up, after I eat, when I'm driving, during break at work, sitting at the computer, the after sex thing I don't know (been a long time for me too lol) but I just continue to use the tools of my recovery to fight the cravings and little by little they are getting better. The worst for me right now is when others are smoking around me, other than that I hardly think about it. Dot gave good advice just keep trying, one of these times you'll be ready to just do it. Seems like the patch has been working pretty good for a few peole here, I think it's worth a try if you are willing. you don't have to smoke anymore today bubblze mike

[waywardsister]

Hi Bubblze! I have quit before (3 times!) and always gone back to it eventually. The "I don't need them anymore, so I can have a few". Always got me right back to a pack a day. I am quitting again, and I am scared too. The idea of never smoking again makes me feel sad. It's such a part of my identity.

I am trying to remember though how amazing I felt for the 8 months I was quit. I remember, after I had been smoke-free for a week, I took a bite of a strawberry. I had never really liked them before...but I almost fell over. It tasted so different! I realized I had never REALLY tasted one before.

The first time I had to sprint to catch a streetcar, I couldn't believe that I wasn't ready to pass out afterwards. I started running on a regular basis, like I used to in elementary school. I could BREATHE, really breathe, and seriously it almost made me cry that I could finally run again.

As you can probably tell, I am trying to talk myself into following through with my quit!! lol. But seriously, once the first week or so has passed, it's uphill. I felt like a whole new person, and so proud of myself.

If you want a quit buddy, I am more than happy to volunteer...I need one too. Despite what I've said above, I am still scared and sad to quit. We could pick a date together? I am going to try the patch...you?

[mnj1024]

(((Waywardsister))) so glad your here, your so right too it only gets better after the first week, then its just in your head that its ok to have a few because you dont need it anymore. 35 days here and i cant believ how much better i can just smell things at work. I work in a restauraunt and it smells like a new place to me, things i never noticed before, oh yeah the food taste better too lol. you know how much better it is. glad your here, and good luck to you mike