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[Aquiana]

Hi everyone! I came on this forum to find info about my b.f.'s alcohol problem and now it's my turn. I made a deal that if he trys to stop the drinking, then in all fairness I have to stop the smoking. I can't exactly tell him to quit his favorite habit while I have a ciggie hanging out of my mouth can I? He has 2 weeks before he goes to rehab so I have two weeks of smoking left. I'm not really doing it for him though. I want to quit too. I still can't figure out why I keep a habit that makes me cough like crazy in the morning, makes me smell, worsens my asthma and costs me alot of money I don't have. Can't even figure out why I started really. When I first did it, it tasted terrible and made me throw up so it's a real headscratcher why I kept doing it.

So I'm starting my Zyban again today and I'm going to work my brains out. Hopefully both of us will have success with our dirty little habits!

[VldNene]

Welcome Aquiana! You can do it!

My motivation to quit smoking was similar to yours. My niece has an addiction to oxycotin(sp) and I decided if I was going to preach to her that she didn't need an addiction in her life I'd better take a look at myself first. I had been saying for years I hated smoking but just never had the courage to quit. I've been smokeless for over a month now!

[smoke gets in my eyes]

Hi you guys! You remind me of me. I quit smoking when Dino quit using crack. The first time he quit. I don't know which one of us relapsed first. LOL It took us both about 2 years to get it right. Folks will tell you that you can't do it for someone else, you have to do it for yourself. And I agree up to a point. However I also think that ANYTHING that gets you thinking about the consequences and trying to do something about it is not to be sneered at. Getting started is getting started.

I recommend suckers. Lots of suckers and many many glasses of water. LOL

Hugs,
Smoke(free)

[Aquiana]

Ok so far the bf is doing way better than I am. I haven't even tried yet and now I'm making excuses. Too much stress, can't afford the meds ect. ect. Man it's hard to even start! I want to quit I just can't get over the hump here. Yikes!

[bikewench]

Aquiana...

The question I had to ask myself was...... can I not smoke just for this ONE day...??

That's it... just one day. ;o)

[Aquiana]

Hee hee. That's the funny part. I know I can not smoke if I don't feel like it. I just have to start pushing all the darned excuses out of my mind. Kind of puts things into perspective a little for me. I get angry at my bf for his excuses for drinking and here I am with a tonne of my own. I guess that's why I can understand him a little. You're right though. It's just one day.

[bikewench]

Yup...

It isn't easy to just quit using something... so.. on the plus side of a bad thing... it's good that you at least can relate better to your guy's using... ;o)

[Aquiana]

Okay, tomorrow's the day. I got some patches. One smoke left for today so I'm on my way. I can't stand being a big hypocrite. I'm going to surprise him when he comes home for the weekend. I'll see how long it takes him to notice. Wish me luck!

[bikewench]

Hey gurl...

I am sending out a prayer for you and your guy...
And I'm asking the Creator to take it easy on you... ;o)

Good luck..

[Peaches04]

Hey Aquiana...I'm going to try and stop smoking too! All of this new found spirituality and joy has made me realize how great life is and how stupid I am for smoking. I keep doing the "monday I'll stop"..."monday will be the day" and it never is. Is there a trick to jump start the stopping. I don't even think I am chemically addicted...whenever I'm at a place I can't smoke...it's no big deal to me. But, I am a habit smoker bar none. First thing when I get in my car - smoke. After work - smoke. After dinner - smoke. I am also a closet smoker because I wont do it in front of certain people. Weird.... so, how do we get jump started?

[historyteach]

Aquiana:
It's not a headscratcher; it's an addiction!
Also, please be careful with the zyban. I had a terrible reaction to it. Panic attacks. My neighbor is a shrink and she did research on it. She said that it can CAUSE panic attacks in some people. Yep - I was one!
Since you note that you are already "makng excuses," I went back and dug up the "Junkie Thinking" thread from long ago. Take a look at it. Print it out and keep it handy for reference. You may keep making excuses but, you will no longer be able to believe them!
Wishing you the best of luck. This is a horrible obsession and compulsion. And I totally agree with Smoke; water and hard candies - sugar free!
Shalom!

[Aquiana]

I read the "Junkie Thinking" thing. It's all definitely true. I have the "just one" mentality. I keep having to tell myself that it won't just be one. I haven't had a smoke since Tuesday night. I keep getting full blown anxiety attacks when it rolls around to time to smoke ie: coffee breaks, driving home, in the a.m., after eating ect. Yikes. I keep telling myself that if my bf can quit drinking then I can quit smoking. What torture...

On the bright side I feel like I'm breathing better already and I feel more awake too.

[Aquiana]

Originally Posted by Peaches04

Hey Aquiana...I'm going to try and stop smoking too! All of this new found spirituality and joy has made me realize how great life is and how stupid I am for smoking. I keep doing the "monday I'll stop"..."monday will be the day" and it never is. Is there a trick to jump start the stopping. I don't even think I am chemically addicted...whenever I'm at a place I can't smoke...it's no big deal to me. But, I am a habit smoker bar none. First thing when I get in my car - smoke. After work - smoke. After dinner - smoke. I am also a closet smoker because I wont do it in front of certain people. Weird.... so, how do we get jump started?

By the way, I'm exactly the same way. It's all habit for me too. I haven't taken a break at work for the last couple days cuz I know what I'll want to do. My bf jump started me this time. He's doing such a good job with his alcohol, he inspired me to try too. I can't let him prove that he's tougher than I am. Have you ever quit before? Remembering how good you're going to feel if you do for a while helps too. I quit for 4 months before and my health improved 100% I swear. I had twice the energy, I could breath better and I even lost weight since I didn't have to eat so much sugar to keep my energy up! I also had so much more time. Smoking takes up a lot more time than I ever realized!

Good luck to ya! Let me know how you're doing!