Help! - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Val-light · 03-18-2005, 04:11 PM

Hello,
My friend is a smoker for 25 years. She wishes to quit smoking and needs specific ideas on how to deal with the urges. She may be interested in using the patch and wondered if anyone here knows about how much they cost per patch. What can she expect from withdrawal symptoms and how long do the withdrawal symptoms last? Is a physical necessary before she stops smoking? Thank you.
Val

**margo** · 03-18-2005, 08:30 PM

Hi Val! Here is a link to a thread with some quit tips, including dealing with urges, for your friend:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=53266 (Tips for Gaining Freedom From Nicotine)

You can get a printable version by clicking on "thread tools" (on the blue bar at the top right of the thread) and choosing "show printable version". It's a lot of info and it may help to have it printed to refer to.

I'm on day 9 of quitting and was smoking up to two packs a day for 30 years. It's hard, but it can be done. It's not the first time I've quit, but my plan is that it's the last. I'm using the patch this time and it seems to help. It doesn't replace all the nicotine one would get from cigarettes, but it can help to cut the intensity of the cravings (that has been my experience so far). The best price I've found for the patches is about $25 (Canadian dollars) for a 7-day supply. It's certainly less than the cost of smoking a pack a day (about $8 a pack here). I had very vivid dreams with leaving the patch on at night (nicotine is a stimulent!) so I take it off in the evening now and put on a new one each morning. Some people don't have that problem, though, so it's all trial and error really.

I found the first three days to be the hardest in terms of withdrawal - physically, emotionally, and mentally. Again, the link up top will give some tips on dealing with this. The important thing to remember is that is does get better after the initial phase. Like recovery from other addictions, it's a process, not an event, and it's important to look after ourselves after abusing our bodies for long periods of time and to be patient. It might help your friend to have a physical either before or after quitting, and talking to a doctor before making a major lifestyle change is a good idea, especially if there are other health concerns.

I hope this helps a bit, Val - there are some other "sticky" threads at the top of this forum with some helpful info. Let your friend know she is welcome here too!

Val-light · 03-19-2005, 03:56 AM

Dear Margo,
I read the sticky threads to my friend yesterday and that's what helped she to decide she needed help with her smoking habit. This morning I read your post to my friend over the phone as she is just getting up and on DAY1 and already craving a smoke. I just wanted to let you know that she really appreciated the information as you presented it. I'm acting as her sponsor until she gets past the initial withdrawal symptoms.
Val

(My friend wishes to address you himself.)
Dear Margo,
It was very gracious of you to respond to my post in the quick manner that you did. I am a two and a half-pack a day smoker. Is it safe to leave the patch on overnight temporarily as I continue to have urges throughout the night in these beginning stages?

**margo** · 03-19-2005, 09:45 AM

Hi Val and Friend!

I am using the Nicoderm patch and according to the information pamphlet it is safe to leave it on at night - in fact, it recommends it. I left it on the first night, but it gave me very vivid dreams. This can happen, but it doesn't happen to everyone so I can only suggest you leave it on at night at first and see what happens. If you leave it on for 24 hours at a time there will be less fluctuation in the nicotine level. If you find you are having trouble sleeping or with dreaming you can take it off before you go to bed and put the new one on when you get up. I think it helps to put the new one on at around the same time each day. One word of warning, though - DO NOT smoke with the patch on!

I don't sleep well and often when I wake up during the night I crave a cigarette - in fact, it's usually the first thing I think of when I can't sleep! Deep breathing can help with the cravings. Also, most people in the early days of quitting miss the first cigarette of the morning the most, especially if you were used to smoking within the first 30 minutes of getting up. This does decrease with time. Changing your morning routine a little bit can help - on waking up in the morning I used to make my tea and go sit outside and have a cigarette. Now I make my tea and go back to bed to drink it.

If you do smoke,try not to give up your plan to quit. Make a note of what triggered you to smoke the cigarette and how you could deal with the urge differently the next time. It can take a few tries at first, but just keep going and before you know you will have a whole day behind you.

You can do it!

Val-light · 03-19-2005, 12:10 PM

Thanks again Margo. My friend is not having a successful day. Please keep her in your prayers and again thank you for taking the time to address our questions and concerns. My friend is very grateful for your assistance and she may be asking for your assistance again soon. I'm not a smoker so I'm having a hard time helping her. Thanks again Margo.
Val

**margo** · 03-19-2005, 01:34 PM

You're welcome, Val. Tell your friend to go easy on herself and to think it over some more. One of the "sticky" threads on this forum titled "Helpful Links" has a lot of links for additional research and help in planning a quit date in the future and how to get through the process of quitting and staying quit.

This forum isn't just for people who've quit smoking, so tell your friend we are here and are happy to answer any questions and give encouragement when needed.

Hugs!

Val-light · 03-19-2005, 03:15 PM

Val-light · 03-23-2005, 07:01 PM

Dear Margo,
My friend (mentioned above) and I have spent some time discussing what steps might be taken to quit smoking. Today my friend has made a renewed effort to do so. She started by resisting the urge to light up a cigarette by waiting a full 5 minutes before lighting up. She did this three times and was successful. Since 3:00 this afternoon she has not had one cigarette and does not plan to have another cigarette today or at least until midnight at which time she will decide whether she can go another 12 hours without lighting a cigarette.
My friend is on DAY 1 today and both of us want to thank you for your support.
Val

**margo** · 03-23-2005, 08:18 PM

(((((((Val & Friend!))))))) Awesome! Delaying is a good tactic, especially when trying to cut down. I'll be rooting for her!

Val-light · 03-27-2005, 10:33 PM

Dear Margo,
Just popped in to wish you Happy Easter and thanks again for helping me with my friend.

Val

03-18-2005, 04:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Val-light Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 629	Help! Hello, My friend is a smoker for 25 years. She wishes to quit smoking and needs specific ideas on how to deal with the urges. She may be interested in using the patch and wondered if anyone here knows about how much they cost per patch. What can she expect from withdrawal symptoms and how long do the withdrawal symptoms last? Is a physical necessary before she stops smoking? Thank you. Val

03-18-2005, 08:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
margo Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 1,747	Hi Val! Here is a link to a thread with some quit tips, including dealing with urges, for your friend: http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=53266 (Tips for Gaining Freedom From Nicotine) You can get a printable version by clicking on "thread tools" (on the blue bar at the top right of the thread) and choosing "show printable version". It's a lot of info and it may help to have it printed to refer to. I'm on day 9 of quitting and was smoking up to two packs a day for 30 years. It's hard, but it can be done. It's not the first time I've quit, but my plan is that it's the last. I'm using the patch this time and it seems to help. It doesn't replace all the nicotine one would get from cigarettes, but it can help to cut the intensity of the cravings (that has been my experience so far). The best price I've found for the patches is about $25 (Canadian dollars) for a 7-day supply. It's certainly less than the cost of smoking a pack a day (about $8 a pack here). I had very vivid dreams with leaving the patch on at night (nicotine is a stimulent!) so I take it off in the evening now and put on a new one each morning. Some people don't have that problem, though, so it's all trial and error really. I found the first three days to be the hardest in terms of withdrawal - physically, emotionally, and mentally. Again, the link up top will give some tips on dealing with this. The important thing to remember is that is does get better after the initial phase. Like recovery from other addictions, it's a process, not an event, and it's important to look after ourselves after abusing our bodies for long periods of time and to be patient. It might help your friend to have a physical either before or after quitting, and talking to a doctor before making a major lifestyle change is a good idea, especially if there are other health concerns. I hope this helps a bit, Val - there are some other "sticky" threads at the top of this forum with some helpful info. Let your friend know she is welcome here too! __________________ Sometimes I go about in pity for myself, and all the while a great wind is bearing me across the sky. ~Ojibwe saying~

03-19-2005, 09:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
margo Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 1,747	Hi Val and Friend! I am using the Nicoderm patch and according to the information pamphlet it is safe to leave it on at night - in fact, it recommends it. I left it on the first night, but it gave me very vivid dreams. This can happen, but it doesn't happen to everyone so I can only suggest you leave it on at night at first and see what happens. If you leave it on for 24 hours at a time there will be less fluctuation in the nicotine level. If you find you are having trouble sleeping or with dreaming you can take it off before you go to bed and put the new one on when you get up. I think it helps to put the new one on at around the same time each day. One word of warning, though - DO NOT smoke with the patch on! I don't sleep well and often when I wake up during the night I crave a cigarette - in fact, it's usually the first thing I think of when I can't sleep! Deep breathing can help with the cravings. Also, most people in the early days of quitting miss the first cigarette of the morning the most, especially if you were used to smoking within the first 30 minutes of getting up. This does decrease with time. Changing your morning routine a little bit can help - on waking up in the morning I used to make my tea and go sit outside and have a cigarette. Now I make my tea and go back to bed to drink it. If you do smoke,try not to give up your plan to quit. Make a note of what triggered you to smoke the cigarette and how you could deal with the urge differently the next time. It can take a few tries at first, but just keep going and before you know you will have a whole day behind you. You can do it! __________________ Sometimes I go about in pity for myself, and all the while a great wind is bearing me across the sky. ~Ojibwe saying~

03-19-2005, 01:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
margo Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 1,747	You're welcome, Val. Tell your friend to go easy on herself and to think it over some more. One of the "sticky" threads on this forum titled "Helpful Links" has a lot of links for additional research and help in planning a quit date in the future and how to get through the process of quitting and staying quit. This forum isn't just for people who've quit smoking, so tell your friend we are here and are happy to answer any questions and give encouragement when needed. Hugs! __________________ Sometimes I go about in pity for myself, and all the while a great wind is bearing me across the sky. ~Ojibwe saying~

03-23-2005, 08:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
margo Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 1,747	(((((((Val & Friend!))))))) Awesome! Delaying is a good tactic, especially when trying to cut down. I'll be rooting for her! __________________ Sometimes I go about in pity for myself, and all the while a great wind is bearing me across the sky. ~Ojibwe saying~

03-19-2005, 03:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
Val-light Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 629	Dear Margo, I read the sticky threads to my friend yesterday and that's what helped she to decide she needed help with her smoking habit. This morning I read your post to my friend over the phone as she is just getting up and on DAY1 and already craving a smoke. I just wanted to let you know that she really appreciated the information as you presented it. I'm acting as her sponsor until she gets past the initial withdrawal symptoms. Val (My friend wishes to address you himself.) Dear Margo, It was very gracious of you to respond to my post in the quick manner that you did. I am a two and a half-pack a day smoker. Is it safe to leave the patch on overnight temporarily as I continue to have urges throughout the night in these beginning stages?

03-19-2005, 12:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Val-light Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 629	Thanks again Margo. My friend is not having a successful day. Please keep her in your prayers and again thank you for taking the time to address our questions and concerns. My friend is very grateful for your assistance and she may be asking for your assistance again soon. I'm not a smoker so I'm having a hard time helping her. Thanks again Margo. Val

03-19-2005, 03:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
Val-light Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 629

03-23-2005, 07:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
Val-light Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 629	Dear Margo, My friend (mentioned above) and I have spent some time discussing what steps might be taken to quit smoking. Today my friend has made a renewed effort to do so. She started by resisting the urge to light up a cigarette by waiting a full 5 minutes before lighting up. She did this three times and was successful. Since 3:00 this afternoon she has not had one cigarette and does not plan to have another cigarette today or at least until midnight at which time she will decide whether she can go another 12 hours without lighting a cigarette. My friend is on DAY 1 today and both of us want to thank you for your support. Val

03-27-2005, 10:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
Val-light Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 629	Dear Margo, Just popped in to wish you Happy Easter and thanks again for helping me with my friend. Val

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