Ooops

[AllThatGlitters]

Messed up & smoked a few cigarettes last night. I decided not to smoke today, so I didn't buy any or anything. I suppose the only thing I can do is not to do it again!

The trigger was the friend I was with, and the fact that I was tired. I'm used to smoking with that friend all the time, and smoking helps wake me up. Also, I started school again. Smoking was my reward system for attending class & studying. It worked: I earned straight A's last semester!! Too bad.

Wish me luck, I'm going to try this again. I don't consider it a total failure, though ... at least I didn't wake up & start smoking first thing. That's what I've done in the past.

By the way, has anyone else slipped up? What'd you do?

[historyteach]

All That Glitters:

I'm glad you came here and said what's going on. You know, I just read on www.trytostop.org that we normally get our first cigarettes from a smoker friend when we lapse.

Now, it's great that you recognize that this is a slip. It's NOT the end of the world, and you've made an excellent choice to continue to be a non smoker.

But, you've also learned that you have a high probability of lapsing again with this friend. ANd you've identified cigarettes as a reward for doing well in school. (Congrats, by the way! )

So, the next step, then is to make a plan. What will you do when you're with this friend? How will you handle the urges? They will be there everytime you meet with this person. WHat will be different next time? Can you enlist that person's help? For example, I asked my sis not to leave her cigs out at night, and not to give me one, even if I begged or threatened her, lol! (I'm with her on vacation now.)

Also, what's a better reward for excelling at school? You can surely use that cigarette money saved to give yourself a more healthy reward than that, can't you?

Think about these things, and come up with a plan that is likely to work for you. Then, evaluate that plan to see how it's working, next time. You may have to modify it again, or it may be right on. But, be prepared for the next time. You have a better chance of sticking with your goal of being smoke free if you do so.

Let us know how it's going! And post before you puff! :>)

Shalom!

[bikewench]

I have a girlfriend.

I had to avoid her for a year when I quit .. that's how huge a trigger she was for me.


Now I"m praying she'll quit.

[historyteach]

WOW!
Bike, that's tough! Did you talk on the phone, or communicate through email or any other way?
But, you did what you had to do to stay healthy and strong! Good for you! I think it's important that we do whatever it takes to stay smoke free. If I have to, I will do the same.
Thanks for sharing that information! You continue to bring me to the next level. Thanks!

Shalom!

[bikewench]

Yup...
phone..

and we kinda drifted apart now..
but.. I was at a retirement dinner this fall that her and her sister were at... and I went outside with them when they went and had a smoke... and good thing Norm was with me.

I figured I was good to go around not being pulled...
But.. I couldn't believe how much I wanted to stand there and smoke and talk and drink coffee with them.

I was having the "just a few wont' hurt" thoughts.. lol

I grabbed a nicotene gum from Norm and it took care of a lot of the pressure.

I loved smoking..
Still miss it.
But.. the price is too high.