stopping smoking while stopping drinking
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 544
I gave up smoking cigarettes in 1995, but I did stop smoking dope and drinking alcohol at the same time. Thus, I do have a "bit" of experience when it comes to what you're going through.
Almost fourteen months of 100% sobriety later, my mantra remains the same.
No matter what happens, not today.
That's all you have to do.
Don't worry about tomorrow. Don't worry about next week. Don't worry about next month and don't even think about next year. Instead, put all of your energy, all your heart, body, mind and soul into staying clean and sober for just today, and today only.
Good luck and God Bless
Almost fourteen months of 100% sobriety later, my mantra remains the same.
No matter what happens, not today.
That's all you have to do.
Don't worry about tomorrow. Don't worry about next week. Don't worry about next month and don't even think about next year. Instead, put all of your energy, all your heart, body, mind and soul into staying clean and sober for just today, and today only.
Good luck and God Bless
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: des moines ia
Posts: 362
Originally Posted by Amajorityofone 
I gave up smoking cigarettes in 1995, but I did stop smoking dope and drinking alcohol at the same time. Thus, I do have a "bit" of experience when it comes to what you're going through.
Almost fourteen months of 100% sobriety later, my mantra remains the same.
No matter what happens, not today.
That's all you have to do.
Don't worry about tomorrow. Don't worry about next week. Don't worry about next month and don't even think about next year. Instead, put all of your energy, all your heart, body, mind and soul into staying clean and sober for just today, and today only.
Good luck and God Bless
Almost fourteen months of 100% sobriety later, my mantra remains the same.
No matter what happens, not today.
That's all you have to do.
Don't worry about tomorrow. Don't worry about next week. Don't worry about next month and don't even think about next year. Instead, put all of your energy, all your heart, body, mind and soul into staying clean and sober for just today, and today only.
Good luck and God Bless
Perpetual Optimist
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 1,371
I quit weed, alcohol, and tobacco all at the same time. I ended up making it 10 days tobacco-free. All three was too much for me! My sponsor told me that (in her opinion) I should not try to stop booze and tobacco at the same time. Quitting booze is stressful enough in itself!!
I am okay being just being weed/alcohol-free for now. I think I will try to quit tobacco again after I hit 90 days of sobriety.
Good luck!
I am okay being just being weed/alcohol-free for now. I think I will try to quit tobacco again after I hit 90 days of sobriety.
Good luck!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,359
bored - I quit smoke a month ago and have been sober since 8/27. I have had only one slight urge for the smokes. I have found that with all the other drama that comes with sobriety I have had unusually good success tossing the cig addiction into the mix.
I know this goes against the grain but its what I did and has worked and I have found it quite easy.
I know this goes against the grain but its what I did and has worked and I have found it quite easy.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Planet Earth (most days)
Posts: 1,596
Hey, there, BORED - you should check out this thread: http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...tude-list.html DG has become a master at quitting everything!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 12
I quit smoking a month or so ago before I quit drinking. I have in the past been able to stop smoking and not pick it back up for a while. It was always when I was drinking that I would start smoking again. I chew nicotine gum and that helps take the edge off.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: london
Posts: 146
I have always been a drinker and a drug user but never been a pure tobacco smoker. I think the reason is that apart from smelling bad and being unhealthy it doesnt give any sort of buzz, i kind of feel like its worthless smoking. Giving up drinking and drug taking is the hardest , tobacco is just smoked because youre bored surely. Its horrible stuff
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 3,359
bradley26 - nicotine is said to be as addictive physically as heroin. I have never taken opiates, heroin included so I am not trivializing but cigarettes are addictive. That said, for me the spiritual aspect of being sober has made cigs easier than I have expected and certainly easier than previous quits. Mentally, I think if I was still drinking it would be much more difficult for me.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 130
I quit both at the same time. To me it made it easier. Both are bad for health. Might as well kill two bad habits. Just take deep breaths and go for walks when you get cravings. After ten days the cravings are minimal and not very strong. Good luck.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 6,224
Seven months ago I quit alcohol and tobacco, I'd been tapering down on the tobacco until I was smoking only in the evenings which is when I drank. I changed what I did in the evenings, where I sat, and at other times of the day what I ate and the exercise I did. I did not socialise in the first two months and that helped enormously -- I went to work, kept house, relaxed at home, exercised but did not go out.
I haven't touched either since. With tobacco I put myself through a serious reading course so I knew exactly what I was doing to myself and how. I've now reached the stage that I cannot abide the smell of tobacco so I won't be going back to it even after thirty years of smoking. I saved every penny of the drinking/smoking money and ended up with a few thousand in seven months. I'm spending that money on things I really want.
I feel better than I have in about twenty years and my blood pressure medication has been halved.
I haven't touched either since. With tobacco I put myself through a serious reading course so I knew exactly what I was doing to myself and how. I've now reached the stage that I cannot abide the smell of tobacco so I won't be going back to it even after thirty years of smoking. I saved every penny of the drinking/smoking money and ended up with a few thousand in seven months. I'm spending that money on things I really want.
I feel better than I have in about twenty years and my blood pressure medication has been halved.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,090
I quit alcohol first. A couple/few months later I started eating low carb (paleo"ish"). Then, a few months ago, around June I think, I quit smoking.
Just seemed to be the natural flow of things for me. Well, mostly.
I think the hardest for me was giving up Pepsi when I went Paleo. How weird is that?
Even though Pepsi was the hardest for me, alcohol was the most important for me. I was/am very clear I will never drink alcohol again and I will never change my mind. I believe it is that deep truth that allowed me to move onto all the other changes I've made.
2 cents.
Just seemed to be the natural flow of things for me. Well, mostly.
I think the hardest for me was giving up Pepsi when I went Paleo. How weird is that?
Even though Pepsi was the hardest for me, alcohol was the most important for me. I was/am very clear I will never drink alcohol again and I will never change my mind. I believe it is that deep truth that allowed me to move onto all the other changes I've made.
2 cents.
Perpetual Optimist
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 1,371
Originally Posted by bradley26
I have always been a drinker and a drug user but never been a pure tobacco smoker. I think the reason is that apart from smelling bad and being unhealthy it doesnt give any sort of buzz, i kind of feel like its worthless smoking. Giving up drinking and drug taking is the hardest , tobacco is just smoked because youre bored surely. Its horrible stuff
I definitely picked the habit back up because of alcohol EVERY TIME, but at the moment I smoke because I'm ADDICTED.
I'm rooting for you, bored!!
That Yoda quote is one of my faves, btw. May the force be with you!!
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 109
At this point, I am not even going to think about giving up smoking. I am too early in my sobriety and have too much stress in my life right now. Even my doctor advised against it. Besides, I enjoy it and in order to quit something, you have to really WANT to quit. Also, I truly believe cigs are more addictive than cocaine. I had quit smoking for 6 years one time only to start again.
Recovering ostrich
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Tampa Bay, Florida
Posts: 2,551
Originally Posted by Timbara
I quit drinking and cigs at the same time. For me, the 2 go together. Been off them both now since end of June :-) One day at a time. Good luck!
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