Just for today
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,588
Just for today
All I have to do is not smoke.
Trying to reorganise my flat. It is soooo tiny. Trying to make workable space is difficult, but am making progress.
Need a keyboard for my old Apple iMac. Strawberry coloured one. Nostalgic. My working life as a tenants advocate for older people in NSW. Older tenants get ripped off a lot.
We had a great IT guy.
Happy and peaceful new year everybody. Today, I gave up smoking.
Trying to reorganise my flat. It is soooo tiny. Trying to make workable space is difficult, but am making progress.
Need a keyboard for my old Apple iMac. Strawberry coloured one. Nostalgic. My working life as a tenants advocate for older people in NSW. Older tenants get ripped off a lot.
We had a great IT guy.
Happy and peaceful new year everybody. Today, I gave up smoking.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 322
Good on you, Steely!
Smoking was SO tough to kick. Maybe even tougher than alcohol in some ways. But it's the BEST thing you will do for your health, it's SO worth it (many many failed attempts for me, January will be 2 years smoke free)
Smoking was SO tough to kick. Maybe even tougher than alcohol in some ways. But it's the BEST thing you will do for your health, it's SO worth it (many many failed attempts for me, January will be 2 years smoke free)
Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: west falls, ny
Posts: 602
Hi Steely,
. Quiting smoking is a major improvement as you know.
I quit many years ago and sure it's tough, but very doable. It's one of the best things I've done for myself.
I just don't even think of it anymore, the AV flew the coupe on that one!
The good thing with that quit over alcohol is that it's easier to get help from doc if needed. Like a patch, etc.
My dad died of emphysema at age 69,
His last 5 years he was tethered to an oxygen tank.
my sister once asked his doctor what it was like?
He said," image walking up ten flights of stairs,
Then breathing thru a straw."
I see that you have 3 years sobriety,
You beat that, you can beat this too!
. Quiting smoking is a major improvement as you know.
I quit many years ago and sure it's tough, but very doable. It's one of the best things I've done for myself.
I just don't even think of it anymore, the AV flew the coupe on that one!
The good thing with that quit over alcohol is that it's easier to get help from doc if needed. Like a patch, etc.
My dad died of emphysema at age 69,
His last 5 years he was tethered to an oxygen tank.
my sister once asked his doctor what it was like?
He said," image walking up ten flights of stairs,
Then breathing thru a straw."
I see that you have 3 years sobriety,
You beat that, you can beat this too!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
Yay, Steely. I stopped smoking in 1994 (ish?) The first couple weeks were weird. I had cut back to just a couple or few per day. It was mostly difficult at work. I used to use smoking as an escape from - people - work - frustration at people at work.
You've got this.
You've got this.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5,169
!
I agree with Kitty. Smoking seemed harder to quit than drinking for me too. The addictive symptoms of nicotine seemed different and lingered much longer. There were daily and monthly signs of improvement that were frequently punctuated with unexpected insane cravings. This was disheartening, like you thought you were getting better, and suddenly you feel like you have made no progress at all, so it would never be worth the effort.
But borrowing a page of the Alcohol Recovery Playbook, "It gets better!" Each one of those unexpected spikes is a challenge to be met, and each time you meet one and emerge victorious, you get stronger. There are similarities to alcohol recovery, but also differences to be ready for.
Best wishes on this one. As always, It's worth it.
But borrowing a page of the Alcohol Recovery Playbook, "It gets better!" Each one of those unexpected spikes is a challenge to be met, and each time you meet one and emerge victorious, you get stronger. There are similarities to alcohol recovery, but also differences to be ready for.
Best wishes on this one. As always, It's worth it.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: west falls, ny
Posts: 602
I'm in agreement with Dri guys assessment above.
. I used to inhale to my toes,
I Chainsmoked and could be on my 4th pack in a 24 hr period at times .
. After I quit I frequently reached for my empty shirt pocket and had vivid smoking dreams.
and yes the cravings come in waves.
I'm somewhat torn though at telling someone how hard quiting one bad habit is over the other as I just hate to stack the odds against.
But yes at the same time it's probably good to let a person know the road ahead.
. Like I say, kinda torn.
When I quit, the patch, was a thing of the future.
Also I think there's other meds which can help now a days.
As opposed to quit drinking meds I think the quit smoking meds are probably more effective.
. I used to inhale to my toes,
I Chainsmoked and could be on my 4th pack in a 24 hr period at times .
. After I quit I frequently reached for my empty shirt pocket and had vivid smoking dreams.
and yes the cravings come in waves.
I'm somewhat torn though at telling someone how hard quiting one bad habit is over the other as I just hate to stack the odds against.
But yes at the same time it's probably good to let a person know the road ahead.
. Like I say, kinda torn.
When I quit, the patch, was a thing of the future.
Also I think there's other meds which can help now a days.
As opposed to quit drinking meds I think the quit smoking meds are probably more effective.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: NC
Posts: 5,157
25 years quit here
It too was probably the hardest thing I ever quit. And I've quit more than my share of chemicals.
Not to scare you but just to give a heads up.
It is also the 2nd best thing I've ever done for my health after giving up the booze.
You can do it!
It too was probably the hardest thing I ever quit. And I've quit more than my share of chemicals.
Not to scare you but just to give a heads up.
It is also the 2nd best thing I've ever done for my health after giving up the booze.
You can do it!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,588
Thank you everyone for sharing your experience with me. It helps a lot.
Nicotine has a really short half life. Twenty minutes after you've smoked one you go into withdrawal, and want another. it's relentless. Only cure is abstinence.
Onwards Day 2.
Nicotine has a really short half life. Twenty minutes after you've smoked one you go into withdrawal, and want another. it's relentless. Only cure is abstinence.
Onwards Day 2.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: UK
Posts: 620
Great decision Steely. It's not easy but it's worth it. I quit approx 15 years ago (didn't make a note of it- it's not like giving up alcohol). As it was a purely physical addiction for me it wasn't anywhere near as complicated as trying to give up alcohol. It was very difficult and very uncomfortable for quite a long time - I loved smoking maybe more than drinking -but once it was done it was done. That was that. I don't think about it now - well maybe if I see an old film with Bette Davis making a dramatic entrance to a room, cigarette in hand, I'll think, 'oh I wish it was good for you', but no one can smoke like Bette Davis lol.
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