Quitting Smoking

[strat-0]

Cigarettes, that is.

I'm chewing on a toothpick. It's not too bad... yet. One of my triggers is sitting here on this computer, so that might be tough. How are you guys doing?

[wayved]

Not good. Im alright but irritable as hell. Kept myself busy today--hows it going for you now?

[dolly]

In the UK you can get these little nicotine puffer things to help wean you. Kind of looks like you're sucking on a tampon, but they helped a hardcore JLLM and are probably better in the short term than patches/gum/toothpicks (!?!?!).

I didn't need one personally, but then I ony had to quit the menthols, which I've been told wasn't real smoking anyway

[strat-0]

Haven't seen the puffer but I think you can get it here. You doing the gum, Glenn?

KayJay cracked first, then I followed. I made it til 7pm without smoking. I ended up smoking a quater pack. That's later and 1/8 as much as in over 20 years, so not too bad. I'm back on the program today. I'm going to walk up and down the stairs on breaks today instead of going outside.

I'm getting KayJay some nicotine lozenges (she doesn't like the gum) today. She wanted to try without any, but it's not fair, me having the Chantix.

It's different with this stuff - It's causing the release of dopamines that are supposed to "mimick" the nicotine, and at the same time blocking the nicotine from attaching to nerves to release dopamine, or some such. Anyway, it's not supposed to be as big a deal if you fall off the wagon; you just keep trying. But I can tell you - it does NOT block all of the nicotine or whatever when you smoke. You are supposed to be able to quit by the end of the course. It does help with the cravings, though. I'm trying to get used to not smoking.

[samplestiltskin]

they say cravings only last seven minutes. what they don't tell you is that there's an interval of about a minute and a half in between cravings..

i'm still quit. the only time i ever want to smoke is when i'm around all my friends happily lighting up and i feel left out and unjustly denied. just like when i quit smoking pot, which was actually harder, because every friend i had at the time was only a friend because we smoked pot together. it took forever to learn how to be retarded when you are the only sober person in the group.

[samplestiltskin]

now i think i laugh harder and more often than anybody i hang out with whether they're high or not. my neighbors probably hate me.

[Ampage]

Good luck and keep it up guys! My 5 year quitting anniversary was this February 11th. I actually didn't have a hard time of it. I set the date about a month in advance and by the time it came - I had convinced myself that was that. You all can do it - and boy am I glad I did - you will be too.

[strat-0]

Thanks, Amp! Five years! Wow!

Good for you, samps - keep after it!

Glenn - Where are you? How you doin', buddy?

I can't believe I made it through the day on three cigs. I've had two more since I got home - I hope that's it. If you knew me, you would think that was nothing less than a miracle. I can already tell some differences - the coughing has ceased. I will continue to chip away at it until I reach zero. I hope that will be tomorrow. My weak times are first thing in the morning, after lunch, and when I get home.

[strat-0]

Kool - what's up?

[KooL]

Forgive me for I have sinned. I didn't smoke Sunday morning but because I went out in the evening for coffee I couldn't help but light one up, and since I didn't want to keep asking for smokes from the person I was with, I got myself a pack... and the vicious cycle began once again. I'll try and cut down, or maybe I'll just wait until I'm sick again, preferably with a sore throat or a nasty cough [maybe both]. That's always the easiest time to quit. I did quit for a few weeks last year, but I just got started again once I got better. The silly thing was, I was sorta used to not smoking and those first few smokes tasted awful, but I, like any stupid addict, persisted and was hooked once again.

If I do quit, coffee will have to go too. I see no point in drinking it without smoking a cigarette. And you're right about after lunch, or after any meal for that matter. That really is the best time to smoke. If only I could limit it to that, and maybe the odd smoke when I went out for drinks. That would be great. I mean, that's how I started really as a teenager. I'd love to be just a casual smoker again, but I don't think it works that way for us addicts.

[wayved]

STRAT-IM ON BREATHSAVERS! Wintergreen. I prefer the green packaged ones (what the hell are they called) and Icebreakers but I didnt see any of em....Im doin alright. Irritible but cool.
Congrats man! You should be proud. Thats a significant cutback! Stay strong brutha.

I get grumpy without em. (smokes) I cut down in the last six months--situations where I used to be like "whatever" i just totally blow up (verbally) almost. Past couple of days Ive just been keeping myself busy. My blood pressure is through the roof as it is! I just need an anger management class or something! Last time I was at the docs they kept me there for an hour just cos my blood pressure was so high.....I just had two smokes before I went in....

KOOL-Last Jan when I tried to quit I stopped all caffiene. Tried to quit beer too...(hahaha!) Every morning I would have AT LEAST 3 cups of coffee. And level it out with smokes. It was great! But I knew if I was gonna stop the cigs I had to give up the coffee too. THATS THE ONLY THING I MANAGED TO KICK! I have been coffee free for over a year! But damn I want a cup now.

[wayved]

Coffee is awesome.

[samplestiltskin]

why would you want to quit coffee? Coffee is wonderful. I won't drink it any way but black now either. Slowly but surely -- turning into my mother.

[Thorngrub]

Aren't we all. Turning into your mother that is.

[samplestiltskin]

if you were all turning into my mother, the unisex bathroom would be much cleaner than it is. in fact you could probably barely breathe through the lysol fumes.