Grumpy A-holes (quitting cigarettes/ nicotine products) (Part 2)

Got busy with work so that helped. Great suggestions. I got some candy and it’s helping but the craving is out of this world right now for me. Really wish they’d get my prescription ready. I think I’m going to definitely need it. Thank you Jazzy :blush: :heartbeat:

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Damn those cravings! I do hope you get your meds soon :crossed_fingers:
You are doing great friend – keep up the amazing work :muscle:

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A repost. Hope it helps. I’ll be 9 years smoke free in two weeks time. Had my first craving in years recently. But made it through. Never again. Not One Puff Ever.

Just some advice that might help from an old friend from my old quit smoking forum that helped me quit smoking cold turkey coming up on 6 years in September. Another former two pack a day smoker here. It’s possible friend. It is hard, very true. But doable. Give it a try when craving Julia. Success.

“Fighting craves can wear you out… next time perhaps give this a try… When a crave starts… find somewhere to relax ~ lay down or a find a comfortable chair, standing will work though. Close your eyes… relax your body… remain calm, allow your crave complete control… allow it to run it’s course ~ completely ~ start to finish… until it stops… allow it to enter your mind… The first time may be intense, sort of like a vibration running through your head… relax… remain calm, lower your shoulders often, allow the crave to run it’s course… until it stops, you will be okay… … Embrace your craves, experience them… learn from them…ride them out… every time… ride them out… you will be okay… Craves are proof nicotine levels are lowering… embrace them… learn from them… Practicing this method will allow the very essence of your addiction to manifest itself… your courage will grow… There will be anxiety/stress… walking bathing or light household activities will help… try to walk often… namaste.”

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Great advice thank you SO much! :blush:

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Thank you again Jazzy :blush:

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I used an alternative as well to help stop the cravings of smoking. I relapse and bought cigarettes a month ago, but been using nicotine patches some days, I feel better that I am not smoking cigarettes.

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Way to go Keyana – its just taking it one day / one step at a time. :muscle:

9 years is a long time and i hope yo be able to reach that point, your way of telling it gave me tha hope.
Breathing big fresh air in spin classes became that escape route for my cravings to smoke.
I remermer that time when the monster arrive .

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We borrowed a truck yesterday and there was a half a pack of cigarettes on the dash.
I was hit with a strong desire to steal one. The “nobody will know” voice started.

I will know!

they were shitty cheap cigarettes too. (All ciggs are shitty)

Crazy how cravings pop up and how the voice of addiction tries to justify it.

Very happy to wake up to these numbers today!

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That voice popping up out of the blue is very unnerving. Way to stay strong and not give in :muscle:t4:. Keep fighting that good fight

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Fuck that voice @JasonFisher its so sneaky

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400 days no tobacco

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Doing it Curtis! Great work friend.

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Hell yeah! Way to go friend :clap:t4::grinning:… 400 days no smoking… keep kicking ass :muscle:t4::muscle:t4:

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Lovely round number @Curtis-81

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Though the savings is a rough guesstimate, the time without tobacco isn’t. I’m also pretty sure I added a few years to my time left on earth to boot.

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Impressive work @Wunderbar glad you shared your # today showing me and others its possible. Im a little over 1yr1m and im surprised about the cravings still. Idk if theyre cravings or more thoughts of i wish i could use

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Having the hardest time quitting the vape this time. I keep finishing one up and telling myself I’m done. I go without it for about two days, then I’m right back at the store buying another. I quit drinking a year ago and haven’t had too hard a time with that most of the time. But the vape has been another story, and I haven’t even been at it long this time, only two or three months. I had quit for years before this last stretch with it. I know smoking and vaping is “acceptable” while sober, but I also know I need to quit. I’m letting anxiety and stress push me to it. I associate alcohol with awful, awful things now, and that’s why I rarely get the urge to drink anymore. I need to learn to make those associations with nicotine as well. I guess I just need some words of encouragement to make this my LAST “last one.”

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That “last one” - it is hard to get the mindset of when to start the stopping process. I used a hypnosis app to help when I was sure I was done with smoking. It did help significantly along with the nicorette gum which I then slowly replaced with mint gum.

The associations with nicotine are harder as we can’t really see the damage. Yeah - you can smell it but with vape its not as stinky as with a cigarette My family would put up visuals of smokers lungs and would send me videos of people having to talk out of their necks and still it did not hit home for me. I do hope you are able to find that association but in the mean time - just keep at it one moment at a time.

Know that the cravings do get less and you won’t have to repeat this cycle if you don’t pick up. You have done a few days so I know you have gotten past the brunt of it… here to cheer you on as you get to day 3 and beyond :muscle:

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Smoking is an insidious good for nothing lying killing addiction like any other, only even worse. It kills 8 million people a year. 1.3 million of those killed aren’t even smokers themselves. Half of the people that don’t quit die from smoking. Those are incredible numbers, much worse than whatever drug (including alcohol). And still people say it’s acceptable while sober which to me is even more proof of what an incredible addictive substance nicotine is.

I know how hard it is to quit Erin. I salute you and wish you all success and tell you it is certainly possible to stop, however hard it might be to get through those first days. Of those who smoked more than 100 cigarettes in the past in the USA, 66.5 % has successfully quit long term (numbers from 2021). We CAN do it. We need knowledge, we need support, we need a plan, and we need some strength for those first days. As with all addictions: don’t go it alone! Find your people. Together we’re strong. F*ck nicotine!

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