At the time of writing this I have 4 hours and 45 minutes until I quit nicotine for the first time in 16 years!
In the past year I’ve quit alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and soda/energy drinks, so I figure why hold onto the last strand of my addictive tendencies and dependency?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve quit drinking, or decided it was time for a break from cocaine, or thought I should chill on how much weed I smoke, but never have I ever seriously considered quitting nicotine, so I am nervous about the next few weeks.
I started smoking cigarettes and prime times when I was 16, a few here and there socially, eventually got up to two packs a day. After I graduated highschool I switched to e-cigarettes and only smoked real tobacco on special occasions or at in-patient rehabilitation. It feels like a ball and chain now at this point in my life, giving me the same thought patterns as the substances I abused like “how much do I have left”, “do I have enough money to buy more” and “I have to have it to stay calm”, none of which I enjoy thinking or feeling.
I know myself well enough that I’ll have to replace the oral fixation with another tangible object, so I’ve chosen plastic zip ties to have as something to have in my mouth and be able to have in my hand. Maybe a more drastic measure if I need like a rubber band around the wrist to slap myself to bind the negative sensation with the urge to smoke, but I’ve never been a big fan of physical punishment of anyone for any reason, so that may be a last resort.
Just thought I’d mark the time for accountability and maybe get some suggestions/feedback for ways to cope with nicotine withdrawal, anything would be appreciated!
