I can’t tell u what to do, but i started smoking maybe up to 1/3 pack after i quit drinking. It was a “nerves” thing. Just like with my drinking i mainly hid it. Maybe 3 times my husband knew i smoked a cigarette, and once he caught me. He didnt get mad. I was just embarrassed for anyone to know i smoked because i think its gross and everyone knows smoking is bad for you.
Somebody told me quit first what will kill u the quickest. I quit drinking first. Now I’ve quit smoking. If I drink again it’ll kill me quickly. If i smoke again it’ll likely get me too, as i have a history of lung cancer in family.
Id think u prolly have an idea of what u want to do about the cigarettes. I knew id eventually quit them.
I think I need to start mentally preparing and getting a plan in place to stop smoking. I smoke up to 40 a day. I’ve been smoking fulltime since I was 16 and stopped for about a month when I was 22 or 23 with the assistance of nicotine gum so I know I can do it. Plus, Im 196 days clean of drink and drugs so its just putting the work in. I don’t feel unhealthy because of cigarettes and its been so long that its just something I do. I need a plan!
I am on my second quit - started smoking at 14, stopped at 28, started again at 29 and stopped at 30. Probably something like 20 a day on average for most of that time Now I’m not drinking I feel like the chances of it sticking are much higher.7 months smoke/vape free, 6 months nicotine free.
Both times I waited until the end of summer, I had a couple of key events that I knew I would be surrounded by people who smoke and it helped me to spend some time gearing up to it. It also helped me deal with my first few big social situations sober, having that crutch to lean on.
I read the Allen Carr book after I quit using nicotine patches, apparently you should do it while you’re still smoking though. It was pretty good in terms of helping with the mental reconditioning stuff.
Also, you might not feel unhealthy because of the cigs but you will feel healthier when you quit!
2 days without a cigarette. Got patches an inhaler and some lozenges and still wanted to have smoke after my councillor had been. Luckily I had no motivation to move otherwise I would of bought tobacco and alcohol probably.
I’m on Day 3 of vape. I’ve smoked for 30 years so I really need to do this - and even writing that makes me horrified! I also think that now I’m not drinking it might be easier to stick to but strangely, when I stopped drinking - I noticed a massive increase in my smoking which was what made me thinking about stopping.
Thats awesome! I dont think my nicotine and drink and drug addiction ever met in the middle; The only reason I dont have a cigarette going all the time is because I can’t. I think I might buy a couple packets to get through to the next Monday which ill make my quit date and whatever I have left, I’ll give them to my dear Stepdad. Im not sure though, I need to get my head around it first.
3 days without cigarettes. Only used my patch and a few breath’s on my inhaler even though I’m really anxious. My heart keeps racing for no apparent reason and my breathing is quite heavy at times. Maybe I’m pushing myself too much.
I thought about the vape then thought there isn’t much difference between that and smoking. I thought I will just get stuck on the vape so went for the medication option. I’m struggling but I think it’s the best way for me anyway
I went through a few periods of vaping and they always led me back to smoking… It was just too similar for me as well. I do know some people who called and then managed to reduce the strength of the liquid they used til they got down to nothing and then stopped. So it’s possible but I think you have to be pretty disciplined! I found it more straightforward to just quit.
Hey all! Glad to see this thread up and running again…I keep forgetting about it when it goes farther down the line. @Dejavu…congrats on two Hundo dude!! That is no small feat. I checked my counter today (usually the alcohol/drugs one is on the screen so I don’t get to check it that often) and saw I just passed 50 days!! It’s been about 15months since I touched alcohol or drugs…but this final push towards getting rid of bad substances in my body has been challenging for sure, but my god is it worth it. I am starting to feel proud of the way I take care of myself. I’m starting to treat my body and mind and heart with love, and that feels pretty great. Keep fighting the good fight all…glad to be here with you
Hey all I’m on day 12 no smokes no booze. I was addicted to vaping for about 3 years. Quit vaping… Took up smoking again 3 years ago. Have tried to quit about 15 times, this time I really feel like there’s no going back, just read Allen Carr’s easy way to quit smoking (again) and no cravings, it really is all about changing mindset to focus on what you gain from not smoking as opposed to what you think you lose… which is nothing!!! Good luck all, here if anybody needs a nicotine quit buddy. No booze really helps too as alcohol lowers inhibitions … and i slipped up all the time after a few drinks.
I have 8 months smoke/vape free and nearly 7 months nicotine free. I have been thinking about smoking a lot recently. I am going to see some friends this weekend and feel like I might cave. I think it’s because I’m pining for my old life which was full of parties and socialising.
I want to go back to being a care free 21 year old, ha. I’ve managed to adjust my mindset with booze so I don’t romanticise it so much, I know where it will lead me etc. I’m struggling to do the same with smoking. I guess it doesn’t carry the same sense of emotions/shame that I can hang on to.
Reasons not to smoke:
It’s expensive and I am enjoying having spare cash. Smoking would cost me anywhere upwards of £20 a week. That could mean sacrificing my weekly brunch with my boyfriend which is something I love being able to do.
Long distance walking is so much harder when you have smokers lungs, especially up hills! Then being in that cycle of feeling like you need a cigarette to get your breath back, even though you know it’s making it worse. Ugh.
The cough
The first cigarette causes more cravings, it doesn’t satisfy them. Then you are stuck back in the cycle of planning days and events around the next cigarette break.
My car isn’t nearly as filthy. No bits of tobacco or ash in the cracks. It doesn’t smell. And no blim holes in the back seat/terrifying moments when a burning cigarette lands back there while driving.
If anyone else has any more reasons not to smoke, or any podcasts/links to things to help reinforce my thinking would love to see them!
So, I will be attempting to quit smoking on Friday. I’ve chosen Friday because:
Its a relatively stress free weekend at work
Although stress free-ish, ill still be under a little pressure so will have to flex a muscle or 2.
It’s payday so will see a real financial benefit to it as my habit is between £11.73 - £23.46 every day
I have about that many cigarettes to get me through tomorrow to mentally prepare for quitting
I feel that with the above points, I am in a strong enough position in setting the foundation for success.
I have preset a counter on Sober First as screen shotted below and taken a selfie with what I hope an aim to be my last packet of cigarettes. I have told my work, family and nearest and dearest that I will be quitting that day and so to please be patient and that if im cranky, this is probably why but also not to hold back if I step over the line.
Glad you wrote point 2. There will be stress, there always is! And the cravings will make you feel like there is more. This is normal. They are temporary. Shit could get emotional.
