How's Everyone Doing?

[katautumn]

I figured it would be nice to have a chit-chat/accountability thread. I place where people can come if they're having a craving, get some support when they've had a slip or praise God for the little milestones that mean so much in this journey.

My husband and I have been smoke-free for 47 hours. Yesterday was pretty rough. I got on a crying jag that wouldn't stop. I'd be doing dishes and I'd cry. I'd be reading a book to my son and I'd cry. I'd go through some older catalogs and I'd cry. I cried most of the day yesterday. Today the edge is nowhere near as bad. I feel really good, actually. Every time I have a craving, an honest-to-God nicotine craving and not a fleeting desire for a smoke because I'm bored, I pop a Jolly Rancher in my mouth and pray to God to give me the strength to just make it through the hour.

I feel more energetic today and I haven't been getting winded walking up the stairs. My husband has been having a few coughing fits here and there. So far I haven't had any real physical issues with the withdrawal. I think a lot of that comes not only from cutting back gradually over the past couple of months, but also because we smoked the all natural cigarettes and not the ones laden with chemicals and additives. Basically the detoxification isn't as bad as it would be otherwise.

Yesterday and today I have focused on the following passage from 1 Corinthians 10. Verses 12-13:

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

 

[explodingboy]

Not too shabby, week 4 or so for me I think.. I've honestly stopped keeping track of the days, just enjoying the holiday and lack of any things to do.

Almost bought some yesterday, but fortunately being a tight fisted git, on a very small budget is helping me stay nice and motivated no matter how much I'd like a smoke.

 

[RuthD]

I think you guys are courageous and amazing! God bless you.

 

[Quoth]

Day 1.

DD:HH:MM
00:00:01

 

[katautumn]

You've come a long way, explodingboy! Congratulations on resisting the temptation to buy a pack.

Jester King, day one is the hardest. It feels like the longest day of your life. Just remember that the physical withdrawal is not dangerous and usually only a minor discomfort. The biggest aspect of quitting is the mental addiction. Try and find things to distract your mind, keep your hands busy and try and avoid triggering situations. My triggering situations were driving (not always unavoidable, but fortunately I quit on a holiday), that first cup of coffee in the morning and after dinner. I had to find things to take my mind off of smoking.

The cravings only last a few minutes. Time them. Mine only last about two minutes now. The rest of the time is you telling your brain to kiss off, that you don't need to smoke right now. Don't set yourself up for feelings of despair by pining over how much you miss smoking, how you'll never smoke again, how your life will be without cigarettes. As with any drug addiction, most people who quit smoking fear success more than they fear failure. With success comes a brand new lifestyle and change is hard. Instead of telling yourself, "I'm never, ever going to smoke again!" tell yourself, "I'm just going to get through this hour."

 

[katautumn]

Praise God my husband and I are going on seventy-two hours smoke-free! By 11:50pm tonight almost all traces of nicotine will have left our systems. Our anxiety and cue-induced cravings will have peaked. Our lungs are beginning to repair themselves and our senses of taste and smell have drastically improved. We have better energy, stamina and lung function is improving.

Today's verse comes from Revelation 3:21:

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Praying for all of you who are in recovery!

 

[explodingboy]

Sounds like your off to a good start there Kat.

I never really noticed the first couple of days, mainly because I was too preoccupied getting lost in airports and a day off long haul flying.

 

[katautumn]

Just checking in with everyone. How is everyone doing today? Today marks Day 8 for myself and my husband. I'm no longer going through physical withdrawal and I'm only having roughly two fleeting cue induced cravings per day. I don't feel the urge to snack as much lately and I've been coughing up a lot of phlegm (gross, I know...but, praise God, it's my lungs cleaning themselves out!). My sleep pattern has returned to normal.

In other news, it snowed here yesterday. Only in Georgia could 1/2" of snow close schools and businesses and cripple entire cities. The roads are pretty slick, though, and not many Southerners know how to drive on icy roads.

 

[RuthD]

I've gone about 5 days without cigarettes. It feels good not to have that awful taste in my mouth. My doctor recommended Commit Lozenges. If you want to try these you should ask your doctor first.

 

[explodingboy]

4 weeks, and I'll be dropping out I'm afraid.

 

[Evie1980]

Congratulations to all! I enjoyed these threads to start my quit over 4 years ago. It took me a couple of months before I got everything under control and can safely say that I have had only one drag on a ciggie since March 5th 2006. Yep, I am coming up to 4 years clean. I know that pain that you are all going through and how much perseverance it takes. Praise the Lord I made it through and I will be praying that you all do to.

 

[RuthD]

I'm still not smoking. It's about 11 days now. I had a craving today when I found my lighter. It went away fast.

Good going for all of you!

 

[Lake]

Eh,smoking like a chimmney.

 

[RuthD]

I have not had a smoke for 19 days now. I feel I am over the worst of the cravings and am happy to say that. May everyone lose the craving to smoke one way or another!

 

[Quoth]

Today has (thus far) been Day 1 for me. I have gone from smoking a full pack and a half of full-flavors to smoking half a single ultra-light every day in the span of a few months, though, so that's something.

I'm hoping to cut back to smoking only two days a week, and then one day a week, and then only when I drink (which is about once every few months), and if I can get there, I'll be happy.

 

[RuthD]

Good luck to you!

 

[explodingboy]

I'm on about 1 or 2 <staff edit> a week.

so not really quit, but barely smoking.

 

[singinglindsey]

I'm new here. I JUST quit smoking. Like tonight. Last fall I quit for 2 months, but fell into the temptation due to a lack of accountability and it was definitely a "Slow Fade" as Casting Crowns sings. But anyway, after a long talk with a mentor, and a process of cutting back, not to mention a HUGE battle with God about it, he is giving me the strength to give this up. In giving this up, I am gaining a lot. I am going to gain sanity, and enjoyment. I won't have to plan my day around cigarettes. I'll be able to work out and not feel like DEATH. It's going to be amazing!!!
I'm scared of tomorrow, but God has given me peace about this so I guess I can't really say I'm scared. Just a bit anxious maybe. It's encouraging to read these posts. Really.
Change CAN be scary.
But I am SO ready.

 

[RuthD]

I have not smoked in 25 days now. The craving is almost totally gone. Best wishes to all of you to beat this addiction!

 

[katautumn]

Praise God for the breaking of addiction taking place in this thread! I'm proud of everyone who has quit or is in the process of cutting back to quit. My DH and I have been nicotine-free for 29 days now. Just before midnight tonight, it will be one month. I haven't had a craving in six days, save for one little bitty, "gee, I'm bored...wish I had a smoke" thought.