Looking for support.

Hi oneforall,

I smoked 2 packs a day for 32 years before quitting 2 years ago last July 22. I was definately one of those smokers that was hopelessly addicted to them. Yes, it was VERY hard, but I finally got mad enough at myself for letting them rule my life, for being so subservient to an addiction that was slowly killing me. Not to mention the $2000 a year I was spending on the filthy things!!

I bought some patches online, and got to work. I kept PLENTY of fresh, cold water around to drink when the smoking urge hit, lots of jellybeans and M & M's to eat, and toothpicks to have something in my mouth. Don't worry about gaining a few pounds from the candy either.... a few pounds are a lot healthier than emphysema, and can be lost again later. The patches really helped me a LOT. I don't think I could have done it cold turkey, although many find that's the easier route for them.

What I discovered........... the first two days were the roughest, as you can probably guess. But it wasn't really the nicotine addiction that was hard, as the patch slowly releases that into your system. It was the PSYCHOLOGICAL addiction that utterly amazed me!! I would be reaching into my shirt pocket for one, and not even know I was doing it until I felt that nothing was there!! I would eat a meal, and automatically reach for that "after-dinner" smoke without even realizing it until again, I realized that there was nothing to reach for!!

I guess my main point is that even though weaning your system off the nicotine is hard, it's not near as hard as breaking all of the psychological "triggers" you've developed over the years. It was a very hard thing for me to accept, that I was some sort of "robot" that did a certain thing when some stimulus triggered my triggers!!

I wish I could say that I prayed a lot about it, but I was not really into a prayer life back then, so I don't think that God was helping me on this..... but who knows, huh? So hang in there and keep trying......... in this instance everyone loves a quitter!!

Mike

Edit: OH!! I forgot!! Go get a Quit Meter! It also helped a lot to watch it day-to-day. You enter in how much you smoked, the cost, etc., then you watch it to see how much money you're saving and how many cigarettes you didn't smoke. I got a new car with the quit-money from my quit! Here's a good one:

Hmmm..... I don't have enough posts to post a link, so just Google the Silkquit meter to find it.

oneforall said:

I just found this place from a search. I've been smoking a long time and know I need to quit. It's been on my heart for a long time. I feel that my witness and gifts are powerless as long as I smoke. It grieves me.

I quit drinking many years ago and know that the most important thing to do to stop smoking is not smoke. I have all of the head knowledge that I need, but, of course, head knowledge doesn't cure addictions.

Just hoping to find the support I need to carry me through the first few rough months ahead.........


allforone

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I smoked for 30 years until last week (I'm on day 5 now) and it's the actual starting the quit that was the scariest for me. However, once I got into it, I started to become very protective of my quit, and I am so glad I did it. The biggest help apart from prayer and NRT was joining quit smoking forums and posting with other new quitters. Also all what snerd has posted is excellent advice.

I shall be posting in this forum frequently in the early days so if you want to join me as a new quitter we can compare notes lol!!

When you feel the cravings, start posting like mad...it really does help oneforall/allforone!!

Hey Oneforall, I will add you to my prayer list. I think the best way to quit is not to smoke lol but that is easier said than done and I have been smoking again since Christmas after my quit. I forgot when I quit to factor in my brother who smokes and him being around has led me back again. I know that it is an excuse but I need to make my confession. As well as that alcohol and some problems with a particular friend has led me straight back to my old ways. Ouch that is so hard and for a while there I was also without hope so I figured what was the point. Arghhhhhhhhh.

Ok enough of the confession. I am going to start praying and sharing. I will be honest - I am not very good at commitment but I promise I will keep supporting you no matter what. If you need someone to talk to just PM me or add to this forum. I try to check every couple of days so we can hold each other accountable. Anyway may God bless you in this time of change, Evie

I SMOKED FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS AND WHEN I FINALLY DECIDED TO GIVE UP FOR IT WAS HINDERING GIFTS I HAVE BEEN GIVEN IT WAS VERY HARD HARDER THAN WHAT I THOUGHT. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TRYING TO GIVE UP WITH MY OWN STRENGTH IT BECAME EVEN MORE OF A HINDERENCE AND CONSUMED OTHER AREAS OF MY LIFE. UNTILL ONE NIGHT I PRAYED OUT ALLOWED WITH A HONEST AND SINCERE HEART MY DEAR GOD I CANT DO THIS ALONE AND WITH A SMALL STILL VOICE MY FATHER GOD SAID I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO SAY THAT AND SINCE THEN WITH THE STRENGTH I WAS GIVEN THAT NOT OF MY OWN THE ADDICTION WAS DESTROYED THE DESIRE DISSAPEARED AND FROM THAT EXPERIANCE HAS BROUGHT ME INTO A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH MY FATHER. I KNOW THAT I KNOW THAT YOU WILL STOP SMOKING THROUGH PRAYER. GOD BLESS YOU