I'd Murder For A Bloody Fag

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
61

Alright. Take tonight, smoke like a chimney and get back to it tomorrow morning. Or even give yourself another day, then start again. Should I fall, that’s my plan. Use the motivation that you have now, while it’s there. Also, this’ll sound cheesy, but look at what did you in and work with yourself to prevent that from happening again. There’s never a perfect time to quit and there will always be stressful times. Work through it.

Good luck and get back to it. You’ve fallen off the horse, get back on up there.

62

Quit-smoking threads sometimes make me think of how nasty things would get if tobacco were outlawed. Hyperbolic thread title or not, it probably wouldn’t really take much for people to be willing to kill for it. I wonder what the street value of black market cigs would be?

63

Well, you only need to look at drug laws now, or Prohibition in the States - although I note with amusement your location: given that the government owns a major stake in Japan Tobacco, they’re unlikely to be banning it there any time soon. My habit really kicked into overdrive in the years I was there: with cigarette machines every 50 yards, much cheaper prices and smoking being not just acceptable bit encouraged - ashtrays in McDonalds, for example - it was practically inevitable.

Sorry to hear about your setback, Frank: I think Sgt.Pepper’s advice is good. Take this one on the chin, look at the circumstances that made you want to smoke {God, I hope it wasn’t the modding!}, and see what you can do to avoid or ameliorate them the next time. Don’t give up on yourself, mate.

Official anouncement: I have now been one week without a cigarette. Boo-yah! Yay, me! Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair! Who da man?, and suchlike exultant chest-beating.

I’m really hoping I’ve got this thing beat this time - I’ve got my patterns and triggers figured out, I think, and I’m working around them: instead of smoking after dinner, for example, I’ll go for a walk. The craving has subsided, although the urge is still there, but I can recognise it for what it is and not surrender to it - it doesn’t seem so urgent now: I still want a cigarette, but I don’t feel I need a cigarette. Still bloody grumpy at times, but I’ve issued a pre-emptive apology for the next few weeks - rather like buying Papal indulgences, I think.

And so…after a dry week I’m going to allow myself a couple of beers tonight as a reward - with some trepidation, as drinking has always been a trigger in the past. However, safety protocols have been instituted: there are no cigarettes in the house, there are only three beers in the fridge, so I can’t get toasted and relapse, and the lovely Missus Case has been issued my wallet and car keys, with strict instructions that I am not to have them back until the period of danger has passed.

Johnny LA, Sgt. Pepper, TMINC and Frank - thinkin’ of ya, guys. Hang on in there - it does get easier.

64

Back on. I had almost half a pack left last night; I took a knife to them before I went to bed. I’m leaving the windows open today even though it’s supposed to start snowing later.

Case Sensitive and Sgt.Pepper, you’re both doing very well, congrats!

65

I fell off the wagon slightly, but plan on climbing right back. This time, I’m armed with the patch instead of trying cold turkey. I’m determined to do this - hopefully with the extra assistance, I’ll succeed this time. I start using the patch tomorrow.

For how pitiful I am at this, I was going to start the patch today. But you’re supposed to start the day after you quit smoking. The problem is, I still had three cigarettes left in the pack this morning. If I was smart, I’d have destroyed them last night, but no, instead, I woke up and lit one. So of course, I couldn’t start the patch today, so what did I do? I bought another pack of cigarettes - “just to finish off today”. I’ve promised myself that I will destroy any remaining cigarettes tonight, so that there will be no avenue for failure.

I will do this. I will do this. I will do this.

So help me god.

66

I want to let you know that I’m rooting for each and every one of you.

This is sorta like the Steelers Fan thread. I support the Steelers and hope they win, and I also support you guys and hope you win.

Keep trying. I’ve been smoke free for about 7 years now.

67

Well, first off, congrats to Case, you da man! But also to TMINC and Frank for getting back to it. I’m glad you guys are taking the momentum and using it. TMINC, I know the cycle your talking about. Figure oout how much you’ll smoke today and destroy the rest. If there’s any left over before bed, either smoke them or flush them. In the morning you’ll be getting you nic fix from the patch. Get that in your mind.

For myself, it’s amazing that when I’m not craving I can’t remember how bad the cravings really are. Last night watching TV I had a pretty bad one. Today I look back and fail to understand what the problem was.

Anyway, going good for me. My oral fixtation substitute is rather expensive. I’ve been munching on almonds. Over seven dollars for a little tub of them. But still, that’s cheaper than 8.50 everyday. But reading the nutrients list on the packaging, I think they may not be as healthy for me as I originally thought. So I’ll keep them until the worse if over and switch to celery or something like that. Tangerines would be nice.

** TMINC, and Frank** hang in there guys you can do it. You don’t have to foresee every stress event in you future while doing this, but you need to find a way to deal with your feelings of stress. I know you guys can do it. And again, congrats to Case for having achieved a week. But also, thanks for started this thread. I woke up Monday and backed out of my conviction, this thread gave it back.

68

You could have gone ahead and smoked the three and then put the patch on. It wouldn’t have hurt. The only problem (at least it is for me) is that you’ve established that you’ve smoked that day. I need the eight hours head start I get from sleeping, and the establishment that today will be entirely without cigarettes.

When my dad quit (at about my age), he ran out of cigarettes in the middle of the day, and didn’t feel like going to the store. So he just didn’t go. I don’t know how he pulled that off - I’d have gone crazy.

69

That kills me, stories like that. You hear them all the time. I heard it from one friend that he was sitting on his back porch smoking. He realized it was stupid from a cost/health stand point and smoked his last three and gave up. These people can seemingly do the impossible. But I suppose it’s one of those retrospect things. When they tell the story they don’t recall how bad it really was so they make it sound easy in the re-telling. Everything is terrible when going through it, but once through it wasn’t that bad.

Anyway, one other thing I wanted to add to the thread. I did quit before for about two months five years ago, or so. One thing that helped me during the quitting phase was I told myself that after one month I’d reward myself with a smoke. That golden smoke held high up on a pedastal brought me through the rough times. At the end of the month, I didn’t want the smoke. By that time smoker’s stank, second hand smoke was repulsive, and smoker’s where the devil themself. So that worked as a little trick, for myself at least.

70

Yeah, my trying to quit was delayed for a day by running out and buying a pack the night before - had a few beers and smoked half the pack, had a hangover and only a few cigarettes left the next morning, and decided that going cold turkey while hungover was a bad idea. So I bought another pack. I smoked about half of that one, and that evening said, “Fuck it” and threw them away - I was making stupid bargains with myself about smoking more cigarettes that night so that I wouldn’t have any left to be tempted with in the morning.

However, I had a few beers last night and didn’t even particularly feel like a cigarette - I’m getting used to not having something in my hand and mouth anymore, I think. Passed that test with flying colours, and I’m feeling really pleased with myself today. Incidentally, did you realise that beer has a taste? It isn’t just cold wet stuff to pour over your tonsils. And morning coffee smells good. And my tongue is pink, not the colour of an old boot.

71

That’s how my dad quit, and that’s how I quit. So, who knows, maybe your genetics will help you out in this case.

72

I got a full pack in my drawer with just a few taken out of it. I really don’t like trying to time my quitting to when I’ll run out of smokes, so I buy more than I need and quit when the time is right. Plus, I don’t tell anyone and if someone wants to bum a smoke I can give them one without them catching on. Oh, and if I fall, they’re here. I mean, there’s really no difference to running up to the store and reaching in that closed drawer for them.

Anyway, it was a Bad Day. I made it through, but oh damn, was it tough. It was something minor that upset me more than it should have. But the good thing is that I knew I couldn’t have a smoke so I craved my almonds. Regardless, I made it through the day. I’ll barricade myself in and play my game tonight. Oddly, it’s non-stressful and keeps my mind off smoking.

One thing that I’ve noticed in that past with attempts like this is that once I did fall, that smoke that I broke down for wasn’t all that good. It wouldn’t give me the head rush, or calm me, or even make the stressful event go away. So I keep that in mind when I have a day like I had today. That one smoke that would undo these last few days of suffering just wouldn’t be worth it.

Is it possible that my smelling could be improving already? It seems that I can smell the Bounce sheet that was used with my clothes in the dryer. I really don’t like how it smells. Yesterday I was tired and light headed, that turned out to be natural, from what I read.

Anyway, keep strong, fellow quitters and thanks to everyone else for the support.

73

Good on you for sticking it out this far, mate: just a few more days, and it starts to get easier. Says the expert, who’s only been clean for a week or so - is there such a thing as a “recovering smoker”?

Me, I’d chuck out the fags: I found it quite a good psychological release, like, “I’m throwing away $5 here - guess I must be serious this time.” A small gesture - $5 is nothing, really - but the symbolism is important, and at times like this you need every bit of help you can get. That, and the temptation to fail is lessened by that much - even the 10 minutes it’ll take you to drive to the store rather than just opening a drawer might just sway or delay your weakness long enough to tough it through. Is there someone you can tell that you’re not allowed to smoke anymore, and instruct them to stage an intervention if you look like relapsing?

Sounds like your senses are starting to creep back, which is a good sign - I’m slowly regaining my sense of taste, and am amazed and horrified at how much sweet chili sauce I put on my food. And I’m starting to smell the roses, too.

74

OK, Day 1, take 2.

I’ve started the patch now. Too soon to say how it’s going, but I do already feel a little of the morning pre-cigarette edginess starting to wear off, so that’s a good sign. I just have to stop thinking about the fact that I’m quitting. Watching TV, I just kept thinking… I can’t have a cigarette. I can’t have a cigarette? I can - no, I can’t have a cigarette.

But I have a new PSP to keep my hands busy, a variety of candies to keep my mouth distracted, and a slew of healthy snacks to fill up on. Yeah. I can do this .

(Hope no one minds if I just keep babbling away like this. The typing helps distract me!)

75

Stop your incessant babbling, man. It’s all “me, me, me”, isn’t it? And type quieter, damn you. {Sorry, TMINC, I’m in a really foul mood tonight, and I want a bloody fag and I can’t fucking have one. I hate everyone. You all suck.}

76

I feel like this all the time, without the excuse of quitting smoking.

You’re allowed to be as cranky as you want. It doesn’t even have to be caused by the cigarettes.

77

C’mon Case, turn that frown upside down!

Okay, don’t shoot me.

Yes, your right about the extra ten minute drive to the store as a cooling off period. I never even thought about that. That could help immensly.

Well, Day five for me. I’m bringing a little baggy with almonds with me today. In case I have a day like I had yesterday. It’s the tiny stressful things that get blown out or reason that I find difficult to handle. Otherwise I’m okay. I’ll have the moments throughout the day where I want one, out of habit, but just tell myself I can’t. I’ll get a moment of disappointment, but once that’s gone I’m good to go.

78

how well i remember! i too am a fairly-recent quitter (january, 2005) so i know all about that keeping busy thing. i actually took a work-offered quit smoking class right *after * i’d quit and i swear it was what i needed to get past the ‘gotta have one’ syndrome.

i’d quit lots of times - the last was a three-year hiatus. then the boyfriend (lifelong non-smoker) and i hit a snag and i went straight for the cigs. we’ve been on again off again now on again since, but that last time i didn’t go for the nicotine when life got tough. i consider that a honkin’ major victory for me.

last year when i quit i stayed busy doing online jigsaw puzzles of all things. found **lots ** of online sites that were free. nearly went cross-eyed, but after a month of that, the cravings seemed to dissapate greatly. i still have to fight them now and again, but at least i can go into a bar now and not immediately wish i could smoke.

and, geez, do smokers reek! :smiley:

hang in there, guys. it’s worth every minute of the agony you’re enduring now to be smoke free the rest of your life.

79

how well i remember! i too am a fairly-recent quitter (january, 2005) so i know all about that keeping busy thing. i actually took a work-offered quit smoking class right *after * i’d quit and i swear it was what i needed to get past the ‘gotta have one right now this minute don’t make me wait for it’ syndrome.

i’d quit lots of times - the last was a three-year hiatus. then the boyfriend (lifelong non-smoker) and i hit a snag and i went straight for the cigs. we’ve been on again off again now on again since, but that last time i didn’t go for the nicotine when life got tough. i consider that a honkin’ major victory for me.

last year when i quit i stayed busy doing online jigsaw puzzles of all things. found **lots ** of online sites that were free. nearly went cross-eyed, but after a month of that, the cravings seemed to dissipate greatly. i still have to fight wanting a cigarette now and then, but at least i can go into a bar now and not immediately wish i could smoke. and that’s with a beer in hand. another major victory in the fight.

and, damn, but the smokers reek to high heaven! :smiley:

hang in there, guys. it’s worth every minute of the agony you’re enduring now to be smoke free the rest of your life.

80

Sorry.