Changing habits, wanting freedom

jvr

That's fab Scott - are you using anything to help? I have the Nicorette gum which seems to be taking the edge off full blown cravings

Florence_J

Giving up smoking was the toughest thing I ever did. I attempted to give up at least 25 times before I reached the stage I am at now. Nearly 2 years without a cigarette, nearly 18 months without any nicotine in my system. I couldn't have done it without nicorette, but be careful as I ended up getting addicted to that.

I didn't actually make a conscious decision that when I gave up that would be the time I gave up for real. All that happened was I made it to my 9th day without a cigarette (I never got past day 9 in the past) and somehow I made it to day 10 without a cigarette and that kept me going.

I still occasionally think of smoking, but not stinking of fags, not having dog breath, not being so reliant on something to keep you going and having a healthy bank balance instead of clawing under the sofa for loose change so you could get a packet of fags, that all helps

This may or may not be your time, but you will get there.

SpekySquarehead

A friend of mine also got hypnotised, that could be a last resort.

Honey_Bear

I stopped about 11 years ago JVR and this time I've stayed stopped. Like most people I had several attempts at it and tried everything - cold turkey, hypnotism, acupuncture and patches. The secret of it was to never give up giving up.

In the end I went cold turkey but the reason it worked was because I felt so ill I couldn't have one the first day, and then decided that as I'd got to lunchtime on the second day without one, I'd go to see a pharmacist and see what my options were. I must have done something marvelous in a previous life because that man gave me the best advice I've ever had, tailored to my needs rather than generic, and I've never been tempted enough to take it up again. For the first fortnight I read a lot of stuff online every time I was seriously tempted by the cravings and changed my habits around 'fagtime(s)' so I didn't make it harder than it already was.

The time it worked, and it worked because I wanted to be a non-smoker enough. No-one should pretend it's easy. At best it's uncomfortable, but people say it can be as tough as giving up heroin. Underestimating how challenging it can be means anyone is more likely to fail. The good news is, society has changed and we don't encounter it as much as we used to, so there is less temptation once we've stopped.

You need to be very gentle with yourself at the moment. It would be great if you could stop now, but you might find that right now is just not the right time to do something that can bring out quite strong emotions. The way to see it as a step forward without trying to do something that's tough (do-able, but tough) while you're going through this, is to prepare for it when you're ready. Read a few books (Alan Carr, Brad Turner, Patrick Holford), and talk to your GP about what support is available, or a pharmacist. The more knowledge you have next time, the better prepared you are, the more likely you are to succeed.

(((Hugs)))

jvr

Thanks guys I think I'm using a mix of your suggestions!
A friend of my mums is a retired hypnotist and has offered to do it for a donation so will try that. Found a free copy of the allen carr book so started reading that - and finding it really interesting! and only taking Nicorette gum to work which is cutting out loads.... but not being hard on myself when I go home and have one... figure every time I don't have one is a win in itself.
Money - ordered a dress and shoes for the wedding at the weekend partly to cheer myself up.......BUT.... I actually had the money in my allowance so is totally in budget £50 spent which I think is good and the dress is lovely and black so useable for loads of things.... fingers crossed it fits or I might cry.
Been back on my bike this week which is feeling good but still tired all the time and tend to cry at very random things, I have to go back to the dr tomorrow and then hopefully can just move on.

jvr

Just payed another £20 to the credit card as realised this meant I had payed off 8% this month!

Scott_Weiland_2

jvr wrote: »

That's fab Scott - are you using anything to help? I have the Nicorette gum which seems to be taking the edge off full blown cravings

Two things really i put a smoking app on my phone and every time i get cravings i check that to see the cash i have saved.

I cant get away with gum as i have the teeth of a man 90 lol, last time i chewed gum it pulled half a tooth out net result 220 quid dental bill lol

I am using nicotine lozenges i have just being buying them from Home Bargains i think there a couple of quid for 12 or 16 lozenges

SpekySquarehead

JVR - Well done on the payment. A small amount but every little helps.

Also, full marks for budgeting spend. Tend to feel less guilty when a spend is planned.

Honey_Bear

Going great guns, JVR!

NoOneAround

Hello Jvr,
Just caught up and I'm so sorry to hear your sad news.
Hope you are OK
Hugs
NOA
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