Embarassed

I quit smoking 20 years ago.  Last month my sister-in-law came for a visit.  She smokes and gave me a cigarette.
Tasted horrible, made me dizzy but made me want more.  I am embarassed to say that I have been smoking a few cigarettes a day since then. (yesterday 8).    I thought it would be easy to quit again but it almost feels like the last time I quit.  I am not sure if I should start on the gum or patch or just gut it out.  
Any thoughts or suggestions

[beatingthis]

Ahhhh! 20 years!!! Sorry, It just flips me out thst even after 20 years on cig and Poof.
Do you remember how you quit before?
I used the patch but only for 4 weeks. I just went cold turkey after that.
Check out whyquit.com. Nicotine only stays in your body for about 3 days. Cravings last 3 min.

You can do this.

Terry

[kathyjo]

It's like any addiction, you can't have it at all, forever more and that's the way it's got to be.
It just goes to show you how powerful an addiction it is, 20 years and just like that, you fell back into an addicts behavior. We are all just one smoke away from it and it's darned scary!

Do you want to quit again? It sounds as if you are putting the blame on your sis-in-law a bit so you need to take responsibility for your slip. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but we are all in that boat.
If you want it, then make it happen. You are stronger then the disease and you have to take back that control....don't give it any power.....you are the boss! YOU CAN DO THIS!

Ask you family to support you and remember that we are here for you too. Remember how great you felt for those 20 years and compare it to how you smell, look and feel now.

Hang in there!

[Jade59]

This exact same thing happened to my mom.  She hadn't smoked for 16yrs or so and was in a bar and her friend was smoking next to her and she just picked the cigarette up and took a drag without thinking...and so it went for 10 more years.  She is 20yrs quit again this year :)

I would say at least you realize your mistake and aren't letting it go for years so that's Very good.  Use an aid if you feel the need, but Terry is right.  Three days and the nicotine is gone and the sooner you stop, the easier it's going to be.  You've only been smoking a month so why drag the whole thing out?  The trick is though, you must WANT to stop.  We are addicts here and once you're quit, you must guard that quit with everything in you.

Good luck and we're here if you need us!

[teko]

OH U Poor Thing!  Lay them suckers down and walk away and rough it! 72 hrs later, they are out of your system. Just do it. Oh man! I so feel for you!

[aheart]

Okay, after 20 years you slipped, lets think of this by looking at the big picture. Your lungs got to heal smoke free for twenty years, on a physical standpoint you have for the most part won the war. It may be difficult to quit again (real difficult?) but if you nip it in the bud again, you will still be a winner! Carry-on you have done a wonderful job! aheart:)

[bbq33]

Don't put yourself down, a slip is only a part of the diesese. The only thing that matters is what you do today. Just don't put a cigerette in your mouth TODAY. Forget about tomorrow and yesterday. each day you wake up say to your self "I can do this for one day".
bbq33