Non Smoking and Alcohol

[elwoodsf]

With 25 days of being a non smoker, I came home from a hard day at work and had a few beers. NOT a good idea. My cravings increased 100%. I made it through and found out that alcohol is not a great idea at this point in my quit. Has anyone else experienced this and will there be a time when I can have the occasional drink? I'm thinking the combination of stress from work and being a non smoker were the cause of this incredible increase in cravings. My cravings are very low at home and in the car now, being at work brings on more cravings due to the stress, yet I did not smoke at work since it is not allowed.

[Jade59]

Hey El,

Congrats on getting through THAT one too :)

I've never been a drinker except when I was younger...alot younger...and would have the occasional drinking binge and boy did I ever want to smoke then!  One particular rx I take has the same effect and coicidentally, has caffeine in it!

Good job my friend!!!!!

Oh, a massage sounds lovely!

Your doing just great!!!

[elwoodsf]

Thank you for your comments and encouragement. I went for a massage after work today and that helped so much with the stress. I wish I could afford to go everyday. I never related coffee and my quit as being a hard situation for me. I'm from the coffee city of America. Drink it all the time with no problem. I think I'm going to have to save my occasional drink to non stressful days. I was just amazed at how the nicotine monster attacked me - head on.

I'm glad you were able to give up the coffee j34. That is great and good for your health too. I am so glad Kathyjo that you can't remember what it was like. That is great news for me and wonderful for you.

~El

[j34]

I can't say much as I am smoking again but I really congratulate you and am very impressed with you willpower not to smoke. I did quit coffee when I started using Champax and even though I quit the pills and started smoking I did not start drinking coffee again,which I find really helps with me not smoking as much about less than a half a pack.I guess the same idea with the booze.

[kathyjo]

El, congrats!! woohoo!!! Way to go and pat yourself on the back!

I am not a drinker (per se) but I enjoy a few glasses of wine and love my margarita's. I never associated drinking with smoking but I am not the norm because most do.
Are you a coffee drinker? Did you have to stop drinking it in the beginning? A lot say that they crave a smoke when they are having their cup of coffee. It didn't bother me.

I think more then anything, it is behavioral. We associate "having a few" and "relaxing with a cup of coffee" as a way of unwinding, the same way we used to light up......to "help" us relax. Darned if I can remember why and what it was like, but that's the good news : ) It is totally un-doable! Maybe if you find another another way to relax, a healthier one. You can replace the destructive one for the good one : ) A nice bubble bath with a scented candle and mood music is how I unwind.