Had a close call....

[mr.lucky66]

For me it's been almost a year of total non smoking.I had an incident happen last weekend that brought out some high stess and after, a depression. I used to take antidepressnats but they stopped working and I also got much better at dealing with depression through activities and behavior modifiction. Today, this morning I wanted to smoke and was talking to a friend and he told me not to smoke. I relaized I had 1 chantix left and took it. I only have been taking a few a week as directed by my doc and it's been working well. I'm glad I took the pill and I don't want to start again but this close call scared me. I need to spring for another refill and need to have these on hand as they work.

[athome333]

Great job! Saying no to the cigarette cravings will get easier and less often so they might even catch you by surprise, at times! It really does get better every day eventually they will be less than a little gnat you barely notice and then rare, etc.  hang in there!!!

[mr.lucky66]

I like what I'm reading here. I do still get occasional cravings but usually not that bad. The one I got before Christams was bad and I wanted to smoke and or get high. I prayed and talked to a friend and it passed. I don't want to go back after almost a year. Also, I got a slew of colds the first 6 months, anyone else had that? Now I'm healthier and excersize and that's a good anti smoking therapy. I take about 3 chantix per week or less and that seems to work.

[kathyjo]

Nice going, you are a few days shy of the half year mark but even better than that, you sound so strong & committed to staying quit.
Like you I was constantly thinking about my next smoke, to the point of obsessing, and I limited myself to things I could do....always having to take my smoking and where and when I could into consideration. It is really limiting! It was depressing and absolutely disgusting and in retrospect, very isolating.
I was also sick for the first 4 months and at times I was tempted to smoke, just to feel normal again, but thankfully, and mainly because of this forum I was able to hang in there. Support was key : )

We all worry that the consequences of smoking will catch up to us and it may, but if we were still smoking our chances would be greater....so our odds are better : ) I also like the power I feel, knowing that I have taken back control....liberating : ) Physically I am so much stronger and find that my endurance has tripled and I can even jog a bit! Not bad for a 40 year habit : )

Off to the gym, but wanted to tell you that you are awesome!

[cyndyragan]

Great job for everyone endeavoring on this journey! I have 178 days after smoking a pack a day for 25 yers, I am so praying that this doesn't bite me in the *** as cancer runs in my family.
I also have almost eleven years in recovery and have to be honest and say smoking was THE hardest thing I have ever done! I had the most wicked detox and was sick for the first four months.
I do have junkie thinking every now and then, I am a drug and alcohol counselor and towards the end of my smoking career I couldn't even concentrate on what the clients were saying I used to think, "Just shut up so I can go smoke" How horrible is that? I woke up and smoked 4 just to get me going in the morning.
No it is not an easy task, but I love not being a slave to it, and I love my life now!

[mr.lucky66]

that's good news!

[yaz300]

Regarding smoking tobacco, after 1 year, your urges to smoke will last only seconds and eventually appear only once a month or so. Don't give up.

[mr.lucky66]

Thanks Kathyjo & Jade. It can be tough time of year for recenly quit smokers and ex drug addicts/ alcoholics which I am also. All these addictions are killers and are related and rear their ugly heads often at Christmastime. I glad I did what I did and need to get that refill allthough the cost is tough this week. Merry Christmas!

[Jade59]

Good side step there, Mr Lucky!!

Merry Christmas to you :)

[kathyjo]

There will always be times for us, when we come so close to slipping, but something in us keeps us on the right path.
I'm glad that you know what works for you. It's important to maintain the quit so whatever you need to do, you got to do : )

I hope that you are feeling better and my prayer for the New Year is to have less stress and fewer urges ; )