Hello (Introduction)

[trdofbeingtrd]

I am Joseph and I want to quit smoking. I will make the promise since I accepted the invitation for the group that I will make my full effort to slow down quickly and quit by the end of next month or sooner.

It's nice to meet you. I have quit before and was one month short of three years. I started back up because my wife wanted to smoke (which she stopped 3 months later and I didn't) and because I was having panic attacks from caffeine, alcohol, and anything else I enjoyed.

Feel free to message me, I was going to start this in a genuine way saying my name and that I am addicted to nicotine, but I didn't want anyone to think I don't take this seriously. I have a warped sense of humor but I will never be un empathetic or in-compassionate towards anyone.

[brice1967]

I'm personally working on a lot of other issues, and me quitting was for me.  I think that if we can keep that in perspective, we are setting ourselves up for some success.  

In a therapy session regarding my other issues, I told my therapist that I had decided to quit and laid my plan out for her.  She thought it was solid and well thought, but wanted to make sure that I was doing it for me.  She asked me what kid of support system had I put into place.... I kind of laughed because my support system didn't seem like much of a system.  My wife and kids knew, and I was going to use tooth picks, sugar free gum and mints.... that's it.  Then she told me, "if talking to a paper plate gets you through this, talk to the paper plate."  (To date, I've yet to talk to a paper plate)

Keep after it, mark your successes and correct your slip ups.  Don't be so hard on yourself, and keep you end result/goal in mind always.  You got this!

[brice1967]

I'd be glad to be a sponsor.  The thing is, quitting is tough.  If it weren't, most everyone would do it.  Whats hardest for most people, I think, is knowing that there is a problem.  That only comes from within, and like with most if not all addictions, something within our psyche tells us "we need this", when in fact we know we don't.  

What I did is look back to the days when I didn't use.  I didn't need it then.... I damn sure don't need it now when my life is far more complicated.  I also look at my quit as a way of simplifying my life.  As with anyone these days, money at our ranch is a bit tight... but I always had enough money to support the habit.  (Pitiful and a bit selfish, and I am really neither.)  

And brother, I know all about being bored and trying to quit.  There is nothing going on here this time of year and I sit and think about tobacco every once in a while.  "just one more" is what part of my head is saying, while the rest of my big a$$ head is saying, "don't you even think of it, junior".  It just isnt worth it.

Stick to your plan trd.  I think it sounds solid.  I went cold turkey.... it's the way I had to go.  Cutting back just kept the garbage around, ya know.  If cutting back works for you, hey... its working and thats all that matters.  Stick to it mister.  Check in man, and Ill look in on ya!

Peace

[trdofbeingtrd]

Thank you. It is going to be really hard to quit. I smoke mainly when I am bored and when I am stressed, and where I live, I am either both. I am going to cut down more and more, my tracker restarts tonight. I will be willing to cut one cigarette every two days. I think that is easy enough to stick with. Thursdays will be the toughest because that is when I work my casino's.

So, thanks again, and you might have just volunteered to be a sponsor. LOL

[brice1967]

Good for you man!  Knowing what you want to accomplish is the first step.  Maybe I am different, but for me.... I realized that I really did not like the habit.  I did not like the taste, I did not the smell, I did not like the way people saw me (and I really don't give a damn about how people see me otherwise), and of course I got to thinking of the cost.  So for me, it was an easy choice.

What I did was make a clear plan.  I picked a quit date that was away from the holidays or any other "stressful" times.  I picked some things like sugar free mints and gum to use in place of tobacco, I used tooth picks and mouthwash frequently, and I told my family that I was "done" with it.  The date came about 5 weeks after my initial decision to quit, and I just dropped it.

Yeah, I had cravings pretty bad for about a week.  (72 hours for nicotine to leave the system depending on your habit)  Each time I had a craving, I told myself that I wasn't going to sell out and shove a mint or gum in my pie-hole instead.  Here we are 46 days later, and I have no intention on looking back.  It's too hard to quit again.  (Understand that relapses are possible, but with every new attempt you are closer to your quit.)  I just can't go back... I know that.

Glad to have met your acquaintance, my name is Brice and I am glad to help if I can!