Help rah quit smoking

[ColdPhoenix]

A couple of months ago I switched from B&H Gold to B&H Silver (lower strength), am also trying to reduce the number a bit.

[MikeH]

Cool, good luck!

[rah]

Originally posted by Hercules
Keep it up Rah. I 've been off for 10 years. I don't even smoke in my dreams now.

In quite a few of the chantix induced dreams, my resolve is tested and I end up having a cigarette. I always feed the dissapointment of failing myself, but then feel jubilation as I wake up and realize it was just a dream and I haven't failed yet. It actually inspires me more not to fail.

Anyone serious about quitting should look into chantix. It's the edge I needed to get over the hump. I am curious of what it will be like when I finish taking it. The usually length is 3 months but my doctor wrote the prescription for 6 months saying it added about 10% to the success rate and only about 1% to the suicide rate (he didn't actually say the suicide part, but some of the hate chantix web sites made unscientific such claims)

Despite the minor dangers, this is the longest I've ever been successful in my many attempts. But again, this time I really wanted to quit so I think that's the biggest thing. So far I'm pro-chantix. If I stop posting you guys can make up your own minds.

[Lancer]

I smoked 20 years 2-3 packs a day and quit using vit C, aspirin and tylinol (sp) every 2 hours. I went nuts but got it done rah, so can you. Don't expect support from smokers around you unless they are really supportive people. Most people who failed themselves don't want to see others succeed and will try to tempt you. Those that have managed to quit will be very supportive.

If you do fail this time don't tell anyone next time. The threat of failing in others eyes and expectations can cause the stress needed to start up again. It can seem like you're doing it for them, not for yourself. You can then feel resentment and start up again. Your mind will play tricks on you, it's what withdrawl does. Don't believe yourself, don't trust your thoughts.

Your drug craving cells want you to feel stress, that's why they contrive to give you dreams of failing. When you do quit finally you'll feel lousy for a while then in time much better than when you smoked. You'll notice you don't feel like the same person, you'll feel like you lack the ability to concentrate, etc. This passes, then you'll feel better than ever you can remember in your life.

[Kidlicious]

I smoked for about 20 years too. I just kept on trying to quit and finally did. I don't even have cravings anymore, not even when I drink or get stressed. It's weird. Just don't give up.... Winston.

[rah]

Good to hear from people that have quit after smoking for 20 years. Even better to hear that there's a chance that the cravings will stop.

One of my buds quit 10 years ago and when I ask him if he still wants a smoke, he responded, every day. That was depressing.

I'm afraid to fail because I feel I won't have the determination to try again. Not if I have just a single one, but if i start really smoking again.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by rah
I'm afraid to fail because I feel I won't have the determination to try again.

You could always just die.

[Lancer]

Never quit quitting! That's rule #1. Until you quit of course. If you've started up, start planning your next quit right away. "In a week I'll quit". Count down the days, gather your strength again, and buck up. You're not a wimp Rah, that's why I said 3-1 against. To piss you off and make you strong. Only great strength can get you through this. You'll be finding out what your made of before its over if you don't know already.


Don't have 'just one'. As tough as that is having one will continue the process long past what the toughest human can endure. Like they say about torture, sooner or later you tell them everything. Sooner or later after you continue your torture one at a time you give up. Rah, the best way is to get from point A to point B as fast as you can, in fact I believe that's the only way.

Point B is w o r t h it. Point B is absolute freedom. I don't believe the guy that says he thinks of cigs every day, he's just BSing. You do get past it totally.

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by rah
Not if I have just a single one, but if i start really smoking again.

Even a single one. Slippery slope and all that.

[rah]

What I meant if I had one, my determination would still be there. BUT I HAVE NO INTENTION of testing that one.

If I went back to smoking 1-2 packs a day for a few weeks is what I meant that I'd probably not have the determination to try and quit again.

[Lancer]

Good to hear you didn't have one.

You would have the determination, believe me. Once you start smoking you're not crazy anymore. You remember why it is you tried to stop, your resolve comes on strong again, and you get mad at yourself that an Ahole like Lancer had the balls to do it and you didn't. Then you try again.

Much easier to do it the first time. Do it the first time and you did better than I did.

[rah]

Fortunately I fear if I have one, I wouldn't stop there.

I'll let that fear work for me.

[Lancer]

When you are finally past the worst of it its like coming out of a dream that lasted decades, out into a realization of what it is you were missing.

[Kidlicious]

I just can't believe I smoked for 20 years. It's amazing when I look back on it really.

[Lancer]

Astonishing...but while you're doing it its the most natural thing in the world. Well, until breathing becomes an issue.