We all know how
incredibly hard it is to quit smoking.
Fighting this addiction is probably the hardest thing we will ever
do. Of course there will be times when
we slip in our efforts, but the times we remain strong and don’t give in to
temptation, urges and cravings are what really help to establish the focused
mindset of an ex-smoker.
In the early
days of a quit, each craving conquered without picking up brings the ex-smoker
one step closer toward the desperately awaited end of physical withdrawal. Once all nicotine has been removed from the
system, the ex-smoker may no longer be physically addicted to nicotine, but
mental withdrawal from the act of smoking still rages on. It is during these times that overcoming
urges and cravings matures the mind of the evolving ex-smoker.
At this stage
you are not only focused on staying away from cigarettes, you are also learning
to live a new life - one which does not include cigarettes as part of everyday
life. The mind, however, can be a very
sneaky adversary during this time, causing you to experience the dreaded close call from time to time. Often months after you’ve smoked your last
cigarette, when you feel comfortable and quite happy as an ex-smoker, the
addiction to smoking can suddenly and almost violently rear its ugly head.
This sudden urge
to reach for a cigarette after such a long time happens most often in times of
crisis. The death of a loved one, loss
of employment, even an argument with your significant other may cause you to
temporarily think that having a cigarette is the answer to your problem. Depending on your resolve and the severity of
the situation, you may or may not give in to the temptation. Resisting this urge that comes out of left
field and takes you completely by surprise is definitely something to be proud
of, but it must also be recognized for the learning opportunity it presents in
your fight against the addiction.
Once an addict,
always an addict - that phrase takes on a strong and genuine validity for the
ex-smoker who has successfully hurdled a close call. If you experience a close call, whether
you’re smoke-free for a month or more than a year, make sure you take the time
to look back on your victory and cherish it.
Take pride in the fact that you were able to beat the addiction this
time. Be happy - you deserve it!
Facing Temptation
Posted by Simone on February
27 at 15:52:35
My dear friends,
This is where
you all write me off as being idiotic. I
went out with two good friends last night. They both smoke occasionally, but
are very respectful of my quit and will only smoke if and when I give them
permission to. They are considerate and supportive, and will leave the premises
entirely to smoke if I feel uncomfortable with their smoking. We went to my
favorite pub with a beautiful outdoor patio in the back, with tables and
geraniums and a lit fountain. It was a gorgeous, warm night, and there was no
sense to sitting inside the packed bar with a hundred sweating drunks when we
could enjoy the outdoors. So, after asking my permission and making absolutely
sure I was alright with it, they smoked cigarettes while we drank and talked.
My friend Rosie , who was sitting next to me, was smoking a
cigarette, and she suddenly made a gesture and laid her hand (with cigarette
between fingers) on the table directly in front of me. The gesture was the
familiar one that people make when they are sharing a smoke and pass the
cigarette to their friend. I unconsciously reached for it, and almost took it
out of her hand. When I realized where my hand was going, I stopped in shock
and almost started crying.
Later on, my
other friend accidentally dropped her unlit cigarette and it rolled across the
table. I picked it up and immediately held it between my fingers in that
familiar, comforting way - and I looked at it - and I realized that I was a
millimeter away from smoking it. I threw it back to my friend and folded my
arms tight across my chest to keep my hands in a safe place.
Now, here's my
crazy perspective. I need some input from all of you to let me know whether I'm
just being straight loony, or if there's any logical sense to my method. I am
afraid that eventually I will become less adamant about my quit. As time
passes, I will become more casual and relaxed about it. For example, the first
week of your quit, not smoking is all
you think about. It is the first priority, and it's what you focus on all day.
The second week your focus begins to lessen, as the quit becomes a little
easier. And by the one month mark
(tomorrow for me), you think about smoking only a few times a day (at least
that's what I've found). It's not the
focus anymore, and you're not quitting anymore - you already quit. It's easy to
slide into the perspective that this, while still being an important process,
it is not such a struggle to maintain anymore.
Now, there will
always be smokers in my life. Even if I were to drop all of my friends
(smokers, almost all of them - funny how we associate with smokers so heavily
when we are smokers ourselves - birds of a feather…), I would still have
smokers to deal with in my family. I'm not about to drop all of my smoker
friends, so essentially I'm left with having to cope with my personal reaction
to second-hand smoke and being near lots of smokers. So here's where it gets a
little sticky.
Is it better to
wait until I am absolutely sure of myself to toy with being so close to
smokers? Or is it a good idea to start training myself to be near smokers while
NOT smoking is still a strong priority? I'm afraid that if I cut smokers out of
my life for the next two months in order to assure success with my quit, I
would eventually be subjected to smoke anyway and be more inclined to forget
how hard quitting is, and I might just go and smoke. I might have no defenses
built up.
I was testing
myself last night when I picked up that cigarette. I held it in my hand, looked
at it, tried to gauge how much I wanted it, and then put the cigarette down and
tried to cope with the urge another way. I was training myself, in a sense, but
I suspect that this is a ridiculous method.
I know that I
was silly to place myself in a social situation where I would have normally
been smoking like the proverbial chimney. I was silly to drink and be near
smokers. I was silly to think that, by my third drink, I wouldn't have a little
trouble maintaining my resolve to not smoke. I got cocky, and I almost paid a
high price for that cockiness.
I don't know if
I'm making clear sense in the way that I'm writing this. I'm feeling really
jumbled up inside, and I'm pissed that my reflexes for smoking are still so
present. I'm disappointed, and I'm feeling stupid for having tried such a
laughable way of strengthening my own resolve.
Any input on
this will be gratefully received. Bless
you all for reading such a lengthy, boring essay…
(I've been a nonsmoker for
three weeks, five days, 13 hours, 16 minutes and 34 seconds. 531 cigarettes not
smoked, saving $92.93. Life saved: 1 day, 20 hours, 15 minutes. QUITTING IS
HELL, BUT CANCER IS WORSE.)
Hmmm....
Posted by Mark on February 27 at 16:24:39
In reply to: Facing
Temptation Posted by Simone on
February 27 at 15:52:35
Firstly, I
wouldn’t worry too much about the gestures. It’s going to take a little more
than just one month to get rid of gestures you did for 15 or 20 years. I
suspect you will notice yourself holding, flicking or some other familiar
action for a while at least. Get this, I found myself flicking my cookies the
other night. I don’t know about losing
resolve. I think the more time you get
behind you, the less cravings you have, and the weaker they are. I think the longer you go, the more you
realize there is no going back, and the more you have trained yourself to react
in a way that guards your quit. Your triggers to smoke eventually fade and are
replaced with new coping mechanisms.
I quit drinking
seven years ago. Every once in a while I think, jeez a beer with the guys would
be nice, but my reactions are so ingrained that it never stays longer than the
time I have to think it. That is because, over time, the fight to not have one
has gotten easier. The repercussions of
having one are permanently etched in my brain, and time has allowed me to
develop new coping methods.
Jeez...I’m going
on and on and on… Hope I’m making sense, and I hope I touched on your query.
Take care
Posted by Joyce on February 27 at 16:43:07
In reply to: Facing
Temptation Posted by Simone on
February 27 at 15:52:35
My dear Simone ,
We would never
write you off as an idiot - just an addict - I'm a 25-year smoker and have been
down this quit road before, but have
never felt as confident before as I do now.
I have learned so much from everyone here and on the Net about my
addiction, and I can now look at it as my
addiction... When I quit before I just wasn't going to smoke...
I have kept
myself pretty isolated for the last eight weeks, and I am not sorry... Last
night was my first night out to dinner with a smoker and another friend who
quit one and a half years ago. I have
been out with my Sweetie, but he gave up the chew, not the smoke.
Anyway, back to the point, I did not feel confident enough until recently to
really come out of my safe little haven, and I kept myself isolated because I
knew I had lost a quit or two before because I didn't protect myself like I
should have. Slowly I'm emerging but with the determination that I WILL NOT
SMOKE. There is a smoking section where I work and in the last eight weeks I
have walked up to the smokers probably a total of four times, and I walked up
with my resolve that I would not stand there envying them smoking. I have done
this before, and I would feel sorry that they were still controlled by their
addiction. I’m sorry, but it is a hell of an addiction to control and one I
will have to always keep in check if I don't want to go back to breathing with
difficulty, getting a fix every half hour, smelling disgusting, being out of
breath going from bed to the bathroom and back in the middle of the night (that
really scared me), spending all that money to pollute myself with countless
toxic chemicals... and I could go on but I want you to eventually read this...
Deep down, Simone , I will always be a true blue smoker in my
heart, but I do not want to pay for it in later years by my Sweetie having to
carry my oxygen tank around… And not being able to have a quality to my life...
A woman who retired where I work had to go on oxygen shortly after
retirement. She carries her tank now and
says she always felt she couldn’t have fun without cigs… And how sorry she now
is that she can't enjoy a healthy retirement... Now, I'm not trying scare
tactics or horror stories, just reality… And I know that we could get hit by a
car tomorrow (By the way I've told my friends that I hope God gives me an hour
before I die to make love to my Sweetie and to smoke a cig), but I don't want
to take a chance on being an oxygen deprived elderly person… I don't like
doctors much anyway, and I don't want them giving me the look of you knew better - and there's no hope for
you…
Also, Simone , when we are this early in our quit it seems
like it is so easy to say, "Well,
it hasn't been that long anyway, so what the heck..." But I can't do that
- I know I will be smoking even more if I go back - I know I will want to quit
again once all the smoking crap starts affecting my body, and I don't know how
long it will take me to get my courage up again to do this. Last time it was two years, so I'm going to
keep remembering that I used to smoke seven cigs from the time I got up in the
morn until I got to work (two hours time).
I'm going remember how many cigs were in that safe ashtray I threw away in the morning - they were piled high...
I'm also going to remember how addicted I was to that powerful drug and how
hard it has been to give up my serial
killer friend. So Simone , my friend, if you want to smoke again, if you
want to go through all this crap again, well, please think hard. I posted
before that at age 21 I didn't think about my retirement savings, but at 41 I
know I better, and I also better think about how healthy I want those years to
be...
{{{{{{{{{SENDING YOU HOPE
& HUGS}}}}}}}}
Love ya,
********
Ohhhhh GOD...
Posted by Jay ~ on February 24
at 08:03:21
Good morning Friends,
I am almost done
with my 12 nights straight at work. I am
almost dead, too... *Chuckles* And the weird part is, I was considering buying
a pack of cigarettes last night at work! I was considering it without even
craving! What’s wrong with me? Then
after that I started to crave of course. No worries though, I didn’t break down
and buy any, but I was so darn close...
I get sick of
this sometimes. But I am getting used to fighting. At least it isn’t the way it
was during my third day and then the third week! No depression, just a wanting to go back to my old life style.
But I don't really want to. I guess that I have been overly stressed lately
working the hours that I have been. Working midnights is bad enough, but doing 12 nights in a row is a
little too much. I am almost at the end of this journey now, but feel so
frustrated and tired. I just want to smoke.
But then I don't want to.
God… Help me...
1month 3weeks 2days 22:57 smoke-free, 823 cigs not
smoked,
$182.29 saved, 2day 20:34 life saved
Hang on Jay !
Posted by Heather Dawn 08:11:20
In reply to: Ohhhhh GOD...
Posted by Jay ~ on February 24 at 08:03:21
I know exactly
what you’re saying. This struggle does
get a bit old but I've been assured that after the third month it is much
easier. Hang in there, Jason , working backshifts plays with the head. It was
on a backshift weekend when Glenn
succumbed and he said the same thing. He
wasn't craving - he just had a desire for the way things used to be. You’re
terrific Jay . Get some sleep and
you'll be back whacking the Fat Guys at full capacity in no time.
One month, three weeks, two
days, 8 hours, 14 minutes and 5 seconds. 1358 cigarettes not smoked, saving
$271.72. Life saved: 4 days, 17 hours, 10 minutes.
Trials and Tribulations
Posted by Ernie on February 24 at 08:13:31
In reply to: Ohhhhh GOD...
Posted by Jay ~ on February 24 at 08:03:21
Good morning Jason ,
I KNOW the
feeling! Even though there's no apparent reason, there's the urge - not to
really smoke, but to buy cigarettes! I
think you've probably hit it on the head - it's just fatigue. Hang in there - it's almost over! Good work on recognizing it for what it was!
Re: Ohhhhh Jason
Posted by Michael on February 24 at 08:34:15
In reply to: Ohhhhh GOD...
Posted by Jay ~ on February 24 at 08:03:21
I feel so bad
for you.... Twelve nights straight! That really sucks! I think you're probably suffering from lack
of daylight... :-) No really, those thoughts of the way life used to be will
always be there. Those are your memories Jason ,
and unfortunately those memories of times gone by include cigarettes. That
doesn't mean that you should erase your memories completely - I think you just
have to focus on the GOOD parts and remember that those cigarettes didn't
really belong there as part of the activity at hand.
You won last
night Jason - you didn't buy that
pack. Let that small victory serve to strengthen your resolve in the overall
fight!
Peace!
Fight the good fight!
Posted by Kathy on February 24 at 09:04:26
In reply to: Ohhhhh GOD...
Posted by Jay ~ on February 24 at 08:03:21
Thanks again.... Kathy
********
I can't believe this happened...
Posted by Heather
Dawn 13:59:19
I just went out
to the kitchen and my mind was totally occupied with all the yack that's been going on here
today. For the most part my husband has
been keeping his cigs out of my sight. Anyway, all of a sudden I realized I had
a lit cigarette in my hand and had taken a drag off of it. How’s that for a
rotten day...I didn't even know I'd picked it up much less lit it. I was totally unaware of taking a drag until
it was too late. Through everything, all the crap and the yack, I never slipped and now when it’s almost two months, the
mental addiction gets me without me even knowing it. I gave the cig to my
husband who was as incredulous as I was when I realized what I was doing.
This may sound
crazy, but I honestly did not have one conscious realization of what I was
doing until it was done. What’s worse is that it really didn't taste bad.
I just feel sick about this!
Stop hitting yourself...
Posted by Freddy on February
25 at 14:07:06
In reply to: I can't believe
this happened... Posted by Heather
Dawn 13:59:19
Many of us have
had these dreams where we are smoking, and then we wake up and feel awful until
we realize it was just a dream. I think
what you did was kind of like a daydream. After all, you didn't contemplate
having a cig. You just did, and only a hit or two off of one, at that. Is that any worse than me walking past a guy
smoking a cigar the other day and enjoying the second-hand smoke?
When you buy
your first pack, or consciously bum your first cig, or smoke a whole one of
your own free will, then come back to the Board and we will all help you flog
yourself. *Smile* If the quit is a war, then, my dear friend, I
am happy to announce that your mishap was only a flesh wound. Get back in the battle, soldier!
Freddy
EVER HEAR OF ADDICTION?
Posted by GENE on February 25 at 15:01:42
In reply to: I can't believe
this happened... Posted by Heather
Dawn 13:59:19
What happened is
one of the natural parts of the addiction cycle - the unconscious act. You
haven't blown ANYTHING - believe that. It is just a very good lesson in how
this gray matter between our ears works.
Don't beat yourself up over it and for God's sake DON'T let it get you
down.
It was a lesson LEARNED…
NOTHING MORE! USE IT.
Posted by Debbie on February 25 at 16:01:49
In reply to: I can't believe
this happened... Posted by Heather
Dawn 13:59:19
Let me tell you
a little story. Last night I went to the rodeo with a girlfriend of mine. She
handed me a cigarette. I took it, put it in my mouth, and didn't realize I had
done it until she came at me with the lighter. I was floored, to say the least.
Thank God I snapped before I lit it, but I have done exactly what you did. It's
stupid and very embarrassing, but nothing to get terribly upset over. It was a
mistake and we all should learn from our mistakes. Right? Right!
Believe it, it happens....
Posted by Michael on February 25 at 14:54:32
In reply to: I can't believe
this happened... Posted by Heather
Dawn 13:59:19
Hi Heather ,
From what I've
been reading, I would actually consider your experience today to be a close call rather than an actual
slip. It truly sounds like it was the
crowning piece of crap to an already shitty day from hell... I'm so sorry
you're going through this. Remember back at the beginning of the month when I
had all the crap going on and found myself in the parking lot by the deli,
subconsciously ready to buy the pack? Well same thing happened to you, except
that you still have smokes in your house! I bet if I had them in the house that
night there's a good chance I would have gone as far as lighting one, too.
Our mind is a
powerful thing, Heather . It takes a LOT to change the way it thinks. Right now your brain is
still thinking of smokes as an escape tool. Eventually you'll replace that
thought process with something new. In the meantime, you DID catch yourself.
You DID give the cigarette to your husband once you realized what had happened,
and you DID have the strength to come to the group and lean on friends. You did
ok…
Tell hubby he
has to keep better tabs on his pack from now on - like OUT OF THE HOUSE! Either
that or crumple them up and sprinkle them on his dinner... J
Feel better Heather - my thoughts are with you!
Peace!
Fight the good fight!
********
I GOT A SECRET ( shhhhhhhhhhhh)
Posted by Rose on November 20
at 21:24:29
It is the first puff that
gets me! Not the third pack! ;-)
If I were hit by a train...
the ENGINE would kill me...NOT the CABOOSE!
Hmmmmmmmm????
I have chosen not to smoke
for 4 Weeks 1 Days 4 Hours 20 Minutes 23 Seconds.
Cigarettes not smoked: 878.
Money saved: $120.72.
Ok, so from this point
forward... I tell the committee that is meeting in my head - to "SHUT
UP!!!"
I choose NOT to smoke TODAY!
;-))))
Posted by Michael on November 20 at 07:17:31
In reply to: I GOT A SECRET
( shhhhhhhhhhhh) Posted by Rose on
November 20 at 21:24:29
Hi Rose ,
You're absolutely right! I
love the train analogy... It really is that first one that gets us. The rest of
them just seem to follow in the crash…
Peace!
Fight the good fight!
********
I need your help
Posted by Jonie on March 09 at 15:14:27
I have been and
still am dealing with a major crisis in my life, and here I thought that I was
so strong in my quit. I am actually to
the point of shaking trying to kick off the desire to smoke again. I know it
will not change the situation. I have
tried to convince myself for several days that my problems will be the same and
I will have guilt for smoking on top of the problems, but now my brain is
saying, "So what - screw it - whether or not it just tastes good or gives
you one minute of a high - it is my decision - not anyone else’s and everyone
who has a critical opinion can just kiss off!"
I actually have
it in mind to buy a pack and smoke one after the other until I pass out. I have
tried every coping technique I have heard of or read about over the past three
months. I have screamed to myself
“SMOKING IS NOT AN OPTION!” Good grief,
I am at wit’s end with this crave. I
thought maybe if I told the Board about my problem my determination not to give
in would loom in my face and take over… NOT HAPPENING THOUGH!
Oh well… maybe
for the last time I will post this: Three months, one week, 15 hours, 44
minutes and 28 seconds. 3487 cigarettes not smoked, saving $442.97. Life saved: 1 week, 5 days, 2 hours, 35
minutes… unfortunately not loving this at all right now…
Re: I need.... a cigarette?
Posted by JW on March 09 at 17:27:04
In reply to: I need your
help Posted by Jonie on March 09 at 15:14:27
I am not sure
why they don't sell cigarettes one at a time, instead of 20 of them evil devils
all at once. I think that if you feel that strongly about smoking, you should!
Smoking is an option. I just think it is a lousy one! But if they sold just
one, then you could get all ready and drive to the store. Then you would walk
inside and stand in line while the clerk takes care of the people in front of
you. Then you could finally get your purchase of ONE cigarette. I think a
reasonable charge for this would be about $1.00. Now you get to go back to your car and smoke!
Well, you could smoke, if you had a lighter, but you don't so you go back
inside and stand in line (oh, boy, that cigarette will be good when it finally
gets lit!) and buy a lighter for another $1.00.
Back outside,
looking all directions to see if anyone is watching you, you slowly light it
up! The smoke curls up before your eyes as you inhale. This is soooo nice -
wait - cough, choke, cough - damn my lungs hurt - cough, choke, agggh... Geez,
this isn't what I remember about smoking - Choke, cough, gag - eyes watering
like crazy now - blinded and coughing and choking - this isn't a romantic
activity anymore, is it? What happened - aaagggghhh, cough, choke - what IS
that rotten smell? Get all the windows down - rubbing eyes trying to make them
quit burning - cough, cough...
Gee, it only
cost $2.00, too! On second thought, why
bother! The craving will go away!
SMILE! Life is wonderful - and
smoking is not!
JW
Posted by Mike on March 09 at 21:20:59
In reply to: I need your
help Posted by Jonie on March 09 at 15:14:27
Jonie,
I don't know
what your crisis is and it really doesn't matter. When we make the choice to
quit we can't see what will come along in the future. I have failed many a quit
because of a crisis. I am fortunate with this quit as I have had no major
problems. It's your choice here. I have to be honest and say that picking up
will just add an additional weight to your chest which you really don't need
right now. I can say that because I know. I have smoked in the face of a
crisis. It did not make me feel better and it did not change anything. It was
an excuse to smoke.
Jonie, whatever
you decide we know that you did your very best.
With that you can stand proud and take what you learned in this quit to
the next. Smoking is still not an option for you. If you smoke you won't feel
any better, and you won't smoke for long because you know that freedom from
smoking is what it's all about now. You have stood proud as an ex-smoker and
that is a much better feeling than you will ever receive from smoking. I hope
you have made the right choice and not smoked.
Whatever choice you make it is yours and I respect you for it because I
have walked in your shoes and I cannot forget that, ever.
********
Damn Addiction
Posted by Michael on February
10 at 08:31:40
Hi Friends,
In two days I'll
have 17 smoke-free months behind me. Last night I came extremely close to
picking up.
I've lost $2,500
in the stock market over the last week and a half, the land we were supposed to
purchase for family vacations fell through yesterday afternoon, and according
to my sister I'm the cause for Mom's depression because I detached from my
dysfunctional siblings and spelled out my feelings about the family.
In other words
yesterday was hell for me emotionally. Carolyn
had a business dinner she couldn't miss because of corporate politics, so it
was me and the boys for dinner. I wasn't up for cooking so I made their day by
suggesting pizza. On my way to picking up the pie I found myself parked in
front of the usual deli where I used to buy my smokes. Once I realized what was
being set in motion I sat in the car and cried. I couldn't believe I had
stopped to buy smokes.
Of course I
didn't go through with it, thank God, but life still sucks right now, and I
want each of you to know how very, very important it is to know that the escape
urge probably never goes away... Damn addiction...
Peace!
Fight the good fight!
Posted by Tommyboy on
February 10 at 08:51:10
In reply to: Damn Addiction
Posted by Michael on February 10 at 08:31:40
This is by far
the hardest post follow-up that I have ever done, because of the fact that you
are one of my role models. I can only tell you what you already know - that it
is bound to get better. The fact that you still have urges and close calls such
as yesterday is an indication of how powerful this addiction is.
I have two sons
who I visited over the holidays. They
quit within a month of each other seven years ago, and they both tell me that
they still get urges caused by certain triggers. Please hang tough my friend,
we are praying for you. The addiction
can be controlled if not stopped altogether, and some day with God's help it
might be whipped.
May the Lord bless you and
keep you strong.
Two months, one week, three
days, 14 hours, 6 minutes and 15 seconds.
Posted by Kathy on February 10 at 09:10:40
In reply to: Damn Addiction
Posted by Michael on February 10 at 08:31:40
Hi Michael ,
Your situation is
inspirational. This addiction is just as powerful as alcoholism. I
want to thank you for
showing me that I can not smoke regardless of what the circumstances may be -
good or bad...
I have chosen
not to smoke for One month, four days, 7 hours, 39 minutes and 18 seconds. 1412
cigarettes not smoked, saving $211.91. Life saved: 4 days, 21 hours, 40
minutes.
Posted by Pen/Can on
February 10 at 09:15:29
In reply to: Damn Addiction
Posted by Michael on February 10 at 08:31:40
Hey Michael ,
Sorry you've had
a rough time of it today, but, Michael ,
you know these things would have happened whether or not you had ever picked up
a cigarette, right? Is the glass half
empty or half full? Michael , you helped me soooo many times when I first
quit, sometimes by being honest and calling a spade a spade. Here are a couple of points to ponder Michael ...
You mentioned
that you detached from your dysfunctional siblings. I know you to be a pretty solid individual,
so I'm sure you had valid reasons. Don't
let them guilt you into anything.
I don't know if
you believe in fate, but I'm a realtor and as far as your land, well, there's
probably a nicer, better, cheaper chunk of land just waiting around the
corner. And did you lose the $2500 on
paper or because you cashed in? (The stock market is volatile and a long-term
investment) Either way, I know it’s cliché, but it IS only money…
DAMN LIFE
ANYWAY… But you did such a marvelous job on the addiction part - peaks and
valleys - and it’s ok to cry through them all.
You did the right thing - big ((((((((hug)))))))) to you - and thanks
for reminding the rest of us addicts that we are all human indeed.
Love, Pen
Posted by Moneca on February
10 at 09:19:18
In reply to: Damn Addiction
Posted by Michael on February 10 at 08:31:40
Hey Michael ,
I'm sorry you've
been having such a bad time of it lately. I don't know if I would have been as
strong as you in that situation.
Nevertheless, you hung on to your quit. Maybe the thought of nearly
buying the smokes started the tears, but don't you think those same tears may
have been just waiting to come out with all the crap you've been dealing with?
Anyway, as you tell us:
Fight the Good Fight and hang in there. We're rooting for ya!
Moneca
Posted by Joyce on February 10 at 10:38:53
In reply to: Damn Addiction
Posted by Michael on February 10 at 08:31:40
I'm reading this
and think it is the other Michael , and
then I realize oh my gosh! It is my
friend Michael ! Bottom line, and I know you know this, but
yes, we will always have to fight this addiction. I was thinking this morning how they say
nicotine is as addictive as cocaine or heroin, and they are selling cigs right
down at the corner store and to kids. And yes they are killers… And right there
it is to buy as much of this highly addictive drug as you want... Now don't get
me wrong I am not going to be a self-righteous ex-smoker, but there is a
dangerous substance out there and if you have $2.50, right there it is... I just find it totally ironic because of this
big fight on drugs.
Anyway Michael , enough rambling... You survived yesterday
and you will survive today because you really want this quit. You have fought too hard and helped too many
to forget that. Hang on here, Michael , and we will all get through this together!
Peace to you, Michael !
Luv ya,
Posted by Wayne 11:23:12
In reply to: Damn Addiction
Posted by Michael on February 10 at 08:31:40
Congratulations
on having wisdom and courage enough to pause and allow clouds to pass so that
you could see clearly enough what to do and what not to. I still have to remind myself often that this
is being done to make my life better -
not easier.
-28 Weeks
Posted by Jen(Winnie ) on February 10 at 13:41:42
In reply to: Damn Addiction
Posted by Michael on February 10 at 08:31:40
I e-mailed you
but sometimes the Pony Express is faster...
LOL… I just wanted you to realize
the support you have here, and to encourage you to call on your addict
colleagues when you're having a tough time. It's hell to go through this crap
alone, and I hope you don't hesitate to give us a call when things get rough.
And thanks for
sharing the vulnerable side of you with us. It's a very important reminder that
the temptation is always there. Hopefully it gets to an intsy-wintsy degree
eventually, but it's there none the less, and our old brain likes to remind us
of the way we used to cope with problems. Good thing your new brain took over and reinforced that smoking is not an option!
I hope you're
doing better, and I'm really sorry about the land deal. I know how much you
were looking forward to that. And nothing like a little guilt trip from your
sister, huh? That's what usually happens in dysfunctional families when one
tries to get well. The sick ones have to keep trying to make us sick
again. Don't let her do it! If there's anything I can do to help, PLEASE
let me know!
xxoo
Jen (Winnie )
Thank you
Posted by Michael on February 10 at 14:59:56
Dear Friends,
Thank you for
all the kind words today. Thank you for telling me it's ok to not be strong all
the time. Thank you for the pick-me-ups and the smiles. Thank you for being the best people I know
right after my wife and my boys.
I have to learn to ask for
help more often.... :-)
Peace!
Fight the good fight!
Posted by Lisa W. 19:34:18
In reply to: Thank you
Posted by Michael on February 10 at 14:59:56
I'm sorry I
wasn't around for your earlier post - looks like everybody was thrilled to help
you out, and after all the treasures you've given us, I'm not the least bit
surprised. I was actually thinking about that the other day - hmmm... How come
some of the people who give the most on this Board never seem to have a bad
day? I'm sorry cravings still happen after all this time, but it's a lesson we
need to hear and then never forget. Thank you for sharing the crappy times with
us. That takes guts, but we learn a lot
from it. I'm glad we were able to give
back a little something to you.
********
Only by helping each other do we truly help
ourselves…
