Giving up!!

[timwilky]

giving up is easy, you either want to or your doing for other reasons and will fail.

Believe me there are still times after 20 years I could murder a fag. I know it is in my head and I don't really want to. But it is amazing that the craving never truly goes away.

Artificial aids do nothing. Man it out. After a week, so what's another week then month then year. Yes going to the pubs with mates who still smoke is difficult in the early weeks, alcohol dumbs the brain and easy to think just one. So announce to all early that you are giving up and even if you ask for one they are not to help you fail. Then over the years watch your mates kick the habit. and wonder why you ever started,

Fair play mate, I wish you all the best and if you can get any of that dosh you've saved from Mrs A, I'll let you buy me a beer when I visit next year.

Ive tried to stop many a time, and yes I know it's addictive and implanted inside ma noggin when I'd like a tab, and on that ground I read Mr Carr's book, my thought when I had finished the book let's have a tab.

I do hope you have great success mate, but remember "Rehab is for quitters"

good luck m8 i stopped smoking last year on 1st sept i used a combi of patchs and the dummy ciggy inhaler

[Bibio]

Originally Posted by anna

Simply not true.

Heroin wakes you and makes you get another hit, nicotine simply does not do this. Medical Fact.

I would love to see the medical information to support your theory that it takes 20 weeks for it to leave your system. Nicotine starts to leave the system the second that it enters your body, the tar and the rest of the rubbish stays in your lungs.

i used to wake in the middle of the night for a fag. i still do sometimes.

while the nicotine may or not start to leave your body straight away its the receptors in your brain that says they want more. its like loosing a piece of a jigsaw, you will hunt the house down till you find it.

the biggest difference i noticed was my clothes. no longer do i smell like an ashtray. i also notice people who do smoke while standing in a queue and it stinks.

all ex smokers will say the same, you never get rid of that craving it just gets controllable.

Well done.
I've been on and off for the last 2 months, managed to quit for 3 weeks before the AR, then for the week following.

Hardest times were pub at weekend, I didn't use any patches or anything, and found the hardest thing to overcome was the habit, rather than the actual cravings.

I've been going to the gym every day, and I've seen a massive improvement in my health and endurance, which obviously is a great incentive.

Good luck!

[Messie]

Keep going; it is difficult but it is also manageable. Everyone has given such a lot of god advice.

One thing though with me - I gave up a serious smoking habit over 3 years ago and now I don't crave one at all. The desire for a ciggy has gone completely! Admittedly there are times when I think 'oh I would've been having a cig at this point' but that isn't a craving. I don't really want one, I'm just reminded of the situation.

Giving up was one of the best ideas I've had. I love the returned sense of smell in particular

[appollo1]

it's been 40 hours and 20 mins since my last cig.

I really tested myself last night by going out for a few sociable drinks with some smokers. I was tempted to go to the shops and buy 10 cigs, but i didn't

I also didn't scrounge any cigs all night and am really proud of myself for not giving in last night.

I have started to cough up some horrible stuff which i do hope is normal for people stopping!!!!

The big test will be tomorrow when i drive home.......7 hour drive depending on traffic!!!

Yeah, someone I know gave up smoking and said he was coughing up all manner of disgusting black and brown gunk. Eventually it passed.

Well done! The whole respiratory system will clean itself up and the nasty stuff is part of the process. Will take some time to clear but is a good sign.

As for the long drive, get plenty of fuel and no cigs so theres no need to stop. The more time passes, the more confident you will become which will increase your determination.

Every time you find yourself thinking about them, remind yourself how long you've been clean and what a shame would be to start over.

I am stopping too, asof this morning.

Last cig was 3am.

Yes, I am craving like a mofo.