Sazerac

I think the lesson here is to stay on point and prepared for possible triggers, especially during the first year. They really are sometimes shocking in their ferocity but, they are just receptors in your brain that haven't read the New Rules, yet. NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Aw, damn, Chris ! This sucks. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Check in as much as you can, we do worry, you know. Love, S

Congratulations Joe on your FIVE Years of Freedom ! It has been swell taking this journey with you, the million pages of chicks/sticks, your support, and all the news about your family. Hope you celebrate wildly ! and have a big party at Joe's House of Estrogen (Plus One). Love, S

Congratulations on your FIVE months of Freedom, Tammy ! and thank you so much for the support you show to all quitters, new and old !

Hello, Sandy, Great to hear you got up and ground your glass ! We have a gallery page where you can show us your work and inspire us to get up off our rusty dusty too ! QT Gallery

Hello Wantsit, You are not a weakling, you are a hero to yourself, you quit smoking ! Each crave you beat is another receptor in your brain that you own again, another receptor wrenched away from nicotine addiction. Here is something from The Mayo Clinic you may find interesting "When you smoke, your brain changes in response to the very high levels of nicotine delivered by cigarettes. Those brain changes cause you to become addicted to nicotine, and that addiction can make stopping smoking very difficult. Nicotine is the chemical in tobacco that keeps you smoking. Nicotine that gets into your body through cigarettes activates structures normally present in your brain called receptors. When these receptors are activated, they release a brain chemical called dopamine, which makes you feel good. This pleasure response to dopamine is a big part of the nicotine addiction process. Over time, as you continue to smoke, the number of nicotine receptors in your brain increases. Addicted smokers have billions more of these receptors than nonsmokers do. When you try to stop smoking, the receptors in your brain do not receive nicotine, so the pleasure response is cut off. In addition, low levels of nicotine lead to symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, such as strong cravings for a cigarette, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, depressed mood, frustration, anger, increased hunger and difficulty sleeping. The fastest way to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms is to smoke a cigarette, which releases dopamine and activates the pleasure response. To make stopping smoking even more difficult, the brain receptors can be conditioned to expect nicotine in certain situations long after you have stopped smoking. For example, if you regularly smoke when you drink alcohol, or when you are in a stressful situation, or after a meal, the nicotine receptors in your brain anticipate the dopamine rush from nicotine at that time. These "trigger" situations can cause intense cravings for a cigarette, even if you have stopped smoking for several months. The good news is that once you stop smoking entirely, the number of nicotine receptors in your brain will eventually return to normal. As that happens, the craving response will occur less often, won't last as long or be as intense and, in time, will fade away completely. — Richard D. Hurt, M.D., Nicotine Dependence Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. To be fair, our brains have to completely re-fit each receptor and this takes time. Even at five years quit, sometimes a rogue receptor will rear it's ugly head but, it is easily dismissed. Replace each smokey thought with something you choose. Claim back each receptor. Soon, they will behave and distribute your rewards suitably. You can help them by rewarding yourself with a little something every time you beat a crave. Stay focused, you are building a beautiful quit and amassing strength every day. Nope-ly yours, S

Here is a post full of our anecdotal evidence concerning No Man's Land Hope you are feeling better today. You are stronger every time you beat a crave.

Building your quit takes time, re-routing your brain away from nicotine takes time. You must be patient with yourself and stick to NOPE

I am so sorry to hear about your father's death.

This is a great post, Kdad. The more you participate here, the more you document your quit the stronger it can become. Collectively, we are awesome. Thanks for this post.

Welcome to our merry band of nicotine free creatures, Sandy. Congratulations on your quit ! I'm going to give you some links to some posts that you may find helpful. The first is how quitting smoking is a journey The Journey 10 Ways To Effectively Use This Forum and The Great Smoke Free Mental Fog I'm with @c9jane29 and @jillar in that I make myself get up and do something....anything and then I usually find something interesting to get into. I'm so glad you have joined us ! s

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Congratulations, Lilly, on regaining your Freedom. Two weeks is a great accomplishment. Enjoy your day and protect your beautiful quit.

Happy Birthday Ivy, fellow Scorp. Hope you have wonderful celebrations ! Now, dear Mother, Hearing Aids are not just for 'old people'. Almost ALL of my musician friends (ages ranging from 38-75) wear very cool hearing aids. They are light and look like the folks with their bluetooth contraptions. Eargo makes a cute little model, pricey but, really good reviews and don't you want to hear how much everyone loves you ?

I never heard of Proby, googled him and, well well well....no wonder you are a fan, Madame Toady Toad ! "Proby's UK career lost momentum after controversial live concert appearances including two trouser-splitting incidents at shows in Croydon and Luton in January 1965 that scandalized the British press and public[4] and led to bans"

Congratulations on your Two Months of Freedom, Kdad ! I love seeing your NOPE's everyday. Not only is it inspiring to see your commitment but, your choices of op art are amazing. Thanks for taking the time to post them and thank you for being here showing us your quit. s

Congratulations on your Seven years of freedom, Sarge. Thank you for your 'embrace the suck' philosophy. This idea was an integral part of my quit. Here is a thread where Sarge answers many questions I Am The Sarge Hope you and your wife celebrate wildly. Any new rocks to climb ? New races to enter ? New varieties to graft ?

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Free, just over Five years. I had a great celebration here, thank y'all. I love our batch of quitters, watching them regain their confidence and their lives from the shroud of Nicotine is mighty inspirational. My quit is feeling rock steady and there is no room, ever, for complacency. Nice to see you popping in, mister b. Love to your beautiful (and saintly) wife. S

Exciting news, Lilly. Day Six. ! Please reward yourself, you are doing awesome work that will pay off big time in a short while. Already you are wrenching your brain back from the slavery of nicotine and teaching yourself what true rewards are all about. Thank for keeping current with us, we are cheering you on every step of the way. S

Michelle, How was your day ?

Congratulations, Johnny5 on your FOUR years of Freedom and thank you so much for all you do. Your wisdom and words make this board a great place to be.

Happy Day Five for Lilly.

Ahhhh.....the horror daze/holidays Expectations are on overload. When you want to escape, escape and breathe clean cool air. Slow down your breathing. Remember HALT. Feed yourself. Rest well. Let your feelings be feelings, give them attention. Enjoy your grandkids. Tell people you love that you love them. Eat too many sticky buns. Warm up your husband's bum. Play with your canines. Remove yourself from uncomfortable situations, the door is always open. Stand up straight, tits first, chin up. Un-clench your fists, lol. Use your power. Communicate your perimeters. Have FUN. You don't smoke anymore.

Hello again Michelle, Congratulations on quitting smoking. How are you going to build your quit ? What is going to make it successful this time ? Please educate yourself again and again and commit to yourself, commit to NOPE. You will not fail.