Sazerac

For sure, the winner has to be Jimi, Happy Fathers Day Down There to Jo's Pop.

Congratulations ! One Month of Freedom for Linda !

Here is some of our anecdotal evidence of quitting, Your First Days Nicotine Free I went on to primal screaming showers, walks, dance, I sucked on a stick of cinnamon like Jillar's Air Cigarette and studied until my eyes bled about addiction, watched all of the scary tobacco related movies. It can be exhausting. Sleep. Reward yourself on your first days of Freedom. You are inspiring. S

Myself and many, many others hid emotions behind the veil of smoke. It is eye opening to have emotions surface and use the opportunity to get very current and honest with ourselves. I feel this is one of the many gifts that comes with quitting smoking.

I really don't mean to be contrary but, the idea of a cruise ship (even with you lovely quitters) sounds like perfect hell to me so, I opted to have my celebrations in a Tardis. This is why at yearly do's I often say that I have the Tardis standing by for anyone, if needed. Need to learn about Dr. Who and The Tardis ? Look Here.

Here is an article I found googling around dealing with the Quitting Smoking Blues. This is from the Very Well Mind website Depression Related to Quitting Smoking How to Deal With the Temporary Mood Changes By Terry Martin | Reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD Updated August 29, 2018 Quitting smoking is difficult enough when you're feeling happy. Unfortunately, it can become further challenging due to depression—a common complaint early on in smoking cessation. Knowing what you may experience as you work to become smoke-free can better prepare you for the journey ahead. If you start to feel depressed after quitting tobacco and your low mood doesn't pass after a few weeks or gets worse, be sure to check in with your doctor for advice. Physical and Psychological Changes Nicotine withdrawal is the primary reason for the temporary depression you may experience after quitting smoking. When you use nicotine on a regular basis, your body and brain become dependent on it, as the nicotine bonds with your brain receptors to trigger the release of dopamine, the "feel-good" hormone. Once you stop smoking and are producing less dopamine than your body and mind have become accustomed to, it is normal to react with low moods and depressed feelings. Lack of nicotine also means losing the "companion" that you thought helped you manage everything from anger to fatigue, which leaves most new ex-smokers feeling empty and adrift for a time. Luckily, for most, the condition is a byproduct of smoking cessation and is temporary. Some common symptoms of depression that you may experience when you stop smoking include: Sleeplessness Sadness Difficulty concentrating Anxiety or an "empty" feeling Fatigue Changes in appetite (eating more or less) Loss of interest in hobbies and activities Emotional irritability You may experience one, some, or all of these at one point or another, and to varying degrees. Coping Techniques Quitting tobacco is a big change in lifestyle, and you should expect to react, to some degree, both emotionally and physically. You are also at an increased risk of suffering a smoking relapse during periods of depression caused by smoking cessation. It is hard to stay focused and maintain the resolve to not smoke when you're feeling low. After years of smoking, it is possible that you began to bury your feelings behind a cloud of smoke. Cigarettes are used to deal with everything from anger to sadness to joy, causing smokers to often lean on tobacco to avoid difficult emotions. It is healthy and productive to let those feelings out, even if you feel a little raw from the experience. For depression that comes with smoking cessation, try some of the following ideas to improve your mood: Get out of a quick walk. Fresh air is always invigorating, and exercise releases endorphins in the brain, which are known to improve mood. Set goals, but don't bite off more than you can chew. Divide tasks related to your goals into small chunks that you feel good about accomplishing. Spend time with people who make you feel good. When negative/sad thoughts come up about smoking, remind yourself that you miss smoking mostly because it was an addiction, and once you're healed, you won't feel this way. Create a list of things you can do at a moment's notice when you're feeling the urge to smoke, like do a crossword puzzle or call a supportive friend. Jolting ourselves out of a negative thought pattern is often as simple as changing what we're doing. Join a support group. Meeting people who are going through the same struggle as you can help you know you're not alone and offer some much-needed support. The American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking program has groups all over the country, or do some research to find other support programs in your local area. While quitting smoking, the body and mind are in a state of transition, and it's not uncommon for new ex-smokers to struggle with their emotions. Don't worry if you are close to tears one moment and angry or sad the next. The balance will return in time. Change Your Mind, Change Your Life One of the greatest challenges new ex-smokers face is an important change in perspective. It is that shift in thinking from seeing smoking cessation as an exercise in deprivation to realizing that it is, in fact, one of the best gifts you'll ever give yourself. This is a crucial step in the process of healing from nicotine addiction, and it is with this transformation that many see their quit-related symptoms of depression begin to lift. Pre-Existing Depression If you have been diagnosed and/or treated for depression prior to quitting smoking, it is important to let your doctor know ahead of time that you're planning to quit. Smoking cessation could make you susceptible to additional mood disturbances. Smoking also causes some medications to be metabolized more quickly, so when you quit, prescriptions you're already taking might need to be adjusted. Your doctor can monitor and correct dosages on any medications you might be on, if necessary. Always be on alert for drastic mood changes and contact your doctor as soon as possible if anything out of the ordinary occurs. If you're having thoughts of self-harm, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifelineat 800-273-8255. A Word From Verywell If the blues have come on since you quit smoking, remember that this is not uncommon. As you are patient through this likely temporary phase, find comfort from your friends, family, and keeping busy with healthier, more productive activities. With time and dedication, these will become the more familiar sources of good feelings, and smoking will become that thing that you thought used to bring you benefit. You can also take comfort in knowing that millions of people have been through this process successfully before you, and many include it among the most rewarding experiences of their lives. Happier days are ahead, and with them will come a tremendous sense of pride and empowerment from overcoming this addiction. Article Sources: National Institutes of Mental Health. Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recognize Signs of Depression. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/guide/depression-and-smoking.html I would like to include Joel Spitzer's video and Resources Concerning Mental Health

How did I miss this ? Happy Five, Gemma. Love your no nonsense quit.

I bet @Boo might like this

Yikes, Jo ! Hope all is resolved and progeny is home safe.

@Boo, I was about to play Guy Clark (one of my crushes) for you yesterday but, my set went another direction. This is a cool obscurity by The Hammond Brothers written by Bob Hillard and Burt Bacharach Otis & Carla, ...It's the last train to Jacksonville... I have an obsessive gene too.

about the trains...@Boo...me too. I haven't even googled a list yet and lots are surfacing in my head.

Thank you Jane ! This is an important part of the recovery process. So, your attention to rewards is required, Parsley. The Significance of Rewards

bunp

Congratulations, Parsley ! Four days is a huge accomplishment and a whole lot of nicotine has left your body. You are doing great and wise to relish the good. Why is the end of each day amazing for you ? Is it the sense of accomplishment ? The understanding that you have actually quit smoking ?

and Tosh is running late for his train Taking the A Train with Ellington and the Night Train with James Brown and the choo choo cha boogie with Louis Jordan These are just a few that came to mind.

Aaron is waiting at the station too

Happy Nine Months of Freedom, Jo. Please remember to reward yourself....that is not just for others, it means YOU, sugar dumpling, you beautiful nicotine free woman, you. Thank you for all your work here and in the world at large. We love you so much. Sally

This is great news ! Melatonin treatment attenuates symptoms of acute nicotine withdrawal in humans. Published 18 years ago...but, I am only recently learning about the benefits of Melatonin. This link is to The National Center for Biotechnology Information and there are a slew of related articles on the right side of the page. For sure, worth further investigation.

You quit smoking, Daisywheels ! Your life without cigarettes is one filled with better health and freedom from addiction. The junkie's voice will get dimmer and dimmer.... You have power, don't give it away to a junkie who wants to kill you.

Bump for newbies who may have trouble with the 'forever/ever' part of NOPE. NOPE one crave at a time, one day at a time. You will succeed.

Take a shower and sing yell or bark. Showers are good for craves. You are doing great Daisy.

I quit in October 2013, (almost five years ago) and lurked at QSMB and here on QTrain for nearly a year. Then, on this date four years ago, I joined this wonderful, wonderful place. I still have everyone who participates here to thank for their wit, wisdom and whimsy. Thank you for quitting smoking and being an inspiration to my world, to The World. Thank you very much.