Sazerac

We must protect our quits with unadulterated ferocity. The receptors in our brain are always ready to re-engage nicotine addiction. If 'they' are on alert, I must be also. Simple truths and simple resolutions, NOPEver. You have a splendid quit going, Ren, and thoughtful posts. Thank you.

This is a great post, rustycolts. It reminds many of us how gnarly it was in the beginning, thanks. We need to remember. I, too, hope I haven't waited too long but, consequences may have to be addressed at some point. The best part is, I won't be craving for a smoke in hospital or smoking through a hole in my throat. Congratulations on your quit. One puff WILL hurt, it will re-ignite addiction and nothing about slavery is romantic.

found this post, way back in the crypt

It's not about luck, rustycolts. It's all about You and what You want. Around 80 hours ago you chose to confront your nicotine addiction. More power to you. Learn all you can, again, about nicotine addiction. This site has great resources, use them to your advantage. We're here to cheer you on and wildly celebrate your daily, hourly, weekly, monthly, yearly...milestones. I spent Katrina at home, left after 13 days when things were got even more weird. Watching Irma was horrifying, it just hung there for days, like a river, like a waterfall of GOM . Glad you are here.

I love reading cookbooks. Elizabeth David, of course, and like an Oxford Dictionary for the caboose, Larousse Gastronomique, in my kitchen, on my Hoosier Cabinet (that has seen better days) with a handy, dandy, old ladies magnifying glass. It brings me great comfort and also inspiration.

You are going to be so proud of yourself for powering through. All of us are proud, too. Replacing thoughts doesn't need to be a physical thing, think of your favorite person, place or thing when a crave hits. Start to associate good things with craves. Pardon me, if I sent this to you earlier. The Significance of Rewards

Oh, dear Pumpkin. I am so sorry you gave up on your quit and are going through such upheaval. Please, take care of yourself and remember who you are. It takes a lot to re-assemble yourself after 18 years. Damn. I know one thing, smoking isn't helping you. It won't help you at all, not one little bit. The comfort you are gleaning from smoking is a fallacy. Think about quitting as soon as you can, won't you please ? We are here for you and you are here for us.

Get ferocious about banishing your smoking/not smoking thoughts. Replace them with something that feels good, sounds good, looks good. I know it is hard, and it nearly made me really crazy but, the earlier you take control of your brain, the easier it gets. I wish I had been more aggressive sooner re-programming my brain. But, trust us...all this cray is temporary. You will feel better. You'll be home pretty soon, right ? It's 2pm for you. Plan to pamper yourself at home, sleep, a rejuvenating bath...you know what you'd like. Make it special. Tomorrow will be your first day pretty much completely nicotine free. Congratulations !

I thought, for sure, we had a thread about this but, it doesn't show up in the search. Here is an accessible article, Smoking Damages Your DNA

Addiction has no pride and not an ounce of mercy. Our addiction to nicotine changed our DNA ffs. This is why vigilance is essential. Always. You may need to re-examine the notion of romancing the cigarette. It took a while for that to sink in, for me, and I was surprised whenever it came up.

Some Soca from Trinidad,

Stay glued to the board, it is the perfect affirmation for you right now. I'm glad you are reading Alan Carr. His book has been an essential part of many quitter's quit. You are right, this is the last time you ever have to go through this. Take some time to appreciate the day, apart from smokey thoughts and detox. It is Shakespeare's birthday if you need more reasons to celebrate. Are your trees in flower ? Flowers in flower ? You don't smoke anymore. Yay.

Is today your third day without nicotine ? The important day that nicotine is physically leaving your body. Let it go and good riddance too ! Deep breaths are about deep breathing IN and deep breathing OUT not about holding your breath until you are blue, tee hee hee. Go take a walk. Stomp and Shout. Do anything but smoke. Concentration may be a bit fuzzy this week, it is a sign that your body is adjusting and healing. Reward yourself, I cannot stress this enough. You need to get your brain receptors on your side again and rewarding yourself does this.

Congratulations, Opah. One month to celebrate ! Thank you for your posts.

You are smart to prepare. Here are two/three threads HALT (Bab's thread on HALT is embedded there as well and it is excellent) and Your Quit & Your LIfe from our friend, Cristóbal Have you read Allan Carr's, The Easy Way to Quit Smoking ? HERE is the pdf

With all due respect, Nancy, My reading list is not about offending or impressing anyone.

Yay ! I just saw your NOPE ! Take good care of yourself, Roz, and take time to heal. It is so great to have you back amongst the living !

This is a great thread, Sirius. I guess I was on hiatus when you posted this. The reason I have a sticky quit is my deep and binding commitment to myself and the desire to keep myself free.

"...don't you think that face just screams, oh shit they have a frickin camera I am so busted..." Exactly so, Jo ! I couldn't find the thread that it was on and maybe that is good...I don't want to stitch you up. Things were a bit festive and frolic reigned. Pig has a lot to catch up on.

Jo is a good girl, a stupendous girl, the best girl in the whole round world. Thank you for your work, thanks to Pig for his work too and hope he had a perfect holiday. Everything runs like a clock around here with fancy spreadsheets and extraordinarily capable helpmates, like that good girl, Jo. Jo, this picture that showed you earlier this week just breaks my heart, it evokes such poignancy for me.

I love Guy Clark and will def read this.

I am so glad you are here ! and watching this crew swing into action is a sight to behold !

Bumpity bump

This is a good post from our friend, Stuart.

Do you need diesel to keep your coolerators cool ? I'd like to make my own water.