Layla

Being in my car is a big trigger for me, too. Just because you slipped up once doesn’t mean you can’t still quit. I am on Day 2 of my quit and am using the patch, and it is really helping me, along with the support here. Just make sure there are no cigs in your car, and the more you drive without smoking, the less you will associate it with smoking. I slipped up last night myself and had one cig before bed last night (that time of day is so tough for me, and it’s almost like and OCD thing—I usually smoke 3 cigs before bed!) but I have the patch back on today, and I’m going to try again, because I am already breathing better from only have one cig yesterday. Please don’t let one slip up discourage you. Just get back on the horse. You can do this!

Thank you! These hopeful messages are helping me so much...I’m about 8 hours in...almost 4 pm, and was craving on and off (mostly on) a lot from 1-3:30 pm....I am feeling a little better now, not craving as bad, feeling a little stronger I got through those cravings. Now to conquer the evening/night! Fingers crossed...one hour at a time. I won’t give in!

Thanks so much you guys I have been taking your advice and reading about nicotine addiction & the synapses that form & it all makes sense. I’m only about 4 hours in and have started craving, but I refuse to ruin the deep clean breaths I am taking, and my attitude is that, at least for today, I refuse to give in. I am also noticing how many triggers, many of them emotional triggers, I have, it almost seems ridiculous how the smallest, silliest thing can make crave a cigarette, but I can see how the cigs don’t help, just have become crutches with so little pay off and just fuel the cycle. Crazy how addictive cigs are. I’m gonna try to stay strong & make it through the day. Thanks so much again for such amazing support and encouragement

Thank you so much everyone...I had a cigarette this morning, felt disgusted by it, and then read the encouraging messages suggesting I just start the patch now, and so I decided to just go for it and I put on a patch. Anticipation is not a good thing for me, so I figure why not try now? I feel scared but there is also a feeling of relief that I am giving myself a chance. I don’t know how it will go, but I’m going to give it a shot. Jillar, I can relate to what you wrote—I can’t deal with fanfare & anticipation either...I am sorry about your health issues, but Im so inspired by how you made the decision to just quit one day and you are now breathing clean air. I can’t thank you guys enough and I’ll post later today about how things are going

Thanks so much for all the support...I just went for a walk and then went to CVS and bought patches. I will start wearing them this week and will post when I do. I appreciate the kindness and encouragement so much!

Thanks so much for the warm welcome and the encouraging words, tips and sharing your stories and what worked for each of you...it is very helpful. I agree that smoking is, in fact, making my condition worse in several ways: increasing my anxiety/depression Feeling like I am committing self-harm as I sometimes recoil towards the cigarette, despite craving it strongly, and force the puffs down anyway, feeling sickened and feeling the energy drain out of me with each puff Increasing feelings of social isolation which makes PTSD quite a bit worse I want to respect myself enough to stop smoking and to feel like I can trust myself to stop harming myself. I have been a smoker for 27 years minus the 4 years I quit between the ages of 23-27 (which was QUITE a while ago). I remember during the time I had quit feeling free, enjoying deep breathes of clean air, having much more energy and feeling physically stronger...a feeling I would love to have again! I am going to go get a box of patches tonight and start by trying to get through one day without smoking, so I can get a taste of that feeling of not self-destructing and taking deep breathes of clean air. From there I hope I can quit...I need to at least try...I realize that now. I will keep posting, & thank you...this community is amazing from everything I’ve been reading!

Hi, I’m new here...I would really like to quit smoking...I have been cutting down some, making myself resist the urge of having the cigarette. My struggle is that I have Complex PTSD, and I don’t drink or use any other substances, but the cigarettes have become a coping mechanism, albeit one that just makes me feel crappier ultimately. Anyway, I just figured I’d join the group to be inspired by you all and maybe for some encouraging words as well...great to meet you all :)