KEL

@beazelWhere are you?

Congrats! Come and let us know how you are doing...

@SalI would go with @Gus on this. I did gum on a quit four years ago and it helped. Until it didn't. I guess the idea about it is to wean yourself off the nicotine. However, the more research I did on the effects of nicotine (versus other drugs like alcohol, cocaine, meth, etc), its pretty much out of your body in fairly short order. So using replacement therapy just keeps it there and, eventually, you will have to go through the withdrawal. The challenge for most nicotine addicts is the emotional/psychological dependence on the ritual/chemical to soothe our souls. Most of us like @Gus suffer from severe anxiety/depression or other mental "illness." Its sorta seems to go hand-in-hand with the nicotine addiction. Like with recovery from any drug, lifestyle changes are essential and logical. We have more time and energy to get involved in healthy activities, especially exercise. If you feel good now and plan on stepping down, I would encourage getting some things in place in anticipation that it will become physically challenging in the withdrawal. Glad you are with us!

@ItIsAllieTimeHi there! Didn't see exactly a post from you but hoping it was a tech glitch and you will come back.

NOPE

@maybaby66Hi there! I am an October 66 baby! So look at us @Gus! Welcome and it does get easier. Like above, there is always someone around on the site and we like nothing better than helping someone get free. It has the added benefit of helping us stay free! Look forward to getting to know you.

NOPE.

I am in on the 1-year pledge. 265 days to go (unless its a Leap Year!)

Thank you all for the support. Life and its challenges don't stop just because we quit. And as I try to remind myself, its a (f-cking) process not an event! But we do got this because it is a WE thing. @jillarHeaded over to the one year pledge! I NOPE daily but I am gonna just go ahead and nail this a-hole down. Potty mouth tonight-hope I do not offend.

@jillarThanks for bringing this back around. I am at 100 days in a couple of hours. Last 48 has been a struggle. Not worth an SOS so I didn't post. But I'm definitely moving through something heavy and there is what I would describe as a "low-grade" crave. I'm trying not to judge myself for it and to understand it is a defense mechanism that arises when I struggle emotionally. Its why I used cigarettes in the first place; why many of us did, i.e. to mask pain. I'm under no illusions that actually smoking would assist the process. I've been triggered on some things I thought were in the past. Once again the onion analogy. Keep peeling the layers and the tears flow until its done. I am trying to practice gratitude and do the next right thing which has meant a number of visits to the QT today, reminding myself of how far I (we all) have come (together). My next stop is the gym. Thank you for listening. K

@intoxicated yodaThank you for the information. I do keep a pretty good track on that stuff as well but am a bit reluctant to post about it, always encouraging people to get it from the folks who are doing the research. MAPS is a great organization doing a lot of work with trauma treatment.

@DoreensfreeI have heard that some folks use smoking MJ to get off nicotine. And I have also heard mushrooms help with nicotine addiction. Not sure of the success rates on any of it.

@SalCongratulations on 9 days! That is so incredible. Ironically (and I am sure others can weigh in on this) its those first few days and weeks that are the most difficult but also the most precious. It does get much easier. I think it takes what it takes but I can recall vaping nicotine as a substitute in my quit four years ago. On day two, I realized it was keeping me in the habit of sucking on something for comfort instead of stopping the habit entirely. For me, it was way too similar to smoking. I relapsed on that quit (obviously) but learned a lot about what I was really addicted to. For me, it was not just the drug of nicotine but the oral fixation and ritual. I had to look at the latter squarely and release it if I were going to successfully get rid of the former. Again my opinion, having tried all sorts of quit mechanisms over the last four or so years (NRT, hypnotherapy, meditation, vaping, 12-step), cold turkey is the best way. Get off nicotine and any other substance that keeps you thinking about nicotine or the ritual of smoking. BTW, not sure where you are but edibles are generally cheaper and give greater effect than flower. I am in Colorado and have been tangentially in the "industry" for a long time here and back when I lived in Cali. Wishing you success and thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. It helps me a lot.

@KatgirlCongratulations! I hope you are feeling good! Please share...helps me keep on track. Thanks-K

You all are too kind.

Thank you both. That is a super empowering thought. I will do so!

@LindaThanks for the encouragement. Learned my former sister in law died a few days ago. She had been ill for a number of years with lung cancer. I haven't seen her in about 8 years and but know she suffered greatly. I trust she is at peace now but its another message from the Universe for all of us to stay the course.

Rest up. Whatever it is will move through more quickly because WE DO NOT SMOKE!

NOPE

@LindaNot to put you on the spot but do you feel like sharing the difference a year makes? I know it hasn't been easy but its such an amazing thing you did and inspiring to us all....

That is so great @Steven Drojensky! Congratulations.

Congrats Linda! Awesome accomplishment and an inspiration to me! Thank you.

That is wonderful and congratulations! Thank you for sharing your success with us.

NOPE

Congrats!