DenaliBlues

Well done!!

NOPE and NOPE!

Hey @Stewbum, it’s awesome to hear from you! Welcome back. We’ve absolutely been saving a seat for you. First class all the way! You just gotta get thru the “baggage compartment” first. Which means getting thru withdrawal, and letting go of the shame and fear. Addict Mind feeds off of those shame and fear feelings. So be sure to invite some other feelings along for your ride… like hope, renewal, love for your family, and fierce determination. Welcome back to Hell Week, but you know the terrain. THIS IS TEMPORARY. Stay busy, beware of stinkin thinkin, and don’t give those cravings your attention. Let us know how it goes!

Nice to meet you @Miscegene! I started smoking very young, as well. As a child. So young that I didn’t really have an adult identity without smoking at the center of my life. Or so I thought! Turns out that, as a nonsmoker, I’m still thoroughly me… just less stinky! Anyway, quitting may be tough but the rewards are amazing… more money, more time, better health, etc. But the real gift is that one’s brain chemistry is no longer held hostage. The early cravings can be rugged, but they are TEMPORARY. The gifts of quitting, on the other hand, go on and on and on… Hang in there. You can do this!!

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Welcome @greatcall73! It’s great that you are on the road to your own freedom, as well! There are many sources of strength to help us quit, and I’m glad that you have strong faith in your toolkit. And your other recovery experience will be an asset, too. @shy, good on you for being accountable for your slip. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start again. The next time you feel tempted to smoke, immediately distract yourself… watch videos on this forum (I’m sure folks can offer good suggestions), call a buddy, take a walk, do countertop pushups, jump up and down, do the dishes… anything except smoking. My first 2 months of my own quit, my house was RIDICULOUSLY clean, lol.

Welcome to the network @shy! So glad that you found us! I’m glad that you have a trusted mental health provider. Now is definitely the time to lean on them - because there will be mental, emotional and physical ups and downs to navigate as you quit. Not gonna sugar coat it, withdrawal sucks. So marshall all your resources… including this board. Learn all you can about addiction, too. That really helps, as others have said. But even as you prepare for tough times, don’t be surprised if your mental health actually IMPROVES once you finally quit! No more cognitive dissonance. No more worry about each cough or palpitation. Freedom from shame. Freedom from that sense of failure. Doing something life-affirming that you will feel so freaking proud of. All of these gifts, and more, await you on the other side of withdrawal. I always thought quitting would consign me to a life of pins and needles and misery and longing. But I was wrong… that was my addiction serving up some stinkin thinkin to keep me hooked. The truth is that I am calmer, complete, and more independent without nicotine. It’s a beautiful thing. You CAN do this. And we’re here to encourage and support you. Keep us posted on how things are going!

Hey, Sandi. Sorry to be late to the party, but I wanted to wish you a VERY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I remember your early days here… you were having a truly grim time, but you wanted to be free so badly, and you leaned into the support here. And look at you now!!! Finally free, and paying it forward as one of our fabulous moderators. Your perseverance despite your cravings made you a true quitting Wonder Woman! Congrats, dear.

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Hope you’re doing great, Lars!

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Every day we all stay quit (and every bad joke we tell!) honors our beloved @jillar. We’re all down here trying to to make you proud, Angel Bunny!

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Glad you’re back on track @Pilgrim! When that “stinkin thinkin” comes back (which it will), stay strong. You CAN do this once you take smoking off the table. We’re here to help!

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Sorry to hear about your relapse @Pilgrim. Good on you for coming back to the Train and being honest about your experiences. The tough part of this addiction is that it tricks our mind into thinking that smoking is “gratifying” or “satisfying.” It’s not. The only thing nicotine does is make us want more nicotine. Break those chains, buddy. You can do this!

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Keep it going @Pilgrim. You’ll get there!

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unagi

Greek olives are too salty. water

Well done @GonSo!!! Pffft to those triggers… you’re going strong!!!

Welcome aboard @stzr500! Withdrawal is pretty miserable for those of us who were heavy users. I’m sorry you’re having a rough time. Hang in there. The intense cravings, ups and downs, edgy feelings and despair are normal parts of withdrawal. It gets better - I promise! In the meantime, stay busy… keep your mind and your hands occupied. And don’t give the cravings the power of your attention. They’re just loud, annoying commercials for junk you don’t wanna buy - your addiction kicking up a fuss. Figuratively speaking, change your mental channel and tune out the commercials. And read all you can about this addiction… it helps put things in perspective. We’re glad you’re here - keep that quit going!

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