Red Flags

[Sazerac]

 

 

I have confidence in my quit and estimate my chance of relapse is low

still...addiction is a wily condition and I am human.

 

Here are my four maneuvers to avert relapse, 

(  Think again,  Get right with yourself,  Contact an ally,  Post an SOS  )

and a slew of red flags... 

 

 

When you know better yet, are purposefully leading yourself astray

 

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

If you have tiny tempting smokey thoughts that you are nuturing by not dismissing immediately and aggressively 

 

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~
 

I won't get addicted this time

 

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

Whenever you start to 'romance smoking'

 

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

If you seriously entertain the idea that smoking looks attractive or makes you feel carefree and part of the fun

 

      ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

If you are having silly thoughts like, my smoking friends are having a great time and I'm missing out

 

      ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

If you really wonder, what it would it taste like now, 

    

      ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

Will I still get that, 'ahhhh' feeling ?

 

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

When you start to think that you are 'different' and that you can handle just one. 

 

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

Do you think you can quit again without much effort? 

 

      ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

If you want to give yourself permission for just one, once in a while, just this once 

 

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

If you feel too secure in your quit and start to act cocky 

 

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

If you propose to test your quit

 

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

Are you starting to believe, you've been quit long enough to handle a puff or two?

     

      ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

If you know too much to get addicted again

 

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

Whever you are doubting your commitment to your quit

 

    ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

If you ignore the reality that smoking is a terrifying choice with significant consequences

      

      ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

If you are dismissive of the fact that you can Never Take Another Puff,  Not One Puff Ever.

 

      ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

I forgot the major red flag,  I am not an addict !

 

 ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

I'm an adult and I'll do wtf I want !

 

 ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

 

Have you more red flags to add ?   Different manuevers ?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 2, 2018 by Sazerac
additions

[Lin-quitting]

That was awesome Saz! I plan to save it for future and periodic reading. Thanks!

[Martian5]

Awesome post -- Many red flags I have already dealt with -- will keep bookmarked.  Thanks so much for posting

[TravellingSunny]

All true. So true. It's hard to remember these in the thick of it... I recognize several of these on my thoughts.

[notsmokinjo]

14 hours ago, Sazerac said:

If you feel too secure in your quit and start to act cocky 

 

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

If you propose to test your quit

 

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

 Did you write these two for me... cos they are my big bug bears at this moment.

 

If your life is going off the rails and you start to think having a smoke will calm things down.

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

When you feel crappy and a bit down thinking a smoke will make you feel better.

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

When you need to give yourself a little pat on the back for a job well done, and a smoke seem the right reward.

     ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~

 

As always, a brilliant and insightful post that gives so much. Definitely a keeper. 

Edited May 2, 2018 by notsmokinjo

[catlover]

Great post, so many I can relate to.

Thank you 

[Steve63]

A great read , thanks .

 

Now where's the food

[Sazerac]

When something dramatic/traumatic happens in our life, the addict's conditioned response may well be to grab a cigarette.

 

We must stay SUPER alert during these times,  even with a well established quit.

 

Addiction will always seek a way to serve itself, ALWAYS...that is just the nature of addiction.

 

 

 

Edited November 26, 2019 by Sazerac