relapse prevention The Quitnet Lounge

[Genecanuck]

Junky thinking, make it stop., Quitnet Re-Post January 5, 2006

From jacquot on 1/5/2006 2:22:00 PM

Dear Tom Brady:

 

If I were there, I'd reach out and put my hand on your shoulder and say I was sorry you're experiencing junky thinking.

 

It can be frustrating, agonizing and discouraging.

 

But really, in the truest analysis: it's okay. In fact, it's natural and expected that your inner active addict is trying to reawaken active addiction. 

 

Perhaps the best news I have to offer is that the rationalizations, pleas, begging, etc.. of our inner active junkies can be, well, disregarded entirely as ravings of a mad man. You can think of it like a phone ringing: you don't have to answer it. And when you don't answer it, repeatedly, the damned phone stops ringing or rings far less.

 

Craves are not commands. They are not moral imperatives. You do not have to yield to them. You can simply let them be. That's right. Let them be. 

 

Most importantly, these early days of your quit are the hardest and do not in anyway represent what it feels like to be quit for any length of time. There are days of absolute peace out there with the word

 

"TOMBRADY" typed in all caps across the top of the day's agenda so that when you check it, it says Monday, TOMBRADY: peace. Tuesday, TOMBRADY: peace. You get the idea.

 

Wait it out.

 

It is SOOOO worth it.

-J (1281)    
 

[DenaliBlues]

"...these early days of your quit are the hardest and do not in anyway represent what it feels like to be quit for any length of time. There are days of absolute peace out there with [YOUR NAME] typed in all caps across the top of the day's agenda, so that when you check it, it says Monday, [YOUR NAME]: peace. Tuesday, [YOUR NAME]: peace. You get the idea. Wait it out. It is SOOOO worth it."

 

^^ yes yes yes yes THIS!

[Genecanuck]

Good morning eveyrone, 

 

I will have to stick close to Quittrain and re-read everything I can to get it into my thick skull that smoking is never a cure for anything. I want to get off the relapse train and stay on the Quittrain.... my biggest challenge is that I need to STOP romancing the smoke, not just in the diffuclt times in my life but when I am having fun... YES... that junkie thinking that says that when I am enjoying myself, somewhow smoking will make things better.....  Feeling the need to say the serenity prayer today... God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the differece.

 

I

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Genecanuck

[Genecanuck]

 

Red Flags Repost from @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 ?