Ghost cigarettes

[beacon]

Lately I have been seeing phantom cigarettes and experiencing a resulting craving. Or, perhaps it is the other way around. For example, I was rumaging in my purse and for a second I thought I saw a loose cigarette. My thought was oh, a cig has fallen out of the pack; better smoke it so it won't get broken. When I realized, no it is a pen and I don't smoke, I felt disappointed. A similar thing happened today when I thought I saw a cigarette on the floor.

 

I have been upset about my diet and I keep whining to myself how easy it was to not eat and instead smoke . I also have had some very long work days and restless sleep.

 

What do you guys think?

[action]

Oh beacon, I'm sorry this is happening to you... I haven't had the phantom cigarette thing happen to me, but it sounds rubbish :(

 

You already know, but I will say it anyway - smoking will not help with your diet. Smoking will kill you, and that's one of the reasons we quit in the first place.

 

Have you spoken to a dietitian about your diet? I guess just like when we quit smoking, we've got to look at the positives, and not the negatives. Try to find good that you like that is good for you, rather than think about all the food that you can't have...

 

I hope that someone else here is able to help you more, and I hope that you feel better, soon. Let me know if you need anything :)

[Pippa]

Beacon - so sorry you are feeling like this ... I hate our addiction and the mind games it plays.

 

I know you know - smoking won't make you feel better - but also know that the weight gain sucks. I was talking to my trainer today and we both tried to focus on all the positives - how much fitter I am, all the things I can now do ... Hopefully you can do the same. I mean look at us - 2 middle aged ( not using that old word ) ) non smokers that can run, bike and kick arse in the gym - I know a lot of 20 something's that can't do that !!

 

Here if you need it - and more than happy to take on the role of your cheer squad - cos frankly - telling you that you are awesome is a pretty easy job !

[BAT]

It's a trap !!! Don't fall for the mind game you are playing on yourself. Just say NOPE. :)

[Doreensfree]

Don't let the junkie thinking get a look in.....be so proud of what you are doing....

There is so much worse horror stuff that can happen than a little bit of weight....

I think if our lungs were hanging on the outside ,we would see exactly the damage done.....

But because we carnt see them...we tend to put it aside....

I was about to have amputation....I don't suppose I would have cared less then what I weighed....

Stay positive....

Hugs xxx

[SueBeDoo]

Don't entertain or romance the thought Beacon, that is what you are doing, I remember seeing you say on facebook if you caught Ebola you'd have a smoke so I think you've opened the flood gates so to speak and let the buggar thoughts in, you are at the romancing stage B and you need to get it out of your head hun cos that's the very dangerous stage to be at.

Please go back to your day one self, remind you how hard the start of it was, maybe try the scare tactics again, look up you tube videos of throat cancer etc, look at some of the videos MQ as put up.

You opened the nicodemon gates, you need to close them straight away, I don't want you back at day 1 and that's were you will end up cos you know you will quit again because you hate being a smoker.

Go back to whatever worked for you at the beginning of your quit.

Have you wrote a response in the pre sos thread, read it if you have and write one if you haven't.

Cop on Beacon you know you don't wanna go back there and we sure as hell won't let you.

[Chrysalis]

Beacon, I'm sorry that you're struggling with this right now. I know how aggravating it can be when your rational mind absolutely does NOT want to smoke but you also have a corrosive little voice in your head that won't shut up. A-a-r-r-g-h!! You're not bad or stupid or crazy, you're just going through a little turbulence right now. 

 

I am absolutely certain that relapses do not happen suddenly--not that I think that you are going to relapse, I just mean in general. I think that what happens is that someone encounters a problem or starts to go through a stressful time but tries to ignore it. They tell themselves, "Oh, it's not so bad." (whatever "it" is) or "Lots of people have worse problems." and things like that. When they dismiss and minimize their distress, it builds up. That's when people start to fantasize about smoking again and if they continue to deny what they are feeling, they will soon crack and relapse.

 

I have had that exact experience more than once. In the past I have relapsed more than once. Finally this time, for this quit, I saw this trap for what it is and stopped it. What I learned is that when I first start to fantasize about smoking, I need to look honestly at myself and figure out what is really bothering me. Then I have to take concrete steps to fix the problem(s). If I don't, I will most likely relapse soon. 

 

So if weight gain is bothering you, bite the bullet and really go on a diet. Seriously and consistently. If you are stressed about work, do something to relieve your stress. Exercise is usually at the top of my list ( In your case, I suggest joining a gym that has a punching bag. :) ) I also highly recommend a self-hypnosis relaxation tape every night. 

 

I think that your "ghost cigarettes" is your brain telling you that you are ignoring and repressing some things in your life that are really, really bothering you. Look into your heart. Figure out what the problem(s) are. Get serious about resolving those problems immediately. Your rational brain is trying to do you a favor. Listen to it.

[Sazerac]

"I also have had some very long work days and restless sleep."

 

Being Tired and stressed will not make a smoker out of you.

 

You Do Not Smoke.  NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE.

 

Do some kind and restful things for yourself this weekend,

 

re-boot yourself and know you will not smoke.  It isn't up for discussion !

[Devil Doll]

Lately I have been seeing phantom cigarettes and experiencing a resulting craving. Or, perhaps it is the other way around. For example, I was rumaging in my purse and for a second I thought I saw a loose cigarette. My thought was oh, a cig has fallen out of the pack; better smoke it so it won't get broken. When I realized, no it is a pen and I don't smoke, I felt disappointed. A similar thing happened today when I thought I saw a cigarette on the floor.

 

I have been upset about my diet and I keep whining to myself how easy it was to not eat and instead smoke . I also have had some very long work days and restless sleep.

 

What do you guys think?

No Ma'am.... No Ma'am... The red is because this looks like you are romancing to me and that can't happen.  You aren't going to dance with that demon and fall down the rabbit hole my friend. 

It's easy to not eat... the wrong things. You want a workout/diet buddy? You got one. I have to get my diabetes back under control before the new year or I am going to be having surgery. I am the queen of bad food decisions too so we can try to whip this together... but smoking is absolutely not an option... never again. 

[Nicole Diver]

Beacon are you me?

Similar issues

[JackiMac]

Hi Beacon I recognise these thoughts, and I am so sorry you are going through this at the moment, please believe me when I say its the addict in you, its trying to get back inside your head and take over, this happened to me and I listened, I romanced the cigarette for days and weeks on end and I finally caved in I was so so stupid, please do not give up your wonderful quit for this smelly, nasty, killing, addiction, you will deeply regret it the minute you light up, try to remember how proud and healthy you feel, and you have achieved so much and come so far, these thoughts will pass.  My neighbour after 12 months of quitting went back to smoking because of the weight he put on, do you know something he is still overweight and he is having to be referred to the hospital due to a lingering cough.  Think about it Beacon, tough love on yourself works wonders.  xxx

[SueBeDoo]

How are you today Beacon??

[Jengelsnew1]

Stay strong friend...this will pass...

[beacon]

Thanks guys :)

[Tink]

Sorry beacon these are sneaky thoughts

 

maybe go back to the beginning in your thought process, watch some youtube videos

 

You did great by posting this

 

 

It maybe halloween but no ghosts allowed :)

[Sarah]

I read a lot on here about how people miss cigarettes. I really don't, I miss the people, but not the smoking. Maybe its because I've associated so much negatively and bad things with cigarettes I just can't see myself ever smoking again.