Hey, everyone!

[Ridley]

So this is a little embarrassing to admit, but I've actually quit vaping once before, then smoking as well.  Neither was easy, and I felt such a triumph after each that I'd decided that I'd never smoke or vape again...

 

Now I've fallen back to that unhealthy lifestyle, and I've been alternating between vaping and smoking, sometimes both, for months longer than I intended to, because I felt that there wasn't enough time to put aside for the misery that accompanies quitting.  I'd rather not get specific, but at the moment there isn't a whole lot of outside stress going on, and I'm currently on the verge of a change of career, with a bit of vacation time inbetween, so this is actually the best time to finally do it.  I REALLY don't want to screw it up, so I decided I'd try an online community, since I feel that it'd be better if I wasn't alone, and all of my current friends either can't understand what I'll be going through, or are addicted to smoking/vaping themselves, and have absolutely no desire to quit with me.

 

This is really important to me, as it's a milestone of taking control of my life.  And I'm admittedly ashamed that I've quit before and was dumb enough to put myself back into this position.  So I guess more than anything, can anyone give me advice on staying quit for the rest of my life this time?  I'd appreciate any feedback anyone has to offer.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Frezflops]

Welcome to the quit train..do lots of reading here and post...use distraction when necessary, drink lots of water and juice, remember to breathe deep through any crave. You can do this!

[Runfree]

So I guess more than anything, can anyone give me advice on staying quit for the rest of my life this time?  

 

First of all, Congratulations Ridley!!  It's the best decision you can make for yourself.  Honestly.

 

About that "for the rest of your life" thing...  it was my experience that even though I knew deep down this was the end of my smoking, that I was done done, the 'for the rest of my life' was way too much pressure.  Mostly I broke it down to one day at a time....the first few days it was an hour at a time.  I just let those hours turn into days/weeks/months/etc. without adding more pressure.

 

Read as much as you can, watch videos, let those cravings roll by, post here often, drink water, sleep when you need/want.  Above all else, don't smoke/vape.  Just don't.  Anything everything is acceptable for the first few days...just do not inhale those toxins.  NOPE - not one puff ever.

 

Welcome to the board!

 

ETA - nice goat

[Doreensfree]

Welcome aboard Ridley...

There is plenty of stuff here to read...knowledge is the key to fighting this addiction...

Smoking is not on the table....ever.....

This is what got me through my early days....

Stay close to the board....the support here is ubber fantastic....

[Sunnyside]

Welcome aboard the train!

 

 

 

[buMbLeB]

Now I've fallen back to that unhealthy lifestyle, and I've been alternating between vaping and smoking, sometimes both, for months longer than I intended to, because I felt that there wasn't enough time to put aside for the misery that accompanies quitting.  I'd rather not get specific, but at the moment there isn't a whole lot of outside stress going on, and I'm currently on the verge of a change of career, with a bit of vacation time inbetween, so this is actually the best time to finally do it.  I REALLY don't want to screw it up, so I decided I'd try an online community, since I feel that it'd be better if I wasn't alone, and all of my current friends either can't understand what I'll be going through, or are addicted to smoking/vaping themselves, and have absolutely no desire to quit with me.

 

This is really important to me, as it's a milestone of taking control of my life.  And I'm admittedly ashamed that I've quit before and was dumb enough to put myself back into this position.  So I guess more than anything, can anyone give me advice on staying quit for the rest of my life this time?

 

Sure, here's some:  1) accept that you're a nicotine addict, and behave accordingly. Once you quit, you can never have any nicotine again without re-igniting your addiction. Period. 2) Don't think about "forever" too much, it's daunting and unnecessary. You really only need to quit for today. Tomorrow never comes. 3) Educate yourself. Knowledge is power, and it makes all the difference in the world. Read and absorb, on this site, whyquit.com  and books like Alan Carr's (which I never read but suggest by reputation). 4) Watch out for smoking friends, addiction makes us all do and think strange things, and they may resent or even try to sabotage you. Hang out here - we already like you, and we've been where you are now. 5) Drink lotsa juice and water, have things to chew, lower your caffeine intake and be careful around alcohol. 

 

Welcome!

[natalie_3]

Hi Ridley! Welcome!

The same thing happened to me and after a succesful quit I got back to smoking. Now I quit again and my main advice is:

- Stay on the board! Read, post, watch videos and make your daily NOPE pledge (more on that on the next point)

-Take it one day at a time. Make a daily pledge to never take another puff.

- Educate yourself to understand your addiction. Watching Joel Spitzer´s videos and reading Allen Carr´s book is a great way to start.

- Never think you can have just one puff, or one cigarette. You´re an addict and one is just the beginning of getting hooked all over again. 

 

Natalie

 

 

[REZ]

Hello Ridley

 

Welcome and congratulations on your new smoke free life!

 

Main rule to follow: You have got to want to stop smoking more then you want to smoke!

 

Second rule: Hangout here, read and post! It will help you get through the tough times!

 

It worked for me

 

Carry on!

[beacon]

 

Hi.  Try to do it just for a few hours at a time, especially in the beginning.  When I would get a smoking urge, I would tell myself that maybe I would smoke later but not now, or not today. This helped me because forever was too long.  I reminded myself that I could smoke if I wanted to at any time but now I had quit and I would ride the crave out.  Then there is NOPE.  Not one puff of a cig or an e cig so you do not reintroduce the nicotine. 

[Ridley]

Thanks, everyone.  I have a feeling I'm gonna like it here.

Day one has started, so let's see how this goes...

 

First of all, Congratulations Ridley!!  It's the best decision you can make for yourself.  Honestly.

 

About that "for the rest of your life" thing...  it was my experience that even though I knew deep down this was the end of my smoking, that I was done done, the 'for the rest of my life' was way too much pressure.  Mostly I broke it down to one day at a time....the first few days it was an hour at a time.  I just let those hours turn into days/weeks/months/etc. without adding more pressure.

 

Read as much as you can, watch videos, let those cravings roll by, post here often, drink water, sleep when you need/want.  Above all else, don't smoke/vape.  Just don't.  Anything everything is acceptable for the first few days...just do not inhale those toxins.  NOPE - not one puff ever.

 

Welcome to the board!

 

ETA - nice goat

Thanks, and I love your title and avatar!

 

Sure, here's some:  1) accept that you're a nicotine addict, and behave accordingly. Once you quit, you can never have any nicotine again without re-igniting your addiction. Period. 2) Don't think about "forever" too much, it's daunting and unnecessary. You really only need to quit for today. Tomorrow never comes. 3) Educate yourself. Knowledge is power, and it makes all the difference in the world. Read and absorb, on this site, whyquit.com  and books like Alan Carr's (which I never read but suggest by reputation). 4) Watch out for smoking friends, addiction makes us all do and think strange things, and they may resent or even try to sabotage you. Hang out here - we already like you, and we've been where you are now. 5) Drink lotsa juice and water, have things to chew, lower your caffeine intake and be careful around alcohol. 

 

Welcome!

Honestly, I used to not believe the first one, but I think I've come to accept it as truth after having fallen into this whole thing enough times.

Maybe that's what made the difference.

Thanks for the advice!

[babs609]

Thanks, everyone.  I have a feeling I'm gonna like it here.

Day one has started, so let's see how this goes...

 

Thanks, and I love your title and avatar!

 

Honestly, I used to not believe the first one, but I think I've come to accept it as truth after having fallen into this whole thing enough times.

Maybe that's what made the difference.

Thanks for the advice!

Getting honest with yourself is the first step!

Congratulations Ridley!  and welcome to the Quit Train!

[Devil Doll]

Welcome to QT Ridley and congratulations on your great choice! Read and educate, post often, SOS when needed, this is the key!

[Tink]

Welcome

 

As others have said read and post, education and support is key

 

Congratulations on day 1, believe in yourself and remove all fear

[Nancy]

Welcome, Ridley!  So glad you have joined us!!

[BAT]

Welcome to the QT Ridley  :)

[Nicole Diver]

Welcome Ridley! Congrats on a great decision, we are here to help however you need it.

[Doreensfree]

Keep in touch ridley.... Let's how you are getting on...

[babs609]

Keep in touch ridley.... Let's how you are getting on...

Doreen!! Getting a little personal I think. Lol. Just kidding. Always makes me think of "getting it on" when I read that. Lol.

[Doreensfree]

Lol...babs...little innocent me...tut tut...xx

This honey toad ,doesn't known them well enough ..yet..

[Petra]

Hello!  Welcome to our little home on the web.  It's great here!!!  You're gonna love your smoke free self!  

 

I experienced a  2 year relapse after a solid 4 year quit.  I was so mad, but fell into the, "I can smoke for one night, then go back to not smoking" trap once.  Was very disappointed after I learned that indeed, one night of smoking took me right back to where I was before I quit.  Had to quit all over again, which was a little harder the second time around.  The first quit was very easy, I was so excited about becoming a non-smoker and happy to be free.  The second time it wasn't awful, but I did have a few episodes of intense cravings.  It was those moments that I came to the forum and got the support I needed.  I have been smoke free for 2.5 years now and am very confident that I will never smoke again.  I know how easy it is to slip back into it, and I never want to be a smoker again.

 

One thing that helped me through intense cravings was to visualize smoking.  I would close my eyes are really imagine myself smoking and I would try to remember and really FEEL it, the burn on my lips, the awful taste in my mouth, the smoke burning my eyes, the scratchiness in my throat, the smoke filling my lungs.  All the gross, disgusting feelings I hated about smoking.  This helped me a lot - reminded me of how badly I wanted to stay quit.

 

Not sure if anyone else ever did this.  

 

Anyway, welcome!!!!  Read a lot, post often, stay close, play games (except the Chicks and Sticks game, that one is boring and dumb, you don't need to play that one).

[Ridley]

Thanks again everyone, and thanks for sharing, Petra.  Hearing people's personal advice and stories actually helps a lot.
I've previously been hanging out with a bunch of people who "only smoke when they drink," and "never get withdrawals."

I still have no idea how much truth there is to this, especially considering that the guys who tell me this can easily destroy a pack in a single night of drinking.

I'm no longer going to accept offers from people like that again, friends or not.  No matter what effect it has on them, it's just not worth it for me, as I've learned the hard way.

[Doreensfree]

I've seen countless of ruined quits...due to alcohol....

Be on your guard....

Your doing great ridley....one day at a time.....

We are here if you need us ...

[Sunnyside]

Some smokers want to us fail. It's in their nature, because they lose a smoking buddy. They are also envious because you have quit. And they can't.

 

I do believe their are people that can smoke casually but would you really want that?! I would have snapped someone hand off at the beginning of my quit. If I could really smoke, just when I wanted too.

 

Now though, being free of it all for well over a year. Riley, you ain't the goat, if you stick with this quit, with us as a group! You will be the clever one.

 

onwards and upwards! It's the only way.

[buMbLeB]

I've previously been hanging out with a bunch of people who "only smoke when they drink," and "never get withdrawals."

I still have no idea how much truth there is to this, especially considering that the guys who tell me this can easily destroy a pack in a single night of drinking.

 

Ah, the "social smoker", it's the Holy Grail of the nicotine addict. Well, almost. The thing is, it DOES exist, it's just extremely rare. Everyone who starts smoking begins as a "social smoker", but most of us graduate to addiction, and once you're addicted there's no going back. I like to think of this as a bent straw - if you've ever bent a drinking straw, you can pull it out of the juice box and straighten it out so that it looks good as new, but the fault is still there, and if you try and shove it back in again it will most likely bend again in the same spot. That's us. Maybe your friends really are statistical outliers who are genetically unlikely to develop an addiction. Then again, maybe they're liars, both to you and to themselves, I know I was. All you really need to know is that this isn't you, you aren't like that and you never will be. You only get to not be addicted once. This understanding is why accepting the notion that you are in fact an addict is so important - not to be melodramatic, but to put your situation in the correct perspective.

 

Some smokers want to us fail. It's in their nature, because they lose a smoking buddy. They are also envious because you have quit. And they can't.

 

Yup. I remember being this person too, to my eternal shame. 

[Petra]

buMbLeB is a smart Duck.  Listen to him.  :)

 

I think social smokers probably want to smoke all the time and smoke more than they admit, but there may be a few exceptions.

 

Smoking sucks.  I'm so happy I don't smoke any more.  

 

Stay quit, Goat!.  keep posting and if you need to, send a bunch of PM's to Duck.    Just kidding.  send a PM to anyone.  We love helping!