I read about champix here and I'm on day 5. Ready for a physical makeover of health and this 21 year smoking habit needs to go. I tried quitting three times in my life including now. I'm currently down to 4 smokes a day, my last two attempts lasted exactly 24 hours. But I learned a lot about my relationship with smokes that last time. And it has been very much an emotional mental physical relationship. I am a bit scared of my lack of willpower. I've set my quit day for Saturday. Its definitely a lot easier with the champix.I don't feel as desperate to inhale the 4500 chemicals that will kill me eventually and probably slowly. And as a bonus side effect, I'm not sure if it's the champix or the reduction of smokes, I have a lot of energy and have been cleaning like mad. I just finished washing down the front of the house and the porch. I've also started jogging at 5am just small distances which is just as well because food already tastes amazing. Amazing I tell you. Lol.
Anyway, I feel really good about life again with alanon and this is my next step. Wish me strength! Xx
pinkchip said
Sep 19, 2016
Chantix?
a4l said
Sep 19, 2016
Oh yeah PC, down under its champix but its the same thing.
hotrod said
Sep 19, 2016
Good job my dear I stopped after a 3 pack a day habit over 7 years ago with the same med. It took me a little longer to stop but the Doctor insisted that if I continued to use the Meds I would stop and he was right
Glad i did as a pack of cigs. in NYC are onow $13.00 a pack.
Keep up the good work Food does taste better I gained 10 pounds and cannot shed it , Doctor said I am healty and not to worry . :)
a4l said
Sep 19, 2016
Thanks Betty, that helps. I was feeling all ready to throw out the baby and bathwater yesterday because I'd smoked 3 in the evening, so I reached out to a quit line person who was reassuring. Did I seriously expect 21 years to drop off in four days? Yes, I did. Smokes here in Sydney are now 20 dollars a packet.
hotrod said
Sep 19, 2016
$20.000 wow good luck my friend. You can do this!! Do not give up before the miracle
El said
Sep 19, 2016
Day 625 for me without a cigarette. Good luck; you can do this!
Mirandac said
Sep 19, 2016
Great news and way to go !!!!
((((((( Edna ))))))
Iamhere said
Sep 20, 2016
(((Yay))) for you and your efforts!!! I quit a little over 5 years ago using a vaping device. I also gained some weight that I can't shake off.....but am certainly healthier and food tastes great! You are doing great - use the steps and go for it...
I loved smoking. It was a social event for me as well as a stress-reliever and much, much more. I stopped 3 times and returned - longest was 6 months. I am motivated by $$, so part of my quitting mantra was I will never buy cigs. again.....ever. I am not one to 'bum' smokes off of others so that little $$ thing helped my brain see how dangerous and expensive my habit was!
Sending you positive vibes for success! You got this!
a4l said
Oct 1, 2016
Ok. Its now day 2 of no actual cigarettes and I want one but I'm not going to do it. Can't believe it! Also can't believe I managed to deny being a drug addict the last 21 TT years. So grateful to have alanon.its one moment at a time, one day behind me, I want to have more days behind me. Just needed to vent. Xx
El said
Oct 1, 2016
Stay strong, a4l!
Trying to quit smoking with many relapses helps to put alcoholism into perspective. Addiction is addiction.
I am going on 22 months smoke-free and still have occasional moderate - strong craves. However, I know having a cig will not really help with stress, and socially in New York State it is almost impossible to smoke anywhere outside your home. So, it wasn't "fun" in public places anymore.
I know my body is loving my decision. I know my wallet is loving my decision.
One day at a time. One moment at a time. It actually does give me more compassion toward my AH; I understand the wanting and knowing the need to quit. I also know not wanting to let go of my friend.....who was not a friend.
Hugs! Ellen
hotrod said
Oct 1, 2016
((A41)) It will work Just keep on keeping on. I am now smoke free for 7 years and although, I may want to smoke, I know that if I picked up a cig I would be back to 3 packs a day within a week. As alanon says:"Do not give up before the miracle". Today, I see that I now have choices before I had none because I was an addict.
Positive thoughts on the way
blindsided said
Oct 1, 2016
It took me about 5 months to quit on Chantix. Haven't had a cigarette in over a year. I was a 3-pack-a-day smoker. Food does not taste any better to me. I still have strong cravings. It has been hard because my husband (alcoholic) still smokes. I also have gained weight and cannot lose it.
a4l said
Oct 1, 2016
I love you guys. Thank you. I can do this. I can. I am. It's strange but not smoking gives me a sense of achievement! I like that. I also like not smelling of smoke, being able to smell again, my kids not breathing it in, the skin improvements, having more energy, feeling free. Today I felt as if not smoking meant there was no escape from life anymore! I chewed a lot of gum and tried to get over it. Lol at myself. Betty I have thought of you throughout this and many things. You're a special lady to me and I'm so glad you're here. I will not give up before the miracle happens. Not ever!
On weight gain, yes I've added ten pounds in two weeks. Smooths out the wrinkles, free!! Do you know when I was getting ready to give birth to my last child, the last thing I said to my husband before I toddled into the ambulance was, bring my smokes to the hospital? He came out as they were closing the doors and waved them sadly at me, before popping one in his mouth and relapsing back to smoking.he quit again two years later, time just flies. We were discussing that the other night and I felt so sad that my addiction had taken my focus at many key points in my life. Yes el, losing a bad friend. Seeing it never truly was a friend. Thanks for letting me go on.it's midnight down under, nitey nite!
a4l said
Oct 1, 2016
And also ladies, CONGRATULATIONS on maintaining recovery from nicotine addiction. You ought to be very proud
hotrod said
Oct 1, 2016
((A41)) I agree not smoking is worth it! I smiled at our remembrance of your trip to the hospital to deliver-- I made the cab stop at the store so I could stock up on my brand -- Amazing you could still smoke in hospitals then. I love your attitude I know one day at a time that you will succeed.
Iamhere said
Oct 1, 2016
Kudos to you - keep it going - one day at a time!!!
Jerry F said
Oct 1, 2016
It seemed harder for me to get off and stay off cigarettes and then cigars than it did alcohol yet the program works when you work it on any of my addictions. Good luck prayers and best wishes going your way. (((hugs)))
Iamhere said
Oct 2, 2016
I too struggled more with cigarettes than with alcohol/substances. I believe, for me, it wasn't readily 'seen' by me as to what problems it was causing. I too am sending you positive thoughts, support and prayers for success! It's hard - so hard, but so worth it!!! I believe when we can free ourselves of any addiction, it's an awesome form of self-care and self-love!!! (((Hugs)))
Glad i did as a pack of cigs. in NYC are onow $13.00 a pack.
Keep up the good work Food does taste better I gained 10 pounds and cannot shed it , Doctor said I am healty and not to worry . :)
Day 625 for me without a cigarette. Good luck; you can do this!
((((((( Edna ))))))
I loved smoking. It was a social event for me as well as a stress-reliever and much, much more. I stopped 3 times and returned - longest was 6 months. I am motivated by $$, so part of my quitting mantra was I will never buy cigs. again.....ever. I am not one to 'bum' smokes off of others so that little $$ thing helped my brain see how dangerous and expensive my habit was!
Sending you positive vibes for success! You got this!
Stay strong, a4l!
Trying to quit smoking with many relapses helps to put alcoholism into perspective. Addiction is addiction.
I am going on 22 months smoke-free and still have occasional moderate - strong craves. However, I know having a cig will not really help with stress, and socially in New York State it is almost impossible to smoke anywhere outside your home. So, it wasn't "fun" in public places anymore.
I know my body is loving my decision. I know my wallet is loving my decision.
One day at a time. One moment at a time. It actually does give me more compassion toward my AH; I understand the wanting and knowing the need to quit. I also know not wanting to let go of my friend.....who was not a friend.
Hugs! Ellen
((A41)) It will work Just keep on keeping on. I am now smoke free for 7 years and although, I may want to smoke, I know that if I picked up a cig I would be back to 3 packs a day within a week. As alanon says:"Do not give up before the miracle".
Today, I see that I now have choices before I had none because I was an addict.
Positive thoughts on the way
It took me about 5 months to quit on Chantix. Haven't had a cigarette in over a year. I was a 3-pack-a-day smoker. Food does not taste any better to me. I still have strong cravings. It has been hard because my husband (alcoholic) still smokes. I also have gained weight and cannot lose it.
It seemed harder for me to get off and stay off cigarettes and then cigars than it did alcohol yet the program works when you work it on any of my addictions. Good luck prayers and best wishes going your way. (((hugs)))