One more thing... As my mother says, "I don't now why you're so upset, at least you know it;s possible. A good point to remember after a relapse - even a very bad one. (It would help, though, if I was feeling normal and wasn't so anxious that I'm living on hair sites!)

SHIT!!! This is kind of discouraging. I used to smoke AT LEAST a pack of marlboro reds a day, for five years. Loads of red wine at night, followed by a constant influx of espresso in the morning ALL accompanied by cigarettes...

Here's the thing: Im a TOTAL extremist. Everything is 200% or nothing. I used to lift weights and be in the gym six days a week. In excellent shape, I had to force myself to give myself a day off...

Went through a period where I still worked out and smoked WAY too much.

I took chantix and it worked fantastically. I quit smoking New Years day, from smoking heavily and not working out at all for six months. I started walking 12 miles a day, lifting weights again, not smoking or drinking any red wine so I wouldn't crave a smoke...In all honesty, the chantix worked wonders along with my healthy work out investments. I never had any nic-fits and even when I walked by smokers it smelled rathe repulsive. My breathing cleared up and I had absolutely no coughing or constant clearing of my throaght which I used to have every three minutes...

I went from january 1'st to the 17th with not one single cigarrete. Then on Friday I just felt like I wanted to go out and have some fun as I have not had a drink in a month. Went out, pounded some vodka ( a TON of vodka) and thought I could just smoke a few cigarettes socially for the evening and then put them down...
I should have known better. I know myself and I don't do ANYTHING in moderation. Smoked half a pack that night, then was hung over the next day so I went to the bar and nursed some new castles and smoked the rest of the pack...

Chantix seriously works. I had NO nic fits. What I did have was this underlying craving for the whole tactile experience and process of smoking. I attempted to quit cold turkey before and went for 2 weeks and I can completelly tell the difference...

I was stupid. Hoping to just "socially" smoke when I drink...not gonna happen. Im back on the chantix on not going to make that mistake again.

I think if you were never a smoker then this thread looks depressing and pathetic, but if you were or know anyone who was, then it makes total sense.
you can't go from a habit/ addiction as strong as smoking every day for years to quiting cold turkey with absolutely NO relapses. Every one I know who used to smoke and eventually quit went through a few relapses before it finally stuck.
were all human and fall. What makes the material long term difference is what you do when you fall:l do you pick yourself back up, brush yourself off and continue moving forward; or do you stay stuck?

were ALL gonna fall, but its what you do from that point moving forward. what is the OVERALL end result?
I don't know anyone who has never gone back and had a relapse with something like this. Its just a matter of moving forward...

Ancient thread


But anyway, I was a pack a day smoker - then one night it was extremely chilly, I was out hitting the town with some mates, and got sick.

I got pneumonia.

SO I didn't smoke for a month while it passed, and after a month, I picked up the pack again (i didn't really plan to quit) ... and I said, you know what, if I lasted 4 weeks, lets do another four weeks.

2 years later and not one smoke more, I leeched a few here and there.

Nowadays, I am still a quitter, but I leech the occasional, and have even purchased a pack here and there when I felt like it, and never took up the habit though.



Anyway, in saying that, I started the night shift at work, its killing me, I am all alone in a supervisory role, looking over a subcontractor, who really, needs no guidance (in construction). So I am gonna buy a pack tonight, smoke it over a few nights, and then prove to myself that I can smoke without become hooked again.


Lol @ tempting fate. Idiot


EDIT - spelling was atrocious - I barely understood what I wrote

anonymous man, That's smoking!! That's part of the whole smoking game. If your smoking one smoke a month your considered a smoker.

That's what's so messed up about my story. Tried before, had the lapses... These last several years, I had every opportunity and less than zero interest. No appeal to me. Never thought about it. Wouldn't continue seeing someone I liked because I couldn't stand the smell on him. Boggles my mind that I could have started again. A testament to how bad life can get and the straws we'll reach for when we think nothing matters... Just wrong company and wrong thought at the wrong time.

eyebrow, Thank god for "change" and the fact that the pendulum will swing back the other way for you again slowly-- I'm sure of that!

NOOOOOOOOOO

(shhhhh dont tell anyone)

I like to think that my smoking is out of pure enjoyment and not habit

That sort of justifies it hahaha

one "smoke" a month is NOT---NOT---ANYWHERE NEAR A SMOKER!!!! There are 20 cigarrettes in a pack. Most smokers smoke a pack a day... What Anonymous Man sounds like to me is a social smoker now. My brother in law used to smoke, then quit. And has the ability to only smoke on occasions. Like one here or there if he has a drink and someone else is smoking, so he bums a cigarrette. I Wish...I WISH I had this ability. Unfortunately I'm 200% or nothing.

I quit for 17 days which was for me incredible. Began lifting weights again and started walking 12 miles a day. Then, under the premise (bull shit voluntary self deception) that I could have a few smokes over some vodka on a Friday night, then just put them down again, I started smoking again.
Well, I will quit. And not deceive myself again--even though self-deception is not even truly possible.

***BY THE WAY*** I know SO many people who smoke out of boredom as Anonymous Man stated. I for one have WAY too much time on my hands and I know most of my smoking is a result of this. Pretty stupid since the act of "smoking" isn't very exciting. there's just something to it. Only a smoker/ex-smoker would understand...

used to smoke regularly but i now am QUITE successful at being a social smoker (though at the same time there's nothing like a bad day at work to drag you back into the soothing embrace of nicotine!)

If i could i'd smoke regularly. I enjoy it, so fuck the long term effects! Only problem is the old asthma means the long term effects are reduced to quite present effects. After a few bad bouts of chest problems, and one particularly bad moment, i've reduced the amount i smoke... as the unpleasant choking etc was overshadowing the pleasantness of smoking.

But i can't see myself ever fully quitting. It's enjoyable, i enjoy smoking when i'm out, and i live to enjoy life!

But kudos on quitting! It's not easy. incidentally, don't you hate when non smokers tell you to quit? the old 'how hard can it be' crap.... quite hard!

Is there anyone who has quit for the first time with success? I'm on week 3, and now feeling discouraged

I assume chantix are some form of nicotine patch or something, like nicobate? Can anyone shed any light on how the cravings are once you've finished the course of patches/gum etc? While i rarely crave a smoke since i've been on the patches, my biggest fear is resisting temptation when i don't have a patch on to ease me through.

nick_au