Lol, yeah, definitely good fodder for therapy tomorrow -- yay for timing! Absent the numbing that nicotine provides, I'm mentally dashing around for the nearest substance I can get my hands on. Thankfully I can see it for what it is and give it an "I know, honey," but the thoughts are definitely there...

Your brain was changed once you got hooked. Don't underestimate this Hard Core Drug Addiction that took control over your life. Changing your brain chemistry takes time but it will happen due to Plasticity. We will relearn and your brain will rewire the neural pathways with time. So stay angry at cigarettes for doing this to you and don't let anything or anyone sabotage your quit. Protect it like you would a tiny baby or a tiny puppy and avoid the situations where it's just too easy to give up. Getting a solid quit mindset takes time. Somewhere in month four after all the repetitions of NOPING every day you'll get a type of peace in the quit signalling that some nicotine receptors have shut down. These receptors will continue to shut down at varying intervals throughout the entire first year. You'll get emotional ups and downs and possible headaches or other weird things like smoking dreams throughout the first year. By all means keep close to the forum, post often and support your fellow quitters as this addiction is best fought with other like minded people. But remember that never smokers don't get it -- WE DO! Even doctors don't really get how powerful this drug addiction is but WE DO!!!! So, take those deep breaths, stay distracted, and drink lots of fluid to stomp those craves till they no longer affect you. Refuse to Lose! Keep a NO FEAR ATTITUDE-- BRING IT ON BECAUSE YOU CAN TAKE IT!!!! 

If this was easy, everyone would be quit but it is tough and You Are Tougher Than You Think! Use your rational intelligent mind to outwit and wait out those craves. You'll feel so empowered once you get free and be like me and never look backwards only forwards! Good luck in your battle against the nicotine monster! 

"Quitting isn't for Sissies!" I quit poisoning myself Sept. 27, 2013

With props to Jessica Hagy at https://thisisindexed.com/2019/09/they-dont-know-you/ since it's her work.

They of course being the nicodemons. Let's get ridiculous!

Alex (alexsmoker3) said:

If there is something to be addicted to, I WILL find it and consume it.

Please tell me you don't mean hardcore drugs?

Thank you Debbie!  What a great pep talk, I love it!  I feel empowered! 

LOL!  No, no, no...

I'm talking about now that I'm quit from cigs, I'm eating Reese's Cups.  I'm wanting to go on a shopping spree.  Etc...

Whew! Glad to hear it. Girl, ain't nobody got time fo that! LOL

Hey Anthony, 

     I think this quit has a great chance since both of you are quitting together. I think that should be a big help. I'm doing okay. I’m still so grateful for the help and support I received here from so many, including you, that I try to stick around the forum as much as I can to help others and pay a bit of that help forward. Like so many, I love the forum and what does and has done for many of us. It’s a amazing place. Have you taken any photographs recently? You are a wonderful photographer. I still recall a couple of the great pictures you’ve previously posted. Talk again soon. Have a great weekend.  

Ooo, and they ain't kidding about the three days thing. It's like the intense symptoms stopped and I feel normal so it's okay to smoke now, right? 

N.O.P.E- not one puff ever! Why stop all your hard work now? You've done a really great job so far you just need to keep pushing and fight the urge. I've been walking my apartment complex non stop just to keep me moving and not to focused on withdrawl. You got this, keep it up!! 

Xoxo Shauna 8/29/2019