Hello all. I realized that what makes me want to overdo my lozenge intake, is when I am paying too much attention to my appearance and how neat and tidy I can manage to keep my home. Yesterday I checked my profile in the mirror 7 or 8 times, feeling distraught about now having a double chin lol. It was horrible. I couldn't stop. Then I became overly conscious of my eating, and I found myself saying, I would rather take more lozenges to control my weight and get rid of this awful double chin lol. At least I can be honest in admitting that I am that vain.

My room was all a mess, so to tidy it before work, I had a lozenge earlier than I had planned to. The end result of my day was 7 lozenges instead of 6- so not too too bad. But still. I need to once again focus not so much on my outward appearance, but more on connecting with others and helping others. I find that when I relax about my outward appearance, I am not as prone to even craving the lozenges.

I want to get ahead at work as well. I was pressuring myself to do more, sell more, succeed more... And in the process, my stress levels increased and again, I felt that I needed those darn lozenges. Can anyone relate? Does this mean that if I am ever lozenge free, my appearance will dwindle and my house be upside down? Did any of you lose a sense of semblance in life going through your quits?

This morning I feel a lot more in control of my lozenge intake. Hopping on the forum definitely helped me! This is it for now. I need to prepare for work. One lozenge taken at 9:30 am. Not until 12 or 1pm will I allow myself another one! Feeling good nonetheless, due to this realization and how to avoid future slips. Have a good day all!!

Lore,

Thank you for your message! I read it the day of, but with vacation being so busy, I never got back to reply. I made it through vacation, then flew home Friday night. I ended up catching some exotic Canadian illness (joking) and have felt pretty horrible since my first night home. That certainly helps with not smoking, lol. I can’t imagine what I’d feel like if I were smoking right now. My lungs are already wheezy and my chest hurts. Ugh. Negative for covid, so most likely some flu. I hate being sick. ??

Anyway, I just wanted to pop on and let you guys know I’m still hanging in here. I hope all of you are doing well.

Jenny

Jerthie,

We had the most beautiful day at Niagara Falls! The rainbow was there, begging to have it’s picture taken 50 times. It was amazing. 
I’m still hanging in there. Came home sick, so smoking doesn’t sound at all fun right now. Today was better than yesterday, so hopefully tomorrow will be even more better.

Jenny

Hello. I quit smoking 4 years ago with the help of this forum, however, I am addicted to nicotine lozenges and am wanting to stop using them. Hope it's okay I come here for support in stopping the lozenges. Only been an hour without so far, not looking forward to the withdrawal at all, been through it with stopping cigarettes as well as stopping alcohol and it's not fun.

Hey... I know what you are going through, as I too, quit smoking 9 years ago with the help of the lozenges, needless to say, I am addicted to the lozenges now too. It's horrible, but at least we are not smoking. How many do or did you use a day? I was using up to 12-13 a day, and have cut it down now to 5-6. It is not a clean quit, but I feel tonnes better, having cut back quite a bit. What helps me stay on a lower dosage is water and gum and hopping on this forum to vent. I only suck on them for a minute or two now as well, so that is way better than leaving them in your mouth for half an hour. Keep the faith. Stay committed, whether you are doing a full on quit, or plan to just cut back the way I have. I would like to be quit, I think, I admit I just enjoy having one after a meal and several more in between just to break up my day. Anyways, hope my message is able to help you out in some small way. Good luck to you!

Jenny... That sounds amazing! I'm glad you were able to take it all in. Yes, the rainbow is a beautiful thing to look at! It sucks that you got sick though, but if that prevented you from smoking, then that is actually a blessing in disguise. Hang in there champ. You know deep down inside that you've got this. You've done it before. You have succeeded in the past, and I have every confidence in you that you will succeed again! God bless you!

Hi there Jerthie, thank you for replying. I made it 2 hours then had one. I have one in my mouth all day long, probably 15 a day. Maybe cutting back for now is the way to go. It was nice not having one for a couple hours, maybe I can do that a few times a day, take a break from them for a little while. Still very grateful to not be smoking, congrats to you on 9 years! That's awesome!

Try cutting back... Honestly, I know that doesn't make it a clean quit, but you will still feel better about yourself, I promise. If you can go from having 15 to having 14, then 13, then 12, little by little, baby steps and just be consistent with reducing, some of your confidence will come back! And then you can decide when and if you will commit yourself to a full on quit. Best of luck to you. You can do this!

BlueDahlia29...

Believe me, I know the struggle to quit or even just cut back on nicotine. It's real. My addiction to the lozenges is not too too bad, but would I like to be quit clean for good? That I no longer know, sadly. I feel that I suck on each lozenge for only about a minute and I only use 5 or 6 a day. I'm not smoking. It's not a clean quit, but it could be a lot worse. When I beat myself up over this, it makes me feel horrible and hopeless, so I will stay content where I am and just be happy that I am not smoking and that I have reduced my intake quite a bit. I still wish you all the best, and I believe you can beat your lozenge addiction if you really want to!

Hi Jenny,

Your welcome! I’m happy to hear you made it through. Sorry you’re sick now though,  You would probably feel much worse if you had been smoking this past week. 
Hang in there. I’m sure you will feel better really soon! 
Be proud of yourself!