It is so hard to change that auto reaction - get upset, smoke; feel stressed, smoke; angry, smoke; sad, smoke.  Putting a plan in place ahead of time can be very helpful.  I decided that, when I felt any of those auto triggers - I would gorge on on chocolate covered raisins, or punch out a pillow or get into my car and drive, screaming at whoever or whatever upset me as if they were right there in the car with me.  Looked a bit odd but, that seemed to help keep me away from what I used to do - smoke.

Eventually I learned how to talk myself out of an auto reaction.  I learned to recognize when I was experiencing an auto reaction and I did something completely different then what I used to do (smoke).  I learned to take a few seconds before re-acting and think - I am in control of me, what shall my response to this be.   

It takes time to learn a new behaviour.  Give yourself that extra few seconds to decide how you are going to react to stresses and emotions and leave those auto reactions behind.      

Thanks Kathy -

Day one of my second phase of 2022 Quit Smoking Project.

Last night I pounded down 16 cigs in 9  hours. Trying to consume all of the pack I had bought earlier in the day. 1.77 /hour. It wasn't plesant but I I wanted to finish the pack  before midnight. I  ended up throwing away 4 of them making sure that I could not smoke in case I had  a change of mind. It was a difficult morning, especially with my coffee but I persevered. 

Oh well, I made it through my cravings and stayed busy into the afternoon. Nothing overwhelming, just another day with no cigs.

The only difference since last month is no NRT. I really don't think I need it as long as I remain committed to my goal. My current goal is simply the the next 24 hours. As I become more confident it will be the week, then the month and then the year. It will take awhile but as long as I tell my self that I just don't smoke anymore (NOPE too).

I'll be alright. 

Andrew

Anne

Thank you for your response......I have mostly gotten to where I can stop and think before that knee jerk reaction but, I can only pray that the day does not come that I react without thinking again.  I, for the most part, got to where I would scrub pans or possibly go take a bath.......can't smoke with wet hands!

Candrew

I believe that with only a day slip, you can probably make it through with no NRT........not that the drug does not still need to work out of your system but you do already have some of those daily smoking habits that are no longer habits for now.  

Posting is always a great way since you can't type as fast if you are smoking.  I just keep 2 hands on the keyboards.....or 2 hands scrubbing dishes when I am mad.

Good luck 

Kathy

That is a good one.  Wet hands can't smoke.  Love it.

Yea, its not as cut and dry as I would like it to be.

You see I never totally accepted that I suffered from a serious addiction, that I was bigger than it, I could overcome it if I could just tell it to get lost and let me live my life without it. Maybe could be called blind faith, fooling myself or downright stupidity. I tend to ignore the significance of my declsion; this ain't going to be easy (my past attempts have proven this). I see it as a daily commitment (AA's 1 day at a time). If I fail, get back up in the saddle immediately, unlike  this time waiting a week because I had to prepare for my next attempt. That was simply a way to stay smoking , a setup for sure. 

Today was ok. I pray tommorow will be the same. And if I happen to fall off the horse to get right back up and keep on truckin'.

Andrew

Xvaper....

Thank you for the vote of confidence!

I am still stuck at 6 lozenges a day.

I know cutting down is not quitting, but sometimes I just want to keep a stress supply around for when I really need one.  I just don't think I am strong enough to go quit completely.

I will keep you all posted here though.  Is it weird that just two months ago I was 9 weeks quit, and determined?  And now I am back at it, just hoping to cut down?

Again, thank you for believing in me.  I hope I can pull through.

Lubbercat....

Hopping on this forum and typing away definitely helps!  Aside from keeping two hands busy, I feed off of everyone's warmth, strength and encouragement.  I can honestly say that I was about to suck on a lozenge, but jumping on the forum stopped me because of reading through everyone's stories of successfully quitting, or gallantly perservering through a relapse.  Let's keep encouraging one another!  It certainly raises our chances of quitting.

Andrew....

Just keep on truckin'.  The only way you lose is if you stop trying.  Good for you that you are not completely throwing in the towel.  You have your next quit date set.  And now you are more aware that stress after a disagreement or heated emotions leads to smoking.  Like Anne said, now you need to find a new auto reaction.  I think hopping on this forum is one of the best auto reactions.  If your phone or laptop is not handy, you like to pray... So give it to God, go for a walk and think other thoughts... Hopeful, encouraging thoughts.  Don't think one more minute about it.  Go on with your night!

Ofcourse! Update us, and eventually you will do this, I am confident.