Quitting smoking support thread (Full Version)

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myckey -> Quitting smoking support thread (12/19/2006 11:18:19 PM)

I wasn't sure where to post this. Mods feel free to change as long as links are correct.

I know of a few people here that are looking to/trying to quit smoking. I think we need a support thread where we can encourage each other without being browbeaten for smoking.

I have been smoking for the better part of 23 years. I tried to quit again today. It's sickening, I give up after a few hours. I don't understand why it's so hard.

Please anyone else who is struggling please post.



Kath -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 12:14:37 AM)

moving from community to health/fitness



peculiar_lady -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 8:40:35 AM)

according to the today show on this morning, nicotine is more addictive then heroin, so that's why it is so hard to kick.
I have never smoked (am actually allergic to it), but I have had many conversations with a very close friend about her smoking. She has been unseccessful so far though. Things that have helped her cut down though are...
*first, she got back into going to church and gave up drugs...the reason she started smoking cigarettes was to get a better high with the other drugs...but she has quit that now...thanks to the Lord for that one!!!
*drinking more fruit juices and water to help flush out her system so that the cigarette does not taste as good to her.
*not buying the kind she likes the taste of (she likes the mint ones)
*when she gets a craving getting her Bible out instead of a cigarette
*Not allowing herself to be intentionally put in high stress environments
*making herself a very good rule that she can't smoke around her kids (who are about to be 1yo and about to be 2yo...they are 11 months apart).

With those things being implemented into her routine she has managed to go from 2-3 packs a day down to just a few cigarettes a week. She is working on getting down to none, but she says the hardest part of that is that they are around because of who in her family smokes. I really admire all she hasd been able to get away from though.


I will keep you in my prayers...this is very hard, but you can do it...I know you can!!! I hope others join you too in your quest.



zingo -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 8:58:12 AM)

Hi,
Your post is so timely. I just joined this site earlier this evening, specifically because I needed a community that could help me quit smoking...from a Christian perspective!
I have also been struggling with trying to quit smoking. I can go for a day, or even a week but I always give in.

One thing that helps is to really identify what it is the cigarettes give you - what the payoff is for you. I know what my issue is...I am just not sure yet how to combat it. Joining this community is my latest attempt to counter my payoff.

I smoked for 19 years when I was younger and then had quit for 5 years. Last year my husband died quite unexpectedly and I picked up a pack that night and haven't stopped smoking since. They comfort me. Cigarettes are my new companions. Isn't that ridiculous?

So, what is your payoff?



nevaehs_gaze -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 9:01:41 AM)

I'll pray for you as well! I've never smoked anything, but I've struggled with my mom through her nicotine addiction. It isn't easy. I tell most people who are struggling with an addiction to use exercise in place of whatever it is they're addicted to due to all the good stuff it puts in yout body. It quite literally gives you a temporary "high" much like any other addictive thing does, so it's actually easy to replace the two, easier than you may think at least! In any case, you have my support! [:)]



myckey -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 9:33:14 AM)

Thank you all so much. I don't have any time right now to respond but I will in a while. I had my last cigarette this morning.



peculiar_lady -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 10:30:26 AM)

YAY diane...I pray you are able to fully leave this addiction.
What are the ways you are going to be using to break this habbit?



myckey -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 10:43:40 AM)

Sarah and nevaehs_gaze those are wonderful ideas!

Zingo, that's a really good question. I'm not really sure what my payoff is, I guess I'll have to think on that one a bit more.

Thanks, Sarah!! I plan on deep breathing, drinking more water, and maybe getting up and walking around or just moving around. I've got my bible with me and a devotional book. I guess mainly what I'll be doing is praying and praising God and just trusting in Him. It's all I can do right now. I'm at the end of my rope and so sick and tired of it.



peculiar_lady -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 11:23:04 AM)

i know it's not the same, but when I get stressed I put on certain very soft worship songs that I love and it helps...maybe it would help you too. One of my favorite songs that transforms my attitude is the song I have on my myspace page...that one is really a ver touching song to me.



GraceAbounds -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 12:43:57 PM)

I quit smoking on May 12, 2006. The first 3 weeks were difficult (basically the first month). I read and read and read some more. I read all I could about what to expect regarding my body, my emotions, triggers (memories of times that I smoked), cravings/urges (wanting a cigarette), how triggers could turn to cravings if I did not use my coping skills, learning new coping skills, learning new emotional coping skills, etc. etc.. You name it, I read it.

A lot of realizations came over me during my quit smoking journey. I realized how smoking kept me from having a close relationship with God. I had been treating my body like a shack, rather than like God's temple. When I was upset over something, I'd go and smoke rather than focusing on God and what he wanted me to do about the situation ... I was focused on getting my 'nicotine fix'.

The more the drug got out of my system, the more the fog of drug addiction lifted out of my mind, and the more I was able to see that smoking is no different than any other drug. (legal or illegal) Addictions stick our heads in the sand.

Quitting smoking was not easy, but it was not as difficult as society would have us believe either IMO. I think that is Satan talking. He wants us to believe that is soooooooooooooo difficult to quit. He wants our minds to be focused on getting a fix instead of our relationship to Christ.

I am a little over 7 months quit now and I do not miss smoking at all. Nor do I crave a cigarette. The smell repulses me now. I do have memories of smoking. How can I not? It was a part of my past. But I do not sit around wishing I had one or wishing that I still smoked, etc. It is a memory that is all. I guess I just have better things to think about now, glory to GOD!!!

I am writing this to those in the beginning of their 'quit smoking' journey in hopes that I can pass along hope ..... There is light at the end of the tunnel! I promise there is and it is great! Keep persevering. Being a non-smoker is great! Keep going ... you'll see.

If anyone needs any quit smoking support, I am more than happy to be of any service that I can.



myckey -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 1:21:52 PM)

GraceAbounds......thank you so so so much!!!!! Your post really helped and blessed me!!!

I just got back from running some office errands and it wasn't that difficult, which is really surprising. I always smoke in my car, but instead I just talked to God the whole time and He got me through it just fine. Another tough time for me is when I walk up to our front office to use the restroom, I would always come back down through the parking lot and smoke, but today I walked a different way and was ok.



peculiar_lady -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 2:09:12 PM)

good for you Diane!!!! You are doing just fine...one minute at a time, you can do this...I know you can!!!!



GraceAbounds -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 2:41:01 PM)

Hi Diane, I am so happy that my experience helped you in some way. The quit journey can be more of a rewarding experience, than a difficult one. It really can. Just keep your focus in that upward direction girlfriend! Since you are no longer choosing to smoke, you are now accepting the gift of life from God rather than being fooled by Satan any longer. It is such a wonderful feeling when we release ourselves from sin. Exhilarating really.

When we use to smoke, we'd use smoking as a reward for finishing things. Example: House is cleaned, I'll go and smoke now. When you finish projects now or need a break, reward yourself by reading the Bible, reward yourself after dinner by having a yummy piece of sugar free gum, when driving suck on a yummy mint or two, turn the music up and sing a the top of your lungs, when you have your coffee in the morning - post on here instead of smoking. Get busy replacing your old habit with new habits and reward yourself with God pleasing things. Keep on shaking those shackles free. God willing, you can do it!

So just keep it going. You are doing great.



myckey -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 3:06:39 PM)

Thansk so much, Sarah, and that is an AWESOME song!! I'm going to try and find the lyrics.

GraceAbounds, thanks! Those are really good ideas!!



stamper_ben -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 3:32:10 PM)

It's the first day back at work and I haven't done too good today.

Then I read in here about being freed from the "sin" of smoking. I'm gonna have a problem with that...

So instead of getting into a debate on that topic, let me just say that you'll be in my prayers Diane. I'd ask that you keep me in yours. Keeping our focus on Jesus IS the key to this battle against addiction. Tomorrow is a new day. Matter of fact, the next hour is a new hour that we are given! Hallelujah!



GraceAbounds -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 3:42:24 PM)

stamper_ben, please don't let my words offend you. It was a sin for me because it interfered with my relationship with Christ. I am judging no one here except myself and what I experienced on my quit journey. I did not realize that smoking had been interfering with my walk until I had been quit for approx. 3 months and the fog of addiction cleared from my head. Everyone's quit journey is different. Take out of my post what helps you, not what hinders you. I wish you the best.



myckey -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 3:58:21 PM)

(((((((((((((((((((Ben))))))))))))))) You have been and absolutely will continue to be in my prayers.



stamper_ben -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/20/2006 10:23:53 PM)

GraceAbounds, I have to apologize for my comments above. You are right, being freed from sin, any and all sin, is exhilarating, and it is such a feeling of freedom. I want that from the nicotine.

I won't make excuses for my comments. I have no excuse. Your words following mine are enough to show the grace that He gives. There are things in what you've been through that I can take and use for help. There are things in all everyone has shared so far. Thank you.

Forgive me for my outburst.



awed -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/21/2006 1:21:01 AM)

((((Ben)))) ((((Diane)))) ((((Zingo)))) (((((Me))))) The smokers so far...

((((peculiar_lady)))) ((((nevaehs_gaze)))) ((((GraceAbounds)))) The encouragers. Thank you!

I'm "listening". [&o]



peculiar_lady -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/21/2006 10:46:26 AM)

how's it going for everyone today???

just a little word of encouragement for you.
"Forgetting those things which are behind, looking forward to those things that are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"

You all are such great people and you can press toward that higher calling of things in your life that God has put a nudge inyour hearts to go for. It is his high calling and where he guides he will also provide.



myckey -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/21/2006 11:19:23 AM)

((((((((((((((((((((((((Everyone)))))))))))))))))))

And I thought I was alone in this!

I went and bought a pack last night on the way home from work. I thought long and hard about why and what it did for me. All I could come up with was the habit, the comfort, the doing something with my mouth. So today I'm going to get a bunch of gum and lollipops (sugarfree) and just start all over again. I praise God that "His mercies are new every day".

One of my devotions said this this morning:
"Lord, help me to keep my eyes looking straight ahead and not back on the former days and old ways of doing things.
I know You want to do something new in my life today. Help me to concentrate on where I am to go now and not
where I have been. Release me from the past so I can move out of it and into the future You have for me."

I will keep that printed out and close to me for the next few weeks. Along with the verse Sarah gave above.



zingo -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/21/2006 11:38:27 AM)

This morning I was really struggling with wanting/needing a cigarette. My mind screams out to me…oh, just go buy a darn carton and get it over with. Stop all this conflict and have peace. It knows that above all - that is what I am missing and what I want….peace. Usually I compromise by buying a pack and smoking one or two before tearing the rest up and starting the cycle all over again. But this time I am getting more weary of the cycle, the struggle and the failing....lately I have been thinking more about quitting 'quitting'. Just throwing in the towel and being done with the whole business. I can't do it and that's that so let's move on.

Although I had prayed earlier, I hadn't done my scripture reading or devotional study and I decided before I jumped in the car and rushed to the nearest SMOKES R US, I would spend some time doing my devotionals. I am reading 2 Timothy right now, and the devotional for today is picking up at verse 3:1…we all know this one - -
'in the last days people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…….etc. ….having a form of godliness but denying it's power. Have nothing to do with them.' That is me, of course. I claim to have a form of godliness but I am denying it's power to change my heart and life, to overcome my temptations and to obey God. So my faith is useless, impotent and actually an affront to God, not an act of love.

Immediately I fell into prayer. I realized that this is where the rubber meets the road for me. God said He would provide help in time of temptation and this verse IS that help. He said He would provide power and the power is there for me to choose. He said he would be with me and he showed up exactly when I needed him to. BUT, here is the acid test. He will not zap my heart so that the struggle is not an issue for me. He can not make me decide something and He can not do it for me. I have to choose. And I have to deal with the discomfort and struggle and I have to walk every step through the valley. He won't magically teleport me through to the other side without pain. This is my life….I HAVE to live it…no one else can live the unpleasant parts for me.

So rather than denying it's power I asked God to help me unleash it. I choose life over death…blessings over curses. I choose joy and hope and love and peace in Christ Jesus. And I thank him for his faithfulness and his love and his help. I pop a piece of gum into my mouth and I busy myself with the next task.

It occurs to me why it is so hard to quit smoking. This is what I went through over the desire for one cigarette…actually I would have settled for one puff. But I smoked about 20 of these every day and I have to go through this struggle at least 20 times….and I have to be successful every time. To resist 19 times and concede even once is still failure…it means I start all over again….it means you never truly get there. You have to win every single time…every single day….for the rest of your life. Man, that is a big mountain! Well, I know I can't think about it like that….I only have to win THIS time….



myckey -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/21/2006 11:45:35 AM)

WOW!!! Zingo, that was an AWESOME post!!! Thank you so much!!!!!



GraceAbounds -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/21/2006 1:49:51 PM)

As Dory in lil' Nemo says: Just keep swimming!

You'll get there. You will. You all will. Keep persevering. Fill your mind with God. Fill your mind with knowledge on what smoking does to your body and how the addiction infects us. Concentrate on your what you are giving yourself ... the gift of life!

If you need to whine, cry out to God, cry out to us. But do not give up on giving up! You can do this!

Understand that every time we put a cigarette out our body starts the cycle of 'wanting' a smoke all over again. It is only when we can firmly say NO to that cycle that it can stop controlling us. Living our life for a fix is living in slavery. Without your body calling out for nicotine after 3 days without the addictive substance, you'll be able to really concentrate on the mental addiction.

I smoked for over 20 years, over a pack a day, sometimes 2. I took a test that determined that only 1% of other smokers were more addicted to nicotine than I was. And today as I sit here typing this, I am so happy to tell you that I do not struggle anymore with the addiction. Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!

I am under the weather today, not feeling so great. And I am so thankful that I am not smoking and complicating matters worse. What a blessing!



myckey -> RE: Quitting smoking support thread (12/21/2006 3:31:28 PM)

((((((((((((((((((((((((Grace)))))))))))))))))))) I'm praying you feel better soon and thank you so much for your encouragement.



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