Craven and Bi-Polar Bear have inspired OCCOM BILL to finally

Rock on Jer!

Day 16, jer!
That is good news.
"No worries. No problems."
Sounds like you're having a better time of it than I am.
Sunday afternoon I was sooooooooo tempted. Nice afternoon, relaxing on the porch, listening to some jazz (and the dogs snoring), good book, cup of tea. I really really really wanted to go out and buy myself a pack. Didn't, and that feels good, but it still amazes me how those cravings can come back after a long gap.

I hadn't been counting the days but I checked my calendar to see when I stopped and couldn't believe it was 5 weeks ago. Hard to believe I have been smoking every day for the last 16 years until 5 weeks ago. I was in a good mood and it encouraged me to think about exercise and then I came to my senses - one thing at a time - just thinking about it is an exercise!

ehbeth - how long's it been since you quit??

Did I miss a page? I didn't know you were quitting... I didn't know you smoked. When did this happen? I've been thinking you were a nonsmoker since, since the first time we crossed the subject. How many Go ehBeth!s do I owe you?

Keep up the good work, Heeven!

ditto to OB's last post!

I quit BIG about 20 years ago. But I had a 4 month relapse about 4 years ago. I still get those "this would be a perfect moment to smoke" feelings every now and then.

I know that because of the state of my lungs I really really can't start again, but I don't think the craving is ever going to vanish completely. I liked to smoke - and I was dang good at it - 3 packs a day at my peak.

Jer is having an better time of it than you, with a twenty year head-start? Boy, am I glad you didn't share that little tidbit during my slightly more vulnerable initial stages of quitting! :wink:

I think I mentioned my Grandma taught me the phrase "blow it my way". When asked, she always said that a day never went by that she didn't want a cigarette... and invariably followed it up with "I'd like one right now" before explaining why she can't because of what the doctor said.

Conversely, my best friend quit for about the 10th time, mid cigarette about a decade ago. He's never wanted one again and prefers smoke free environments.

I wonder which category I'll be in. I still love the smell.

Does anyone have any advice about someone quitting RX drugs? Not the same as smoking.. I know. But it IS an addiction also.
? anyone?

Begin by reading Stanton Peal's 'love and addiction' to understand where addictions come from in the first place. Essentially, quitting is always the same. Articulate the irrational, BS excuses you have for continuing, put them front and center in your mind and then refuse to pay them heed. Most addictions aren't fed 10 to 60 times a day, like cigarettes, so breaking them should actually prove easier regardless of what they are.

Whoa... 1 and half months, and I'm already an expert!

Make that Stanton Peele. Da, just click here and start reading. It's a must read anyway. :wink:

Shewolf, be really careful quitting Rx drugs you think you might be addicted to....or if you're asking on behalf of someone else, the same advice goes. You can cause real problems yourself by quitting something that you need to be slowly weaned off of; some other drugs have to be quit cold turkey but still need medical monitoring. If consulting with a personal physician is not advisable, there are addiction counselors out there who can help.

Addiction to prescription drugs has become epidemnic in this country and I think we're going to have to address it seriously in the very near future.

Meanwhile, affixing gold stars for Bill, Jer, and Heeven, and tenderly placing Smog's in the empty cigar box awaiting an opportunity to use it.

While people are asking for advice, any suggestions on quitting drinking? I've asked tons of people already, but it can't hurt to ask here too.

Three ways to go. 1) Just stop. 90+% of people who try this don't make it however. 2) Go to an alcoholism counselor--you can find one in any yellow pages--and be referred to rehab--this can be costly unless your insurance will cover it but has a decent success rate for those who really want to quit; 3) go to AA meetings daily, no matter how dumb or how uncomfortable it feels. Try for 90 meetings the first 90 days, and at least 2 a week thereafter for the first year. If a sponsor isn't offered, ask for one. When you get one, follow his advice. This costs you nothing but time and gumption, but has the highest success rate. (If you stick it out with the meetings, they stop feeling dumb and uncomfortable pretty fast.)

And good luck to you or your friend/loved one Smog.

Foxfyre, you're full of info!

Thanks for the help. 90 meetings in the first 90 days is a lot, though.... something to consider, nonetheless.

Yes it is a lot but effective. You can go anytime - morning meetings, noon meetings, evening. If you're near anyplace of any size, there will likely be meetings every day somewhere within driving distance. You get to know people in groups you attend regularly and they become an important support group for you. But not restricting yourself to only one group also puts you in touch with many different perspectives and broadens your horizons.

Just like smokers, those with an alcohol problem sometimes take a few tries before they finally 'get the program', but I've never in my whole life met anybody who was sorry they attended AA.

I think someone needs to give Foxfyre a buncha gold stars, too. Very good advice there and every day I can see how much you're helping people! :-D

Nah, you're a convert.

Blow that fresh air over my way, Bill.

I'd definitely give Foxfyre at least...I dunno...80 gold stars.

Jespah's right. Mad stars for Foxy! She was very instrumental in my success!

Eva, I've been called that before... no,.. wait a minute... that word started with a perrrr....eh, um, no forget it.