Day #8 - Going strong! - Smoking Cessation Message Board

badbackdavid · 02-23-2004, 08:08 AM

Good morning gals & guys,

Just wanted to stick my head in to say that it's day #8 and I'm going strong. I'm hoping that this week will be easier than last week. Although, I must admit, last week wasn't really all that bad. There were moments last week where a big ol' honkin dip of Copenhaugen would have been bliss, but that blissfulness would have only last for a very short period of time and then the guilt, failure feelings, etc. would come to haunt me. Not to mention all the work that I've put would all have been for nothing. So........I never gave in and I feel proud of that.

OK - let me ask something - please keep in mind that I've chewed/dipped tobacco for the last 25 years of my 38 year life. I'm now quitting using the patches and chewing/dipping the imitation snuff. Do you think that using the imitation tobacco like I'm doing is a bad thing? I'd be curious to hear some replys on this one. I figure that I'll eventually trickle off the fake tobacco or simply lose interest in it at some point in time. But so far that has not happened.

What do you think?

Thanks so much and hope that everyone's doing well,

Dave

eightball61 · 02-23-2004, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbackdavid

Good morning gals & guys,

Just wanted to stick my head in to say that it's day #8 and I'm going strong. I'm hoping that this week will be easier than last week. Although, I must admit, last week wasn't really all that bad. There were moments last week where a big ol' honkin dip of Copenhaugen would have been bliss, but that blissfulness would have only last for a very short period of time and then the guilt, failure feelings, etc. would come to haunt me. Not to mention all the work that I've put would all have been for nothing. So........I never gave in and I feel proud of that.

OK - let me ask something - please keep in mind that I've chewed/dipped tobacco for the last 25 years of my 38 year life. I'm now quitting using the patches and chewing/dipping the imitation snuff. Do you think that using the imitation tobacco like I'm doing is a bad thing? I'd be curious to hear some replys on this one. I figure that I'll eventually trickle off the fake tobacco or simply lose interest in it at some point in time. But so far that has not happened.

What do you think?

Thanks so much and hope that everyone's doing well,

Dave

I have been following your success and wanted to say great job and keep up the good work

LL29 · 02-23-2004, 06:10 PM

That's GREAT Dave and yes you should most definitely be VERY PROUD of yourself.

I know I'm proud of ya.

My own person opinion - yes I think it's a bit of a bad idea but to each his/her own because you never know. For some or for me it would be like smoking a cigarette again (a nasty one) and not breaking the dependency habit. I think when you give up a nasty habit - give it up. Because my fear for you is this: Let's say you keep dippin the nasty stuff - your teeth will still be a mess and I'm sure it's dangerous to your gums as well........BUT MORESO let's say your out somewhere, working, or helping others, etc.. and can't get a break to go to the sotre - you've just ran out of your brand and someone offers you a dip of copenhagen. Your HABIT of dippin could lead you right back to where you once were because the temptation would be strong (your habit of dippin) and you might THINK your strong enough to take a dip of copenhagen and then go bk to the nasty stuff ("oh just one..." relapses everyone).

So I say - get rid of the dip period. Find a healthier habit. Carry around a water bottle and everytime you would normally spit - take a sip of water. This way you're still gettin your oral fixation and it's a healthy habit. Or try to think of somethin like that. Chew gum and then pack it in the side of your mouth. LOL

I think you know the answers to your own questions Dave - you just want us to confirm them.

Keep up the awesome work Dave - knew you could do it

Laurie

badbackdavid · 02-24-2004, 05:52 AM

Laurie,

Yes, you're right. I never thought about it in that light before. It's probably a good idea for me to stop the fake stuff, too. I'll try to do without it today and see what happens. Thanks for your insight.

How are you doing with your progress? I know that you've been quit smoking for 3-4 months now, but do you ever experience any brief bouts with depression, anxiety, etc. that's left over from having quit?

Thanks again,

Dave

LL29 · 02-25-2004, 12:19 PM

Anytime Dave

It's now 97 days smoke free CT and very happy. I think once I passed my one month marker - things were dramatically easier for me and I knew it was just a conscious thought to say no or in other words I wasn't "craving" one (all in your head).

At the two month marker your even more confident and same with the 3 month. At times when life gets ya down - of course you'll have thoughts about starting back up because you don't care at the time, but I would debate with myself and KNEW as soon as I came out of my slump (we always do) that I would be tooooo upset with myself if I had started back up and did not want to stink again nor lose my toes/fingers.

Sometimes we're missin the point or boat on what we're depressed about - smoking,chewin, eating/whatever - we're just ignoring what's REALLY bothering us. I choose to face things head on now - deal with the problem or come up with a solution and just ignore any thoughts of smoking. The biggest thing is never forget why you quit to begin with. The benefits of stopping FAR outweigh anything EVER! There is NEVER a reason to start back that's good enough, because one does not exist.

You'll get used to going without Dave - I don't even overeat anymore. The worst habit I've developed if any - is having a fireball here and there. LOL

Keep us posted

Laurie