Hi everyone. I have never posted on any kind of message board before, so I hope I don't break any rules of decorum or anything. Basically, I am 30 years old and have smoked since I was 15. The last 8 years of smoking were "in the closet." My wife found out last week and it was not a pretty scene. I have quit several times before, but I always get pulled back in. So I am determined this time to make it last, for the sake of my marriage and my 5 year old son. The only real problem is that no one in my family smokes or has ever smoked, so I am really doing this alone. My wife doesn't even believe in addiction. I mean, she really doesn't believe that there is such a thing as physical dependence. So I am on my own on this one. That is why I am here. So far, I am doing pretty good. I haven't had a cigarette for a few days. I'm not sure what the symptoms of withdrawal are, but I am having dry mouth, anxiety, and every once in a while my heart just starts racing for no reason. Oh, and I am definitely having trouble sleeping at night since I quit. And depression. Forgot about that. Anyway, sorry this is so long. I just wanted to see what kind of online support was available, since I have no support for this at home. Thanks.
Congratulations on quitting smoking! It really is the very best thing that you'll ever do for yourself! But make sure that you are quitting for YOU, because YOU really want to quit...cuz if you're doing it just for your wife and child,...well, don't be surprised if you relapse one day. It HAS to be because YOU WANT IT.
I'm sorry your wife doesn't understand addiction....I think a lot of people who don't have any addictions, (lucky people), just don't understand, and have no idea how real it is, and how very addictive smoking is. They now say it is as addictive as crack cocaine....yep..that's what I heard, or read! Can you imagine? She needs to read up on this a little. I always had people tell me, (shrugging their shoulders)..."just don't buy anymore, and just quit"...as if it were so simple. Even my grown children would act this way too....like something was wrong with me cuz I could'nt quit, and I was just BEING weak! If only they knew, huh!!!??
Oh, about the insomnia, and especially the depression,...those symptoms are very common when people quit smoking...also constipation, (quitstipation) is another popular one, and many others. Hang in there...but if it doesn't get better, please see your Dr. about it. That's where some Zyban, (Wellbutrin), or nicotine replacement, (patches, etc.) could help you....if you continue to have problems.
There is a lot of support on the net , sf, for people that are quitting smoking. I found this helped me so much when I quit 3 years ago. That's why I'm still here, to help others quit, and it helps cement my own committment to stay quit. We're here for you.
I Gotta tell ya, anyone who can hide their smoking habits from their wife for 8 years has some determination! Time to see if you can swing your 'Don't let the wife catch me smoking' energy into 'Don't let ME catch me smoking' energy.
Your withdrawal symptoms are pretty much the norm and can go either of two ways, better or worse. Read through a few posts in this forum and you'll see some of the horrors people have gone through. The 1st 3 weeks are by far and large the worst. That takes care of most of the physical addiction. After that, it's all mind games.
Sorry to be so blunt here but something needs to be said. If your wife aint gonna support you, you gotta go find someone who will.
Quitting the smokes is tougher than quitting heroin and statistically, you'd have a better chance of quitting the heroin. Without encouragement and support, you'll be really pushing it uphill.
If you're looking for support, keep coming back here and posting updates. Write about your cravings and what you did to overcome them. Even if you cave in and have a smoke, let the forum know. Once it's posted and you read back on past posts, you'll be surprised how much you are able to achieve.
I recon you can use parts of your previous situation to your advantage. I'm guessing that while hiding your smoking from your wife, you built up quite a routine of short errands and excuses to leave so you can pop in a quick smoke. Keep up with it, just replace the having a cigarette bit with doing a quick lap of your block instead.
The biggest thing to consider is your son. Just think, you're 30 now and he's 5. What sort of father is he gonna have standing by him at his 21st birthday? You'll can be be a fit, healthy, smoke free 56 year old who'll easily stick it out for the whole party, or you can be a 40 year smoking veteran, coughing all night and preparing for a coronary bypass.
It's YOUR choice. Just by your coming here, I can tell you're prepared to make the right decision.
Stay in touch.
Stay Strong.
Barney.
Last edited by BarneyTheDog; 07-28-2006 at 12:02 AM.
Re: I'm new here, just quitting... 
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