it's been a week..advice?? - Smoking Cessation Message Board

bhsockerunner · 02-28-2007, 09:43 AM

im a college student, and it has been really hard for me to cut down on cigs, especially during high stress times (which is pretty much all the time). Its even harder for me becuase my roomate and alot of my good friends smoke, as well as my sister and a good deal of my friends back home. However, i feel that the few people the really realize how hard it is are actually supporting me.

it's hard when im just sitting here, but i think that this board will really help, even if some friends don't want to. it has only been a week, and i quit cold turkey, im afraid with all these smokers around i will give in.

any advice?? =\

mangojunky · 02-28-2007, 09:50 AM

CONGRATS on deciding to be free from cigs! Cold turkey - that's tough...have you considered getting some nicotine gum or lozenges to get you through the tough cravings?
I would suggest that you sit down and write out all the reasons you don't want to smoke. Think about what your triggers are (stress, friends smoking) and decide how you will deal with those triggers that doesn't include smoking.
We have a great motto here..."smoking is not an option".
Let us know how you are doing and hang in there! You are stronger than you realize.
deb

Kevin__ · 02-28-2007, 12:20 PM

Bhsockerunner,

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking. It's a pretty destructive habit and quite expensive these days. I think the longer you review no smoking messages on this site and others, you will eventually see your friends and room mates in a different light. Nicotine addiction is one of the hardest to break away from. Sounds like you've made the break and your friends have not. They are current addicts and you are no longer a member of that group.

I know it may sound hard to do, but you're going to have to establish "boundaries" with the smokers you deal with so as to assure your quit. Such as "No Smoking in the Dorm Room", "Smoking Outside Only", etc.. You get the general idea. Considering roughly 75% of Americans no longer smoke, these ground rules should not be too much of a surprise. Besides, you met smoking friends when you smoked before, now make friends with some non-smokers. We're really not such a bad lot...

As for the stresses you feel from college, they probably won't go away. They do not go away after college either. You learn to manage them. Smoking will not make them easier to deal with. Rather it will add to your stress. When you quit smoking, you tend to calm down and mellow out a lot more too. So you have everything to gain by quiting.

Best of luck to you and please hang in there. By all means, do come back here often to chat with your new "No Smoking" pals.

Kevin__

tampaquit · 02-28-2007, 03:40 PM

bhsoccerunner if you have made it a week so far, you are past the most difficult time! A huge congratulations to you for making the decision to quit now in your lifetime. You will have urges to smoke, desires for just one, but you need to STOP and THINK, why do I think I need this smoke? That was one of the things I really paid attention to prior to quitting. And you don't NEED it, you want it, or it is habit, or everyone else is doing it. Just keep on moving forward day by day, keep occupied, take a walk, study, drink water, whatever you have to do to keep from picking up a cig. GOOD LUCK and do keep coming back here as it has been very helpful for me. I am on day 6 of my quit.

SanyBelle · 02-28-2007, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhsockerunner

it has only been a week...

Only a week? Only a week???? That is awesome! I am so proud of you bhsockerunner! You can and will do it! Congratulations!