A tiny bit of cheating....questions? - Smoking Cessation Message Board

petlover1003 · 02-10-2008, 08:07 AM

Today is Day 4 for me BUT I admit that I have cheated a tiny bit each day (2 cigs per day, divided into half so actually 4 times a day I have had a couple of puffs). I'm also taking Chantix.

I remember reading that nicotine stays in your system for 72 hours (I feel like it's longer than that but whatever.....). Does this mean that each time I've taken a little cheating puff that the 72 hour clock starts up again??
What about those on the patch?

Stretched2Far · 02-10-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petlover1003

Today is Day 4 for me BUT I admit that I have cheated a tiny bit each day (2 cigs per day, divided into half so actually 4 times a day I have had a couple of puffs). I'm also taking Chantix.

I remember reading that nicotine stays in your system for 72 hours (I feel like it's longer than that but whatever.....). Does this mean that each time I've taken a little cheating puff that the 72 hour clock starts up again??
What about those on the patch?

Sadly yes. Even one tiny tiny tiny puff puts the nicotine right back into your system and your 72 hours clock is restarted. A couple tips to speed up this 72 hours is the night before the morning you quick, drink a little bit of alcohol (assuming your 21) and then the next day when you start your quit, drink A LOT of water, this will speed up the process a little. Just make sure you don't drink the alcohol after you've already quit or you're likely to slip up. Just to clarify, I mean drinking the alcohol the night before you quit, while you still smoking. God luck and god bless. If you have anymore questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Stretched2Far · 02-10-2008, 10:06 AM

Oh yeah! the patch question! The patch delivers so much nicotine over a 24 hrs period, usually in increments of 21, 14, and 7 mg. If you smoke 20 cigs a day, start out with 21mg for 2 weeks then 14mg for 1 week then 7 mg for 1 week. Although, you won't have any physical withdrawals while on the patch, you will still mentally crave the cig in your mouth. After your done with your patches, you shouldnt experience such extreme withdrawals as you wouldve if you wouldve quit cold turkey, but you still have to be strong willed. The key with the patches is not giving up while on them, because then you have to start all the way over again, which gets very pricey. Hopefully this made sense.

Red60 · 02-10-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petlover1003

Today is Day 4 for me BUT I admit that I have cheated a tiny bit each day (2 cigs per day, divided into half so actually 4 times a day I have had a couple of puffs). I'm also taking Chantix.

I remember reading that nicotine stays in your system for 72 hours (I feel like it's longer than that but whatever.....). Does this mean that each time I've taken a little cheating puff that the 72 hour clock starts up again??
What about those on the patch?

You are correct 72 hours is about what it takes to clear your body of nicotine. On the other hand true withdrawal symptoms could last for up to 6 months. The occasional urge to smoke can last for the rest of your life.

It is very important to remember that once you quit you are actually a nicotine addict in remission. Because of this any use of nicotine will result in returning to your former level of dependence. No different than a crack addict, alcoholic or heroin junky.

IMO the most important element required to quit is being able to come to terms with the though that you will never ever again be able to smoke. I think this is what people mean when they say they were ready to quit. They finally understood and where ready to accept that they could not ever use nicotine again. There are products available that can help overcome the physical and to some degree the mental addiction. But I'm not aware of any product that will make the decision to "never take another puff" for you.

petlover1003 · 02-10-2008, 04:44 PM

Thank you Streched2far and Red60....that's exactly the information I was looking for. I was considering myself at Day 4 today but since I have cheated (albeit ever so slightly) I guess I have to consider TODAY as Day 1 since I haven't had a single puff today. DANG...not as far along as I thought!

I went in for a massage today and that seems to have helped. It is probably tougher for me than most to quit as I've smoked for 40+ years and outwardly in excellent health, not even a cough. I'm quitting because of feeling like a social outcast living here in CA plus grown children and husband will be so happy!! Some say to take it 1 day at a time....I feel like it's more like 1 hour (minute?) at a time!