One track mind about smoking again - Smoking Cessation Message Board

hopetofeelwell1 · 06-21-2009, 06:11 PM

Hi all-I'm back with my one-track mind about smoking. I haven't had a cigarette since January 6th so I've been through two seasons without a puff and although I haven't relapsed, right now I want one so bad I can taste it! This mental addiction of recovery rather is very tough to overcome. I've been taking two meds that have helped a bit with the cravings and depression, but for a few weeks now this is all I think about--SMOKING! After smoking for 30-odd years this is just not easy to get past and I did know it was going to be hard; I just didn't think I was going to have these insane thoughts. If I speak to my counselor about it, it's not very helpful because she never smoked. I've tried speaking to the psychiatrist about it and she only has textbook knowledge & I guess she never smoked either. I'm in recovery from other things too and it's as if EVERYTHING I ever did in my life has come back to haunt me. I suppose I'm going out on a limb here asking if anyone else has had a long nicotine recovery period with habitual thoughts, but if anyone has an anecdotal story, I'd love to hear it. Thanks so much--Hopeto--

jeanusa · 07-01-2009, 10:45 AM

Hi Hopeto... I think you said it best : "insane thoughts" and that is all they are... I am not saying that I have not had them but I can tell you as soon as one pops into my head I let it go. I will NEVER repeat the begining of a quit. (to hard) . You have done to well to ruin this quit, and don't let anything get to it. I always think to myself if I have even one that is one more I will have to give up and I am not willing to do that. We have worked to darn hard as every ex-smoker knows.

Stay strong and please let me know how you are doing.

Jeanusa
Quit date: 4/30/2007

kilgore52 · 07-01-2009, 01:13 PM

I am not a smoker, but I am so shocked and happy that my chain smoking friend who was never going to ever stop, found these fake cigarets in the mall and online that have nicotene but not the tar etc. that is so harmful. You can get flavors and different settings and completely quit for good. He said it is a miracle and I wanted to share this info. Try to find it online cause I don't know the company name, but it works, Good LucK!!!!

hopetofeelwell1 · 07-03-2009, 10:42 PM

Hi all! To Jeanusa--Many thanks for the pep talk. I have a lot of obsessive-compulsive issues that I have been having a lot of trouble with and of course the cigarette thing has come into play big time. This carried over into my sleep also so I told my psychiatrist about this after breaking down crying and she gave me a script for Paroxetine(Paxil) which I've taken in the past. In one week I have stopped obsessing about the cigarettes filling up my life and my mind so I know it's the depression-anxiety-obsessive thing going on in my head that I couldn't shake no matter what I did and had to have the doctor step in. I do feel better this week so I think it was just what the doctor ordered. When you're considered a dual diagnosis(emotional issue and addictive issue), you really can't solve things yourself--you need professional help. Thank you so much for your caring. I don't really want to start over again if I can help it. If it wasn't for God and this board I don't know what I would do. I think this would set me back mentally if I had to go back again and almost be hospitalized for the relapse. I'm serious--that is how it would affect me. I will forge along and try to do my best and just not smoke no matter what. Thanks and God bless--Hopeto--

hopetofeelwell1 · 07-03-2009, 10:45 PM

Hi Kilgore! Thanks so much for the info. I have to remember this about non-additive replacement cigs. I really don't want to relapse because it would turn me inside out. I posted to Jeanusa all of my issues regarding relapsing into smoking and my anxious-obsessive-depressive issues and those things have begun to be addressed by my doctor. I will research this further. Thanks so much & God bless--Hopeto