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78th smoke-free day! (the great Tiki central mass stop-smoking thread) |
lucas vigor
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2004
Posts: 3453
From: "I've chopped my way through real jungle
|  Posted: 2009-06-08 12:41 pm Permalink
A little shameless self-promotion/bragging/crowing.....
Today is exactly 75 days since I had my last tobacco. It's been hard, but it is getting better and easier every day. In fact, I did not even realize 75 days had passed since I stopped counting the minutes and seconds about a month ago.
So, for anyone who thinks it can't be done, or it's too hard....I am here to tell you, it's NOT!
I was/am the type of smoker that lit one up apon waking, had one more while waiting for the coffee to brew. Had another when I got out of the shower, another while warming the car up, another while driving to work, another in the parking lot prior to entering the building.
This was the pattern of my life being a total slave to nicotine. Every moment measured and defined by when the next cigarette was coming.
Anyone trying this, let me tell you: Cold Turkey.
It's like ripping off a bandaid, you don't want to do it slow. That means no substitutes (patches, gum, etc) no cuting down or rationing. It only delays the inevitable.
Cold Turkey is the quick hit. You only suffer once, and for a comparitively short time.
For example, the real discomfort and insanity only really lasted about 7 days. After that it was already getting easy.
I am not out of the woods yet, and any time I get drunk there is the severe temptation, but I am doing it!
Now, if anyone else needs advice, or just a stop-smoking buddy, feel free to post here or PM me!!
Or,if you just want to post thier experiences, (when you quit, how you felt, or how your life has improved since)....go for it!!
I feel great. Like a huge load has been lifted. I encourage others to join me in this victory!!
[ This Message was edited by: lucas vigor 2009-06-11 11:21 ]
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8258
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2009-06-08 1:23 pm Permalink
Spermy, you reading this?
besides that its just a damn nasty thing to do.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8258
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2009-06-08 1:24 pm Permalink
p.s. Congrats Lucas.
Jeff(btd)
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Murph
Grand Member (4 years) 
Joined: Jul 11, 2006
Posts: 671
From: SoCal
| Posted: 2009-06-08 1:28 pm Permalink
Congratulations!
Looking forward to seeing you update this post in another smoke free 75 days.
_________________
Murph
WaikikiWomb
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Unga Bunga
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 06, 2003
Posts: 5734
From: CaliTikifornia
| Posted: 2009-06-08 1:33 pm Permalink
Congrats Lucas!
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leleliz
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Sep 02, 2008
Posts: 1981
From: NorCal
| Posted: 2009-06-08 1:41 pm Permalink
I am the last person to judge someone regarding what they do with themselves...if you smoke, drink too much, eat too much then its your choice to change and I have little respect for those that have their own problems but yet do all they can to pass judgement on others.
Instead I am all about JUST offering Congrats on the 75 days Lucas and I hope the next 75 are easier for you.
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Son-of-Kelbo
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 03, 2004
Posts: 590
From: NOHO, CA
| Posted: 2009-06-08 2:12 pm Permalink
It WILL get easier, LV.
The best bit of advice I got when I finally put the nasty things down (early 90's) was, "Just forget what that habit was. When you see it going on, just tell yourself you don't understand what you're looking at, don't recognize what that person's doing." I know it sounds a bit corny, but it helped me with the psychological aspect of getting free, a battle that went on a while longer than the physiological jones did.
Best thing you could ever do for yourself. Just remember, and I speak for experience, because I had to go cold-turkey twice to make it stick: Those poisonous little cylinders are like snakes -- you can't "flirt" with them after you're free, bum a loose one, that sort of thing, 'cause if they get that venom back into you, you'll have to start all over. "What is that thing? I don't know, and don't want to." Not trying to preach here, just trying to help.
You've already done the hardest part, and every day will get easier.
Long Aloha,
SOK
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lucas vigor
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2004
Posts: 3453
From: "I've chopped my way through real jungle
| Posted: 2009-06-08 2:22 pm Permalink
The ironic, horrible thing about this is that it is the second time I am doing this.
In 2000, I quit after many, many years of chain smoking. I went all the way from 2000 to 2007 just fine, no cheating, no back sliding.
Then in 2007 (don't laugh!) I went to Vegas for the first time! Well, walking the strip one night, and drinking in every casino I could find, I passed by a cigar stand and I don't know what possessed me, but I bought an expensive cigar and smoked it.
What a disaster! The very NEXT day I went and bought a pack of cigs, and it was like I had never quit. I was totally and immediately hooked again.
Imagine that! I went through all the mental changes during those 7 years, to the point where I actually could not remember smoking anymore, what it felt like, the desire, the allure....I had gotten to the point where I was cured 100% and then totally blew it!
I learned an important point: You can't go back. Once you are done, you are done and cannot cheat, or dabble, or anything. Once an addict, always an addict, and once you quit it has to be forever.
So, exactly 75 days ago I came to the conclusion that I was a smoker again, no and if's or butts (Pardon the pun!) about it, and decided to try and quit again.
This time I am learning from past experience. There is no "safe" time. You can't have a puff 4 years from now and think it won't be any big thing. It will, and you will be hooked again.
I don't want to go through this again. Quitting is hard and unpleasant. It's like you have the hayfever and anxiety at the same time, x100. It's like having an arm chopped off, a crutch taken way...never to be replaced.
But if you go long enough, the cravings come slower and are quicker to pass. At first, it's like every 5 minutes. But they start coming slower and slower, and as long as you can make it through each craving without caving in, then you are good to go!
One thing that helped the first week was that I drank up to a gallon of water a day, and tried to go to bed and sleep as much as possible. Less time awake = less time you are awake and craving (or actually smoking).
The first 24 hours are actually not too bad! There is a pleasant, light headed feeling (That's your circulation improving and the carbon monoxide leaving your system) but the 3rd day until about the end of the first month is the hardest part. Steel yourself for that: You will be in for a rough ride, but it does get better!!
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Tipsy McStagger
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 21, 2004
Posts: 3388
From: HELL
| Posted: 2009-06-08 2:26 pm Permalink
..congrats!!
i myself have been smoke free as of august 2006....last one i burned was at the hot rod hula hop #3.......cold turkey, only way to go.....it's weird...i don't really miss it, yet there are times quite often i would like to fire one up....but it's been so long that i don't want to screw up my record and have to quit all over again... 
anyway, hang in there lucas....it gets easier with time. good for you!
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lucas vigor
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2004
Posts: 3453
From: "I've chopped my way through real jungle
| Posted: 2009-06-08 2:28 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2009-06-08 14:12, Son-of-Kelbo wrote:
It WILL get easier, LV.
The best bit of advice I got when I finally put the nasty things down (early 90's) was, "Just forget what that habit was. When you see it going on, just tell yourself you don't understand what you're looking at, don't recognize what that person's doing." I know it sounds a bit corny, but it helped me with the psychological aspect of getting free, a battle that went on a while longer than the physiological jones did.
Best thing you could ever do for yourself. Just remember, and I speak for experience, because I had to go cold-turkey twice to make it stick: Those poisonous little cylinders are like snakes -- you can't "flirt" with them after you're free, bum a loose one, that sort of thing, 'cause if they get that venom back into you, you'll have to start all over. "What is that thing? I don't know, and don't want to." Not trying to preach here, just trying to help.
You've already done the hardest part, and every day will get easier.
Long Aloha,
SOK
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That's totally good advice. There is no logical reason to smoke cigs, and that is the way you have to look at it. It's not like you are missing out on something.
I look at kids (young kids) and they don't smoke, and seem perfectly happy. A bit fidgety, yes, but not all jonesing for cigarettes!
I want to be like them. A non-smoker.
I have to mentally bring myself to a place where I don't even know what a cigarette is, just like SOK said.
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lucas vigor
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2004
Posts: 3453
From: "I've chopped my way through real jungle
| Posted: 2009-06-08 2:29 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2009-06-08 14:26, Tipsy McStagger wrote:
..congrats!!
i myself have been smoke free as of august 2006....last one i burned was at the hot rod hula hop #3.......cold turkey, only way to go.....it's weird...i don't really miss it, yet there are times quite often i would like to fire one up....but it's been so long that i don't want to screw up my record and have to quit all over again...
anyway, hang in there lucas....it gets easier with time. good for you!
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Three years...that's pretty good!!
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6401
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2009-06-08 3:21 pm Permalink
As a Respiratory Therapist, I daily see the results of a lifetime of smoking - I'm so glad you stopped, quitting can really make a difference in your health. Congrats Lucas and keep up the good work! Thanks for the offer for support, I hope you get some takers.
 "Sweet Virginia cigarette burning in my hand
Well you used to be a friend of mine now I understand
You've been eating up inside me for some time.
Well I know that there'll be hell to pay
Somewhere along the line"
_________________
Clay, the oldest and most divine art media;
"And now, from the clay of the ground, the Lord God formed man" Genesis 2:7
Pirate Ship Tree House
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lucas vigor
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2004
Posts: 3453
From: "I've chopped my way through real jungle
| Posted: 2009-06-08 3:37 pm Permalink
Thanks everyone!
Not to be too grim on such a nice day, but I lost my dad to lung cancer last year....so, it was weighing heavily on my mind. I wish I could have quit a bit earlier. I just did not have the balls to do it at the time.
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kirby
Grand Member (7 years) 
Joined: May 04, 2005
Posts: 1599
From: SoCal
| Posted: 2009-06-08 4:01 pm Permalink
Im glad to hear you quit. and I encourage everyone else who smokes do the same..I quit for the second time about a year and a half ago( late 2007).. I had a hard time with it and had been off and on with the gum,and shit with no real luck for years. But when my father in law, who I was very close with was diagnosed with lung cancer, I quit cold turkey that day. I helped take care of him for the next 3 months and It was not fun watching him cough up black bloody charcoaly cancer nuggets, and labor threw every breath. He died a very scary and agonizing death that was caused by a stupid habit.
Fuck cigarettes...
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little lost tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 12, 2006
Posts: 7460
From: Orange,CA-right near the Circle!
| Posted: 2009-06-08 4:13 pm Permalink
Great!
Now we're gonna have to deal with Mr. Vigor for longer than hoped....
Henceforth, I will increase my tobacco intake
so i won't be around for that....
Congrats man
but i think the booze and pot probably do just as much damage....
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