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simon · 01-15-2007, 09:19 AM

adam, it sounds like you've been going through exactly the same thing I have. I was an extremely heavy smoker going through at least 10 - 20 rolls per day, and maybe the same again if I went to the pub! I was compulsive about them totally and found it wasn't the physical addiction itself it was my whole lifestyle in itself.

I basically quit when it hit 2007, and I haven't smoked during the day at all. I have however stupidly smoked when I was drunk in the pub on two nights that I can remember so far. However, I'm really very happy that I'm definately not smoking during the day and I don't even crave them which is crazy because when I was smoking I couldnt think of anything else when I was working on my laptop! I can deal with the sometimes smoking when I go out because thats the next step for me- along with quitting alcohol.

I've heard that Allen Carrs book is great, and my friend who m I quit with read it. I didn't, I think I just decided on a date to do it, and the new year was a good date. After that it was a clean slate for me. You will find it difficult because you are totally surrounded with smokers and I'm feel really sorry for you because I know how awfully tempting it is in this situation. Rest assured, if you can quit in the environment you are in, you'll get a kick out of knowing that you are so much more self-disciplined than before!

I think the key is to be persistance and have patience. Kicking a habit that is so ingrained into you will take time for your brain to readjust to. I spoke to friends about it, I've even said that if they see me smoking I'll give them a fiver and we shook hands on it- this is an excellent tactic and perhaps one you should use! I've written in my journal repeatedly about quitting, studying my reasons for quitting and possible difficulties that will arise that I will have to overcome. I've even visualised situations in the pub where I refuse cigs from friends. The key is to find out what works for you. You might find that it is more than quitting smoking that you need to change in your lifestyle...

01-15-2007, 09:19 AM	#24 (permalink)
simon Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 67	adam, it sounds like you've been going through exactly the same thing I have. I was an extremely heavy smoker going through at least 10 - 20 rolls per day, and maybe the same again if I went to the pub! I was compulsive about them totally and found it wasn't the physical addiction itself it was my whole lifestyle in itself. I basically quit when it hit 2007, and I haven't smoked during the day at all. I have however stupidly smoked when I was drunk in the pub on two nights that I can remember so far. However, I'm really very happy that I'm definately not smoking during the day and I don't even crave them which is crazy because when I was smoking I couldnt think of anything else when I was working on my laptop! I can deal with the sometimes smoking when I go out because thats the next step for me- along with quitting alcohol. I've heard that Allen Carrs book is great, and my friend who m I quit with read it. I didn't, I think I just decided on a date to do it, and the new year was a good date. After that it was a clean slate for me. You will find it difficult because you are totally surrounded with smokers and I'm feel really sorry for you because I know how awfully tempting it is in this situation. Rest assured, if you can quit in the environment you are in, you'll get a kick out of knowing that you are so much more self-disciplined than before! I think the key is to be persistance and have patience. Kicking a habit that is so ingrained into you will take time for your brain to readjust to. I spoke to friends about it, I've even said that if they see me smoking I'll give them a fiver and we shook hands on it- this is an excellent tactic and perhaps one you should use! I've written in my journal repeatedly about quitting, studying my reasons for quitting and possible difficulties that will arise that I will have to overcome. I've even visualised situations in the pub where I refuse cigs from friends. The key is to find out what works for you. You might find that it is more than quitting smoking that you need to change in your lifestyle...