Nicotine Withdrawal: The Diary

36 hours: ten low-tar/nic cigs consumed, a reduction of 75%.

At approx 12 hours, the need-nic buzz sets in. Not wholly unpleasant but more a numbing than a buzz, it has that 'tingle' effect.. probably from capillaries expanding against nerve-ends. This may be unique to me but I used the 'buzz' last time I quit (lasted five years)

Projection: Try to get through next 24 hours on 5 cigs, and halve the dose everyday. Use the buzz!

This is the graphic interpolation of that buzz, except with a striahgt-line as 'smile'

 

I got it down to 'beer at the bar' association. Which happened only 2-3 times a month and never had the urge, otherwise.

I restarted in '00, due to the need to 'concentrate' while doing database transaction design. It helped my work.. but I been saddled since.

 

Good luck Petty. Maybe if you keep up the diary on this thread it will help.

 

This weekend's game has many implications on my health.

If we tie - I promised myself to quit smoking cold turkey.

If we win - I will miss you all, as my heart probably gave out in the 85 minute

If we lose - I pick up drinking heavily and call my girlfriend "my third true love behind Fulham and Jose Cuervo"

:banana:

 

Back-Slid. Not unusual.. for those familiar.. but still I have reduced usage by half.

Quitting smoking is a long-term battle.. at least 6 weeks to six months of ACTIVE refusal needed even if you stop cold-turkey.. and the niggling urge stays there for at least a year.

 

Hey, if Simon Davies can score an own goal you can backslide once in a while. Pick your game back up and start over again.

 

Hang in there Fog, w/a 75% reduction, sounds like it's time to knock that last 25% cold turkey.

 

Been there myself Petty. I smoked a pack to a pack in a half for about 5-6 years and gave it up cold turkey on St. Patrick's Day 2002. It was hard and it had some rough moments but I made it and I am thankful that I did. It has helped my health in many, many ways.

One thing I had to help me was jolly ranchers. Anytime I wanted a cigarette I would take a hard jolly rancher candy and have one. I used to keep a big bag with me everywhere I went. I would also stay away from bars or places that would tempt me to smoke. After a month or two of living scared of smoking, I had withstood and just got used to a life without smoking.

The whole idea of quitting smoking is much easier said than done, but I am proof it can be done. Keep us all posted Petty.

 

Keep going 'fog. I went cold turkey 2 Febuarys ago and the first few months were hard, now I hardly ever want a cigarette. It gets better. Good luck.