A Boardsie walks into a bar.....

LegacyUser

A Boardsie walks into a bar……no – actually, a boardsie gave up the fags a week ago now and hasn’t been walking into any bars as the boardsie at the grand old age of 30 is finally determined to kick the habit and upon examination, realizes that every attempt has failed because she got steamed and sparked up. (Well, I knew that already, I just think I wasnt ready to quit)

Im starting to sound like Pighead here so Ill revert back to being normal…….no offence intended Pighead! 

So patch on and away we go – not really concerned about the fags as now I think Ive discovered Im an alcoholic. Seriously! I stopped smoking and drinking last Sunday and heres the week so far. I drank about a bottle at least 3 work nights a week and floored it on weekends.

Monday – Horrific hangover so no worries on the fag and drink front – couldn’t face it after last hurrah to f&d.
Tuesday – Patch on – no worries, slightly irritable….mmm…fancy a glass…brush it off….nightmares in my sleep (reading a book about zombies not helping!)
Wednesday – Forgot patch – bitch from hell form…got my period…..great, this just gets better and better…nightmares like nothing Ive had in years
Thursday – Patch – sane again – but absolutely gagging for a drink. Actually had to force myself onto the bus home….thought about dropping into an offie all the way home…got off the bus….forced myself home. Mad dreams, sweats and disorientation. So glad when morning comes.
Today – Patch on. Dreading 5.30pm.

So Ive found out, its not the fags I don’t think, it’s the drink!! Im sure it is. Im getting nicotine from the patched – I was a 20 a dayer at least – and I don’t really miss the fags or the way they made me feel, but I do miss getting fuzzy. Im dreading hometime and how tough it will be to go home. I was thinking about going to do a spot of shopping after work but the re are pubs all around the shops and I know Ill be getting the “are ya going for one” calls. I think Ill turn the phone off.

I knew the fags would be hard, but Im shocked at the wine side of things. I don’t think I can drink again….thast scary enough in itself. I know loads of my friends read boards butI don’t care – they’ll recognize me…I don’t care at this stage. Im more importantthan the embarrassment of admitting this.

Has anyone any advice? Would really appreciate it.

Thanks for reading…I think Im making sense here…but Ill prolly read back on this in a few weeks with a clearer head and weep!

Wibbs

The patches are well known for giving you very strong dreams. I would switch to the ones you don't wear at night. You didn't smoke in your sleep so your body isn't used to nicotine at night. They can also give you sweats and as nicotine affects your blood sugar levels as well that may explain some of the other symptoms.

You probably associate drinking with ciggies and now you're not on the ciggies, your body is missing them. The patches are keeping the nicotine demons at bay but the association is making you crave the drink. Plus if you're used to having a drink before you sleep at night you haven't been dreaming properly or getting a good nights sleep. Your body will take it's time adjusting to that and the lack of fags. That's my take on it anyway. The drinking is likely a habit thing more than an alcoholic one. In any case no one but you and your GP will know that for sure

ErinGoBrath

Try reading Allen Carrs - Stop Smoking Permanantly.

Worked for me 4 years ago and I no longer get cravings of any sort regardless how rat arsed I get on a session!

Blazer

Every person who gives us the smokes goes nuts on the drink when they're out. You're basically using the alcohol as a replacement for it. I think the smoking ban actually made it harder for people to give them up especially if their friends smoke as well. I was drinking like a fish when I first gave em up..ws pissed every weekend of course with all the drinking I had to gain weight and then spend a 3 months slogging away to get back into shape..now I rarely drink.
The best thing is to avoid pubs for a while..take up exercise or something that's good for you. With drinking to excess you don't want to fighting weight gain.

Overheal

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=871

Poppers1888

I got hypnotised 11 days ago - wouldnt even be bothered smoking now - had given up at new years and couldnt do it, was very grumpy, tense, giving out to everyone. Got the hypnotism done and back to my old self except that Im no longer a smoker can drink and everything, im so suprised by how well it has worked. Hungrier - but just eating fruit instead of crap. would highly recommend it - but it is expensive!

jdivision

When I gave originally tried to give up the fags I found the hardest part was knowing what to do with the hand that didn't have a pint in it and was used to having a cigarette in it. I ended up buying two pints at a time and drinking a bit from each. It helped me give up the fags but I ended up drinking way more as a result. Finding a happy medium is the key. I give up booze every January now, I'm used to it so don't find it hard but first time I did it the first two weeks were the worst. Stick with it and you'll find yourself not craving it anymore after that. Getting on an exercise bike for a while helps too I find

chris85

Poppers1888 wrote: »

I got hypnotised 11 days ago - wouldnt even be bothered smoking now - had given up at new years and couldnt do it, was very grumpy, tense, giving out to everyone. Got the hypnotism done and back to my old self except that Im no longer a smoker can drink and everything, im so suprised by how well it has worked. Hungrier - but just eating fruit instead of crap. would highly recommend it - but it is expensive!

How much is the hypotist as a matter of interest?