Three Weeks

Well done, you're doing great!

I tried that Honeyrose stuff once (before I quit though) and thought it was manky tasting. Should be given to people to put them off smoking!

Would agree with all your tips there except I did 3 and 4 differently. I made myself go out and drink straight away (tough life I know, forcing myself to go to the pub ) so that I'd get used to drinking without smoking and break the association as quickly as possible. Was really tough the first few times but was relieved to get that bit over with and be able to enjoy having a drink again. The only other proper attempt I ever made to quit, I avoided drinking for the first couple of weeks, then lapsed as soon as I had a pint. I guess it's a personal thing though. Also strangely found myself drinking more coffee after I quit (I wasn't a big coffee drinker before) but figure I was just replacing nicotine with caffeine addiction! Have managed to get that under control now though.

Going for walks in the park whilst breathing in deep lungfuls of fresh air really gave me a boost when I was having a tough day and I still enjoy doing that (over a year on) because I don't get that 'tight' feeling any more and it feels great.

And you're dead right about enjoying the freedom - so nice never having to worry about running out and being miles from the nearest shop!

Keep up the good work!

massplanck wrote:

How many times did you go out before you broke this link.

It's hard to put an exact time on it but I suppose it was after about 5 or 6 weeks when I realised I wasn't thinking about smoking that much when I was drinking. I would have gone to the pub or a social occasion every weekend during that time, sometimes Friday and Saturday, and I would have had the odd glass of wine or can at home during the week too. Funnily enough, the first time I went to the pub since quitting was only 2 days in and it's fair to say I got very tipsy! I was climbing the walls by the end of the night and it was torture having a mental battle with myself for 4 hours of drinking but when I woke up the next morning and experienced the first smoke-free hangover I can ever remember having, it kind of spurred me on. I realised I would have felt twice as rough if I'd gone though pack of 20 as well as all the red wine I consumed and that made me feel a lot better for some reason, despite my sore head!

It eventually just became normal to enjoy 'just having a drink'. Rather than sitting in the pub gagging to join my smoking mates outside, I'd finish of my second or third drink and think to myself "hey, that's good - I haven't thought about smoking until now" I still get the occasional twinge when I've had a few, but they're a rare occurence and they pass in a split second - it's never enough to make me want to cave in.

It's bloody hard but it's worth it when you get to the comfortable stage.