Becoming a Non Smoker

Congrats. And good luck. 3 days in is already a huge step forward.

Long time no hear Ray!

Congrats, keep the faith! Gave up myself 6 years ago, trust me it gets easier, honest!

Moved to Nicorette, then weaned myself onto normal Wrigleys. Still go through a pack of chewing gum a day, and have a stress moment if I run out

I've tried. Even tried medication prescribed by my gp. One small stress wobble, and my track record is history. Cold turkey doesn't work for me either.

Does he ever - amazed he hasnt got an ulcer the amount he chews lol

3 days is great - gave up myself 14 years ago

Was on patches for a week - forgot to replace one on day 8 and panicked - once calmed down realised i didnt need them so went cold turkey from then on

Keep it up - support is always here if you want it

Thanks for all the support It does help.
I nearly lost it today with a stroppy customer (Taken the week off work and my day job to avoid extra stress and inapropriate decision making). The wife then asked me to work in the shop because I looked bored!

"BORED" I shouted, that's Just "Fine" I said, you have the fecking day off, do some ironing or whatever it is you do when you get "bored".

Mumbling and grumbling I "stormed" my way to the shop, the first customer arrives to have a moan that her printer cartridge is now empty "but" if you hold it up to the light you can see that there is still some ink left in it....!

I replied in a calm, collected and responsive tone explaining the replacement cartridge will be

Garde is correct - Chewing gum has a real trigger for stomach problems:

Are there any known health risks from chewing gum (aside from the risk of accidentally swallowing it)? | Notes and Queries | guardian.co.uk

You probably do not want to hear this - but technically speaking your not addicted to ciggarettes but you still have an addiction, it's quite a common thread in Stopping Smoking.

This is the main reason that as a Stop Smoking Specialist I only work with people for at least 2/3 sessions -

Phonecall: 15 mins - Intake info and check motivation. If the client is really motivated or they have a partner pressurizing them to quit etc, or some other reason apart from the right one (or one of the right ones )

Session one - The client leaves the office as a non-smoker - (2hr session)
Reinforcement is taken daily via Mp3 recording approx 12 mins long

If there is a bump in the road like a common situation or challenge the client will face it will be usually at it's strongest right about 2 weeks after stopping (relevant to most addictions & Habits)

Session two (two weeks after week one - right on time)- Any secondary symptoms or replacements are now removed.
One of two things happens here. 1, the client has not stopped smoking, (But could be now chewing gum, sucking lollipops like Kojak etc) or 2, they are so sure they will never smoke again they don't see the point of the session. I insist that both clients get in for the appointments, the stoppers now truely stop and the stopped further the resolve to stay stopped.

*Sometimes people wonder about this but I liken the results to a person taking the driving test, what is the quote someone failing first time says? "The best drivers pass second time" Often trying to stop and seeing what the ^Real^ challenges are can be far more effective as once they dealt with nothing really stands in the way of success.

Session three - is a flexible appointment designed for the kind of surprises life can sometime throw at a person like a personal tragedy, bereavement etc - When a person can feel really challenged.

** Then there is always the question - How long will I quit?
My own personal stats shows a 99 percent success, I admit one or two clients have cashed in session 3 when really they were just having a wobble but all in all if the motivation is set, then a person can be stopped forever. People that don't quite stop fully are the ones that think they can ^get away^ with just one etc, this is more and more rare with the new levels of agression being aimed at smokers

Stigmatising smokers puts social cohesion out of reach | Hilary Graham | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk There are plenty of free support groups etc accessible from your local GP (In the UK at least) that are really worth looking into for more information and motivation to quit (in a group of 20 at least one person will leave the room when they start out with the diseased pictures)

I personally was a smoker since the age of 14, I was one of those ones that would never quit, I worked in hypnotherapy for 6 years now and have experienced first hand some of the murderous results of smoking related illnesses- I then made it my personal goal to become a Stop Smoking Specialist. When it comes to Stopping Smoking 'I'm smarter than the average bear' - Yogi Bear
As you can see from one my links to an article I wrote regarding Stopping smoking (for the sake of your pets) What would you think of me if I told you that I have seem more people get upset from the thought of harming a pet with smoking more than a person that could be harming the family or children or even the self.

Give up 'trying' and STOP Forever - its never back to step one, it's just back one step - Stop Smoking now - One step at a time.

Inspiring. But for me, the longest I have gone without was about three days. Being a stereotypical redhead, people were happy when I was calmer. Unfortunately, that meant smoking again.

I think I am forgiven, my good lady has brought me a glass of wine and a cheery smile to advise she is going to bed. I guess the hope will be I get happily intoxicated and forget about the fact that I have been a complete **** today. Guess I am going to spend the money saved on flowers or a trip to London!

It's good to be back

always found alcohol and a fag went hand in hand - to overcome that i just use 2 glasses now

yep you'll get crabby but dont we all? - few more days and pockets brimming with cash you will soon crack the habit.

Best of luck - off to fill my own glass with an amber liquid & ice, may even make it 2 lol oh and some chocolate