Cold turkey, a wild ride.

**Cujo** · 09-10-2009, 09:24 AM

I suppose it was just time, we had 8 days off work and one thing about giving up is you need to have a break in routine, not to mention previous attempts have resulted in short temper and irritability, not conducive to the office environment.
After 3 nights of hammering it and smoking like a chimney I just decided that was it, enough is enough, time to give it away once and for all.
The first day wasn't too hard, I suppose i slept late and was well nicotined up from the previous late night.
The first night was hell.
I slept in fit's and starts having weird dreams and waking often, suddenly, going from fitful sleep to wide awake immediately, then drifting back into a state of half sleep with the most bizarre thoughts and images coming and going in my head. Tossing and turning all night.
I really don't remember that much of it except that it was WEIRD. I wish I had written it down the next day. I slept very little.
The next day was difficult. With no residual nicotine from the previous night my body was in full on nicotine demand mode. This is a powerful addiction and I was a smoker for 30 years, the last ten 30-40 a day. I was seriously addicted and the addiction was demanding it's needs be met.
It felt like every organ in my body was sending me a message, and that message was, 'just have a smoke and this pain and discomfort will go away', but my message back "this is a life or death situation" had more impact.
The hours seemed to go on for ever that second day. I caught myself making reflex actions to get a smoke but caught it in time.
That second night was as bad as the first except I was very tired but still couldn't sleep. The night horrors came and went. Cold sweats and hallucinations and again the bizarre thoughts and images. I dreamed I had smoked 3 cigarettes and was very disappointed but then I woke up and realized it was a dream. I was so relieved it was a dream I laughed out loud. (verified by my wife) Not much sleep again.
Easier the third day, the urges came in waves but the physical discomforts were less and it was easier to distract myself, still a little irritable.
The 3rd night was difficult to sleep but not so many nightmares and sweats.
After that the urges keep coming but less powerful and less often.
It's the 'triggers' that get you. Points where you would normally light up. Waiting for the missus to decide whether she wants those shoes. Stopping for a coffee. After a meal, walking to the shops, places and times you would routinely light up. I've found that once I DON'T a couple of times they become less powerful triggers, but I didn't realize how many of these triggers there were.
It was a very interesting and terrifying first 3 days, a wild ride I might even say. It's now day six and the first day in the office as a non smoker and a whole new range of triggers to watch out for.
I definitely feel good about myself for doing it. it was nice to turn down a smoke the other day "thanks, I don't smoke". Been 30 years since I said that.

**FlyFree** · 09-10-2009, 09:40 AM

Enjoy. Pretty soon I have to do the same. Again. Gave up twice in 40 years of smoking, once for 9 years and once for a year. I don't seem to have much of a physical nicotine addiction problem, it's more breaking a very set habit, and of course missing that usual foul taste of smoke in the mouth that one gets used to.

The 9 year thing I broke cold turkey, was tough. The 1 year thing I used a pipe for a few weeks to wean myself off pretty painlessly. Cleaning the pipe is also a great reinforcement. Staying stoned for a while helps.

Any way you look at it a shitty period, but with plenty reward if you can stick it out.

**12Call** · 09-10-2009, 09:45 AM

Good luck to you both.

**kingwilly** · 09-10-2009, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Dug

It's now day six and the first day in the office as a non smoker and a whole new range of triggers to watch out for.

Day 6 for me. (again)

This afternoon will be a challenge, since I'm having a beer with a mate at the pub after work.

Be strong KW.

good luck Dug. sounds like you got it worse than me.

I've got this horrible cough, all sorts of muck and tar in my lungs coming up and out everyday at the moment.

And you're right about all those triggers....

**Cujo** · 09-10-2009, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Originally Posted by Dug

It's now day six and the first day in the office as a non smoker and a whole new range of triggers to watch out for.

Day 6 for me. (again)

This afternoon will be a challenge, since I'm having a beer with a mate at the pub after work.

Be strong KW.

good luck Dug. sounds like you got it worse than me.

I've got this horrible cough, all sorts of muck and tar in my lungs coming up and out everyday at the moment.

And you're right about all those triggers....

I'd avoid that beer mate, but remember, it's a life or deathe (yours) situation.
I've been hacking up all sorts of muck too. Even blood yesterday morning.

**The Fresh Prince** · 09-10-2009, 10:27 AM

I agree, if you can avoid the beer for at least 2 weeks and then ease your self back by drinking mixed spirits first for a few days before getting into the beer.

**Prancing Beast** · 09-10-2009, 11:26 AM

Spiritual guidence is often a tonic to assist abstinence.

Dan · 09-10-2009, 11:46 AM

Well done. I gave up a few years ago but didn't do it quite as abruptly. I used patches for the first month or so (fantastic things), and valium (lots) for the first three days. I also didn't drink for three months and I think that was what sealed it. Stick with it.

**Nawty** · 09-10-2009, 11:52 AM

^^or the pain in your ass from the priest will take your mind off of it.

**Marmite the Dog** · 09-10-2009, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by kingwilly

This afternoon will be a challenge, since I'm having a beer with a mate at the pub after work.

Nae chance.

**DrivingForce** · 09-10-2009, 12:31 PM

Good job Dug keep it up, I'm 37 years non smoking now and it does feel good saying that... My previous wife who wasn't so lucky to quit early enough became hypersensitive to it once she quit and irritated then I did when she smelled second hand smoke around her, especially if it was in a non-smoking area, caused me many confrontations on her behalf..
She developed allergic hypersensitivity to it, like I have now..

**kingwilly** · 09-10-2009, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Dug

I'd avoid that beer mate,

I said I'd given up smoking, not drinking.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Quote: Originally Posted by kingwilly This afternoon will be a challenge, since I'm having a beer with a mate at the pub after work. Nae chance.

Right, we'll see, that's just the sort of incentive I need.

*since I was already beginning to tell myself, that one evening while drinking would be ok, and not really count.....

**sabang** · 09-10-2009, 01:22 PM

Goodonya Dug, and all the others seeing it through.

I'm on a weaning process too- I buy those cheap 5 bht tobacco poaches, and roll my own- which I'm no good at, and dislike doing. So was smoking less, and feeling good about myself- like I was gonna kick the habit. Alas, false start.

Then I got this raging sore throat (couldn't even swallow for a while) from the harshness of the rolly tobacco, and had to buy packets again, at least 'til my throat has recovered. Almost better now- and Round Two coming up, back to Rollies. Down, but not Out.

**StrontiumDog** · 09-10-2009, 01:53 PM

I often don't smoke for half a day at a time, such as today, it's 2 p.m. and I haven't smoked yet. My last was at 2 a.m.

I find a get sweats, hot and cold flushes, my vision swims, have huge amphetamine like rushes, concentration lapses and i become quite psychotic. Easily lose my rag.

That's just half a day.

**DrAndy** · 09-10-2009, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by FlyFree

I don't seem to have much of a physical nicotine addiction problem, it's more breaking a very set habit,

Nicotine is a powerful drug but the physical withdrawal effects only last a short time

what will stay with you, possibly forever, is the craving for a smoke; the mental addiction goes on and can drag you back down

as said, the "triggers" that make you want to light up

resist resist resist

I gave up in my early 20's, and now, at the age of 95, still get the occasional temptation

**Moonraker** · 09-10-2009, 02:11 PM

I quit about 6 months as my health was shitty and I have never felt so unhealthy since.

I quit using Champix, which worked superbly for me and the actual quitting was relatively easy.

Since then though I have been hacking up all kinds of stuff, including blood. Throat infections have been common. My metabolism can't seem to decide what it is doing and neither can my endorphine levels leading to all sorts of mood swings. My face has now resembles that of a spotty 18 year old as my body tries to purge itself of all the crappy chemicals (over 4 thousand in one ciggie) that have built up over the years.

My Nan, however, recently quit a habit lasting a few decades and had no adverse reaction whatsoever. She didn't even make a conscious decision to quit, she just didn't feel like it any more.

I have been told that it could take a year or so to feel the benefits of quitting, I wish it'd hurry up.

**Marmite the Dog** · 09-10-2009, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Moonraker

I quit using Champix, which worked superbly for me and the actual quitting was relatively easy. Since then though I have been hacking up all kinds of stuff, including blood. Throat infections have been common. My metabolism can't seem to decide what it is doing and neither can my endorphine levels leading to all sorts of mood swings. My face has now resembles that of a spotty 18 year old as my body tries to purge itself of all the crappy chemicals (over 4 thousand in one ciggie) that have built up over the years.

It took me about 2 years to get over the sore throats after I quit smoking.

**Propagator** · 10-10-2009, 02:56 AM

Originally Posted by Prancing Beast

Spiritual guidence is often a tonic to assist abstinence.

Aint you got a church to go to and save.

**Cujo** · 10-10-2009, 08:19 AM

So how did you go KW?
I'm happy to report that I survived a BIG night out on the town (entirely unplanned) without so much as an urge.
I've got that thing beat.

**kingwilly** · 10-10-2009, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Dug

So how did you go KW?
I'm happy to report that I survived a BIG night out on the town (entirely unplanned) without so much as an urge.
I've got that thing beat.

Good effort mate, how did I go? :emnbarresed:

Back to day one today.

Stupid thing was that it wasn't the physical urges, I didn't have any of them, twas.a mental decision, but I have got cravings again this morning now.

**Mid** · 10-10-2009, 09:45 AM

giving up smoking is easy ......................

done it lots of times

**Prancing Beast** · 10-10-2009, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Propagator

Originally Posted by Prancing Beast

Spiritual guidence is often a tonic to assist abstinence.

Aint you got a church to go to and save.

The Church does not need saving, it is there to save the sinners and offer them a different way.

**Rural Surin** · 10-10-2009, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Prancing Beast

Originally Posted by Propagator

Originally Posted by Prancing Beast

Spiritual guidence is often a tonic to assist abstinence.

Aint you got a church to go to and save.

The Church does not need saving, it is there to save the sinners and offer them a different way.

What if it's not all that different, but same as it ever was.

**DrAndy** · 10-10-2009, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Prancing Beast

Originally Posted by Propagator

Originally Posted by Prancing Beast

Spiritual guidence is often a tonic to assist abstinence.

Aint you got a church to go to and save.

The Church does not need saving, it is there to save the sinners and offer them a different way.

That is excellent news

The church is behind you all the way

**Jarvis** · 10-10-2009, 08:46 PM

Not had a beer for 6 months though still smoking like a fakin trooper

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