10 Months Not Smoking Today

Oh, Notz!!! I was afraid of this; that some long-time quitter would come on and say, oh yeah, I still get those dreams. And here you are!!!

I quit drinking for 10 years and don't remember having a dream about drinking. I was vegetarian for about as long and didn't dream about juicy steaks. But after only 10 months of being smoke and nicotine free I go and have what I would call a sexy smoking dream! I enjoyed it because, just think, if one could smoke without any of the adverse side effects? Better than vaping, even! It's like what smoking in heaven might be like or on the virtual reality deck in old StarTrek episodes.

But the best part is not waking up with a craving or an urge. It just wasn't about that. I guess old habits die hard (and maybe not fully) in the subconscious. We might want to know what Freud would make of it but heck he was weak (self-admitted) and let cigars eat away at his face, literally. Oh double triple Yuk!.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE BEING A NONSMOKER IN REAL LIFE

Almost 2 years ago I successfully quit smoking for a month. The cravings never really went away and I gave up on quitting. A guy told me one time that he knew a Dr. who told him that there were people he could get off crack cocaine but he couldn't get them off nicotine. Nicotine is very very addictive just like hard drugs. I hope you can quit for good.

My cravings didn't go away until six months. I am going to risk criticism but I think the whole first year is about quitting quitting quitting. For about 8 months I thought about the quitting process every single day. I am so happy to be coming up to a year. It was really hard. But a month quit is pretty good, eh? You'll try quitting again. I am sure. Oh, and me? I will never ever go back to smoking. I love being a nonsmoker far too much. More than smoking. That's the key. I think if you love not smoking more than smoking you will stay quit. I will. (I totally agree about nicotine being highly addictive. And I don't think it is like hard drugs. I think it is a hard drug.)

I found quitting the actual physical addiction somewhat easy. It is breaking The habit that I find hard. But every day I am grateful that I finally made the decision to quit. I can't see a future where I never think of or crave smoking, but it is less. And I have tools to help me not give in.

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[quote=emwell;4817456]I found quitting the actual physical addiction somewhat easy. It is breaking The habit that I find hard. But every day I am grateful that I finally made the decision to quit. I can't see a future where I never think of or crave smoking, but it is less. And I have tools to help me not give in.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/quot

I made this post because I had the smoking dream, but these days I don't thinking about smoking. If I am out and smell other people's smoke it is horrible. I am definitely over the craving thing, and you will be, too. Having a smoking dream wasn't about craving. It was just...I guess, habit. Like I said, I don't know. I am sure you have to go through a year of all the seasons to work through all possible triggers. So smoking outside in the snow was a winter thing. This is my last season then I will have worked through a year's seasons.

[QUOTE=DechanDawa;4818118]I hope you are right. The cravings have decreased, and appear less powerful.
I have yet to have a smoking dream, but I can see that as possible. I have experienced drunk dreams in the way past.
I don't sleep well right now so any dream is impossible.

I didn't sleep well immediately after stopping smoking. Part of withdrawals I think.

[quote=emwell;4819197]I went crazy with insomnia for about 6 months. Melatonin helped. I thought my sleep would never return but it did. Keep going strong!!! All these uncomfortable things will decrease. Congrats for hanging in there and adding up the days and weeks and months. It is very inspiring to those who are preparing the quit.

Quitting is not easy, but I believe it will be worth my present discomfort eventually.
Notz!!! and DechanDawa I need to hear from those of you who are ahead of me in this quitting thing.
Your success helps me hope.

Knowing that others struggle just like me, helps me feel less alone as well. It seems easier to do this with the more support I have.

You absolutely can do it. Take it one day at a time. Discuss everything that is happening because that helps to normalize the whole quitting thing. It feels strange to quit but actually it is your body, mind, and spirit all becoming whole and healthy again. Yes, seek out support wherever you can. For me the sleep thing, and handling anxiety were two biggies. After the cravings, that is. I think people end up going back to smoking even at my stage (10 or 11 months) because they weren't putting new coping skills into place, which is absolutely essential if you are going to win this challenge. The sleep will return. I sleep better and more deeply now than before I smoked. I am learning to manage anxiety, which is a huge deal for me because I am not taking any medications. Do you reward yourself monthly? Every month on my anniversary date I reward myself with a little something because after all, I am saving a ton of money each month by not smoking. I already know what my January reward is going to be for 11 months not smoking. Please SOS Notz or myself if you need to, and keep posting about your success as a nonsmoker. It's beautiful, and oh how we quitters love love love to cheer on others!

Don't pick up the 1st one because one is too many and a thousand is never enough! (old AA saying)

So true!

HeeHee I think of this every time I think I might steal "just one" of my husband's cigarettes. Odd though. I have not gotten to the point of finding out where he hides them.
My new Pup (reward) finds the cigarettes all the time.

I appreciate all the support and help.

Kudos on not smoking. It is so worth it