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1. jasonrolfe86

   

   4 posts
   Registered:
   11 Mar 2019
   11 Mar 2019

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        Hi everybody, 
   
   I wanted to say hello and introduce myself, I am 32 and have smoked for 16 years on and off. I decided to get away from the habit which I originally started as a coping mechanism for anxiety and stress.  
   I have been smoke- free since February 13 after caving in my first week. Since then I have only been vaping with a gradual reduction of nicotine which is now 3mg. 
   
   I did make it 6 days without any nicotine but my anxiety was going through the roof without it so this is a process and I will keep on pushing! 
   
   
   
2. kate r, quit coach

   

   49 posts
   Registered:
   16 Jan 2019
   11 Mar 2019 in reply to jasonrolfe86

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   Welcome to the forum jasonrolfe86!
   
   Congratulations on taking steps to becoming smoke-free! Anxiety is a normal withdrawal symptom from nicotine, which is perhaps why you felt that anxiety on day 6. It sounds as though you are determined to keep "pushing" with this quit and staying smoke-free. Many find that their anxiety actually decreases a few weeks after quitting.
   
   It seems as though you are using the e-cigarette/vape as a quit product (and reducing the nicotine). While it is acknowledged that the e-cigarette is safer than smoking, we would advise it is not without harm. However, it appears that it is working for you in that you are not smoking commercial cigarettes.
   
   Keep up the great work, and again, welcome to the forum!
   
   - Kate R
3. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   11 Mar 2019 in reply to jasonrolfe86

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   Jason,
   
   Welcome to the community! and congrats on almost 1 month being smoke free! 
   
   Nicotine is a small part of the addiction to smoking. 3 days the nicotine is out of your system and a week for the withdrawal to subside. Peanuts really in the big picture of time. The harder part is the mental side of the addiction. Being creatures of habit our mind plays some wicked tricks on us smokers who are quitting. Seeing as you have been doing well with vaping that tells me you are getting used to not 'smoking'. So why the hang up about the nicotine? try using no nicotine in the vapes and see how that goes. You can do it. 
   
   

   Last modified on 11 Mar 2019 14:06 by atp
4. jasonrolfe86

   

   4 posts
   Registered:
   11 Mar 2019
   11 Mar 2019 in reply to kate r, quit coach

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   Thanks! Im keeping at it
5. jasonrolfe86

   

   4 posts
   Registered:
   11 Mar 2019
   11 Mar 2019 in reply to atp

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   Thanks! I was at 10mg of salt nicotine with the e cig and went to 0mg. I made it about 6 days and then the morning anxiety withdrawl was beating me up so I added a small 5mg mix into my 0mg to take the edge off which seemed to work. Im going to take my time and continue to switch over with the 0mg until I can get free of the nicotine all together. 
   
   Cheers
6. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   11 Mar 2019 in reply to jasonrolfe86

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   Just keep working on reducing the nicotine. 
   
   No need to replace one addiction with another;)
   
   
   
7. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   11 Mar 2019

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   Hi jasonrolfe86,
   
   I am so glad to hear that you have decided to quit smoking.  It is the most important thing you could do for yourself.
   
   I have read that vaping is bad for you, but nothing is worse than smoking.  So I say whatever works, keep it up.  Eventually you can wean yourself off the vaping, too.
   
   Congrats on being smoke free since mid-February.  Keep going strong, jasonrolfe86.  The struggle is so worth it.
8. jasonrolfe86

   

   4 posts
   Registered:
   11 Mar 2019
   12 Mar 2019 in reply to treepeo

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   Thank you all for your support! its definitely a process and doesnt happen over night. I think alot of us put so much pressure on ourselves that makes it so much worse and harder to quit rather then understanding things will be ok and  stepping out of the addiction will come to us. 
9. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   12 Mar 2019

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   Hi Jason
   
   Welcome to helpline
   
   Here you will find a lot help to quit and keep the quit forever!
   
   Congratulations 7 smoke free days!
   
   distract your self, drink a lot water, some exercise, whatever comes to your mind to keep you buzzy. The crave will be gone by no time!
   
   Believe in your self! Celebrate every time you are free! Regard yourself for a good job, with something healthy 
   
   Please post how you feel! you can do it
   Your lungs will celebrate this battle!
10. efreeman75

    

    296 posts
    Registered:
    02 Apr 2018
    13 Mar 2019

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    Hi Jason and welcome.
    
    It sounds like you're determined to quit.  You will need that determination as it will serve you well in your efforts to successfully quit.
    
    And I agree with atp and treepeo that vaping is not the answer to quitting.  I have friends who quit smoking years ago and started vaping instead.  They vape constantly as they believe it is safe.  They are still addicts.
    
    If your goal is to be nicotine free, you obviously need to break the chemical dependence, but you also need to break the hand/mouth habit, or you can never be truly quit.
    
    You don't need to put too much pressure on yourself, but you do need to keep on pushing yourself.
    
11. pone

    

    2 posts
    Registered:
    14 Mar 2019
    15 Mar 2019

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    Hello everyone - I am new to the forum - I am now 5 days quit. I have smoke for 40 years and my body finally told me it's now or never. I did have a melt down on day 3 but managed to overcome it. It's nice to be able to talk about it with someone. My husband passed away in 2017 from a stroke and my son moved in with me. We've quit together so have each other for support which helps. Although he vapes but I quit cold turkey. I've quit many times before but this time it feels different and I'm determined not to let anything stand in my way. Willpower is everything and also only thinking about it on a day to day basis. The big picture scares me. Wish me luck......
12. brieffree

    

    1477 posts
    Registered:
    28 Nov 2017
    15 Mar 2019

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    Hi Pone
    
    Welcome to helpline and Congrats in your 5 day smoke free! As you said, is now or never!
    Yes, this is your best time to stay Free!
    
    Please feel free to post how you feel! Here you will find a lot support to quit and keep the Quit!
    
    Enjoy to be free!
    
    One day at the time!
13. atp

    

    501 posts
    Registered:
    31 Dec 2018
    16 Mar 2019 in reply to pone

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    Hey Pone,
    
    Congrats on quitting and making to day 5! You;'re almost though hell week and things will start to get better.
    I did cold turkey as well, and also quit along with my son.
    Same as you, for some reason this time my quit just felt different. I was finally ready and willing to stick it out. 
    Keep yourself busy, change your routines and look for the benefits of not smoking. You probably will notice you can get up a flight of stairs a bit easier already. i also did a major cleaning around day 5 or 6 - tossed all my butt cans, ashtrays, lighters, Lysol spray everywhere, Mr. Clean wiped surfaces, washed all my jackets. It feels good to get rid of the remains of our addiction.
    Keep it up. Not One Puff Ever.
    
14. marianne, quit coach

    

    278 posts
    Registered:
    30 Nov 2017
    16 Mar 2019

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    Hello Pone,
    
    Welcome to our community!  And wonderful to hear that you have begun your quit journey and feel empowered.  My deepest condolence to you regarding your husband.  Your son and you supporting each other will build you both up.  
    
    Feel free to share any details regarding your quit plan.  If we can support you in any way, we are here!  Brieffree, atp and others are wonderful with sharing their experiences to encourage.  
    
    Enjoy your weekend!  
    
    Marianne

    Last modified on 16 Mar 2019 10:12 by marianne, quit coach