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My Quit date is Jan 31st and I am struggling now! Cancel The title field is required!

1. butterflyna

   

   135 posts
   Registered:
   15 Feb 2018
   Answered

   24 Jan 2019

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   Have been at 10 cpd for over a week. First day trying to wean down to 9 I smoked 10 instead. Today was only to be 8 and so far I've already smoked 9. I am right down sick with myself! I am supposed to be down to nothing in 8 days! The past few days have been stressful but STRESS IS PART OF LIFE! I have to walk the talk. In all honesty, I am not really "struggling" cuz I am still smoking WHEN I WANT TO. I was at 10 for so long it got easy, now when I need to wean more I'm not. I am only fooling myself. Nobody can do this but me. I have to start delaying but I am not. My mind is telling me one thing but then I do another. It's so stupid!
2. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   Answered

   25 Jan 2019 in reply to butterflyna

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   Butterflyna,
   
   Good to see you are still working towards your quit date. 
   
   Trying to wean off cigarettes by reducing the amount smoked can be hard as you are fighting not only your body's physical need for nicotine, but also that long ingrained habit. 
   
   Use the next week to mentally prepare yourself and get a Quit Kit ready for your big day - The day you become a non-smoker. 
   
   A Quit Kit can include any NRT's you might be planning on using, extra bottled water, gums, snacks, note pads (to write out inspirations, reasons you quit, reminders, etc), whatever else you might need. 
   
   The one thing I see repeatedly on this site is that we all want to quit and be free of this terrible addiction, and that it takes work and effort to do it. You just need to be committed.
   
   When your quit date comes, have that last cigarette, throw out everything smoking related and focus on your new life being a non-smoker. 
   
   The one thing I was amazed by with my quit was how quickly I started to notice some of the physical improvements. Within a week or so I was breathing better, my cough was going away, I started to actually smell and taste things better. All that stuff everyone was saying was so true! 
   
   You can do it. 
3. rml2019

   

   8 posts
   Registered:
   24 Jan 2019
   Answered

   25 Jan 2019 in reply to butterflyna

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   Good morning butterflyna and don't be so hard on yourself. I am not new to quitting or trying to quit but this is day 6 for me (this time). I always found weaning myself never worked and I tended to smoke more than I should. You still have time before your quit day and all I can say is do your best. When the day comes, you may surprise yourself. Believe me, I was surprised when I just quit cold turkey. It wasn't planned, no hype before etc etc. 
   
   You can do it butterflyna and don't forget, there is a lot of support here. Don't be afraid to use it!!
4. efreeman75

   

   296 posts
   Registered:
   02 Apr 2018
   Answered

   25 Jan 2019

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   Hi butterfly,
   
   I think you're doing awesome.  You're making a plan to quit, and you sound intent to keep it.
   
   Weaning works for some and not at all for others.  By weaning, i.e. slowly starving your nicotine addiction, you can create anxiety and panic rebound.  Your body and mind don't like being deprived of nicotine.
   
   As atp mentioned, concentrate on your upcoming quit.  That is the true measurement of your success.  Keep the end goal in sight, not to reduce to 7 or 8 cigarettes, but to enjoy an entire freedom of not smoking.
   
5. butterflyna

   

   135 posts
   Registered:
   15 Feb 2018
   25 Jan 2019

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   Good morning,
   
   Thank you atp, rml2019 and efreeman75. Perhaps weaning isn't for me. I will concentrate on Jan 31st and maybe my withdrawals won't be as bad cuz I'm down to 10 or 9 or even 8. I will keep trying, that I do know. I do have the Nicorette mist and gum to help me once I actually quit. I will try to journal or use post it notes. I guess I do have a quit kit. Everything in one bag and I joined a f2f quit smoking group on Wednesdays. I get disheartened so easy. My health is bad and saw the dr. yesterday. I live alone and don't really have any non-smoking friends. I get scared of being alone. Stupid really. I have anxiety already. This will be hard but I have to do it. I will focus on my quit date and just take it one day at a time (ODAAT). Thank you all <3
6. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   25 Jan 2019 in reply to butterflyna

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   You can do this!
   
   So many others here were afraid and nervous before quitting too. 
   
   I've never met anyone who quit and later regretted it. 
   
   
   
   
7. jenna lee, quit coach

   

   265 posts
   Registered:
   28 Jun 2018
   Answered

   25 Jan 2019 in reply to butterflyna

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   Butterflyna,
   
   Cutting down can be quite difficult and most people find they hit a wall once they get to a certain point. Without getting into much detail about the nicotine cycle, sometimes cutting down can be more difficult than quitting abruptly due to the mini-quits we go through when smoking so little. So, don't let the difficulty of cutting down affecting your confidence in quitting. rml2019, this seems to resonate with you too. Efreeman- your post reflects what I am talking about, so thanks for explaining too. 
   
   One more thing to add butterflyna, if you get the 'ok' from a healthcare provider, it is safe to use these nicotine replacement products while trying to cut down, so you don't necessarily have to wait until your quit date, if you do want to replace some of the smokes with the spray or gum instead. Whatever you choose, is okay. They are designed to help ease the withdrawals and cravings so please do not hesitate to use them.
   
   atp, thanks for listing some great quitting strategies for motivation, cravings and w/d.
   
   We are certainly here for you so you are not alone in quitting,
   
   Jenna Lee
8. butterflyna

   

   135 posts
   Registered:
   15 Feb 2018
   26 Jan 2019 in reply to jenna lee, quit coach

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   Thank you so much jenna lee. I am starting to understand why it can be difficult weaning down. It makes sense. The "mini-quits" are difficult. My quit date is 6 days away. I am actually looking forward to it cuz that's when  I will be off cigarettes completely. I will use the suggestions that I have been blessed with via you fine people. I do wanna test the mist and have been told it would be best to try it before I actually really need it, just sorta a tester. The gum too.  It will work out. It has to. ODAAT.
   Thank you all :)