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1. trying to beat the craving

   

   6 posts
   Registered:
   13 Jan 2018
   11 Mar 2018

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   Hello everyone tomorrow I will be 6 weeks smoke free. This past week I lost my sister due to a complication after childbirth. My sister was the person I could talk to about my cravings and was there for me every step of the way. These past 4 days have been the toughest days of quitting and I'm even dreaming about smoking. In my latest dream I was holding the end of a cigarette and a last I didn't even know looked at me as was like you smoke I didn't know that and I turned around looked at my hand and told her no I'm a none smoker. I know it was a dream but it felt so real I was smoking in my dream. I know if I smoked my sister would be so upset. I'm really struggling has anyone else had dreams that were so real and vivid that it felt like you started smoking again and even thought about how you were going to tell people about your mistake and what did you do to overcome these tough times. These past four days have been a nightmare I can'twake up from. I don't think I'm looking for answers but just some support to get me over this hump.
   
2. marianne, quit coach

   

   278 posts
   Registered:
   30 Nov 2017
   11 Mar 2018

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   Hello Struggling,
   
   My deepest condolence to you regarding your sister.  I can only imagine how hard this time is for you and also considering the fact that she was a great support to you to remain smoke-free.  As you are grieving, you can experience the stress in various ways.  The dreams you are having aren't unusual.  Any chance you are taking any smoking cessation aids, like the patch?  If so, vivid dreams can happen.  
   
   You definitely can use some support and we can be there for you.  Also, always good to check in with your doctor about symptoms too.  We recommend when anyone quits smoking yet especially when going through all that you are now in your life.  
   
   Let us know what you are doing to release your stress to distract from thoughts of smoking.  We can focus on this with you.  
   
   Once again sorry to hear about your sister and please give us a call when you need to at 1-877-513-5333.  
   
   Marianne
3. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   11 Mar 2018

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   Hi struggling,
   
   I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister.  It is devastating to lose someone we love.
   
   I am not surprised that you dreamed of smoking.  That happened to me several times, too.  This addiction tries to lure us back any way it can, so when we keep the quit during waking hours, it sometimes tries to tempt us when we sleep.  And it feels so real.  I remember waking up in a panic, and then feeling so relieved that it was just a dream, and that I was really still smoke free.  Whew.
   
   As your sister was such a support to you, you will honour her memory by keeping your quit.  Please keep posting here and let us support you through your journey.  And congratulations on being smoke free for 6 weeks.  That is an amazing accomplishment.
   
4. trying to beat the craving

   

   6 posts
   Registered:
   13 Jan 2018
   11 Mar 2018

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   Thank you Marianne and Treepeo for your thoughts. Marianne I am using the patch and I have noticed more vivid dreams but none where I was smoking. I am sticking close to my family for support I have not seen a doctor about using patches but it might be an option. Today was an emotional roller coaster but I held strong and kept pushing through I know if I can stay smoke free through this I will stay smoke free and honour my sister in any way I can. Thank you for your support during this difficult time I don't often post things but I get a lot of comfort and support from reading posts and the emails I received every week during my first month were great I looked forward to checking my email every week and it always gave me encouragement to keep going. 
5. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   12 Mar 2018

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   Hi trying to beat the craving,
   
   You absolutely need and deserve support.  I just can't imagine what you are going through right now, but my heart goes out to you and your family.  Losing your sister, especially this way, must have been such a shock.  I don't know why bad things happen to good people.  It is a mystery to me.  
   
   Thank you for telling us what you are going through.  A big part of the quitting process is being honest about everything.  That means not only the physical stuff, but also the emotional pain we experience.  It can be day to day, which is hard enough, but what is worse is the loss of a loved one, which is something you can't always anticipate and never know how you are going to handle. I guess the bottom line is, we have to learn how to handle the good and the bad without smoking, which used to be our "go to".  It is definitely doable, but it is hard to do.
   
   If I can tell you anything, it is this.  No matter what is going on in your life, smoking will not help.  In fact, some things will get easier if you do not smoke.  For example, you won't reek of smoke, so when you talk to people, you won't have to worry about that.  You can stand close to someone and talk with confidence. You won't break out into your smoker's cough.  And you won't have holes in your clothes from a stray ash.
   
   Trying to beat the craving, my heart goes out to you.  Please fight like mad to stay smoke free.  Stay smoke free for yourself, because you deserve a wonderful life.  And if you keep your quit, your life will change for the better.  It really will.  Being a non-smoker rocks!
   
6. trying to beat the craving

   

   6 posts
   Registered:
   13 Jan 2018
   17 Mar 2018 in reply to treepeo

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   Well I made through the week as a non smoker and I feel great for doing That! It hasn't been an easy week but family and friends have been a great distraction. Thank you for your support through all of this.
7. jennifer, quit coach

   

   103 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   17 Mar 2018 in reply to trying to beat the craving

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   Good Evening trying to beat the craving,
   
   Congrats for making it through the week!
   
   Great to hear that you've got support - one of the keys to a successful quit!
   
   Thanks for sharing your update!