My introduction from Ginia
Hi Ginia,
Welcome to the group.
It’s very common for us to quit, thinking we’ve got it together and are
ready, only to hit a brick wall and come apart. Do a bit more research and
get all the info you can on whdat hoppens to our bodies and minds when we
step off nicotine. I’m not talking about that “after 20 minutes our blood
preasure returns to normal” etc thing. I’m refering to the onset of
concetration loss, the cognitive impairment, the motor impairment, the
irritability and aggitation and anxiety and on and on. Expect it all and
make some contingency plans for dealing with the first 3-4 days. Treat them
as you would a really bad flu bug i.e. know that it must run it’s course.
In this case, you’re choosing to let it run it’s course. Some prep with
‘foundation statements’ and some ABCs will help also. As will Zyban and gum.
One other thing you might try, my ICQ # is 360581. Add me to your list
and contact me before you head out the door to the cig store.
*** That ICQ offer is open to everyone, whether you’re heading out the
door or just want to talk. ***
Talk to you soon,
Steve
www.cognitivequitting.com
August 22nd, 2003 at 3:54 am
One of the things I failed to mention in my introduction was how
incredibly impressed I was and am with the website you have set up
and the advice that you give. I’m in complete agreement with all of
it and have no doubt it will become my “bible” in working through
this. I wish I had taken preparation more seriously but in thinking
about it I realized that I didn’t know how to prepare. Your website
combined with some of the messages I’ve read here including this one
has opened my eyes to a greater realization of just how much
preparation I really need to do and I thank you greatly for it!
August 22nd, 2003 at 11:09 am
Hi Ginia - welcome to this group. I’ve only joined up this last
couple of days, and it’s day 1 of my quit today. It is a
wonderfully supportive place to be and a mine of information. I’ve a
lot to learn but already know that this thinking is going to mean a
very different quit.
Good luck to you,
Katie
August 23rd, 2003 at 8:04 am
Hi Ginia
Welcome to the group - I think you are very lucky to have found this group at
the beginning of what seems to me to be your first real quit.
There are lots of things relating to quitting that need to be taken into
account and the physical withdrawals are not good - BUT the good bit is that
the actual physical bodily cravings for nicotine only last for 3-5 days cos
after that its all in the mind.
The body has gotten rid of the toxins and is now not craving as it used to
but what happens is that we are so used to having a smoke to ‘do anything’
that we cannot face the ‘distress’ that we are undergoing without a cig to
‘help us out’.
If you are really serious about quitting and quitting in the way that cog
thinking uses then I would personally advise you against to really study the
material, get to grips with the principles of the therapy and start off using
the abc’s and the foundation statements from day one.
I would also advise making a date to quit and use the material as a ‘practice
time’ leading up to the quit time.
Different things work for different people but the basic principle is
understanding what the body is telling you it needs/wants and then meeting
those needs/wants in an appropriate way. Not by smoking which is the way I
certainly always used to satisfy them.
Keep on posting and let us know how it is going - nice to meet you
Indi