Another failed attempt
Hi Steve and all,
I smoked last night and today. I justified my smoking by giving myself all
kinds of reasons why just one wouldn’t hurt. I failed to give myself reasons
not to smoke. I failed to monitor how I was feeling or stand by my foundation
statement.
And even though I know the answer, I want to ask you …..what do I do now? I
have all the tools. I did not use them. I thought I would use them and didn’t.
Why is that? Lack of motivation? The addiction/cravings? I’m weak willed? I
am really baffled each and every time this happens. I know I shouldn’t be, but
I am. I am trying to be honest with myself. The other program (12 step) states
we (smokers) who fail to quit are incapable of being totally honest with
ourselves. I am being honest when I say or think these things:
I wanted to smoke/I didn’t want to smoke.
I can live without smoking/I can’t live without smoking.
I hate what this addiction does to me/I enjoy the relief I feel when I smoke.
I don’t need to smoke/I need to smoke.
And the list goes on….Does this make any sense? Why do I have such a hard
time committing? Am I focusing on the wrong things? I give up. I’m losing
everything when I smoke; time is taken from my life physically, mentally and
spiritually.
I will start posting my ABC’s on this list and I ask in advance for your
patience as I don’t think I am understanding the concept of this program just
yet. There are times when I see it with clarity and other times I don’t get it
at all. (Probably due to my constant state of withdrawal). Thanks…..
Vicki
June 29th, 2005 at 2:27 pm
Sally…I’m also in a 12 step group. Email me if you like.
Jill
July 4th, 2005 at 3:07 am
These were sent to me recently. I’m posting them here as they are
excellent examples of ABC’s …. single event stated simply and clearly,
the B and B1 beliefs, C and C1 consequent to the beliefs.
Write out some of your ABC’s and post them here. The more proactive you
are in doing this work, the sooner Warren will be retrained.
A Wake up in the morn
B A cig will help me wake up
C I want a cig
B1 I need to wake up.Cold water,a shower,maybe a piece of bread will help
C1 I will splash cold water on my face,maybe take a shower,or go online.
That will wake me up
A Getting ready to leave in the morning
B Feel anxious and rushed,mind racing,a cig will calm me down
C I want a cig
B1 Slowing down and breathing deeper will help anxiety,allowing time for my
10 min. meditation will help with racing thoughts
C1 I will breathe deeper,meditate and slow down
July 5th, 2005 at 8:54 am
Greetings fellow members i have join several groups and posted more
messages in the past two days then in all the time i have been on
line
to date which is 4 years, i have not had a smoke in almost three days
although i have no quit cold turkey, i am using the new lozenge the
posts i have read have provided the support i have needed threw the
last three days and with the lozenge i have made a good start this is
my 4 th attempt in the last two years and my greatest date count had
been 37 days which i did in the beginning of 2000, i have made
several
attepts since but just did not feel like i was ready,, this time is
different i finally had to just let go of the 37 days and bring back
the one day at a time mentallity i feel that since i have rethought
this way it has given me strenght to give it another try also letting
go of the anger i felt at the end of the 37 day attempt has helped a
great deal.Having done this well it does seem to make a difference. I
AM NOT GOING TO SMOKE NO MATTER WHAT