Cognitive Quit Smoking

Someone was asking a while back about how nicotine ‘works’……
Here’s a re-post from the archives on this subject, written by Steve
(post no.61)
Quitting initiates physiological changes. A quick explanation of how
nerve impulses do their ‘thing’… there are tiny gaps between nerve
cells. In order for an impulse to cross that gap, the ’sending’ nerve
cell floods the gap with a neurotransmitter, in this case
acetylcholine. This acts like a chemical ‘bridge’ allowing the nerve
impulse to cross the gap and bind to receptors on the receiving cell.
Immediately afterward, another chemical floods the gap and absorbs
(reuptake) the acetylcholine. This clears the gap so the process can
be repeated again. If that ‘re-absorption’ doesn’t happen or happens
slowly, that gap is effectively ‘frozen’ until it’s cleared. Now
here’s how nicotine works…. it mimics acetylcholine but it’s not
identical. Nicotine is stronger which is why small doses stimulate.
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Hi Jennie,
You’re making sense and that’s pretty much exactly how and why the ABCs
work. By preparing sets of rational thinking before a situation occurs,
you’re providing Warren with alternate options. Any time there is ‘timely’
awareness and choice, you’ll find yourself choosing according to your
Foundation Statements.
I wouldn’t worry about ‘forgetting’ an ABC. Understanding the format
and how to create them is more important. It means you’ll be able to easily
‘recreate’ whatever you need.
Steve

Hi everyone,
My name is Joel and I’m new. I quit smoking 8 days ago, after 3 1/2
years, and I’m enjoying the benefits of not smoking, but still having
trouble with my mood/attitude about it. I could use some
encouragement.
I use the patch, but not effectively it seems. I forgot to put one
on this morning, then remembered this afternoon when I was craving,
ate a bag of cookies and fell asleep! I’m thin so I don’t mind
eating, but this crazy schedule is getting on my nerves. Thanks for
the help.
Joel

Yesterday something happened at work that caused me to become very
angry.
I never once had the slightest thought of a cigarette. (yipee!!)
(last time I got angry, (and boy oh boy was I angry….we were baby
sitting my son’s puppy, who was supposed to be housebroke, but
instead deposited 5 crimes upon this newly non-smoker’s carpet while
we were gone for about an hour.) I remember thinking, while I was
angry, “how come I’m not having a cigarette urge?” Then I
thought, “I must have learned that a cigarette is not an acceptable
response to being angry.” I was so glad to not be having to fight a
cigarette urge that I was having a hard time staying mad at the dog.
Anyway, yesterday I had an immediate stress headache (at least
everybody told me that’s what it was, because I’ve never had one
before) right at the exact same time I was getting angry about
something.
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The best thing I like about NOT being a smoker is that I am free from
the compulsion to have to go out in the cold to feed my addiction.
The other best thing I like about NOT being a smoker is that I now
understand that I can relax and be happy and feel good and enjoy
quiet little moments, all without smoking.
There really is so much more to life in the non-smoking side.
I don’t have to feel guilty that I smoke.
I don’t spend 90 bucks a month.
I don’t have a pair of gloves that are for smoking because I don’t
want all my winter gloves to stink like old, stale cigarette smoke.
I dont’ have to crack the car window down to let the smoke out and
let in the freezing air or the rain.
I don’t have to worry about when or where I’m gonna have a smoke.
I don’t have to remember to buy them so I won’t run out in the night.
I can smell things, like maple syrup on hot pancakes (at the table
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I just found out today that my daughter is on her 3rd day of a quit.
I was so glad to hear it. I have been sending her information and
telling her about this group and Steve’s web site ever since I found
it…a mere 32 days ago.
I always felt guilty that I was a smoker and did not set a very good
example for her. I think that I’m a big part of the reason she
started smoking….along with the urge to be “cool” like the gal that
she was hanging out with at the time.
I remember when I “caught them” (she was 15) and I remember
thinking, “how can I say no, when I smoke all the time?” and at the
same time, “If I didn’t smoke, she wouldn’t be doing this.”
So, if she takes my advice, and is lurking through these posts and
recognizes my ID, may she know that I am proud, and wishing her all
the success there is!
In fact, I’ve been telling the people I used to go and smoke with at
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To those that I won’t be at a computer. I myself will be at the
computer, a little snowmaker coming our way, this weekend.
Just for fun I ordered digital cable for a month.. figured I could
with money saved from not smoking. I just ant to see how the other
half lives with actual movies to pick from. hehe! donna

Today was kinda stressful. I had to go to my DDs year 7 graduation.
Why was it stressful you say? Well I dont do well in group
situations. All the people! Anyway, I decided I didnt want to
chainsmoke, so I thought about what I could do instead, and how I was
feeling and I took a notepad and pen with me and jotted down some
notes:
Im stressed, tense, nervous. My stomach is in a “rolling flap”
(butterflies, churning). my heart is racing and Im breathing shallow.
I feel like Im shaking inside. What can I do?
Try deep breathing, relax shoulders. This works well! But Id better
not deep breathe too much, I might hyperventilate! So I only took a
few deep breaths when I felt the flutters start up again. (Thanks for
the idea Carmen (?)).This did the trick and I actually found I was
enjoying myself. But the whole deal started to go on a bit long and I
started to get restless and bored. What to do? Cant smoke in here,
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Just checking in with you to see how things are progressing. Some have
committed to Foundation Statements and made lists, others are working on them,
some are in the early days of your quits. Any of you ready yet to start work on
some ABC’s? Don’t be hesitant about posting here - I’ll be glad to help you
with this programme of quitting and how to use that information in your lists to
make those ABC’s. Steve, the group owner is tied up with a move at the moment,
but I’m sure he’ll be back in here early next week or maybe later on this
weekend, to share his expertise with you.
We’re a very focussed group, the goal/purpose here being to share quitting
experiences and learn how to quit cognitively, so do let me know how I can help,
and I’m sure other quitters here will share their cogquitting experiences with
you.
all the best
Pam

Hello again,
Just had to let you know, I have a new friend. My new friend has many
names, calm, contentment, peace, adventure, discovery, happiness,
joy…too many to list. I realized that these are my new friend(s)
and have allowed them into my life. My new friend is becoming a part
of me and is helping me carry on in life. My old friend, every bad
feeling (emotional and physical), came with a thing called a
cigarette. I dont have all those bad feelings since I am learning
cogquit. The wall of bad feelings has been torn down, the new wall,
my new life is being built. I like the the new building. Thirty years
of scars are being healed. It all started when I met a stranger who
helped me get a foundation started. Am going to let all these
wonderful feelings be my new friend(s). Cigarettes had pulled me down
in life, CognitiveQuitting is re-building my life. What a difference
each day makes. I forgot to write that the New Day is because of
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