Cognitive Quit Smoking

Right before I tossed out my tobacco, I was
feeling afraid as well.. and another cogquitter
(Judy, whose support helped me enormously)
wrote to me that before quitting she had been
afraid of having to hold a beachball underwater
forever. This analogy really hit home for me.
It is a fear that I will fail… because I think that
in order to be a nonsmoker, I must have the strength
FOREVER and EVER to ‘just say no’ to smoking.
That I must resist with vigilance, fight hard,
hold out and hang on for the rest of my life.
The reality has been so different. With the clarity
and certainty of “I do NOT want to be a smoker”
plus the tools of this simple cognitive approach, I am
able to satisfy each urge to smoke — but with
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…where are you?? Beth, Vicki… any others out there? We can help,
but you’ve got to let us know how you’re doing.

Well tomorrow is the day. I have been doing the timer exercise
somewhat but I’m not sure if I fit into the standard smoker
category. See I don’t smoke during the day usually. I smoke mostly
at night. I rarely light up before 1:00 p.m., and most of my
cigarettes are smoked between 8:00 and 12:00. My triggers are mostly
sitting by the computer. I will need to limit my computer time which
will be hard because that is something I look forward to but I have
decided to replace it with a good book. I will also go to bed
earlier at night.
I wonder what makes some people able to quit cold turkey and never
smoke again. NEVER. My grandfather did that and a lady I worked
with too. First try. I can’t even begin to count the times I have
quit. It is encouraging though that I have succeeded for lengthy
periods of time. I mean if I can quit for 2 1/2 years then why not
forever.
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Hi Steve, Pam and Everyone else!
I joined the group a few days ago, but I hadn’t posted anything. I’ve just been
reading all of your posts. Congratulations to all of you; there is one who is a
birthday girl today. You go, girl! You can do this; you know you can.
And to Steve: Cognitive quitting makes a ton of sense. Thank YOU!
Ok, I need to let people who aren’t smoking (on purpose because genuine
non-smokers would NOT understand) know what’s going on with me.
I quit 12 days and 13 hours ago (can’t figure out how to paste the timer but oh
well).
I am so proud of myself and my partner! We live together and we are doing this
together. This is the best I’ve ever done and I THINK that with the help of
ABC’s and being aware of what’s going on in my mind and body, I can stick to
this……(?????that’s the little voice that we all know, she’s getting a bit
louder the last couple of days…..)
So I’ve had some really good days. At the same time, my boyfriend and I are
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Karen,
I was reading your email response to me and I am curious what type of
cancer you had. Let me know please.
It’s funny but when I met my husband I was pretty much smoke free
too. I would smoke now and then when I was drinking at the bars but
I didn’t smoke at home. But of course that changed and now I smoke
almost just as much as my husband does. I’m sure when I say I quit
that he thinks “ya right - I’ve heard that before!” I’m not going to
even tell him or make an announcement that I’m quitting. Same with
my two daughters. I’m not sending them a good message when I
constantly fail over and over again. They have seen me too many
times when they see me with a cigarette in hand where they will
say “but mom you said you quit smoking” or “mom you said you were
never going to smoke again”.
Ooh all this talk of cigarettes is making me want to smoke one. And
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Tomorrow is my 34th birthday. It will also be my last day as a smoker.
I discovered and joined this group two days ago and have been reading
the “getting started” materials and the messages from those who’re
going through this struggle.
I’ve smoked on and off for 10 years with a 2-year quit in there during
my pregnancy and the first year of my daughter’s life. Then, in weak
moment, I smoked one cig at the poker table and wham… back with a
vengeance.
I’m giving myself a birthday present this year. I’m quitting. It’s over.
I know I can physically do it. I know it will be hard and that I’ll
experience withdrawl. That part I can manage.
The thing I’m most worried about is the social aspect/repercussions of
not smoking. I know you all know how smoking helps you to meet and
chat comfortably with others who are standing around outside a
building, at a conference, at a party. It’s a crutch… a tool for
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Hi all - I have been down this path many, many times. I keep
thinking why even bother - what’s going to make this time any
different? I don’t know, but I do know that I will keep trying until
I am smoke free. The funny thing is I have quit in the past for 2-
1/2years or so when I was pregnant and breastfeeding my daughter.
Then I slowly started smoking again. A few here and there a day. I
have never been a two pack a day type of girl. But . . . I would
consider myself a binge smoker at times. When I play games on the
computer I can sit and chain smoke 10 cigs in a row without batting
an eye. I know my addiction is all mental.
Earlier this year I quit for two months. Then once again that one
day came where my little voice said one won’t hurt, or just one day
of smoking will be ok because after that you will just stop again -
no problem - wrong, of course I went back to it full force. My
husband smokes. Big hinderance for me. He has no desire to quit.
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Steve that is so awesome..I know I would not be quit today if it were not
for this method of quitting and doing me homework. Your effort in one to
one chats and Pam’s and Pat’s. Steve put in hours on end with me on icq chat
I treasure that, Steve you save lives hon. That is a huge thing. I thank
you so very much in being a part of saving mine.
one thousand days!! so fitting huge huge thank you for mine,
holding you Pam and Pat in my heart in gratitude
ion
I have been quit for 2 Years, 8 Months, 4 Weeks, 1 Day, 16 hours, 22 minutes and
36 seconds (1,003 days). I have saved $2,509.19 by not smoking 40,147
cigarettes. I have saved 10 Months, 2 Days, 16 hours and 17 minutes of my life.
My Quit Date: 12/1/2002

Our doubts are traitors,
And make us lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt.
–William Shakespeare
I have made a promise to myself, and to the God of my understanding, not to let
past failed attempts at quitting smoking cloud my judgement or committment
today.
I have quit smoking numerous times before. I have tried the Patch, Gum,
Hypnosis, Acupuncture, Cold Turkey, Cutting Down, Herbal remedies, Smoking
Cessation Programs etc. but was always fighting the mental battle and didn’t
know how to change that. I believe I am learning a new way of living without
Cigarettes that will allow me to say good-bye to the nasty habit and the
addiction I have been fighting for 34 years.
In order for me to overcome the fear I am facing the fear (There is nothing to
fear but fear itself)
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Welcome to Karen and Sue - glad you’ve joined us. You’ve each
raised points in your posts that I’d like to try and cover some of
them here - apologies if I miss answering / addressing anything, but
Steve will be along later I’m sure, and will pick up on anything
I’ve missed. Listen to what he tells you - Steve has a wealth of
experience helping people to quit smoking cognitively, and many of
us here have benefitted from his help and guidance.
Firstly - I hope you’ve both read recent posts from some of
our ‘oldies’ - we’ve got people here celebrating some impressive
milestones - 9 months (Linda), 2 years (Donna), 7+ years (PatB) and
7+ months (Cindy) quit. It was so great to read those posts too.
The theme in all of those posts was the same - how comfortably quit
they are now and how it isn’t a struggle or a ‘hang in’ situation.
I think Donna summed up the value and success of this quit method
when she said
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