Cognitive Quit Smoking

My main weapon was a recording of myself on New Year’s Eve at
midnight. I told myself why I wanted to quit on the tape. I also
hacked and coughed the way we do when we’ve been smoking all day. I
cried and told myself to “lookin the mirror. Is your a** falling off?
No, then you better not pick up that cigarette!” It has been the
hardest thing I have ever done. 30 years of smoking and I had tried
three times prior. I am actually fearful of smoking again. I am on
meds for PTSD from childhood crap. The meds were actually working on
the symptoms of PTSD. As a result I lost weight, started exercising,
quit smoking and was feeling pretty good until we ran out of money and
I had to go back to work full time. Anyway, now I am working in a full
time job, have three children ages 30 to 5 and a full time husband of
24 years (he’s so set in his ways)! I am not taking the imte for me
and my body! I can’t go back to smoking and I don’t think I can handle
a twelve step program right now; I am glad I found this group and plan
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I am trying again. Quit for six years started back almost three ago and
have been trying to quit ever since. Most recently was Jan 16 for 85
days. Then 5 days last week. Maybe I like the pain of withdrawal!
NOT!! But hey this is soooo hard

In my situation I finally realizes what happens to me when I quit, so I
put in a call to my psychiatrist to see if she could help me. It’s not
that I don’t want to quit. It takes me all of my cognitive awareness
just to function out in the world, Every time I have tried to quit
instead of being able to follow the body cues, I get full blown mania
and am not even aware of what my body is feeling, ie: I don’t then even
recognize if it is hot or cold outside, I am never hungry and don’t
sleep for about two or three days at a time and do the things that I
normally do when I am manic. I do still believe however that there has
to be hope somewhere. If this post helps anyone else. I am glad I
posted it. Sincerely, Kerry

I use a 2-mg lozenge when I get a craving. This is in addition to the
ever-present two 21-mg patches I wear at all times.
Celinda “Cindy”

Dear Steve, I started smoking again, because of my bi polar disorder, I
cannot deal with the sleepless nights. I go off the deep end if I don’t
sleep. Do you have any information pertaining to bi polar disorder and
quitting smoking? Will/should the timer exercises work for someone like
me? I am going back to read the entire cognitive quit again, but
doesn’t something have to change in your subconsious mind also? I
don’t want to stop trying. Sincerely, Kerry

I am using the nicotine patch. I still get cravings. The nurse told me
I need to stay on the patch for at least a year, and she told me to
use as much nicotine replacement as I need to break the urge to smoke.
Celinda “Cindy”

A warm welcome to Brenda and Starr,
Many Congratulations on the expected new addition to then family Listen to Steve girls, he will guide you through the process.
I can tell you, I did not think I could do it, but by doing it
Steve’s Cognitive Quit way it has been much easier for me and I
smoked for 30+ years and tried quitting countless times.
Start at the beginning and read about Warren, then do the Timer
Exercises which are designed to recognise that our body needs/wants
something and in the past we have lit up a cigarette.
From now on you must check what your body REALLY needs…it could be
stretching, proper breathing, maybe food, a drink of water, a walk
etc.
In the past I only recognised that Warren was telling me to light a
cigarette but nowdays I understand my body needs a shift of position
or a few stretches and few big breaths…….or hey is that the
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Hi everyone, my name is Brenda and I am new to this group.
My daughter Starr signed me up for this group as her and I both
are trying to quit for the sake of my unborn grandchild.
I am 38 years old and I have been smoking since I was 12 and
heavily aince I was 16.
I have many years of unsucessful attempts at quitting I have
decided to seek help with quitting smoking.
So if anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
Thank you
Sincerley,
Brenda

Sorry I haven’t been back since February, but i have RA and I have not
been too well. Thanks to those who replied to my first message! Can
you tell me if there specific times for the chat room?

It’s a little while since I have posted as I have had the chikungunya
virus for a month and my joints are swollen, specially my fingers so
I have been unable to type. My feet are so big I have gone up 3 shoe
sizes but I am on the mend now and I will be immune for 4 years now I
have had it ! It’s caused by a special type mosquito.
Anyway this morning i received an email from Dave & Ginny who saw one
of my posts on CogQuit and very kindly sent me a congratulations
which touched me quite deeply and I shed a tear or two.
Dave quit 26 years ago and is now 79. So I have a chance to live my
three score years and ten but only if I stay quit as I was in the 1st
stages of emphysema. Thankyou Dave, to think that someone who doesn’t
even know me cares enough to contact me to encourage me in my battle
to quit the cigs.
I don’t even cough now and its only coming up to 6 weeks since I
quit. I feel fit and have started going to the gym twice a week on
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