Getting rid of addictions

[saj54539@yahoo.com 8]

I have been following this site for quite some time and am wondering why I haven't come across anyone who has struggled with giving up the "comfort zone." Sweets, cigarettes and diet coke have been my best friends for a very long time I have managed to give up the diet coke, sweets most of the time but still struggle with the cigarettes. I have cut back from 2 packs a day to 3 cigarettes a day, but find that I get very nervous and feel lost without these things. If anyone has the "magic" replacements please help me. I also go back and forth about the surgery as I am close to getting a surgery date, having completed all the requirements. I get afraid of it but weigh the benefits and push forward. My health sucks because of my weight and I wish I were more stable emotionally as most of you sound to be. Any help would be appreciated.

[Djmohr 6,965]

Hi there.

Smoking is one of the hardest things to quit but so worth it when you finally do. I quit many many years ago so I did not have the pressure from my surgery as you do.

I will tell you I tried the cutting back thing several times but always had the excuse that smoking calmed my nerves. That approach only caused me to fail time and time again.

For me what worked was simply saying I am done with this no matter how difficult. I smoked 2 packs a day and then one day I said I am done. I still had a pack left, it was my way of saying I don't need you and I am in control of my own health. I never touched another smoke again. I made sure I had mints and chewing gum on hand and I did it. The first 3/4 days were the worst but then things got better. That was 27 years ago but I still remember the feeling of kicking that horrible, expensive habit.

Unfortunately there is no and should not be a replacement.

You seem to have already taken steps to better your health but you need to do this soon if you really plan to have this surgery.

Let me tell you, this surgery is one of the best things that ever happened to me. I am grateful for this gift every single day. After the first few weeks of getting through all the recovery and learning to eat differently, it becomes a whole new healthy world!

Good luck to you!

[saj54539@yahoo.com 8]

Thank you. I do find your reply calming and helpful.

[nikki9 70]

I can't speak for cigarettes but my addictions have been shopping and then when I was broke eating. food has been a friend and has been there through both good and bad times. I couldn't give it up. Having the sleeve has made it extremely easy for me. I am not hungry and not craving anything which allows me to control my habits of blindly going to the refrigerator or eating when I am bored. Since there are constraints on when and how I eat I am making conscious decisions.

I will say that I noticed that I am spending more money but I have myself on a no clothing ban until I get to a more steady weight. I'm looking to exercise to do instead of shopping.

Good luck!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

My surgeon won't operate on anyone who is still smoking. Have you talked to a therapist or counselor? If you truly want to quit you might want to explore a 12-step program.

[esskay77 785]

Quitting smoking is tough. I agree with the other person that you can't wean yourself off cigs, you have to just stop. I'm not sure how I did it 5 years ago but I did!! It wasn't planned but I had gotten sick with the flu and pneumonia and just couldn't smoke for about a week. WHen I finally went to the doctor (I had guests in town and kept pushing myself to do things and didn't get any rest so I wasn't getting better) I just sort of blurted out "I guess I'm a non smoker now!" I'm not sure why I said it or even thought it. My dr said that I am lucky because I was so sick I didn't even notice the withdrawal symptoms so it would be the ideal time to quit. It's hard but you have to do it. My biggest thing now is that when I did quit, I literally gained 100 pounds in a little over a year and I wouldn't ever want to go through that again. So, having the surgery now while you quit smoking is actually perfect so you don't gain all that weight!! Seriously! It will be tough. If you replace it with anything, replace it with exercise!!! I wish I had. But also go to a support group for addiction (which you will need to do anyway for food addiction)--this could help a bit.

Best of luck!!! It's hard but you can do it. Enjoy the horrible journey! each and every miserable step of it because it will soon be replaced with confidence and happiness!!!

[woo woo 872]

You absolutely can wean yourself off cigarettes. I did it myself.

Especially if you are at 3 per day now. That is not even enough nicotine to show up on a blood test. At this point it is emotional attachment for you, and that is ok.

Never go over your 3 per day, whatever you do. When you feel ready, drop down to 2 or 1 per day and always stick to it once you drop down.

Once you get to 1 per day it is literally painless to let that one go. Zero withdrawals.

You can do this!! I smoked a lot for over 23 years.

Quit almost 2 years ago and have never even been tempted.

ETA the blood test I took when I was at 3 or 4 per day was for life insurance. I have no idea whether it would show up on a test for surgery.

Edited January 4, 2015 by woo woo

[saj54539@yahoo.com 8]

Thank you all for your support and sharing your experiences. It really does build my confidence. It has been so long since I have felt anything good about myself that just the fact that you were all willing to respond to my despair is greatly appreciated and I believe does give me hope to do what I need to do to get through this.