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Anyone trying to stop smoking as well ?

Discussion in 'Self Improvement' started by ixpieth, Jul 27, 2014.

  1. Pope668

    Pope668 Fapstronaut

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    Well this morning I have passed two normal triggers already, which is same as you, with that first cup of coffee in the morning, and then halfway between starting the day and Lunch time.
    But for now I stayed strong. Which is good, I guess the more you say no to the temptation the easier it becomes to say no.

    Thank you for the support, also if it wasn't for your thread here I probably would not have come to this point where I decided to quit smoking, so thank you for that as well.
     
  2. ixpieth

    ixpieth Fapstronaut

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    Hi Pope,

    Am happy to share what's going on in my life. I'm not to sure about the targets. Little steps may give you a more rewarding feeling of achievement.

    I think the addictions of smoking are as bad, probably worse than porn (for me), there is a very ACTIVE agent, nicotine, which is THE most addictive and poisonous thing known to man. I keep that at the forefront of my mind and think of it often when I get pingback. I didn't know how I would react to that and I purposely didn't set goals for not smoking.

    The 3rd day thing was something else, real struggle, and I was glad when it was done. It's seems a lot easier now and I'm super looking forward to 3 weeks.

    If I was setting goals I think I would set them at (say) 3 days, 3 weeks and then 3 months - I guess that way you get to pat yourself on the back a couple of more times . . . or get your girlfriend to do that - HA !

    How does your girlfriend feel about it? I guess if you wanted to try an influence her a bit, you could ask about the little lines around her mouth, - my ex-wife was a very vain person and that was how and why she stopped - they call them "Crow's Feet" . . .

    Also, just remembered a YouTube clip of advertising executive CEO's (lots of them) standing up in a U.S. senate committee hearing, raising their right hands and one after the other swearing to God that they did not know nicotine was addictive - well worth a search . . . . puts faces to the problem.
     
  3. Pope668

    Pope668 Fapstronaut

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    The first full day was very hard, the day itself was fine, but at night when I normally smoked more was a real challenge. Luckily my GF was very understanding, and I'm quite sure without her last night I would've caved. But she helped me through it and I am still cigarette free and now almost halfway to 3 days. I feel quite a bit better about it this morning, but that might change later again.

    I think my GF will come around to the idea of quitting rather soon as she is smoking less now to help me, she only smokes when I'm not around. And her family is putting a bit of pressure on her to quit now that I am quitting.

    Thank you again for your support and being that final push that I needed to quit.
     
  4. ixpieth

    ixpieth Fapstronaut

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    Hi Pope,

    I don't know if you've been to Gary Wilson's site, "Your Brain on Porn"
    http://yourbrainonporn.com/porn-addiction-not-sex-addiction-and-why-it-matters , but I was reading an article on the DIFFERENCE between sex addiction and porn addiction, (which is very interesting), and came upon this part regarding the similarity between porn and cigarette addiction.

    Strangely enough he compares heroin addiction to sex addiction . . . .

    It rang a bell straight as I have found both (porn/cigs) about the same level of difficulty to give up ;

    Here's the error: Addictiveness is actually not tied to magnitude of dopamine impact. Cigarettes, for example, hook nearly 80% of those who try them, while heroin hooks only a rather small minority of users. Obviously, the dopamine impact of a cigarette is tiny compared with the dopamine impact of shooting heroin. The seductiveness of cigarettes lies in their ability to train the brain with each puff (hit of dopamine). Because of this, their power to rewire the brain for addiction cannot be measured by their relative neurochemical impact. This point is made in David Linden's book The Compass of Pleasure.

    Sex addiction is likely analogous to a heroin addiction in that there's a limit to how often one can get a fix, and the addict generally needs a ritualized neurochemical build-up. Internet porn, on the other hand, seems more akin to smoking. Each easily obtained, novel image offers a small, rewarding dopamine burst, which trains the brain to repeat the behavior, not unlike each puff.
     
  5. Pope668

    Pope668 Fapstronaut

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    This part about the addiction you posted I found rather interesting thank you.
    I had to reset my counter, had to visit my grandfather in the hospital on saturday and couldn't control my emotions there. So I gave in a smoked, but with this reset I decided to follow your advice with the targets, start smaller, I know I just need to make it through 3 days, so that is my first target. Then 3 weeks and thereafter it will be three months.

    If I could overcome the PMO struggle I can overcome this...
     
  6. ixpieth

    ixpieth Fapstronaut

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    In my history of smoking there have been times when I have stopped, both were broken by stressful situations, so I know what can happen. Unfortunately this will not change in the future, so the "default" position has to change - to being a non-smoker.

    The more I write and think about this, the firmer my resolve and understanding of my situation becomes, at the beginning of this thread I was somewhat "miffed" by the apparent disdain younger NoFappers had of smoking and the ease with which they were able to quit smoking, but there are huge problems that younger contributors have when addressing internet pornography. I have rationalised this out with the help of Gary Wilson's idea of "the adolescent brain".

    Science has now determined that the brain is not fully developed before the age of 25, the frontal cortex where reason and decision making reside is the last part to mature. My take is that addictions that were established BEFORE this age are extremely difficult to overcome, hence the "oldies" have smoking issues, youngsters porn issues. Even though they are superficially similar in dopamine levels.

    There is also the impact of "severe peer pressure" which I think plays a big part in the individual being able to succumb to/accept into his/her logic the approaching addiction. (Smoking was "socially acceptable" when I began, sex was more a "taboo", I think this is more or less reversed now).

    I think therefore I am able to intellectually and logically reject internet porn through my cerebral decision making process, due in part to my understanding of the objectification and intellectual abuse of women, i.e. sexism - whilst smoking is a much harder proposition as it was brain programmed BEFORE the age of 25.

    Now I have to resort to the fact that EVEN THOUGH I can walk past a tobacconist and feel no urge whatsoever to go inside and buy - I WILL suffer pingbacks for the rest of my life.

    As a non smoker I have to treat these the same way I have arthritic pain in my foot and hand, a bi-product of an accumulated chemical residue due to bad health decisions.

    I forget whether Allan Carr recommends rereading his book again before restarting being a non-smoker, but I know initially there is strict application required of his tenets.

    I personally feel like I was hypnotised into this mindset, whereby you are actually smoking as you are reading his book and gradually have no option but to agree that the taste is disgusting, my teeth look disgusting and so on until the end of the book when you emerge a NON-SMOKER.

    This is a mindset which is now the DEFAULT and one which I will not allow myself to fall out of, and as I approach the 3 week stage am eternally grateful for.
     
  7. Pope668

    Pope668 Fapstronaut

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    Thank you for your insights. They really help me also see things more clearly. Well today is the second day and yesterday the cravings were bad, however not nearly as bad as last week. I don't know whether this is because I almost made it to three days over the weekend or just more focused and feeling more positive about it?

    Anyways today is the second day. Still going.
     
  8. ixpieth

    ixpieth Fapstronaut

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    Hi Pope,

    Way to go, I'm sure that this (withdrawals from porn addiction OR smoking addiction), isn't going to "go away" for either of us instantly. I think (for me) the solution is just to tough it out, and having someone to do it with is a great help, so thank YOU for that.

    I had an Australian "friend" here in June, my age but has gone to seed and is now very overweight, his wife 'concocted' an "agreement" whereby for every cigarette I gave up he had to lose 1kg weight. I've heard nothing from him or her since they went back early July and am really pissed off that an "honour" agreement between "friends" is worthless.

    As you can see I'm probably in a bad mood this morning and have chosen to take my shit on the liver out on this guy, and I think fair enough too, I've known him for 30 + years and when I need a friend he's nowhere.

    There are times when this thing is, as Allan Carr says, easy. But there are also times when it is very difficult, like now for me, and I can't tell you how good it is to have a "companero" who knows what is going down . . . and who you can communicate that to.

    ixpieth
     
  9. YoungTimmy

    YoungTimmy New Fapstronaut

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    I actually made quitting smoking cigarettes, weed and drinking alcohol apart of my PMO. It was hard at first but as i went longer and longer without any of those, it just felt more better. I feel way more accomplished, its a great ass feeling.
     
  10. Pope668

    Pope668 Fapstronaut

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    @ixpieth, Anytime man, this is what this forum is for. Sorry to hear about your friend and the agreement you guys had. I think that you being in a foreign country also makes it worse, so can just imagine what you are feeling. I'll be thinking of you man.

    As for me, I stayed strong yesterday, was the easiest day yet I think, so today is day 3... after today the cravings should be easier I hope.
     
  11. ixpieth

    ixpieth Fapstronaut

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    Cheers Pope
    I had a blockbuster day 3 I hope yours goes well . . this forum is my default for times when things seem bleak, adding to the knowledge of myself as I go to.
     
  12. Pope668

    Pope668 Fapstronaut

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    So I made three days, it should become easier today according to most sources. I changed my target now to three weeks now. Yesterday it was not to bad to stay away, last night was somewhat tough, but I think that is because most of my smoking was done around night time. But all seems to be going well for now. Let us hope that this continues.
     
  13. ixpieth

    ixpieth Fapstronaut

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    Hi Pope, (or anyone),

    Don't know if you're experiencing trouble sleeping or not. I have a greatly reduced night now. It's hard to tell what the cause is as I used to have a joint EVERY night before I went to bed and had deep, deep sleep - (slept through a fire in the kitchen next door once, fire engines and all !!), Black sleep, no dreams, now it's almost like a picture show and waking very easily and very early . . . .

    21 today, 21 today, he's got the key of the door, never been 21 before . . . . hope you're still going strong . . . . . .

    ixpieth
     
  14. Pope668

    Pope668 Fapstronaut

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    I have no problems with sleeping though, maybe cause I have been limiting my joints to just around weekends, so during the week it was just cigg's. So my sleep has been the same, granted I only made a week yet, so maybe that will change.
    Anyways hope all is still going well there too.
     
  15. ixpieth

    ixpieth Fapstronaut

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    Hi Pope,

    Glad to see your progress, I think you're probably past the worst now. For me the time after the first week was just like a 'waiting period' - waiting for 3 weeks and now waiting for a couple of months when the smoking toxins will finally exit.

    I'm having better sleep now, 6 hours straight last night, 5 the night before so that makes for better days. Also had a severe test when I caught up with one of the few male friends I've made here. He's a "sort of" smoker who got into 'e-cigarettes' and supplements that with maybe 5 rollies per day. But we met in a bar - he was late and after the second beer I'm looking at the cigarette machine - it was an effort as there were some really nice looking ladies in the bar !!! Anyway, I resisted and then Jordi arrived so no harm done.

    I have to say I'm getting horny as hell lately and it's more of a problem than smoking pingbacks at present, I thought all this was a long way behind me when smoking and fapping, just going to have to go for some long walsk I think . . .

    ixpieth
     
  16. Pope668

    Pope668 Fapstronaut

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    Hi Ixpieth

    It definitely feels like I'm over the worst of the smoking now, I had a test this weekend as well, and I noticed it is also when I have had a couple of drinks. As for the PMO I know man, I have been having more and more trouble with that myself lately.
    We are constantly bombarded by images of beautiful women scantily dressed, and I have seen in myself, you just let your eyes linger a little longer than what is necessary to appreciate the beauty and then your mind wanders and soon you are heading down a slippery slope. I have been constantly fighting my thoughts lately. Catch it before or just as it begins and you can stop it.

    Ps; glad to hear that you are sleeping better, I'm sure that will keep on improving
     
  17. OBlue

    OBlue Fapstronaut

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    I'm thankful to say that I successfully quit smoking after over 15 years of heavy smoking after reading Allan Carr's book; almost all of my friends smoke, but I haven't had a single puff in the last 3 years. I actually bought the book (for under $10 on my i-pod) and that was worth every cent! The hardest part of the process was the first 3 almost sleepless nights that were full of nerve-itching pain... but as Mr. Carr correctly points out, the pain is no stronger than a pinch on your arm, really!

    Yes, I too thought that I will never be able to quit. Yes I too tried numerous times to quit before. But look at me today! :eek: I strongly suggest others trying to quit to purchase one of his books. Also, make sure you read till the very end (and do smoke like hell while reading the book :D, really!).

    PS. Oh, and it is important to have a counter while you do this (I used some quit smoking app. with an active forum on my i-pod, one that gives away nice looking badges at every milestone etc.; I forgot the name of the app.). When you have an urge, just stare at the counter, see it count your progress, check out your badges, or seek help from other members of the community till the urge passes. Good luck!

    PPS. I remember now, it was MyQuit Coach by LiveStrong (an organization founded by Lance Armstrong). Here is a link:
    https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/livestrong-myquit-coach-dare/id383122255?mt=8
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2014
  18. ixpieth

    ixpieth Fapstronaut

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    Thanks for the confirmation and evidence of longevity OBlue, a friend sent me Allan Car's .pdf and I didn't read it for 3 months until I found myself in a really low spot - not long after beginning NoFap.
    Like you said I smoked through the hour or so whilst reading and there is a "hypnotic" effect that occurs I think - like you've heard everything he says before at different times but it's just been water off a duck's back. His repetitive style re-enforces all those messages and by the end of the book I was a convinced 'non-smoker' - still am after 30 days.

    I purposely pass tobacconist shops as a gauge and don't feel the slightest urge to begin the addiction again - he deserves a medal for helping me give up after 50 years of smoking !!!!! And in Spain the cigarettes are the cheapest in the world I reckon - maybe 2nd after Asia.

    The NoFap I now consider as a much harder "trial" and am now looking out for a cute 60 year old for "company" - how hard is that !!!!!
     
  19. schnook

    schnook Fapstronaut

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    Not a smoker but I gave up sweets and booze too, my ex GF was a good drinker, and a good baker.. As of yesterday. Need to figure out how to add those counters.
     
  20. diesel2256

    diesel2256 Fapstronaut

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    It's interesting that since I've been clean from PMO for a few days, I'm getting motivated to quit smoking again. However, the prospect of adding another layer of difficulty is concerning.

    At about $180 a month and $2100 a year, that's a pretty convincing reason -- especially when that's for something that's killing me.
     

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