Occasional Smoker

[CrazyLea]

Hi. I was talking to someone tonight, and I thought I should start a thread.

Thing is, I'm an occasional smoker, but I don't want to be.

Story - I started smoking properly when I had had a few to drink. Only smoked when I drank. But these past few months - September I think was the month - I've started to smoke more, even when I haven't been drinking.

I don't tell ANYONE, even my mates from here, do it in the privacy of myself, but I don't know how to stop.

I don't want to smoke, reason I don't tell anyone is because I am ashamed. I feel guilty when I have one.

I don't think I'm addicted enough to have the patches or gum. ( I read the back of my mums patches and it said don't have if you're and occasional smoker). So I don't know what to do to stop? Before I do get too addicted. I have about 1 a day on average, maybe more.

Edit - To those I speak to alot - you know who you are - I was really worried about posting this lol.

[Perdita]

Perhaps you can speak to your doctor or a nurse about this and what you could use to help you give up smoking for good, patches, chewing gum or whatever they advise. I found this quote quite inspirational: NEVER GIVE UP GIVING UP. Good luck and all the best. There is no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed either, you are human like the rest of us.

[Siobhan]

lea, try to think what made you start smoking when you were not drinking cause that is where the problem starts. if you can understand why you were doing it then that is half the battle

[Abi]

You need to find something to replace it with. I'm not a smoker myself, but i've got friends who were, and they've found it a good way to quit. By an Nintendo DS or something, and instead of having a cigerette, have a play on that instead. It gives your hands and head something to get distracted with, so you dont think so much about wanting a cigerette.

I take it that you are buying them yourself? If you are, try not to carry cash around so much, especially if you are going to an Off-Licence or something. Then you might not be so tempted to buy them, if you haven't got the money.

Another thing to try, is a chart. Every time you have a cigerette, tick on your chart for that day. Then you cant avoid the amount you are smoking. Try and get it down by 3 a week (More, if you smoke more, obviously). That will help you face up to the fact that you are a smoker, and might give you more motivation to stop.

Dont worry about what people think about you smoking. The most important thing is that you know you have to give up. Dont put it off, and dont avoid it. Beleive me, smoking kills, you cant get away from that fact. The sooner you stop, the better. Dont think "I'll give up tomorrow", because you never will. Stop right here, right now. Theres no better time :)

[DaVeyWaVey]

Like Abi said, try and find something to distract yourself with when you crave for a cigarette. To give up though, you will probably mostly need absolute will power... my nan stopped smoking as she was so determined to stop, and because of her determination, she slung them in the bin and never touched one since...if your absolutely determined to give up, you will do it. :)

Most importantly, don't be ashamed about it. Your human, it's your life, you do what you feel, don't care about what other people think. I'm sure there are other people in your situation right now, who are wanting to give up so i'm sure your not alone.

[Jojo]

Where are you getting the cigs from hun? Do you have your own or are you having them from friends? When I was giving up, I found the best thing to do was to change my "routine". Tried to do other things, things that I wouldn't associate with smoking. Like when I was working, I would walk from the car park to the office a different way, rather than the same way where I would smoke on the way down. Things like that.

If you truly want to stop, you will. Its willpower hun. You don't need a lecture on the effects of smoking - everyone is well aware of what can be caused by smoking. You can't be pressured by anyone into giving up. But, like I say, if you truly want to stop, then you will.

And why on earth were you worried about posting this?! You daft cah! :p

[CrazyLea]

Thanks everyone for all your comments. I've read them all, and taken on board everything said. Alot of it I think is useful :p. I get them from mates if I'm out drunk with mates who smoke, other wise I buy them myself.

I've not got any money now though, so once the tobacco runs out (rolls at the mo), then it may be easier. Think I may do the try to cut down thing, even though I don't have very many a week, and try and do something else/break my routine.. like sometimes I think I do it cause I'm bored (if that makes sense), so maybe if I make me a cup of tea or something instead, might help break the habit.

And haha Ems.. just in case people judged me :cool: :p. I'm cool really, you know it.

[Jojo]

And haha Ems.. just in case people judged me :cool: :p. I'm cool really, you know it.

:lol: Does that make me cool too seeing as you are "learning" from me?! :rotfl:

And even as an ex-smoker - I'm fully understanding of the pains of trying to stop smoking and the wish to also :D You'll do it hun......x

Oh and the boredom bit - I'm totally with you on that. I used to sit of an evening, bored, wondering what to do and would end up chain smoking...

[CrazyLea]

:lol: No you're not cool! ..... You're cooler than cool :p :cool:.

I've decided that from tomorrow, I'm going to try and stop. I'm going to keep a secret small diary :p. On average I have 2 a day, so for the first week, I'll try have 1 a day (maybe not even that - depends), then the week after try stop all together. See how I go. If I find myself bored, then I'll put some music on and sing (don't ask lol) and have a cup of tea. I'll tell you how I get on next Tuesday.

I think telling people (you lot) has helped me want to stop more, just actually telling somone (if you get me).

So until next Tuesday, fairwell fellow SBers :cool:. (On this thread that is haha - not from sbs all together).

[Jojo]

Good for you hun - keep us posted on how you go. Look forward to next weeks update :D

[JustJodi]

Lea..I have smoked off and on since I was in my mid 20's and to stop smoking was the hardest thing I ever did, but ya know,, like every one says,, you GOT TO WANT TO QUIT,, no amount of preaching is going to make you stop.. YOU HAVE TO WANT TO STOP. Kim stopped 3 and half yrs ago he was rolling his own,, one nice thing about stopping is your hair, and clothes and BREATH,, smell cleaner,, and your sense of smell and taste becomes sharper. So sweetie the ball is now in your court,, and we will be cheering you on. :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: Yeaaaaaaaaaa Lea u can do it :D
JJ

[CrazyLea]

Okay so I know this was a while since I posted. Said I'd do weekly updates. But I never :p.

But lately past week or 2, I have cut down a lot. 1 a day and now even half a day!!! :D.

But Christmas will be hard.. all the alcohol... harder when you drink.

[xStephaniex]

now its the new year how is it going hun? - if you feel you want a fag everytime you drink and now even when you haven't had a drink you may not feel your addicted but you could be. I denied being addicted to smoking even after smoking 10 a day for a week. if you want to quit the occasional fag then it does take alot of hard work and determination! its not easy - try not to have a fag for a few days - and see if you get a craving for a fag or you want one...if you do then ask yourself are you addicted?
Hope you do alright hun...take it day by day - you'll be proud of yourself if you even manage a day! x