I read in a few places that habitual smokers need 2 good weeks to get the "cravings" out of their system. Just challlenge yourself for 2 weeks.

I've been trying not to be too hard on myself about my little relapse moment, as it is a part of the process. I've been good this past week, and quitting is definitely getting easier for me. When I did relapse, I did feel really guilty and although I was very busy with school, I feel that in a way I felt ashamed to come back to the support forum immediately. I guess no one wants to report that they've failed. But you're right, sometimes we fall down and we just have to get up and start over. So I have. When you relapsed, did you have a trigger? (You don't have to answer that).

Anyway, in the beginning of this quitting process everything did seem completely unmanageable, and at times felt completely worthless. Thankfully I have snapped out of it, and for the first time in years I have been able to go an actual week without smoking. To me, smoking used to be my air in a way. When I found myself spending the last of my cash on pot, I guess it was time to realize that the control over my life had been lost.

I couldn't be getting through this without you guys, so I really want to thank you!

Sam

That is another thing you have to be careful of is swithching one for another. I went back and forth for along time. Alot of the time I had more than one addiction I was fighting. I'm still addicted to Diet Pepsi and chocolate . I will deal with them later. I had to deal with the ones that were destroying my life. Alcohol, gambling and prescription medication were the worst for me. Shopping and spending are other ones that sneak up on people without warning. I guess most do sneak up, but some are more subtle than others, and you have to do them on a regular basis just to survive. One day your shopping for fun and then it is out of control! I could easily do that if I'm not careful.

Keep up the great work and you will soon be marijuana free. You will feel differently about life and be able to see your dreams more clearly. You have so much going for you and alot of life left to live. I'm glad that you have support at home too! You know that we are here if you need anything. I will be off until Tuesday. My son is having a medical problem and it may require surgery. I won't find out until I go on Monday to the oral surgeon. He has a bad infection and it won't come out. He had the tooth removed but none of the infection came out! He is only 8 and I'm so worried about him. I hate to see my childern hurting in anyway. It is like you and some others in the groups. Your like my kids or very good friends, and I want what is best for you! I hope you understand that! I look forward to hearing from you and hearing how things are going. It the "motherly instinct" in me.

I hope that you are well. I'll talk to you soon! Your Friend, Chris (still waiting for warm weather)

I've been afraid of the addiction switching. I could see myself becoming addicted to spending or eating food. Fortunately for me, I couldn't abuse prescription drugs even if I wanted to because they so easily turn my stomach upside down. I need to be careful about that spending and eating though...

I hope your son is okay! Oral surgery is the worst! I am personally afraid of the dentist or anything of the like, so I couldn't imagine going through that. Best of luck with that, I really hope everything turns out okay.

P.S. Often I consider this... If me at 12 years old saw the things I have been doing with drugs, he would want to beat me up, or at least be scared of the scary man. So I use that. There is something to the whole inner-child philosophy I think. Know what I mean?

Now my parents are broke, depressed, and in the midst of a very messy divorce.

The swithching addictions is difficult to see until it happens. Just keep an eye out for guilt feelings when you are doing things. They are a big clue that you are doing something that you're not comfortable with and it could end up to be a problem. Even exercise can be addicting......a better one than most though!

Thank you for the concern for my son......he is doing better......We went there and they decided to do a ct-scan. It showed the infection was going down! He doesn't have to have surgery just yet! They are going to keep trying the medications!! See, I did all this worrying for nothing! It is just one of those things that I still have trouble giving up! Someday I will not worry so much.

Do you have a plan for the urges you will get? Set up road blocks so you can't smoke and have supportive people that can help you if you feel like you want to smoke?

I had to set up road blocks so I couldn't gamble. I let someone else take care of my money for awhile. I didn't go into stores with lottery tickets. I had people that knew I was in recovery and they helped me get through rough times.

I hope that all is well with you! Talk to you soon!

Your Friend, Chris

Post edited by: mommyofsix / Friend2U, at: 04/29/2008 12:42

I'm good. School is... a pain, but alright. The statistics class is the worst- I am so challenged at anything remotely related to math. School lets out in mid-May, but at the beginning of June I go right back to summer school. I shouldn't complain though, I'm happy to be in school.

Addicted to exercise- I wish! (just kidding- I don't want to be addicted to anything, ideally). I'm trying to bring more yoga into my daily activities. Keyword: trying.

I'm glad to hear the infection is going down with your son. I'd like to say that you'll eventually worry less, but how could I say that- you're a mother; worrying is practically part of the territory.

I don't have an official plan for my urges, but fortunately I've been managing pretty well. I'm getting used to my daily routine that doesn't include running home to go smoke. Fortunately I wouldn't feel comfortable bringing pot into my apartment because my boyfriend would be less than thrilled. In a way, that helps me not want to have any. I figure if I can make it through finals without it, I can do anything! I've mostly relied on pot to get me through my work, so it will be a miracle to be able to write over 100 pages of research without it. Hopefully that works out.

Hope all is well and best wishes for your son- I really am glad to hear he is doing better

Sam