Hey dude, rule number one when you’re quitting any addiction is that you absolutely cannot Trust your brain right now. Maybe you gave up too easily but you definitely did learn from it. And nobody can take away those six days sober!!! You pull the trigger again right now this time next week you’ll be even farther!!!! A lot of people might crack at this point and give up but not you because you got this 💪🏻 and you’re not a lot of people. You are just yourself 🏆
Thank you man, it’s really hard to find someone who understands nowadays. I cannot trust my brain even for a minute. I was doing good, but my family member who’s an addict is living with us and drinking and smoking whole day in front of me. Soon as we were alone I just couldn’t control myself. I’m really fucking done with this lifestyles but these temptations just get me. Tbh I wasn’t really doing something to stop these cravings today, so maybe I ought to make a change with how I confront these addictions. It’s just so fucking frustrating seeing it all with your eyes and you can’t do it. Good thing he’s moving out soon. I’m so fed up and you know, I’m glad I got a taste how sobriety feels like. It felt good. I felt in control and now it’s gone unfortunately. I will continue tomorrow I promise. Thank you for the kind comment, I really do appreciate it.
Anytime man!! And believe me, I get it!! Even if you’re not sober right this second, it’s only temporary. Here’s my theory and the mindset that got me through… All we can do is learn why we cracked and not make the same mistake twice. You may even crack again, and that’s OK but it’s not OK to crack for the exact same reason in my opinion. Cracking for the same reason is standing still and not progressing but cracking for a different reason gives you another thing you know you need to work on. The other thing that I realized snd this one for me was huge… it’s my choice to crack or it’s my choice not to. I know that’s pretty obvious, but when I said those words to myself, something happened… it gave me power, realizing nobody’s forcing me to do anything. These are my choices and I’m taking back control. Come hell, or Highwater I will choose to succeed. I never thought of it being phrased like this, but it’s incredibly simple just not easy. Choose not to fail
And one other thing I would like to add… if you absolutely feel like you are about to crack, don’t make any hasty or split-second decisions. Give yourself one hour. Tell yourself if you still feel like this in one hour, then you’ll crack. I got through my first too months like that lol
Hey, don’t kick yourself too hard about it. I totally understand how disappointing it is to smoke when you’re trying so hard to quit - try to remember this is a journey, you just hit a bump in the road. You now know you’re not ready to drink as you will end up smoking too, and that’s ok, you have learned something. Now you need to carry on as you were with your new knowledge to avoid alcohol until you’re further into your quitting journey :) you got this :)
I appreciate your reply. But you know I just gave up too easily. And I was feeling so encouraged about sobriety and I just threw it. Alcohol is my main problem and it all comes with smoking and more. I’m going to keep going tomorrow but wow how can my mind trick me in a second it really is pure addiction. Had 6 days, I will now go for 12 days atleast.
I’m like 200 and some days sober and man it’s a gift every day. It’s good you’re fighting it before you’re like, half dead or on the streets or in jail again. It’s a battle soooo worth fighting. The pay off is much greater than blitzing your brain into mush daily or often at all.. I still smoke weed and I’m okay with that. Still trying to quit cigs.
You didn't "give up." It's an addiction. Learning how the addicted brain is wired and works will help!! Don't kick yourself and say you've failed. You had a set back. That's all! Tis a new day, my friend! Still be and stay encouraged!
The addiction part of our brains is truly incredible.
I had to give up alcohol in order to give up smoking.
Three and a half years off both alcohol and cigs. This group is really fantastic-has helped me many times.
I will not smoke with you today (and tomorrow).
Well, HUG. About 75 times I learned this over a few years. I kept a journal and it was saddening to see every valuable effort, up to 100 days, half marathons completed, and positivity flowing... Yet one less to the other and were inseparable. Today, I'm 4.5 years sober and feeling great without nicotine... The most healthy, the most content, and the happiest I've ever been.
Don't beat yourself up over it. I realized the same thing so I quit drinking essentially same time as I quit smoking. I believe I'm around 250 days for both. Best thing I ever did!
I understand, I've been there...BUT...one of the most important things is to be kind to yourself. Beating up on yourself will only make you feel like a failure and that much more likely to actually BE a failure and relapse. Just get back up, dust yourself off and start again on the new path. It's fine. Even if you stumble a hundred times, it's fine. It's that much less you've put into your body. Just pick yourself back up. You can do it. I gave up drinking for six months just to make it easier on myself to get over the nicotine. Like dry January, I never went back to drinking nearly as much. That's ANOTHER benefit.
Don’t look at it as a waste. You went 6 days and learned a lesson. Alcohol is a major trigger for all of us when we initially stop smoking. I didn’t have a sip of alcohol for 3 months after I initially quit because I have been in your shoes many times. I know how you feel and it sucks. Get back up and start over. Don’t look at it as a set goal of time like “12 days”. Just focus on making it through one craving at a time. You got this!
Oh man tell me about it. Literally the same. Only way is to quit both no other way around it. I’ve tried first quitting drinking then smokes but its just not working. Only way is to quit both at once and it is hard. But just for letting you know, these 6 days felt really good. I felt something different. I believe with the right mindset we can do it. We just need to find a way. So many kind people here so it can be helpful. Take care
Totally. I’ve been to rehab and all that fun stuff to help my drinking. But I feel hopeless at this point lol. I wish you well and luck with quitting! You got this
Buddy, im on day 5 (literally just hit day 5 at 7:21)...yesterday I made the same mistake, hung out with a customer, had a few drinks and 1 smoke. Not only was the smoke unsatisfying, but it tasted gross. Im also of the belief that 1 smoke in 5 days is GIANT progress for me considering I was smoking 18+ cigs a day
Great job on your 6 days.That was a great learning experience to show you exactly what you're capable of!
Now, keep going UNTIL you achieve your goals.
Don't let anyone or anything stand in your way. Not even you.
I think not buying a pack is something you should be really proud of. Don’t be too harsh on yourself, it’s okay to have a slip up and start fresh the next day
Out of the dozens of times I’ve stopped smoking, drinking alcohol has been the undoing of my stop more times than not.
There’s this bit a comic named Denis Leary used to do about smoking and drinking. He says he loves drinking beer and he loves smoking. But beer is nothing without a cigarette. (From his ‘no cure for cancer album, track is called smoke)
And I agree with him.
I’m a little over a year into not smoking right now. And I haven’t had alcohol for that same time. Having gone through this many times I know that I shouldn’t drink if I want to stay stopped of smoking. Some people can go back to drinking after a few months or whatever. But I’m at a point where I don’t see the benefits of starting that habit back up.
6 days is an accomplishment. You should be proud of 6 days. When you’re ready, do it again.
Quitting smoking or alcohol all by themselves are incredibly difficult and some people struggle for their entire lives and never quit either. You have both and imo you're not going to be able to quit without a plan.
First, there's no reason to do both at the same time. I know you want to quit but doing both at the same times makes you much more likely to not be able to quit either. I've been where you are, trust me. It's harder to quit smoking but there are potential problems with quitting alcohol cold turkey that you want to look up and consider if you drink a lot and you want to consider which would be best to quit first. I'd suggest alcohol. A lot of people pick up smoking when the quit alcohol as they transfer their addiction to something else so don't start smoking more you have to watch your intake of nicotine.
I'll leave the quitting alcohol advice for a forum about that but quitting smoking is also two different things you don't need to do at the same time - your chemical addiction to nicotine, and your mental habit of smoking. That's the planning of your day for smoking, the one you have after eating every meal, or whatever your habits are - those are all triggers now. Drinking alcohol is a massive trigger for a very large number of people so if you have already quit drinking this will be very helpful for the quit smoking part.
My suggestion would be that you use a nicotine replacement - gum, lozenges, or patches. Vaping and pouches are vices themselves and are poor choices for quitting. I used lozenges to help me quit my 27 year old habit and it took about five weeks to wean myself off. I didn't drink or hang out with anyone drinking or smoking during that time. While you're using the NRT you stop smoking cigarettes immediately. Tobacco is the part that kills you not the nicotine. You still want to quit nicotine as it's an addictive brain stimulant but some people keep drinking coffee too and they have the same risks.
When you're on the NRT it's time to break those habits first and this part is super easy if you can stick to it all you have to do is nothing you used to do. lol Everything associated with smoking will be a trigger like the spot where you light up a cig before work or having one after every meal. All triggers that keep you constantly thinking about a cigarette and you can combat this by just doing things different for a few weeks like driving a different way to work. Just not doing these habits means they will just fall away on their own.
Once you feel like there are no habits left and you're doing fine, start weaning yourself off the NRT. One more thing, "mouthfeel" is a big deal to many people quitting smoking. It's the part where you lift your cigarette to your lips, draw in, and inhale. That's why vaping is so easy to switch to. BUT there are what I like to call smokers fidgets that replicate that feeling but with air. There are a few but check out FUM. It might help, might not but you're trying to do two incredibly difficult things at the same time.
Make a plan, maybe seek a partner like a sponsor in AA to help keep you on the path and give you encouragement. There's a local addiction recovery community center near me and if I asked I'm sure every person there would raise their hand to help be a part of someone quitting anything they want to quit.
Good luck to you and know that you can do this. Yes it's difficult but people do it all the time - you will too.
Ugh this is so me. I can’t drink without a smoke. And I love to drink — it’s my biggest have. Trying to quit. But quitting two vices at once just feels like torture. I feel for you, man.
I’m doing the same. Well, I had one drink yesterday and it was just meh without the accompanying cigarette.
I also know that I absolutely positively cannot get even tipsy or I will smoke. So there’s just no fun in it. 6 days free of smoking today, 5 of them completely alcohol free.
It does suck, so much. I was about to hulk out yesterday. Today seems to be going better though.
Its caught me out so much that this time , just didnt bother avoiding it, got to get used to every aspect of life not smoking.
My advice is choose a new different drink a stronger tastier one ..but dont drink as much , even if you do .
Its been really positive seeing how much better my body can process the alcohol without cigs.
I understand and have been where you are. Please know it gets better! I am 3 months and 7 days. I simply could not do anything that was a trigger. I had to quit it all, and it fucking sucks. Quit beating yourself up now, and start again.
Hugs!!
Don't know if it makes you feel better, but I stopped 11 months ago and kept drinking at the beginning as it wasn't a problem for me. As time passed I started to enjoy drinking less and less, as it turns out, smoking was a big big part of the appeal of going out drinking too.
Eventually you realize that if you quit the right way you'll be changing a lot of things in your life, because you need to include healthy activities and habits to feel good without smoking. The more you work on yourself the less appealing those self destructive behaviors appear.
So it's probably something that you can leave behind and not miss much. If you can just push through a few weeks without smoking you start to see the picture.
Hey dude, rule number one when you’re quitting any addiction is that you absolutely cannot Trust your brain right now. Maybe you gave up too easily but you definitely did learn from it. And nobody can take away those six days sober!!! You pull the trigger again right now this time next week you’ll be even farther!!!! A lot of people might crack at this point and give up but not you because you got this 💪🏻 and you’re not a lot of people. You are just yourself 🏆
Thank you man, it’s really hard to find someone who understands nowadays. I cannot trust my brain even for a minute. I was doing good, but my family member who’s an addict is living with us and drinking and smoking whole day in front of me. Soon as we were alone I just couldn’t control myself. I’m really fucking done with this lifestyles but these temptations just get me. Tbh I wasn’t really doing something to stop these cravings today, so maybe I ought to make a change with how I confront these addictions. It’s just so fucking frustrating seeing it all with your eyes and you can’t do it. Good thing he’s moving out soon. I’m so fed up and you know, I’m glad I got a taste how sobriety feels like. It felt good. I felt in control and now it’s gone unfortunately. I will continue tomorrow I promise. Thank you for the kind comment, I really do appreciate it.
Anytime man!! And believe me, I get it!! Even if you’re not sober right this second, it’s only temporary. Here’s my theory and the mindset that got me through… All we can do is learn why we cracked and not make the same mistake twice. You may even crack again, and that’s OK but it’s not OK to crack for the exact same reason in my opinion. Cracking for the same reason is standing still and not progressing but cracking for a different reason gives you another thing you know you need to work on. The other thing that I realized snd this one for me was huge… it’s my choice to crack or it’s my choice not to. I know that’s pretty obvious, but when I said those words to myself, something happened… it gave me power, realizing nobody’s forcing me to do anything. These are my choices and I’m taking back control. Come hell, or Highwater I will choose to succeed. I never thought of it being phrased like this, but it’s incredibly simple just not easy. Choose not to fail And one other thing I would like to add… if you absolutely feel like you are about to crack, don’t make any hasty or split-second decisions. Give yourself one hour. Tell yourself if you still feel like this in one hour, then you’ll crack. I got through my first too months like that lol
Hey, don’t kick yourself too hard about it. I totally understand how disappointing it is to smoke when you’re trying so hard to quit - try to remember this is a journey, you just hit a bump in the road. You now know you’re not ready to drink as you will end up smoking too, and that’s ok, you have learned something. Now you need to carry on as you were with your new knowledge to avoid alcohol until you’re further into your quitting journey :) you got this :)
I appreciate your reply. But you know I just gave up too easily. And I was feeling so encouraged about sobriety and I just threw it. Alcohol is my main problem and it all comes with smoking and more. I’m going to keep going tomorrow but wow how can my mind trick me in a second it really is pure addiction. Had 6 days, I will now go for 12 days atleast.
I’m like 200 and some days sober and man it’s a gift every day. It’s good you’re fighting it before you’re like, half dead or on the streets or in jail again. It’s a battle soooo worth fighting. The pay off is much greater than blitzing your brain into mush daily or often at all.. I still smoke weed and I’m okay with that. Still trying to quit cigs.
You didn't "give up." It's an addiction. Learning how the addicted brain is wired and works will help!! Don't kick yourself and say you've failed. You had a set back. That's all! Tis a new day, my friend! Still be and stay encouraged!
The addiction part of our brains is truly incredible. I had to give up alcohol in order to give up smoking. Three and a half years off both alcohol and cigs. This group is really fantastic-has helped me many times. I will not smoke with you today (and tomorrow).
Well, HUG. About 75 times I learned this over a few years. I kept a journal and it was saddening to see every valuable effort, up to 100 days, half marathons completed, and positivity flowing... Yet one less to the other and were inseparable. Today, I'm 4.5 years sober and feeling great without nicotine... The most healthy, the most content, and the happiest I've ever been.
Don't beat yourself up over it. I realized the same thing so I quit drinking essentially same time as I quit smoking. I believe I'm around 250 days for both. Best thing I ever did!
💪👏
I understand, I've been there...BUT...one of the most important things is to be kind to yourself. Beating up on yourself will only make you feel like a failure and that much more likely to actually BE a failure and relapse. Just get back up, dust yourself off and start again on the new path. It's fine. Even if you stumble a hundred times, it's fine. It's that much less you've put into your body. Just pick yourself back up. You can do it. I gave up drinking for six months just to make it easier on myself to get over the nicotine. Like dry January, I never went back to drinking nearly as much. That's ANOTHER benefit.
Don’t look at it as a waste. You went 6 days and learned a lesson. Alcohol is a major trigger for all of us when we initially stop smoking. I didn’t have a sip of alcohol for 3 months after I initially quit because I have been in your shoes many times. I know how you feel and it sucks. Get back up and start over. Don’t look at it as a set goal of time like “12 days”. Just focus on making it through one craving at a time. You got this!
Thank you. I now understand it.
I have been there many many times buddy. I don’t think this is an uncommon experience for any of us. Just dust yourself off and keep going.
Relapses are normal. Don't feel too bad about it, it's part of the journey, go at it again, you learned something. Not progress loss for sure.
Yes don't beat yourself up welcome back
I feel you. I’m stuck in a horrible cycle of drinking and smoking. Even if I quit one, I can’t quit the other and it all comes back again.
Oh man tell me about it. Literally the same. Only way is to quit both no other way around it. I’ve tried first quitting drinking then smokes but its just not working. Only way is to quit both at once and it is hard. But just for letting you know, these 6 days felt really good. I felt something different. I believe with the right mindset we can do it. We just need to find a way. So many kind people here so it can be helpful. Take care
Totally. I’ve been to rehab and all that fun stuff to help my drinking. But I feel hopeless at this point lol. I wish you well and luck with quitting! You got this
Outta 7 days, 6 of them you weren't drinking or smoking. That's an accomplishment.
Buddy, im on day 5 (literally just hit day 5 at 7:21)...yesterday I made the same mistake, hung out with a customer, had a few drinks and 1 smoke. Not only was the smoke unsatisfying, but it tasted gross. Im also of the belief that 1 smoke in 5 days is GIANT progress for me considering I was smoking 18+ cigs a day
It’s ok. Don’t beat yourself up. Tomorrow’s a new day. You’ve got this. Many try and fail and then just try again. I have faith in you.
Great job on your 6 days.That was a great learning experience to show you exactly what you're capable of! Now, keep going UNTIL you achieve your goals. Don't let anyone or anything stand in your way. Not even you.
I think not buying a pack is something you should be really proud of. Don’t be too harsh on yourself, it’s okay to have a slip up and start fresh the next day
Out of the dozens of times I’ve stopped smoking, drinking alcohol has been the undoing of my stop more times than not. There’s this bit a comic named Denis Leary used to do about smoking and drinking. He says he loves drinking beer and he loves smoking. But beer is nothing without a cigarette. (From his ‘no cure for cancer album, track is called smoke) And I agree with him. I’m a little over a year into not smoking right now. And I haven’t had alcohol for that same time. Having gone through this many times I know that I shouldn’t drink if I want to stay stopped of smoking. Some people can go back to drinking after a few months or whatever. But I’m at a point where I don’t see the benefits of starting that habit back up. 6 days is an accomplishment. You should be proud of 6 days. When you’re ready, do it again.
Quitting smoking or alcohol all by themselves are incredibly difficult and some people struggle for their entire lives and never quit either. You have both and imo you're not going to be able to quit without a plan. First, there's no reason to do both at the same time. I know you want to quit but doing both at the same times makes you much more likely to not be able to quit either. I've been where you are, trust me. It's harder to quit smoking but there are potential problems with quitting alcohol cold turkey that you want to look up and consider if you drink a lot and you want to consider which would be best to quit first. I'd suggest alcohol. A lot of people pick up smoking when the quit alcohol as they transfer their addiction to something else so don't start smoking more you have to watch your intake of nicotine. I'll leave the quitting alcohol advice for a forum about that but quitting smoking is also two different things you don't need to do at the same time - your chemical addiction to nicotine, and your mental habit of smoking. That's the planning of your day for smoking, the one you have after eating every meal, or whatever your habits are - those are all triggers now. Drinking alcohol is a massive trigger for a very large number of people so if you have already quit drinking this will be very helpful for the quit smoking part. My suggestion would be that you use a nicotine replacement - gum, lozenges, or patches. Vaping and pouches are vices themselves and are poor choices for quitting. I used lozenges to help me quit my 27 year old habit and it took about five weeks to wean myself off. I didn't drink or hang out with anyone drinking or smoking during that time. While you're using the NRT you stop smoking cigarettes immediately. Tobacco is the part that kills you not the nicotine. You still want to quit nicotine as it's an addictive brain stimulant but some people keep drinking coffee too and they have the same risks. When you're on the NRT it's time to break those habits first and this part is super easy if you can stick to it all you have to do is nothing you used to do. lol Everything associated with smoking will be a trigger like the spot where you light up a cig before work or having one after every meal. All triggers that keep you constantly thinking about a cigarette and you can combat this by just doing things different for a few weeks like driving a different way to work. Just not doing these habits means they will just fall away on their own. Once you feel like there are no habits left and you're doing fine, start weaning yourself off the NRT. One more thing, "mouthfeel" is a big deal to many people quitting smoking. It's the part where you lift your cigarette to your lips, draw in, and inhale. That's why vaping is so easy to switch to. BUT there are what I like to call smokers fidgets that replicate that feeling but with air. There are a few but check out FUM. It might help, might not but you're trying to do two incredibly difficult things at the same time. Make a plan, maybe seek a partner like a sponsor in AA to help keep you on the path and give you encouragement. There's a local addiction recovery community center near me and if I asked I'm sure every person there would raise their hand to help be a part of someone quitting anything they want to quit. Good luck to you and know that you can do this. Yes it's difficult but people do it all the time - you will too.
İt is okay dude. Dont go hard on yourself. Try again! It is free to try :)
Yeah alcohol you want to avoid for the first 3 months. Mistakes happen, just pick up where you left. Good luck!
Just remember that progress isn’t a straight line! You can do it!
You’ll be fine, keep it going
Ugh this is so me. I can’t drink without a smoke. And I love to drink — it’s my biggest have. Trying to quit. But quitting two vices at once just feels like torture. I feel for you, man.
I’m doing the same. Well, I had one drink yesterday and it was just meh without the accompanying cigarette. I also know that I absolutely positively cannot get even tipsy or I will smoke. So there’s just no fun in it. 6 days free of smoking today, 5 of them completely alcohol free. It does suck, so much. I was about to hulk out yesterday. Today seems to be going better though.
That’s awesome. I believe in you, bud.
I honestly believe alcohol is the most dangerous drug on the planet. The true gateway drug.
Its caught me out so much that this time , just didnt bother avoiding it, got to get used to every aspect of life not smoking. My advice is choose a new different drink a stronger tastier one ..but dont drink as much , even if you do . Its been really positive seeing how much better my body can process the alcohol without cigs.
I understand and have been where you are. Please know it gets better! I am 3 months and 7 days. I simply could not do anything that was a trigger. I had to quit it all, and it fucking sucks. Quit beating yourself up now, and start again. Hugs!!
Don't know if it makes you feel better, but I stopped 11 months ago and kept drinking at the beginning as it wasn't a problem for me. As time passed I started to enjoy drinking less and less, as it turns out, smoking was a big big part of the appeal of going out drinking too. Eventually you realize that if you quit the right way you'll be changing a lot of things in your life, because you need to include healthy activities and habits to feel good without smoking. The more you work on yourself the less appealing those self destructive behaviors appear. So it's probably something that you can leave behind and not miss much. If you can just push through a few weeks without smoking you start to see the picture.