"We admitted we were powerless over nicotine -  that our lives had become unmanageable."

Keep up the good work on your journey through recovery. I know it can get tough at times. I know If I can do this thing,  you can too. Withdrawal can be the pits. It’s why I wanted to avoid it. I tried to think of it like this:  Quitting smoking doesn’t get easier with each quit. As time goes on, we get worse, never better.  The easier softer way is to stay quit today.  

We admitted we were powerless over nicotine - that our lives had become unmanageable.

If I was not powerless over nicotine, then I should be able to manage the amount I use by choice, or none at all without any difficulty at all.

When I first admitted that I was powerless over nicotine, I was in a good position to receive help. I became open-minded and willing to listen to other for solutions that had recovered from the insane state this nicotine addiction.

At first, I had to use “Band-Aids, I.E. nicorette gum, patch, etc.” along with the steps. It’s okay to do that, so long as the steps are taken and a plan to come off the nicotine is in the works. This allowed me to deal with the physical withdrawal.  Working the steps, tradition and the tools of the programs allowed me to go anywhere without having to use gimmicks.  It allowed me to deal with the mental part of the addiction.

One day the miracle will happen for you as it did me. My cravings went away or they only come occasionally.  They are not as intense. I was able to stay quit.  Although, I found that this is the step that I had to do 100%, because whenever I think that I have power over nicotine,  I will run the risk of relapse.  It only takes one puff to put me right back out there again.  There is a saying that goes like this; "It's not the caboose that gets you, it's the engine".  I don't want to get ran over by that train, I need to stay off those tracks. 

 Sometimes our slips can be our teachers. I had to be willing to look at them and do what I could  to correct them. Then let them go. It is of no use to dwell on what I should have done! The key for me was in amending what I could and asking God to help me do that.  Dwelling on it will only make matters worse. When I found that I was in morbid reflection, I asked God to remove it immediately. I became willing to do that  as many times that it took. I truly believe that if it was not removed right off, that God wanted to reveal something more to me and it had be that way in order for me to see.  

I also found that Nicotine is a drug, and my recovery from it was much like that of the alcoholic's. I had the same mental twist that the alcoholic's had. The only difference I found  was that the craving for nicotine came about every 20 minutes and my triggers were everywhere and everything but I didn't slur my speech or stumble like the alcoholic. Although, I am sure that could happen with that stroke I was about to have as a result of smoking. 

Your Friend in Recovery,
Carol R

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me"; he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil -he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good -he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Arthur Unknown

HOMEWORK

1. Read MY TIPS  and Anger Management

2. Read A Different Quit and How Nicotine Works by DDSteve

3. Read How Do People Get Hooked?

4. Read Facing the Fatal Attraction and start making your own research on nicotine and recovery.

5. Read  Tips for Gaining Freedom from Nicotine“

6. Read WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS OF NICOTINE

7. Read Nicotine Anonymous: The Book  "Step One"

8. Read From the Big Book Bunch website > Step 1  

9. Answer the below questions about Powerlessness over smoking/using nicotine:

   How often have I promised myself or others that I would quit smoking or use tobacco?

   How many times have I actually tried to quit and failed? 

   How often have I tried to reduce my tobacco use without success?

   Have I continued to use tobacco even though it produced negative consequences in my life?

10. Answers these questions about unmanageability around nicotine addiction.

Have I ever avoided nonsmoking people, places or situations?

Have I ever avoided sports or other physical activities because I knew I'd get winded and probably wouldn't perform well?

How much money have I spent each year on tobacco?

Have I ever been late for appointments because I had to catch a smoke before getting there?

Have I ever gone out at odd hours because I realized there wasn't a cigarette or other tobacco in the house?

Have I ever secured my supply, making sure I wouldn't run out unexpectedly?

On your Quit Day, follow these suggestions:

§         Do not smoke. This means at all -- not even one puff! 

§         Keep active -- try walking, exercising, or doing other activities or hobbies. 

§         Drink lots of water and juices. 

§         Begin using nicotine replacement if that is your choice. 

§         Attend our Nicotine Anonymous Meetings or other support program. 

§         Avoid situations where the urge to smoke is strong. 

§         Reduce or avoid alcohol. 

§         Think about changing your routine. Use a different route to work, drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place or eat different foods.

Modified and taken from Guide to Quitting Smoking.