Alberta Quits Group

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Alberta Quits

5207

This group is for quitters from Alberta both new and migrating from Alberta Quits allowing us to...

5207

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Thought for today

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Tuesday Smile

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Teach

22 hours 22 hrs

6,874 Days Quit

Repost:  Nicotine Addiction

I love this one - really helps the understanding.

KTQ
Cara
D6873

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Nicotine Addiction *Repost*

***Author Susan, SilverRain, on 2/23/2005 1:56:30 PM************

Nicotine is probably the most addictive of all drugs we know of. The addiction process is very complicated, with dopamine receptors, neurotransmitters, etc. This illustration is an oversimplification of the process, but helps smokers to understand the reason for the difficulty in quitting.

Imagine that you have a factory in your brain which makes acetyl choline (you really do, but it doesn't quite work this way.) The acetyl choline workers work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no breaks, no vacations, no union representation. Acetyl choline is an essential part of our nervous system and without it we could no function very well (ask a smoker who is trying to quit how they feel and you will know how acetyl choline works.)

These factory workers work day and night and produce as much acetyl choline as the body needs. That amount is determined by the foreman who does continual blood testing to make sure there is an adequate amount available. After about 10 or 12 years you decided to try a little tobacco (either smokeless or smoking.) In 7 seconds th nicotine is in the brain and the foreman cannot tell the difference between acetyl choline and nicotine. He announces to everyone, "I don't know what is going on, but there is plenty of acetyl choline available. It looks like you can take a break."

The factory workers go out on the lawn, in the sunshine and have a glorious time. They are only out there about 30 minutes and the foreman calls them back in. He tells them that the acetyl choline levels have dropped and they will have to resume production.

The factory workers continue to work 24 hours a day, but they also remember how nice it was out on the lawn. You decided to have another cigarette. The foreman hardly gets the words out of his mouth and the factory workers are all out on the lawn. Again because the half-life of nicotine is just one half hour, they are soon called back in. You try tobacco again, with their encouragement — and again — and again.

Pretty soon you are smoking quite regularly and the factory workers are on the lawn most of the time, having a wonderful time. So you become fully hooked and smoke on a regular basis. The factory foreman tells the workers, "You haven't been needed for quite some time. Why don't you go on vacation. I'll call you if you are needed."

So they take off to the Caribbean. They are there for many years.

Finally you decide you've got to quit smoking. You stop.

The foreman checks the blood levels and panics. He starts trying to round everybody up, by sending letters and telegrams and making phone calls. The factory workers have to say goodbye to all their friends, find their cool-weather clothes, make airline reservations and prepare to leave. They are not happy and they let the foreman know that. He passes that information on to you and you give in and start smoking again.

One day you finally make it. You quit.

It takes one month for the factory workers to get home and start working again — but they never forget the Caribbean.

Repost: Nicotine Addiction

I love this one - really helps the understanding.

KTQ
Cara
D6873

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Nicotine Addiction *Repost*

***Author Susan, SilverRain, on 2/23/2005 1:56:30 PM************

Nicotine is probably the most addictive of all drugs we know of. The addiction process is very complicated, with dopamine receptors, neurotransmitters, etc. This illustration is an oversimplification of... Show more

Show previous comments (2)

Teach

22 hours 22 hrs

6,874 Days Quit

Good morning all
Happy Tuesday to you.
Subbing this morning and meeting staff to update IPP's in the afternoon. Smoking is not going to be part of my day thanks much. I do not miss being in a panic for when I could feed my addiction. Love life on the Freedom Road and planning on staying there. I offer my hand to the next winner joining me kicking ash to the curb today.
Have a great day
Cara
D6873

3Y 11M
Life Saved
$102,064
Money Saved
185,571
Unsmoked

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Thought for Today

Monday Smile

Teach

yesterdayyesterday

6,874 Days Quit

Repost: If you stop feeding it, it will die

Another amazing Maureen repost!
Love this one too!
KTQ
Cara
D6872

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From melder7 on 1/2/2012 9:49:36 AM

You’ll hear that a LOT in here from those with some time under their belt. The reason they emphasize this simple message is because it’s the key to success. No matter how long you smoked…how much you smoked…what your environment is like…who your... Show more

Teach

yesterdayyesterday

6,874 Days Quit

Good morning all
Happy Monday to you!!!!!

Up and going for the day today. Heading out to Cochrane for the day today. Lots of work to do today. Smoking is not going to be happening in my world today as I am saying NO to smoking and keeping to my path along the Freedom Road. I am offering my hand in friendship and support to the next winner joining me kicking ash to the curb today.
Have a good one
Cara
D6872

3Y 11M
Life Saved
$102,049
Money Saved
185,544
Unsmoked

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Thought or today

Sunday smile

Repost:  Yeah.... So?

Love this repost!!!!  
It was awesome when I came to see this - I took back the power - I grabbed it from that white tube filled with poison and I choose to not smoke.  Sometimes it was damn hard to keep the decision to not smoke but keep it I did and over time it becomes easier to dismiss the suggestion to smoke and keep the quit.  I realize now that smoking gives me nothing and there is not a reason in the world to smoke.
KTQ
Cara
D6871

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Yeah….so? - a repost
From melder7777 on 1/18/2007 12:16:43 PM

You know……….I think its important to understand that the longer you go without smoking?

The more it just seems to be natural. And it’s NOT that you might not find yourself getting the odd craving along the way.

It’s just that there comes a time when you REALLY “get” that the only one that controls whether you smoke or don’t smoke?

IS you.

And all of a sudden you understand that cravings do NOT control you. No matter how much you dislike them.

They’re annoying ..yep….they are... and sometimes they might take you a little by surprise when you get hit by one a little further along than you think you SHOULD be getting hit by one..

BUT

Once you REALLY understand that smoking isn’t really something that you’re doing because its something that you WANT in your life?...........once you REALLY understand that you’re smoking because you believe that you have no choice?

Then all of a sudden you realize that you actually CAN “want” to smoke…….. without feeling that overwhelming “ I gotta…I gotta …I gotta.

All of a sudden you realize that you’re experiencing a bit of a crave?

And your brain is reacting with..

“Yeah……….so? It’ll pass…………….it ALWAYS passes”

Imagine that huh?

One day your brain will automatically kick into “yeah…..so” in response to cravings because it will be SO accustomed to NOT giving in to that “one puff” AND because it will be SO aware of the benefits of STAYING smokefree that the odd “craving” will be EASILY brushed aside.

One day it just WON’T make any sense whatsoever to you to smoke.

One day you’ll be looking back in amazement when realize that you ALWAYS did have the ability to quit smoking.

You just didn’t know it.

But seein as how you’re planning on reaching that point anyhow?

Why not beat the rush?

Next time your brain is screaming “I WANNA…I WANNA…I WAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNAA” …have that “one puff?”

Tell it

YEAH……SO?

We quit

Get used of it

Maureen

Repost: Yeah.... So?

Love this repost!!!!
It was awesome when I came to see this - I took back the power - I grabbed it from that white tube filled with poison and I choose to not smoke. Sometimes it was damn hard to keep the decision to not smoke but keep it I did and over time it becomes easier to dismiss the suggestion to smoke and keep the quit. I realize now that smoking gives me nothing and there is not a reason in the world to smoke.
KTQ
Cara
D6871... Show more

Good morning all
Happy Sunday!!!!!!

Up and going for the day today. I am going out with DH to a meeting. Getting ready for work for the week will be my day. What wont be happening today is smoking. Saying NO to smoking and keeping to my path along the Freedom Road. I hold my hand out to the next winner joining me kicking ash to the curb today.
Have a super Sunday!
Cara
D6871

3Y 11M
Life Saved
$102,034
Money Saved
185,517
Unsmoked

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Thought for Today

Saturday Smile

Repost:  A Message of Encouragement for Newbies

This is a great post.  Lots of success stories at this site - quitting is doable - not a person in the world who cannot quit - it is just not always easy.

Have a wonderful day!
KTQ
Cara
D6870

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New people read through this please...
From Traveler24 on 11/24/2013 2:40:56 AM

I don't really have the opportunity to get on here too often (wish I did but I'm not by a computer too often and it's a bit difficult on the phone). But sometimes I get this urge to come in and tell those of you suffering through those first few days/weeks/months: YOU CAN DO THIS!

I promise, you can do it. Ideas for success from someone who finally did it, finally had the last practice quit, finally can say, "Hey, I haven't smoked in almost fifteen months."

1. First and foremost, accept that this will be difficult. Someone once told me (and I really do live by this) that once you accept that something is going to be really difficult, it suddenly becomes so much easier. You have accepted the challenge and you know that the road ahead will be bumpy and the weather will not always be pleasant, but you are aware of it and you have prepared yourself for those obstacles (as best as you can prepare yourself anyway). Knowing really IS half the battle. Accept it and jump in feet first.

2. Realize that your body will play tricks on you. I've heard from tons of people about the old "three days and it's out of your system" (true) so you only have physical withdrawal for that long. Hmm, not quite so true in my opinion. Give it about two weeks of just kind of feeling blah, yucky, all the things that come along with it. Don't beat yourself up over it. Take a nap if you're exhausted. Lay on the couch if you're feeling like ugh! This WILL go away and it may take a little while but it will

3. Be gentle with yourself and realize that you will most like have some serious emotions going in all sorts of directions. Sometimes you will find that you're about to cry, or you're so stressed out that you can't see straight, or you are angry with someone over something completely ridiculous. Walk away, remind yourself that you are learning how to cope without the aid of this "delicious"(false) and "satisfying" (wrong again) helpful tool (nope) in destressing. This is the first time in years that you are experiencing stress, sadness, anger, elation, joy, exhaustion, etc. without a cigarette in your hand. It feels strange. And some of those emotions are very difficult learn how to handle without this, but again, you will get there! You have already accepted the challenge that this will be difficult, so be gentle and accept that you may not be the happy-go-lucky person you wish you were. This too shall pass.

Repost: A Message of Encouragement for Newbies

This is a great post. Lots of success stories at this site - quitting is doable - not a person in the world who cannot quit - it is just not always easy.

Have a wonderful day!
KTQ
Cara
D6870

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New people read through this please...
From Traveler24 on 11/24/2013 2:40:56 AM

I don't really have the opportunity to get on here too often (wish I did but... Show more

Show previous comments (1)

Good morning all
Happy Saturday!!!!!!

Up and going for the day today. Heading out to go grocery shopping shortly. Another bitter cold day out today but alas gotta eat so have to shop. Smoking not part of my day today or any day thank you much. Saying NO to smoking today and every day. Smoking gives me nothing and I plan on keeping to my path along the Freedom Road kicking more ash to the curb. Who will join me today????
Have a great day
Cara
D6870

3Y 11M
Life Saved
$102,020
Money Saved
185,490... Show more

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Thought for Today

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Friday Smile

Repost:  Relapzland: Vacation Paradise or Quit-Purgatory??

It is purgatory - I spent a couple of years there myself and I never ever want to go back.  I would rather be quitter with an occasional desire to smoke, over a smoker longing to quit!
Have a great day.
Cara
D6869

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Relapzland: Vacation Paradise or Quit-Purgatory?? 
From ToddL on 4/11/2000 1:35:03 PM

You may have seen the travel posters and brochures, describing it as a vacation paradise. They probably caught your eye if you were thinking that maybe you’re a little tired of this quit and all the perpetual vigilance it seems to require, and need a little break. The trouble is that you’re not going to enjoy your trip to Relapzland very much, even for a short stay, and despite that, you’ll find it a difficult place to leave.

Most people reach it through the entrance at Slip City. It is surprisingly easy to settle into Relapzland, but after staying there a while, you’ll wonder why you ever went there, although you won’t really feel like leaving. Finding the motivation in a quagmire of malaise is the key to escape. You know you are capable of quitting, so the mind games can work twice as hard as before-- hey, I will quit, I know that, yeah, yeah, I've done it before, so it's just a matter of finding the right time, etc., etc. These thoughts may be even stronger if you've developed a pattern of periodic slips from which you have recovered.

This might not be so bad if there were some redeeming feature of Relapzland, but you quickly find upon arrival that the guilt is doubled while the motivation to quit is halved. First, you have this gang of quit friends that you didn't have before your quit began, and they've been making you feel rotten just by staying quit. Plus, now you have a new sense of regret, of having squandered something that was hard to come by, and that's something you didn't have to deal with on the first quit. Both of these factors quickly turn to positives when you get your quit started again, but in Relapzland they are definite downers.

On top of all that, you're not really enjoying the smoking at all! How disappointing. It feels like you're inhaling hot dust, tastes horrendous, and the stench... But you figure, somehow, that since you're rebelling against the quit and you're not going to smoke for long, that you somehow have to do it while you're in smoking mode. It's a revelation to discover that you are doing something strictly to satisfy an addiction that gives you no pleasure whatsoever.

These new sources of malaise, conflict, remorse, and unfulfilment combine to make this a most dreadful place to be. All of these things, we knew already-- others have been there and back, and they've all had similar stories to tell. All we can hope is that you won't have to discover them first-hand.

On the positive side, the quit after relapse is easier, once it begins. You’ll find that most of the quitbuds are there and in place. Many of them actually understand, and all of them forgive. The withdrawal symptoms are familiar and really do feel like recovery rather than strange signs of imminent death. Guilt dissipates quickly. An amazingly short tunnel will take you back here, but a dense thicket of psychobrickles obscures its entrance.

It looks like some of my friends who have been wandering in Relapzland have made it to that entrance, and I hope some others can also find their way. I hope they're lurking now, so they can find the entrance before the brickles grow back. It would be best if the rest of you could just avoid the whole trip.

ToddL Escaped from Relapzland in November, 1999, after an extended stay

Repost: Relapzland: Vacation Paradise or Quit-Purgatory??

It is purgatory - I spent a couple of years there myself and I never ever want to go back. I would rather be quitter with an occasional desire to smoke, over a smoker longing to quit!
Have a great day.
Cara
D6869

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Relapzland: Vacation Paradise or Quit-Purgatory??
From ToddL on 4/11/2000 1:35:03 PM

You may have seen the travel posters and brochures,... Show more

Good morning all
Happy Friday and a huge TGIF!!!!!

Up and going for the day today. Slept in so I am running late. Freezing out here -16 but with windchill -27. I have to stop for gas today - yuck. At least I do not have to go out and smoke in this cold. Saying NO to smoking again today and keeping to my path along the Freedom Road. I hold my hand out to the next winner joining me kicking ash to the curb today.
Have a great day
Cara
D6869

3Y 11M
Life Saved
$102,005
Money Saved
185,463
Unsmoked

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Alberta Quits

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