Day 4: No Weed, More Cigarettes

[JustChillin']

Hi Guys,

I have just today come across this forum and to be honest I'm disappointed I did not come across it sooner.

I'm 25 and I've been a heavy marijuana smoker, nay, an abuser, for the last 8 years. I was consuming on average 2.5g a day before deciding to quit. I've also been smoking cigarettes pretty much non-stop since I was 16.
I think it's important to note that drug addiction isn't heavily embedded in my family like many others, although my father is an unsupportive alcoholic and both my parents have been cigarette smokers since the day I was born.
The smoke and smell of cigarettes has been around me since i can remember. In the car, in the living room, my parents bedroom. IT WAS EVERYWHERE. Surely it would be inevitable that either myself or my sibling would pick up this horrible habit. Surely enough, we both did. My sister started around the age of 12 while i started a little later.

To be honest, I carry around a grudge. I love my mother and have nothing but respect for her. I do, however, feel that this terrible addiction was forced upon me.

Yes, I chose to light that first cigarette and yes, i chose to continue with it, but I was just a small child. What did I know?
To me, seeing my entire direct family smoking with impunity gave me this sense that it was okay to smoke, that nothing was wrong with it.
It is wrong. Parents, I beg you, if not for your sake but for your children's, keep it away from them no matter what.

I just recently decided to give up smoking marijuana. Currently, It's day 4 and I'm feeling great.
The only noticeable challenge is that it has been difficult to fall asleep.
There is a big problem though: I'm smoking more cigarettes. I went from smoking about 10 a day, to a full pack each day for the past 4 days.
My hands constantly stink like smoke, my clothes too. I've had enough. The smell has become so nauseating to me but I simply continue to smoke. It's an endless cycle.

The cravings are too strong and after about an hour of not smoking a cigarette, I need another.

Guys, If anyone has any advice about giving up smoking cigarettes, I'd be forever grateful.

Take care and keep healthy.

[Candid]

Just do it. It's the only way.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Only-Way-Stop- ... 1405916389

[tokeless]

I guess the circumstances that led to you smoking, whilst real are pretty irrelevant in the now. The reason I say this is so you don't make them too imposing in your attempts to stop. The choices you make now are key to your success. Ask yourself why you can't stop smoking. You can, it may be difficult but it is possible. You will have triggers, doubts and bargaining in your head ie do it tomorrow, just one won't hurt etc... until you make a choice or decision to stop you'll never know how you'll feel. Also, the road to success is paved with failure so keep trying but don't keep making the same mistakes thinking the outcome will be different.. it won't. The battles are in the mind. Choose to not smoke, be empowered by your ability to choose.
Best wishes

[JustChillin']

UPDATE:
On the 20th of March I quit smoking weed.
On the 25th of March, just 1 day after posting here, I became a non-smoker. I finally lay down and threw away those damned cigarettes.
I didn't use any tricks, patches, gum or books. I just decided then and there that I WANTED to quit, not that I needed to quit.

Today is day 22 and I am happy to say that (almost) all cravings have disappeared. I usually get one craving for a cigarette after lunch while I'm working on my studies but other than that its been a breeze since the first 14 days. My breathing has improved and I can finally breathe through both nostrils at the same time! The bags under my eyes have gone and my skin looks and feels so much healthier.

Some tips I can give to help others who may want to quit smoking tobacco:
1) Just Do It - seriously, take those damn cigs, rinse them under some water and chuck them away. Throw away your
ashtrays and your lighters.
2) A healthy diet - it think this goes without saying. In addition to quitting tobacco, i decided to embark on a healthier diet.
Now i'm not saying that I count calories and measure each item precisely. I still get sooo hungry at night but I munch on
some veg instead of unhealthy things. I cut down my intake of carbs too.
I eat fish and chicken twice week and red meat once a week. I've added plenty of vegetables and fruit in the morning as
well as plain yogurt.
3) Yoga, or any form of exercise - Again, I think this goes without saying. I've always been slightly chubby and i've probably
signed up to the gym over 5 times and cancelled each and every time after a few months. I honestly can't stand the gym.
I downloaded a fantastic Yoga app and I sweat buckets for 45 minutes every day now. I'm currently much more flexible
and have a clearer state of mind thanks to my breathing being more under control.
4) Stay away from smokers - At least for the first 3 weeks. If this is difficult and you live with a smoker, kindly ask them to
smoke elsewhere.

If you are currently self-isolating or in quarantine due to the virus, and you have always contemplated quitting tobacco, I would suggest quitting now. I feel that it has been much easier for me to quit while under quarantine as staying home is much less stressful, to me at least, than the daily grind of going to university, work and don't even get me started on the daily commute.

Stay healthy, all the best!

[izzy95]

I know the feeling, but you got to push through. You can get used to anything, so also to not smoking