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19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 54

I haven't noticed one but there's a bunch of us living in Oz. I'm in sydney, though I am a New Zealander (go the all blacks!) I say this a million times but it made such a difference to me. Search Nicotine addiction on google.com and learn everything you can about the addiction, withdrawal and recovery. It's so important, no it's critical to your success! Every quit is different - just because some people find it hard doesn't mean you have to. Take each moment as it comes and when you feel a crave try to ride it, it won't kill you, it's nothing to be afraid of, it is your body reclaiming itself. Post here when it gets tough or you feel down. The support makes a huge difference too, knowing you're not alone. It does get better - I can honestly say that I don't feel anything like I did in the start. My stomach doesn't feel kicked in all the time and I'm not gasping for air like I was then and tormented! Gosh it's weird to remember that now! I still have bad moments, don't get me wrong, but the are infinitely easier to deal with and I've got a sniff of what it might be like to be over this thing. It does happen so get stuck into this quit like a dog to a jandal...now there's a good NZ saying for you! Lots and lots of orange juice (citrus helps cleanse nicotine) and lots of water. Exercise if you can and I found it helped to shower and brush my teeth when I got home from work as the clean feeling stopped me from wanting to smoke so much. I'm on here every morning and evening and at least a couple times during the day so I'll keep an eye out for you - Post if you need help urgently !!! Good luck! Chicken Licken [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/2/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 49 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 639 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $539 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 12 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 54

Ahoy Andrew! How are you getting on??? If you're lurking, come on in and have a chat! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/2/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 50 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 661 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $550 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 47

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 54

Andrew, All I can say is if you want to end your addiction to nicotine, read up on nicotine addiction, how it is addictive, the effects on your brain, how your body reacts through withdrawal and how it recovers. Recovery is not just possible if you're lucky, it is a scientific certainty provided you stop putting nicotine into your bloodstream. You will feel normal without nicotine eventually just as you did before you ever smoked. The body does heal and the mind replaces smoking memories with nonsmoking memories. Addiction is a certainty provided you continue smoking nicotine. Forget about smoking cigarettes, we smoked nicotine in the same way that people smoke heroin or crack cocaine. We wouldn't smoke cigarettes if nicotine wasn't in them, end of story. You will increase your consumption as your brain steadily reduces the number of dopamine receptors, it is inevitable. Everyone's quit is different but I think all on this site would agree that knowledge of this chemical is critical. It's also been a comfort to me to understand that I'm not a fool or a bad person for having smoked, I had only been doing exactly what cigarettes laced with nicotine are designed to do. Create a false need and make me buy more and more cigarettes! So don't feel bad, study up on your condition, it's serious, just as serious as finding you have any other life threatening or disrupting disease. When you're ready get stuck into your quit, we'll be here! Good luck Big A! Chicken Licken [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/2/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 51 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 666 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $561 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 24 [B]Seconds:[/B] 12

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 12

Hang in there Andrew! You're doing great - 3 days, that is such a huge accomplishment. I'm really proud of you! Gaia [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 6/21/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] -1 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 0 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $0 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11

Thanks again Ann, Yes this really my first serious attempt at quitting - I suppose that after 30 years it is really time for me to be serious - and yes it really helps having all these people encouraging you - its just a pity about the time delay - I wonder if there is anything like this in Australia - anyway - good luck with your quit - actually I must admit that you gave me a laugh the other day with the straw - But then I was in the same Dire Straights today. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 6/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 77 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $30 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 23 [B]Seconds:[/B] 9

Quit Meter

$14,300.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 835 Hours: 19

Minutes: 38 Seconds: 8

Life Gained
Quit Meter

3575

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

35,750

Cigarettes Not Smoked

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11

Thanks Ann, But now I have a more positive attitude - and I can follow your good example [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 6/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 77 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $30 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22

Quit Meter

$14,300.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 835 Hours: 19

Minutes: 38 Seconds: 8

Life Gained
Quit Meter

3575

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

35,750

Cigarettes Not Smoked

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11

Thanks Guys - I thought I was really going well - but the cravings were really bad today - I just couldn't concentrate - I went and bummed a smoke of a friend - and guess what - it didn't make me feel better - so armed with that I will continue with my quit Andrew [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 6/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 77 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $30 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50

Quit Meter

$14,300.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 835 Hours: 19

Minutes: 38 Seconds: 8

Life Gained
Quit Meter

3575

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

35,750

Cigarettes Not Smoked

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11

Hi, I'm from OZ been quit now for 3 days although the meter only shows 2 - First 2 days were quite easy - but today I am really battling the cravings - I thought things were supposed to get better...... Been at work now for 2 hours - if the printer has one more paper jam I think I'll take to it with an axe....... oh well keep taking deep breaths. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 6/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 2 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 70 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $20 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 45

Quit Meter

$14,300.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 835 Hours: 19

Minutes: 38 Seconds: 8

Life Gained
Quit Meter

3575

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

35,750

Cigarettes Not Smoked

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11

Hi Guys, Everything is going OK now. In fact I"ve got the feeling that I might really be able to beat it this time. Thanks for all the support Andrew [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 6/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 4 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 122 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $40 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 31 [B]Seconds:[/B] 16

Quit Meter

$14,300.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 835 Hours: 19

Minutes: 38 Seconds: 8

Life Gained
Quit Meter

3575

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

35,750

Cigarettes Not Smoked

19 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11

Hi Guys, Sorry - I was going so well - but just having a really bad few hours. Some pressure phone calls at work - I pulled into fill up the car and bought a packet of smokes too - oh well I felt better for a while - but now i'm really p*&^^ off with myself. Going to see the Doctor on Monday - a friend suggested that I try Zyban - see you all next week when I try again. Andrew [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 6/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 127 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 11 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18

Quit Meter

$14,300.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 835 Hours: 19

Minutes: 38 Seconds: 8

Life Gained
Quit Meter

3575

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

35,750

Cigarettes Not Smoked

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