Dual Addiction and Smoking

Did I tell you I quit?

Yep, I finally did it.

Well.... circumstances made it easier than it should've been.

I'll still take all of the credit, thank you very much.

Last October I got a headache.
I get them sometimes.
Bad.
Sometimes they last for weeks.
This one did.
Five weeks and a few days.

BUT
I was extremely sensitive to odors while I had this headache.
Anything with an odor seemed obnoxious.

The second day of the headache, I went outside to smoke a cigarette and it was REALLY gross.

but i smoked it anyway.

The next day I went outside to smoke a cigarette and it was REALLY gross.

and again, I smoked it anyway.

The next day when I was about to walk outside to smoke a cigarette, I thought to myself "it's gonna be gross.  I'll do it later."

Five weeks later, when the time the headache was gone (and odors weren't offensive) it was RIDICULOUS to start smoking again.

I wanted to.
I still do sometimes.

But.... I don't want to smoke forever.
I just don't ever want to quit RIGHT NOW.

I'll quit later.

But I realize that.... if, after having not smoked for 5 weeks, I return to smoking, then I must face that I am going to be a smoker for the rest of my life. 

If I don't stay quit this time, then when?

So I'm done.

I've been trying for a long time.
I've written about smoking cessation several times.  Here's one entry.

Statistically when someone has dual-addictions, they are more likely to relapse if they continue in any of the addictions.  People who quit smoking in rehab centers are less likely to return to drugs or alcohol than people who don't quit smoking.

Lots of people in recovery say to tackle one addiction at a time.
and that worked for me.
but studies are showing that ceasing all addictive behaviors simultaneously is likely to be a more successful approach.

However you decide to do it.... all at once, or one at a time..... claim your independence.

The box

ok,

it's a box, not a jar.

If you don't know what I'm talking about....I mentioned in yesterday's entry that I'm taking the advice of a bit I saw and shared on facebook....

So I have a few pretty boxes in assorted sizes.  I decided to use a box.

Last night both of my children came home at 11:30 pm... so my family was safe and sound under one roof (our home) at the stroke of midnight...and some old friends spent the evening with us....stayed the night and we spent all day together here, cooking, eating...just being together.

That's more or less what my first note says.

Then I sat down here...and read last nights entry....  oops... I FORGOT.... about my return to blogging...

already the 'small' good things are getting away from me and we're only a few hours into the new year.

I'm trying to remember how we spent last New Years Eve.
I don't remember.
ahhhh.... yes.... I do.

That seems like a very very long time ago. 

Lots of forgotten good times between then and now.
How sad.

OK... so it's only Jan. 1 and I'm already making mental notes to put something in the box.

Maybe I need another box....on my nightstand.
and one in my car.
or a little wallet in my purse specifically for holding my good-thing notes.

so I will actually write it when I think it.


Yes, that's definately what I need to do.

Mental note made.

Goodnight.