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13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 792

Original Post by: Mica

NOPE!

Great Post, Great Attitude Mica !

You can not fail if follow N.O.P.E. !

William - Free and Healing for One Year, Eight Days, 2 Hours and 14 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 45 Days and 11 Hours, by avoiding the use of 13093 nicotine delivery devices that would have cost me $5,983.49.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 39

NOPE!

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 618

Dear Mica,

I too agree with Ron. I can't say anything more...everyone else has quoted you the Mantra...N.O.P.E. Not one puff ever.

When your brain receives that jolt of the addictive chemicals (even in just one puff,) the addiction, or the Nicodemon knows it has won! It starts up the old cravings that you had overcome so well. This makes it all the harder for you when you start up the quit again.

You can do it...you proved that. Never mind the meter reset...it's your life we are talking about here! You can't reset that! Look to the future the next time a crave hits, or you have a problem. No matter how hard that problem seems to overcome, having a cigarette, or even one puff, will not make anything better; that is in your imagination. Don't be curious! You know what the addiction is like...DO NOT GO THERE AGAIN!

Take one day at a time and -

Never Look Back! The future is ahead!

Love Lolly.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2534

What Ron said............

Penitent

Quit Meter

$63,283.00

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 1312 Hours: 5

Minutes: 6 Seconds: 36

Life Gained
Quit Meter

5753

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

126,566

Cigarettes Not Smoked

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2778

Hey Mica!!!

You've received some great advice and lots to think about! Personally, I don't thing that one "puff" is cause for a meter reset, but here's what you need to think about... You are a non-smoker now and you have committed to being quit! Sooo... understand that this is a lifetime commitment and as a non-smoker you may Never light up another cigarette OR take a puff from another's smoking cancer stick! That's the way to achieve the freedom you desire... one minute, one hour, one day at a time! NOPE!!!

The nico-demon will always be looking for that moment of weakness! You've declared war on the demon... do not let that sucker win another battle!

Then victory will be yours!!!

Jim

Quit Meter

$48,697.50

Amount Saved
Quit Meter

Days: 1188 Hours: 22

Minutes: 45 Seconds: 48

Life Gained
Quit Meter

6493

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

194,790

Cigarettes Not Smoked

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 823

The meter is a funny thing Mica. It's great to know how much you've saved and to track that Quit you have going - you're doing great and that one puff need not derail your quit at all! So if your quit keeps going strong, you'll know exactly when you decided to quit! However, if you have a few more puffs - it gets dicey. Ashley and Ron are so right about that! It's pretty important to be honest with yourself about your progress and it feels so great to build on those stats knowing you deserve each reward that comes with your milestones and anniveraries!

If you want to quit via NOPE - it means Not One Puff Ever! That philosophy is the one that works best for virtually everyone here on the site who has maintained their quit over time. All the impressive stats belong to members who have adhered to that one little rule! I faltered a few times at the beginning of my quit last year- just a little puff here and there - and found that I couldn't face my stupid Quit meter when I came online! So I kept resetting it until I got to the point that I was committed to stick to NOPE! So I know the exact day I took on the pledge and it was 3 weeks after I first signed up here . . . You sound committed to moving ahead with this; you have a great strategy in place too! If you're feeling the auto pilot coming on - why not come and join us in our daily pledge - titled 'What if'? under the Avoiding Relapse heading. It's just a little daily reminder (or whenever ya want) that NOPE is a good idea everyday : ) Good for you for your commitment and honesty to date Mica : )

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 39

Thanks Ashley & Ron,.

I do plan on sticking to NOPE from now on. In fact I shall make my pledge once more to quit smoking cigarettes forever!

Since my husband's smoking isn't bothering me, it's just the auto-pilot/habit cigs I have to pay particular attention to.

My best & favorite strategy is to quickly acknowledge the craving then distract myself knowing that it'll pass easily if I let it.

That & my strangle-hold on my Inhaler will get me through I am sure. & of course getting support & inspiration here is playing a major roll, again, thanx

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 377

Hi Mica,

This is one of those really touchy subjects, and many of us on SSC have had lots of talk and debate over this through the years. Like Ashley says it's totally a personal decision. Let me just tell you why I think it's real dangerous to take that "one puff". The problem that I've seen with both my prior quit and others I have seen that have lit one up after a quit is it later starts to creep back into a full blown addiction. I've seen it happen over and over. Yes the first one is horrible, but then the craves come back later and the next one little slip becomes less horrible and cycle repeats. That said I've seen a couple of people who absolutely committed to their quit again after a puff and were able to go on to live a smoke free life. But if I can give any sort of advice without sounding preachy is PLEASE HOLD ONTO THE IDEA OF NOPE. We are all addicts and we just have to lay the smokes down to rest if we are going to succeed over the long term. As far as resetting the meter the only reason to do so is that it acknowledges that one puff is too many and it may (I only say may) reinforce you to stick to your quit going forward. And for me I know that I would personally not be able to get away with one puff ever. That's because I did it and slowly but surely I went back to full blown smoking over the following 6 months which went on to years. But that's just me. I hoping for a better outcome for you and support you 100% whatever you decide to do.

Stick with SSC and NOPE...

Ron

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Hi Mica,

The quit meter is completely a personal decision. If you don't feel it was a slip then don't set it back.

Although I would never recommend having just one puff I am so glad to hear you are more determined in your quit!

Pay attention to why you decided to take just one puff. Put a plan in place in case you ever feel that way again. What would you do differently next time? Be careful not to think, "Well I had one puff last time and it reinforced my quit so why not?" Taking one puff at any time is dangerous to your quit.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 39

I had a puff of a cigarette about 20 minutes ago... it was HORRENDOUS

I don't really know why I decided to try it, really. Here are a couple of thoughts I've got: I was experiencing a craving - I was curious...

SO, while I didn't say "N.O.P.E." today, I did have that "One Puff" & it only reinforced my quit! I really don't feel guilty or liked I've 'cheated". I don't think it was a slip, either. (From what I've gathered smoking a whole cigarette is a slip.)

Anyhow, I continue on my Quit more sure & excited than before. (With my Inhaler in my fist, lol.)

P.S. Is it wrong for me to feel that I shouldn't restart my counter?

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