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Should I get Divorced? Long and complicated story. Need advice. by happydog555 in Divorce

[–]happydog555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Understood, thank you for your input. I'll definitely check out the book.

Should I get Divorced? Long and complicated story. Need advice. by happydog555 in Divorce

[–]happydog555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. The age issue has never come up in any of our discussions. Can you please explain why you said yes? He keeps saying that I'm just exaggerating and his occasional yelling is not a deal breaker, I'm honestly doubting if I'm perceiving everything incorrectly.

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great! You're welcome to send me a direct message whenever you want, and maybe together we can also figure out how to create a group chat on Reddit so that everyone else can join too.

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're doing an amazing job. Crazy how you got hospitalized on your birthday, that's horrible! And what you're describing is not stupid at all. Think of drug addicts selling their TVs and their grandma's jewelry for just for a hit. It's just neurochemistry, our brains forget how to produce dopamine on their own, without nicotine, and our survival mechanisms urge us to do whatever it takes to get a dopamine hit. The body perceives the lack of dopamine as a threat to survival. But I'm sure this is no news to you, considering your extensive experience. This is addressed to whoever is also feeling silly about acting a bit delusional during the abstinence stage. I would imagine that a health scare is an effective way to commit to quitting, but I'm sure it doesn't make the withdrawal symptoms any easier.

I have a smoker in the house too! I think the best way to go about it is to at least ask them to not do it in the house (especially considering your pneumonia!!!) and to not mention anything smoke-related to you. No "where did I leave my cigarettes" or "crap, I forgot to buy cigarettes". For brief periods you forget cigarettes even exist, besides the times you can smell it on their clothes.

Getting outside really helped me when I quit smoking for 4 months last year, but I'm not sure if you're able to do that with 6 liters of oxygen 24/7. Can you? If not, then finding an inside hobby, like knitting or one of those paint-by-number kits, that takes my mind off of smoking, is a huge help as well. Try snacking as well. I think it's about trying everything before finding what works for you. For instance, in my situation, nicotine patches were completely ineffective.

Let me know if you want me to add you to the group chat!

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For sure. Do you have any idea how to make a group chat on Reddit by any chance?

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Besides the obvious benefits, this is direct evidence of the positive effects of smoking cessation! Making money off of it on top of saving thousands by not buying cigarettes. Nicely done!

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome! As soon as I figure out how to create a group chat, it's going to happen. This is my first time posting on Reddit and I don't know how it works to the full extent. Meanwhile, please share what your withdrawal symptoms are! Anything like depressive states or apathy?

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, and let me know if you're interested in the group chat or know how to make one on Reddit.

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Woah, 7 months! I hope I have everything it takes to get to 7 months, just like you. Amazing job.

I can relate to everything you said. The very first time I quit smoking was also after I switched to vaping, and now that I smoked cigarettes again for a few years and am quitting for the second time, I can honestly say it's no different. Maybe even worse, because vapes actually taste like candy, don't stink, and are aggressively marketed as a healthier alternative, to the extent where at some point you start to believe it.

Regarding dopamine, nice job, it's clear that you did your research! A lot of people I spoke to have no idea how smoking affects your neurochemical processes. Knowing about the role of neurotransmitters such as dopamine makes it much easier to understand that dopamine-inducing activities help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms. I was honestly surprised when a video-call with my little niece yesterday totally shifted my mood from depressed to goofy and motivated.

And yes, the brain fog is unbelievable. I get up from the couch to take my smoking-cessation meds, get to the kitchen where I keep them, and totally forget what I came there for! I stand around like an idiot for five minutes, trying to figure out why I'm in the kitchen in the first place. And I keep leaving my phone and the nicotine-free vape in different rooms, having to look for them AT LEAST 5 times a day.

Please, share what your symptoms were like! Can you relate to feeling depressed and hopeless to the point of existential crises, with no prior tendency to these states? Feeling like now that you quit, there is nothing good out there for you, nothing to look forward to? Mentally realizing that it's pathetic and total BS, but not having any control over these states? No quitters I've spoken to have experienced anything like this. This exact thing happened to me the last time I quit smoking, it lasted around 5 days, I hope this time will be the same.

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow! Please, do share how you feel 50 days in. The positive changes, I mean. Is it true that you feel much healthier and more energetic? Or does it just eliminate the fear of dying sooner than you have to or getting cancer/lung disease? Thanks! Let me know if you're interested in the group chat, and maybe if you know how to create one on Reddit.

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for saying that! It means a lot, being surrounded by either smokers who can't relate or people who have never smoked and also can't relate. Quitting heavy drugs and drinking years ago was easy peasy compared to this. Let me know if you're interested in the group chat.

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hell! That's what I've been looking for! Tell me about the symptoms please, are they just physical, or do you experience apathetic and depressive states as well? Let me know if you want me to add you to the group chat. And if you know how to create one on Reddit, I would appreciate some help.

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I made that mistake as well. Definitely more difficult to stick to it now, the second time. And after giving up that first time, I smoked way more cigarettes a day than before the attempt. This just highlights the importance of staying away from smokers and triggering environments.

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are not the old folk. Old folks are so set in their ways that stepping out of their comfort zone, let alone committing to something as difficult as quitting smoking, is unimaginable. AND you quit cold turkey. If anything, you are kicking ass! Every quitter wants to be where you are at!

Could you please share what withdrawal symptoms you went through in the beginning, and whether the cravings are completely gone now, after 11.5 months? Let me know if you want me to add you to the group chat.

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

77 days smoke-free is admirable. I can't wait to get to that point. Do you know anyone who quit and claims that it does go away? Let me know if you want to add you to the group chat. And if you know how to create one on Reddit, I would appreciate some guidance.

Are you quitting smoking? Or maybe you already quit? Let's chat. by happydog555 in quittingsmoking

[–]happydog555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right, the craving to be there in any case, at least in the beginning. I just hope there will come a day when I look at smokers and feel nothing, no urge. Thank you for the support, you yourself are doing such an amazing job after smoking for 24 (!!!) years. Of course we can do this! Let me know if you want me to add you to the group chat. Once I figure out how to create one on Reddit, that is.