Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | The trick to it is getting past the physiological addiction stage. In AA we call it "putting the plug in the jug". Also removing ALL sources of temptation are crucial. Get rid of all the cigarettes, lighters, matches, ash trays -everything. DO NOT ALLOW smokers in your house or even in your presence. Find a person to be accountable to (like a sponsor) and call them first if you're tempted. After you are through the addictive phase, then work on healthier outlets to deal with tension and other daily life crisis, like working out, taking your dog on long walks.
Don't be such a wimp -this is only no more than a week out of out your life to get past the worst of the craving (couple of days really). It's downhill from there. Speaking from experience when you have finally kicked it for good you will find many reasons to be grateful.
Recovery is not rocket science. But like any other recovery issue you have to REALLY WANT to quit. You need to get past the denial and come to terms with this. If you can't be totally honest with yourself than you will fail.
Surrender can mean 2 things -it can mean losing the war or it can mean going over to the winning side. I prefer to look at recovery in the latter.
Asking your higher power to help you would be a very useful thing to do also.
One of the great paradoxes of Christianity (and other religions as well) is that when we admit that we are weak, then we are empowered to be strong.
One day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time, one breath at a time...
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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