The Tobacco Monster!

[Triptolemus]

One of my many pursuits of late has been to give up smoking tobacco. This has been one of my objectives through the therapeutic use of mushrooms, and one of the motives for learning to cultivate them as well. I wouldn't recommend this technique to just anyone but in my case it was only a part of the overall intent.
Anyhow, I'm a 2 pack a day every ten minutes kind of smoker...to the filter in most cases! This has been the routine for 20 odd years now. I don't even care to do the math as to how many cigarettes I've passed through my lungs. There's only a faint recollection of the cool pleasureable aspects of lighting up a smoke with friends after school...like I said, 20 odd years ago.
Tobacco, however, has been the one consistent factor during all these years. Identical size, color, shape, packaging, smell, taste - a static inert substance that holds to regularity. It becomes the one constant in a universe that reminds of the way things were or could have been while all else changes rapidly around us. Twenty years pass and there it is burning in the ashtray, as deceptive as ever, eternal and enticing to our nostalgic yearnings. So we smoke, and smoke, and smoke, and smoke. Time is slowed during those three minutes of smoke filled bliss. If only there were four minutes or five or six.

Then one day a rancid cough and flem filled chest turn into visions of death before one's time. Aches and pains, lack of breath and stamina all come crashing home to the soul's distasteful awakening. Visions of a future of unfinished work, of preparations and sites to see. The pain remains, it continues to remind. Bringing the ego's misdeeds into light, obliged to confront the soul in all its rage and fury.

Why it's the ego losing the battle with the soul! The soul will have no more of this wanton selfishly imposed feeding frenzy. The beast has gone far enough to the point where it puts one's very wellbeing at risk for its hunger to be fed the oppressor's vice.

I awoke this morning, day four without a cigarette - cold turkey. I took a deep breath, a really deep breath. The sun was shining (it's been pouring down rain for 4 days nonstop), I exhaled to much delight. I was alive. No cough, no flem, just clear breathing...scary in a sense, as if my chest is going to explode it stretches so much.

I sense that this is the calm before the storm and the struggle that is yet to come. I am prepared.

[weed4all]

stay strong man. theres already enough toxins/carcinogens in the food and water we eat. you dont need to add any extra.

[Fresh Brewed]

Very nicely written! Hang in there...may be one of the most important decisions of your life.

[camMyco]

If you need more inspiration for quitting see http://forums.mycotopia.net/lifestyl...king-cigs.html (quit smoking cigs..)

I had been trying to stop for years and had planed on doing just that and then this thread appeared, it was all I needed as a final push of support. Good luck with it, quitting smoking is one of the hardest things I've done, staying quit is even harder. Peace.

[Beast]

As I understand it, 3 days is all it takes to get past the physical addiction to nicotine. Its all down hill from here as you just have to deal with changing habits and behavior patterns.

Keep breathing and enjoying it, maybe consider doing some light aerobics like a jog or bike ride.

Anytime you feel like a cig, just think of how nice it is to breath without that cough or phlegm, and try to name all 13 types of cancer associated with cigarettes. Worked for me.

I'll admit I do break down after I've had a few beers at the bar and a friend busts out a cig, but not always. I certainly do regret it the next day, I can feel it.

Best of luck to you! You can do it!

[Crust]

You can do it, I'm rooting for you!!! You are adding years of health to your life by quiting.

I've read some where that after 5 years of having quit, the lungs for most part have regenerated them selves to nice and pink! That should be great motivation.

[flowmytoe]

the longest I ever smoked cigarettes regularly was 4 years so I never got close to what you will be experiencing now but you might wanna try this: take a jar and get someone to pour some water in and drop a few smoked cigarettes in there, close the lid and every time you feel like a smoke open the lid and give the jar a good sniffing. and remember, it's what your saliva used to smell like.
and remember to treat yourself for not smoking now and then.

good luck

[MycoChondria]

You can do it Trypto!

I lost my dad to lung cancer last year, even after he quit smoking 20 years ago. Scared the shit outta me because I quit about 9 years ago! Bottom line: if you've ever smoked you're not completely "out of the woods".

I admire your insight into this vexing problem. It seems that cubies have given me a fresh view on issues similar to this, and with respect to making personal life-changing decisions in general.

When one's mind opens up one's mind to previously unthought of possibilities a-la "hey, this (e.g., smoking cigs) is not working so why am I doing it?" is quite profound and downright miraculous. Good luck with your quest!

[Triptolemus]

Thanks for all the kind words of support! Any motivation is always a help during these trying times so keep it coming.
Today I've been a week as a nonsmoker!
240+ cigarettes that I haven't consumed...one whole week smoke free (well aside from a stress relieving dooby from time to time...only herbs though,no tobacco!)
I have never been through such a strange week in my life. All perceptions have been altered...colors, tastes,smells, touch...and most of all my logic has been questionable at times with some comments that make little or no sense. I've been trying to control my patience and big mouth with my wife, daughter, and friends . So in place of saying something offending or conflicting I just say stupid incoherent shit that nobody understands.
Physically I have endured sleepless nights, morning sickness with vomiting, and physical pressure sitting on my chest at every waking moment. Yesterday the physical pressure has subsided a bit, bearable at least.
The cloudy vision is clearer today also. But I'm faced with the dilemma of what to do. I mean, I have wasted a good part of my life organizing myself around lighting up. Wake up - smoke. Take a shit - smoke. Coffee - smoke. Drive to work - smoke. Work - smoke. Before lunch - smoke. During lunch - smoke. After lunch - smoke. Back to work - smoke. Drive home - smoke. Smoke a joint - smoke. Prepare dinner - smoke. Eat - smoke. Smoke a joint - smoke. Read - smoke. Visit friends - smoke. Take out garbage - smoke. Prepare for bed - smoke. Lot's of deep breaths during those urges, plenty of munchies and determination have brought me this far.
The absurdity of my habit and weakness to something so benign is my motivation. Yes, I feel much better physically and I breath like never. Tastes are much better (or worse in some cases), smells jump out like never before. But none of these perks adds up to the feeling of absurdity of it all - 20 years being a slave, a naive idiot who always felt a bit above the fray. The most satisfying aspect during this week is knowing that I possess "will". Everything else will have its moment of appreciation but for now the will is blessed.
One week and many more to go.

[DarkLestor]

Originally Posted by Beastmaster

As I understand it, 3 days is all it takes to get past the physical addiction to nicotine. Its all down hill from here as you just have to deal with changing habits and behavior patterns.

It takes 3 days to withdraw from nicotine. common misconception. Much of the physical still hangs around for awhile, i know from personal expierience.
I also am struggling to kick the habit.


Best of luck, be sure to let us know how your doing!
peace and love,
~DL

[Sunstar]

Nice job man ,stick to it.
I had to take 10 of those deep breaths every time I needed one
I wish yeah luck

[Foster]

Stay strong, you can whip that monster! Good vibes for a fast recovery from withdrawls and a smooth transition to freedom. Foster

[Toecutter]

im sending you positive energy.......

[weeeeeee]

wow, that was very nicely written good luck on the quitting nothing but good vibes coming your way

[Triptolemus]

One week today! I'm feeling good as new but there is still abit of chest tension which I am beginning to think is from the cafeine intake that has remained the same as when smoking.
The urges are subsiding by the day and what remains is an emptiness due to the habit more than anything else. I feel good and as determined today as I was a week ago. The cloudiness is breaking up also, my mind is clearer these last couple of days...less confusion.
The most dificult is finding something to do between doing things...what was the famous cigarette break. But a minute or two of conscious breathing and meditation fills this gap where I was usually filling it with smoke. The trade off is well worth the effort.