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Challenges and Obstacles in Quitting Cancel

1. steven, quit coach

   

   40 posts
   Registered:
   12 Sep 2018
   06 Mar 2019

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   What was/is the biggest challenge or obstacle in your quit attempt, and how did/will you overcome it?
   
   -Steven (Quit Coach)
2. lucky

   

   32 posts
   Registered:
   13 Feb 2019
   06 Mar 2019 in reply to steven, quit coach

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   Hi Steven,
   As I am celebrating today my 4th week without a cigarette, I am facing a challenge every day because my husband is still smoking. To handle this, I just sit in another room and go on the PC or read.
   The mornings are tricky too, because I miss having a cigarette with my coffee, so now I just chew a piece of gum, besides drinking my coffee, got used to the combo,lol
   For all of us every day is a challenge, for me it is hard to overcome the the mental addiction, so I talk to myself, just for today I will not smoke and it helps me a lot.
   I made an appointment in a healthcare center for smoking cessation, it is in group sessions
   that should also help with my success of quitting.
   
3. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   06 Mar 2019 in reply to steven, quit coach

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   In a strange way my biggest challenge/obstacle to quitting over many attempts these last 24 or so years was the fear of not smoking anymore and not knowing how to be a non-smoker. Sounds odd, but it was probably my biggest problem. I mean how does one not have a smoke after cutting the grass, or while fishing, or driving to work, or having a beer. But smoking calms me down, I just need a smoke to think over the problem. Can I not ever have another smoke again? Dumb reasons and worries all of them, but oh so real while in the grips of the addiction. Even through the early days of my quit, I just didn't think I could go through daily life without smoking. 
   
   I finally just resolved to quit as I was just tired of smoking and wanted to get my son to quit also. I think the biggest reason i kept my quit this time was about 5 or 6 days in and I actually started to breath a bit better. And i started to believe all the good things about quitting that I was reading, rather than thinking about missing smoking. 
   
   Now 2 months after quitting I am so pleased with myself, but also fully regret not sticking it out during one of my earlier quit attempts, but then again I wasn't ready and strong enough then to overcome my addiction. 
   
   
   
   
4. steven, quit coach

   

   40 posts
   Registered:
   12 Sep 2018
   06 Mar 2019 in reply to lucky

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   Lucky:
   
   Thank you for sharing, and congratulations on your 4 weeks smoke-free!
   
   It can be challenging to stay quit when we have a partner or roommate who still smokes, but it sounds like you have found a solution for yourself that seems to be working thus far, which is great! I also really like how you have also found some success in dealing with your morning craving with coffee with chewing gum.
   
   It sounds like you are a strong, resilient person, and are a really great advocate for yourself, especially with seeking out further support with cessation help groups! As you mentioned, every day can be seen as a challenge, however, you have impressive solutions/tools in your quit plan to help get through them.
   
   Keep up the great work!
   
   Sincerely,
   
   Steven (Quit Coach)