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Day 1 done, but is it too soon to go to a party? Cancel

1. lickashtray

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   02 Dec 2017
   02 Dec 2017

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   Hi everyone! I'm new here: both to the helpline and the quitting. I was wondering if I could get some feedback:
   
   I'm on hour 22 of a cold turkey quit (i.e. no nicotine whatsoever... vaping didn't work, and I'm going to try to go without NRT).
   
   Around hour 28 I have the option of going to a house party. Fairly chill folks in their late 20s. There will be alcohol but no active smokers that I am aware of. While my first ever cigarette was at a party many years ago, I found drinking to be fairly low on my list of triggers.
   
   However, I will be arriving and leaving with someone who vapes. He knows not to allow me to borrow it and might be open to leaving the vape at home.
   
   So:
   1. Should I avoid going at all costs?
   2. Should I try some exposure therapy and drink a beer or two (to make sociability easier) but refrain to touch any nicotine?
   3. Should I go with the expectation that I will not use nicotine or alcohol?
   
   Thoughts?

2. jennifer, quit coach

   

   103 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   02 Dec 2017 in reply to lickashtray

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   Good Afternoon lickashtray,
   
   Great to hear that you've quit! Congrats!
   
   You've brought up a scenario that so many of our members have faced as they quit! How do you feel you'd handle cravings if you were to go to the party and there was a smoker? Could you bring a substitute like water bottle, strong gum or mints in case you need them?
   
   Some members have been able to navigate through a social gathering early in their quit and some have felt it best to wait until they had a little time under their belt. One option that has worked for members is to keep the option of leaving the party if they feel the triggers are too strong and the urge too great...we'd love to hear how you do and what works for you!
   
   
   
3. lickashtray

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   02 Dec 2017
   02 Dec 2017 in reply to jennifer, quit coach

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   Thanks, Jennifer! I'll provide an update tomorrow on how it went. I'm thinking about bringing some toothpicks, of all things!
4. lickashtray

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   02 Dec 2017
   04 Dec 2017 in reply to jennifer, quit coach

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   Thanks for the feedback! I decided to go with two beers and a box of toothpicks. The toothpicks were really helpful in terms of fidgeting –– the box even felt like a pack of smokes in my breast pocket!
   
   There was one smoker at the party, but as I watched her slip out to the balcony I didn't feel compelled to ask her for one. Earlier in the night, I walked out to the balcony by myself and just tried some deep breathing for ten minutes. The cool late autumn air helped to clear my mind.
   
   I'm now at hour 58. The cravings aren't too bad, but boy am I chewing these toothpicks!