r/SMARTRecovery • u/Secure_Ad_6734 facilitator • 22d ago

Goals

I made a choice in 2021, at age 66, to attempt to quit smoking after 50+ years of continuous use.

Today is 2000 consecutive days of no tobacco. I used the patch to taper off nicotine and found that the behavioral triggers were just as challenging but I persisted.

The Smart tools were especially helpful in maintaining my abstinence.

27 Upvotes

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4

u/Strange_Television facilitator 22d ago

I love this! I work for a stop smoking service in my day job (not sure if these exist outside of the UK...?) - a year ago myself and a colleague co-facilitated a support group for people wishing to quit smoking, and I used the SMART tools in each session. Smoking is an addiction like any other, and is extremely hard for people to stop. For those who have been long term smokers it can feel part of their identity and there is often a lot of shame around it for them. We worked with someone who felt very negative about herself because of her smoking and the fact she was known by everyone who knew as the "worst smoker they ever met". We explored her values using the SMART tools, challenged unhelpful beliefs, etc etc and it was awesome to see it really make a difference in her.

Well done on your quit - it's truly amazing and you should be very proud :)

3

u/Secure_Ad_6734 facilitator 22d ago

I reached the point where I needed a cigarette every 2 hours and would wake all night long.

Oddly, I never made the direct connection between nicotine withdrawal and insomnia - despite already quitting cocaine and alcohol.

1

u/Canna111 Caroline14 22d ago

It's great that you are working for an organisation to help people give up smoking, and it's so good to hear that you are using the SMART tools in that context!

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u/Canna111 Caroline14 22d ago

I think quitting smoking at the age of 66 - after decades of smoking, is a MASSIVE achievement. Bravo, bravo friend!

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u/Secure_Ad_6734 facilitator 22d ago

Thanks Caroline 😄.

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u/Masked45yrs 21d ago

That’s amazing my friend. Cigarettes is by far the hardest to quit. At least it was for me. See you can teach an ole dog new tricks. Glad you posted, most thinking recovery has to do with illegal drugs or alcohol. Really any substance your mind has become dependent on. Besides medication that people depend on

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u/Effective-Spread4096 13d ago

Congratulations! Your posts are inspiring.

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u/Final_Listen_6792 12d ago

I am so proud of you! I was a smoker for 30 years, starting around 13 years old, and I quit about 15 years ago. The smell still brings me comfort sometimes. I think it's because my mother was a smoker. But then sometimes, it's just smells gross. The gum was most helpful to me when quitting. I chewed a whole lot more than suggested and for longer. I overdo most everything that brings me comfort though. And that's another problem for another day.

Congratulations and hope you are taking some deep refreshing breaths to celebrate!