There's two ways to move beyond this final phase of recovery - conscious thought fixation - to reside here with us on Easy Street, Melissa. Time alone will transport you here, as new natural dopamine "aaah" memories gradually bury and displace those stolen by nicotine. Then there's honesty, reflection of the "truth" of each thought that keeps replaying, over and over and over in our mind.
You mention that one train of thought you've been toying with is "I will just have one a week." Like thinking about some nice juicy steak, such thoughts can linger in the mind for as long as we have the ability to concentrate upon them. But is it a true and honest thought, Melissa? Is it possible for you, me or most other nicotine addict's to smoke just one a week? No, it's nonsense. My name is John and I'm a recovered nicotine addict. For me, "one is too many and a thousand never enough." Although it may sound like some silly jingle or just another mantra, it's backed by science and a number of relapse studies showing that nearly all recovering nicotine addicts who take so much as a puff will go on to relapse. But why?
Just one puff of nicotine and up to 50% of our brain's nicotinic-type acetylcholine receptors will, with 8-10 seconds, be occupied by nicotine, creating a powerful dopamine explosion that our mind's pay-attention pathways will make nearly impossible, in the short term, to forget. Our mind will soon be begging for more and, although we may then and there think we have gotten away with it, relapse is all but assured. We'll soon find ourselves back behind bars, often smoking more than before. So why waste time lying to myself about "just one"? It's the biggest lie of all. Let it go, Melissa, as its a waste of time.
Joel Spitzer and Allen Carr have both written extensively about the lies we feed our minds as to why we smoke and both have FREE online books you can download (Never Take Another Puff by Joel and Scandal by Allen). Also, here's a short article I wrote that covers additional rationalizations, which I titled Tearing Down the Wall ( http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Thoughts.html ).
Know this Melissa, although at times it may feel like the rose bud has stopped opening we promise you it has not. Although nearly impossible to see, with each passing day the challenges are gradually becoming fewer, shorter in duration and generally less intense. Before long thoughts of wanting will become the exception not the rule. You're coming home, Melissa, and there was always only one rule ... no nicotine today!
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There's two ways to move beyond this final phase of recovery - conscious thought fixation - to reside here with us on Easy Street, Melissa. Time alone will transport you here, as new natural dopamine "aaah" memories gradually bury and displace those stolen by nicotine. Then there's honesty, reflection of the "truth" of each thought that keeps replaying, over and over and over in our mind.
You mention that one train of thought you've been toying with is "I will just have one a week." Like thinking about some nice juicy steak, such thoughts can linger in the mind for as long as we have the ability to concentrate upon them. But is it a true and honest thought, Melissa? Is it possible for you, me or most other nicotine addict's to smoke just one a week? No, it's nonsense. My name is John and I'm a recovered nicotine addict. For me, "one is too many and a thousand never enough." Although it may sound like some silly jingle or just another mantra, it's backed by science and a number of relapse studies showing that nearly all recovering nicotine addicts who take so much as a puff will go on to relapse. But why?
Just one puff of nicotine and up to 50% of our brain's nicotinic-type acetylcholine receptors will, with 8-10 seconds, be occupied by nicotine, creating a powerful dopamine explosion that our mind's pay-attention pathways will make nearly impossible, in the short term, to forget. Our mind will soon be begging for more and, although we may then and there think we have gotten away with it, relapse is all but assured. We'll soon find ourselves back behind bars, often smoking more than before. So why waste time lying to myself about "just one"? It's the biggest lie of all. Let it go, Melissa, as its a waste of time.
Joel Spitzer and Allen Carr have both written extensively about the lies we feed our minds as to why we smoke and both have FREE online books you can download (Never Take Another Puff by Joel and Scandal by Allen). Also, here's a short article I wrote that covers additional rationalizations, which I titled Tearing Down the Wall ( http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Thoughts.html ).
Know this Melissa, although at times it may feel like the rose bud has stopped opening we promise you it has not. Although nearly impossible to see, with each passing day the challenges are gradually becoming fewer, shorter in duration and generally less intense. Before long thoughts of wanting will become the exception not the rule. You're coming home, Melissa, and there was always only one rule ... no nicotine today!
John R. Polito
April 9, 2008 - 4:51amNicotine Cessation Educator
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