thanks, beth

yeah and for me, it was not just the hands. i was stuffing emotions big-time with those cigarettes. i was what you'd call a "hot-boxer," beth, and would inhale very, very deeply. so i think it was not only a manual fixation but also an oral and maybe a pulmonary one as well with me. because i was definitely trying to fill that empty hole inside. and that void was extremely profound.

those sites i gave you actually provide a great deal of insight into the inner workings of what is going on in terms of the distorted thinking process.

and they blow wide open a lot of the myths that the big tobacco conglomerates are only too happy to perpetuate about "how hard it is to quit," "how fat i'll get if i don't smoke," "how will i ever deal with the stress," etc., etc. etc.

the physical withdrawal stage is actually fairly short-lived. there are some really cool tools to deal with the cravings. not just for nicotine but for sweets. your brain will try to play tricks on you. and i do think it can be an extra challenge for someone with TOS or any chronic pain condition because, as we all know, our emotions drive our perceptions of our pain levels...and your quit will do a number on you at the beginning, beth. but you know where to come for support. like you say, we have each others' backs here...

and knowledge is power. you don't have to do this alone. use those sites, my friend, and this one as well (i'm not sure why neurotalk doesn't have a quitting smoking forum like OBT does, but just "act as if," beth - addiction is a brain disease, after all [more good news, yikes!]). you won't have to be the lone ranger through this just like you don't have to walk through the TOS or the RSD by yourself anymore...

and tell your sweet daughter you love her, but this quit is for mommy. you have to want to do this for YOU. otherwise it won't work, it won't take because you won't be ready and it won't be true despite the very best of intentions. this has to do with your emotions. the kicking is the easy part. it's very complex and of course it's so hard for her to understand. maybe grandpa can help explain it to her.

you know there are also face-to-face 12-step groups available if you are interested in that, beth. i wish you godspeed.

(where is tamara anyway? she used to wish godspeed all the time...)


alison
"Be Brave"