Today I quit. Tomorrow, I'll quit again. (A journey through one man's recovery)

[wildirish317]

Okay, I've dragged this up from the depths.  Please don't merge this with my old intro.  Let the dead bury the dead.

[ChickDip]

Congrats on the 9th floor brother!

Huge congrats on 900 Irish!!

[Doofus]

DAY 214, HONORED TO BE WITH YOU IN QUIT, CONGRATS

[Athan]

Wow Irish, surely do value catching glimpses of you as you stroll through the halls. It's like catching drops of wisdom like the morning dew.
Thanks for sticking around. I know that you've rippled into my journey in a profound way. Hope to catch a glimpse of you soon...

[69franx]

Congrats on the 9th floor brother!

[Hutch18]

Nice 800 Irish!

'party2'

Happy 8th floor Irish!

This post is definitely worth the read. Holy crap two years great job. I am only on day 34 and barely imagine day 45 let alone 2! years. This site is quite the life saver.!

[ChickDip]

Nice 800 Irish!

'party2'

Happy 8th floor Irish!

[FLLipOut]

Nice 800 Irish!

'party2'

[wildirish317]

The Value of Documenting Your Journey

I really was on a search for more on the topic of the law of addiction, in ""Freedom from Nicotine" when I found this:

While "one day at a time" is an excellent victory yardstick, imagine the value of being able to look back and see what each day was like. Consider jotting down a few calendar notes or diary entries about what early recovery was like and the challenges overcome. Although not necessary to success, doing so could prove valuable later.

Why would anyone want to vividly recall the first few days of recovery, days which could reflect a blend of frustrations, anxieties, crave episodes, anger, bargaining and sadness? The same reason we need to remember, in as much detail as possible, daily life as an actively feeding nicotine addict.

We've all heard that "those who forget the past are destined to repeat it." It's hard to imagine a situation where it rings truer than with drug recovery and relapse. Humans tend to repress and inhibit negative emotional memories, and emotional experiences in general.146 Instead, we remember and replay the good, while forgetting the bad.

Imagine if it were otherwise. A vivid picture of all the pain, anxiety and hurt of all our yesterdays would be a heavy burden to bear. While your mind may quickly suppress memories of the challenges overcome, ink on paper or words typed into a computer are durable. The best way to protect against complacency isn't by forgetting what bondage or recovery was like, but by accurately recalling them.

It's wise to make a record of both the reasons you want to break free and what the first couple of weeks were like. Consider sending yourself an e-mail before bed. And here's an example of why.

Imagine hitting what feels like a recovery plateau, where you no longer sense improvement. Imagine feeling stuck and wondering if it's going to remain this way for good, as if a rose bud had stopped opening.

Now imagine being able to look back and read your own progress notes. Like having a medical chart during a hospital stay, your record can provide accurate perspective of how far you've come. It can help calm concerns that recovery has stalled. Although at times nearly impossible to see, I
assure you, recovery's rose bud continues to slowly unfold.

Consider a present gift of future memory. Consider it free relapse insurance. A few memory jogging notes when starting out could become invaluable during challenge, lulls or once complacency arrives.

I did this, for my first two years. I still go back to it when I feel the need. It's like a soft leather chair. I find comfort there. If you are in the early stages of recovery, I urge you to do this. If you are in later stages, find someone who is in their early stages, help them through it, and document that process.

[Srrlgr]

For the past two years, I've been fighting my addiction to nicotine. Every single day, I made my promise to people I've never met, that I will remain nicotine free today.

For the past two years, I've come here and shared the things I've learned about addiction, how it affects us, and how we can react to it; how we can live with it.

I just finished reading through my entire intro, and realize I have absolutely nothing left to share. My quit is strong. I have no obstacles in my immediate quit. I'm at the point where I see people using tobacco and think "I don't understand why someone would stick that shit in their mouth (or lungs)." I have an aversion to nicotine. It held me in its grasp for 38 years. I am now free. I will stay free.

This is not a farewell post. It's more like the end of my introduction. If you don't know me by now, there's nothing I can add. I am quit. You will still find me around the site, posting roll, or making Haiku's. Early in my quit, I always longed for the day when my quit group was as quiet as the old quit groups. It's there now. I can finally post in peace. I am now "reteered" as one of my favorite quitters likes to say.

PS: When I learn something about addiction and recovery (and I will) I will return to post it. In the mean time, I have a whole new life to explore.

Be looking forward to more then.
I've pointed numerous new and old quit here...to this treasure-trove...and I still will when the moment arises.
Quit on.

Wait! Tomorrow you finally hit the 2 year anniversary - the point where PAWS is supposed to end! So...??? Is 2 years all it was cracked up to be?

Yes, 2 years was all it was cracked up to be. I made it. Life is good.

I remember: "Wait, wat? 2 Fockin' years? I can only quit for today!" Yeah, that's what it took. I quit each one of those days. I made it. You can too. You're almost there. :wub:

2 YEARS!

Congratulations, Irish!!

'party2'

Congrats on 2 years quit Irish!! 'irish' ❤

Congratulations on 2 Years my friend! Keep paying it forward

Thank you for the posts Irish. I just read it in itÃ,’s entirety. It truly helps my perspective. One of my major flaws is the thought that I am a kinder person when I am using nicotine. Quite frankly, itÃ,’s a thought that I was never comfortable expressing, however, it is there. This thread has provided another thought, I am not alone in experiencing this thought. More importantly, this thought, is a lie. It is PAWS! I get it. Thank you Irish, I needed this and will use it in my battles ahead. Day 131.

[pab1964]

For the past two years, I've been fighting my addiction to nicotine. Every single day, I made my promise to people I've never met, that I will remain nicotine free today.

For the past two years, I've come here and shared the things I've learned about addiction, how it affects us, and how we can react to it; how we can live with it.

I just finished reading through my entire intro, and realize I have absolutely nothing left to share. My quit is strong. I have no obstacles in my immediate quit. I'm at the point where I see people using tobacco and think "I don't understand why someone would stick that shit in their mouth (or lungs)." I have an aversion to nicotine. It held me in its grasp for 38 years. I am now free. I will stay free.

This is not a farewell post. It's more like the end of my introduction. If you don't know me by now, there's nothing I can add. I am quit. You will still find me around the site, posting roll, or making Haiku's. Early in my quit, I always longed for the day when my quit group was as quiet as the old quit groups. It's there now. I can finally post in peace. I am now "reteered" as one of my favorite quitters likes to say.

PS: When I learn something about addiction and recovery (and I will) I will return to post it. In the mean time, I have a whole new life to explore.

Be looking forward to more then.
I've pointed numerous new and old quit here...to this treasure-trove...and I still will when the moment arises.
Quit on.

Wait! Tomorrow you finally hit the 2 year anniversary - the point where PAWS is supposed to end! So...??? Is 2 years all it was cracked up to be?

Yes, 2 years was all it was cracked up to be. I made it. Life is good.

I remember: "Wait, wat? 2 Fockin' years? I can only quit for today!" Yeah, that's what it took. I quit each one of those days. I made it. You can too. You're almost there. :wub:

2 YEARS!

Congratulations, Irish!!

'party2'

Congrats on 2 years quit Irish!! 'irish' ❤

Congratulations on 2 Years my friend! Keep paying it forward

[ChickDip]

For the past two years, I've been fighting my addiction to nicotine. Every single day, I made my promise to people I've never met, that I will remain nicotine free today.

For the past two years, I've come here and shared the things I've learned about addiction, how it affects us, and how we can react to it; how we can live with it.

I just finished reading through my entire intro, and realize I have absolutely nothing left to share. My quit is strong. I have no obstacles in my immediate quit. I'm at the point where I see people using tobacco and think "I don't understand why someone would stick that shit in their mouth (or lungs)." I have an aversion to nicotine. It held me in its grasp for 38 years. I am now free. I will stay free.

This is not a farewell post. It's more like the end of my introduction. If you don't know me by now, there's nothing I can add. I am quit. You will still find me around the site, posting roll, or making Haiku's. Early in my quit, I always longed for the day when my quit group was as quiet as the old quit groups. It's there now. I can finally post in peace. I am now "reteered" as one of my favorite quitters likes to say.

PS: When I learn something about addiction and recovery (and I will) I will return to post it. In the mean time, I have a whole new life to explore.

Be looking forward to more then.
I've pointed numerous new and old quit here...to this treasure-trove...and I still will when the moment arises.
Quit on.

Wait! Tomorrow you finally hit the 2 year anniversary - the point where PAWS is supposed to end! So...??? Is 2 years all it was cracked up to be?

Yes, 2 years was all it was cracked up to be. I made it. Life is good.

I remember: "Wait, wat? 2 Fockin' years? I can only quit for today!" Yeah, that's what it took. I quit each one of those days. I made it. You can too. You're almost there. :wub:

2 YEARS!

Congratulations, Irish!!

'party2'

Congrats on 2 years quit Irish!! 'irish' ❤

[FLLipOut]

For the past two years, I've been fighting my addiction to nicotine. Every single day, I made my promise to people I've never met, that I will remain nicotine free today.

For the past two years, I've come here and shared the things I've learned about addiction, how it affects us, and how we can react to it; how we can live with it.

I just finished reading through my entire intro, and realize I have absolutely nothing left to share. My quit is strong. I have no obstacles in my immediate quit. I'm at the point where I see people using tobacco and think "I don't understand why someone would stick that shit in their mouth (or lungs)." I have an aversion to nicotine. It held me in its grasp for 38 years. I am now free. I will stay free.

This is not a farewell post. It's more like the end of my introduction. If you don't know me by now, there's nothing I can add. I am quit. You will still find me around the site, posting roll, or making Haiku's. Early in my quit, I always longed for the day when my quit group was as quiet as the old quit groups. It's there now. I can finally post in peace. I am now "reteered" as one of my favorite quitters likes to say.

PS: When I learn something about addiction and recovery (and I will) I will return to post it. In the mean time, I have a whole new life to explore.

Be looking forward to more then.
I've pointed numerous new and old quit here...to this treasure-trove...and I still will when the moment arises.
Quit on.

Wait! Tomorrow you finally hit the 2 year anniversary - the point where PAWS is supposed to end! So...??? Is 2 years all it was cracked up to be?

Yes, 2 years was all it was cracked up to be. I made it. Life is good.

I remember: "Wait, wat? 2 Fockin' years? I can only quit for today!" Yeah, that's what it took. I quit each one of those days. I made it. You can too. You're almost there. :wub:

2 YEARS!

Congratulations, Irish!!

'party2'

[wildirish317]

For the past two years, I've been fighting my addiction to nicotine. Every single day, I made my promise to people I've never met, that I will remain nicotine free today.

For the past two years, I've come here and shared the things I've learned about addiction, how it affects us, and how we can react to it; how we can live with it.

I just finished reading through my entire intro, and realize I have absolutely nothing left to share. My quit is strong. I have no obstacles in my immediate quit. I'm at the point where I see people using tobacco and think "I don't understand why someone would stick that shit in their mouth (or lungs)." I have an aversion to nicotine. It held me in its grasp for 38 years. I am now free. I will stay free.

This is not a farewell post. It's more like the end of my introduction. If you don't know me by now, there's nothing I can add. I am quit. You will still find me around the site, posting roll, or making Haiku's. Early in my quit, I always longed for the day when my quit group was as quiet as the old quit groups. It's there now. I can finally post in peace. I am now "reteered" as one of my favorite quitters likes to say.

PS: When I learn something about addiction and recovery (and I will) I will return to post it. In the mean time, I have a whole new life to explore.

Be looking forward to more then.
I've pointed numerous new and old quit here...to this treasure-trove...and I still will when the moment arises.
Quit on.

Wait! Tomorrow you finally hit the 2 year anniversary - the point where PAWS is supposed to end! So...??? Is 2 years all it was cracked up to be?

Yes, 2 years was all it was cracked up to be. I made it. Life is good.

I remember: "Wait, wat? 2 Fockin' years? I can only quit for today!" Yeah, that's what it took. I quit each one of those days. I made it. You can too. You're almost there. :wub:

[FLLipOut]

For the past two years, I've been fighting my addiction to nicotine. Every single day, I made my promise to people I've never met, that I will remain nicotine free today.

For the past two years, I've come here and shared the things I've learned about addiction, how it affects us, and how we can react to it; how we can live with it.

I just finished reading through my entire intro, and realize I have absolutely nothing left to share. My quit is strong. I have no obstacles in my immediate quit. I'm at the point where I see people using tobacco and think "I don't understand why someone would stick that shit in their mouth (or lungs)." I have an aversion to nicotine. It held me in its grasp for 38 years. I am now free. I will stay free.

This is not a farewell post. It's more like the end of my introduction. If you don't know me by now, there's nothing I can add. I am quit. You will still find me around the site, posting roll, or making Haiku's. Early in my quit, I always longed for the day when my quit group was as quiet as the old quit groups. It's there now. I can finally post in peace. I am now "reteered" as one of my favorite quitters likes to say.

PS: When I learn something about addiction and recovery (and I will) I will return to post it. In the mean time, I have a whole new life to explore.

Be looking forward to more then.
I've pointed numerous new and old quit here...to this treasure-trove...and I still will when the moment arises.
Quit on.

Wait! Tomorrow you finally hit the 2 year anniversary - the point where PAWS is supposed to end! So...??? Is 2 years all it was cracked up to be?