Triggering (SI) - OMG quiting smoking is a nightmare

[fdn]

I have tried to give up before and I didnt have this much trouble. I think I chose a horrendous day to quit though. I found out on the day that I gave up that I am losing my job was rejected for the 2 interviews I had been for and am gonna have to go on benefits. I was triggering really badly 2 days ago and my mind is still flooded with cutting. So far I have managed to distract myself and take my meds to stop it happening. I don't want to rely on meds all my life and I have to give up smoking as my chest and my asthma has got really bad. I am over 7 months free with only 1 slip and I don't want to slip again. How can I do both stopping harming myself and quitting smoking without one or te other not happening. I need to do both for my mental and physical health as the docs are concerned. Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

oh my god tell me about it! I have been doing the slowly cutting down method. I now only smoke half the strength I used to, and will set myself little goals, like, wont smoke for three days or so.

I'm getting to the stage where it's fine for the most part. Only if I'm drinking or really stressed to I CRAVE a smoke.

Maybe give that a try yourself?

Best of luck with it. You CAN do it!

[SecretMe]

Ok I am just going to say it- this might sound like lame advice in the end but hope it doesn't-

I am having the same problem but for a differnt reason (I have severe allergies that casue me to have asthma like attacks and I end up on a breathing machine for weeks sometimes).

So, what have I done? Well, to be honest, it has made me crazy at times. Especially if like you say, the stress in my life has been through the roof, and I am dealing with urges to SI.

Everyone is different on this and that is why I said my advice might sound lame, but here goes:

Find something to replace the smoking habit, something that lets your hands and mind keep busy is the best, but if nothing else keeping your hands occupied is a good first step. Sugar-free lollypops, writing in a journal, exercise, playing with a toothpick....

Also some say just anything distracting...even playing online games or using distractions here.

Then of course there are the ways to get your "fix" without hurting your lungs with things like nicotene gum, patches, etc if you just have to have it for a while but CANNOT smoke.

I am having a very hard time too just like you so you aren't alone. I am using a bunch of differnt things depending on the day and my mood.

Good luck with it. I know you can get through it, but I also know how hard it is! Please don't be too hard on yourself if you do slip up.