Who would have thought that I would overcome my nicotine addiction because my government forced me to ?

It's ridiculous but true !
Since lockdown started here on 26 March in South Africa the sale of tobacco and alcohol has been totally banned and still is banned.
That's almost 2 months !

I had enough tobacco for the initial 3 week ban but then that was extended. Then it was going to go back on sale on 1 May. I went to the shop to buy some only to discover that the ban had been extended.
So now I haven't smoked any tobacco for almost 5 weeks if I'm not mistaken.
So...I guess I have given up tobacco now. Imagine that ! I'm sort of grateful and irritated at my president. How do you thank someone while letting them know that you're not amused either ? 😏

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revenant · F

wow ! how is that for mind control

Wraithorn · 51-55, M

@revenant Helluva thing !
I could have bought it illegally at insane prices but chose not to.

revenant · F

@Wraithorn will you go back to smoking ?

Wraithorn · 51-55, M

@revenant I'm thinking no. I still smoke weed but no longer add tobacco like I used to. So it would be tempting but I simply no longer need it after not having any for 5 weeks.

CestManan · 46-50, F

@Wraithorn Just don't give in to future temptations. I was off tobacco for a year and a half and something happened and I went back to smoking.

Wraithorn · 51-55, M

@CestManan I understand. I've given up before and it didn't last. Thanks for the encouragement.

CestManan · 46-50, F

@Wraithorn After five weeks, you definitely have a solid "Quit" started. There will be times when you really want one though, just power through it.

The reason I went back - I had a "friend" over who I did not know real well. As soon as my back was turned, he snooped through things and found some cash I had been saving. It wasn't a fortune but I felt really stupid for trusting anyone I didn't know real well. So I guess that was my excuse to say "hell with it" and start again.

Wraithorn · 51-55, M

@CestManan Do you think it was more difficult to give up after starting again than it was the 1st time ?

CestManan · 46-50, F

@Wraithorn Before that 1.5 year "quit", I was highly motivated to quit.
So at that time, it was fairly easy. I have been back smoking for a year now and I think about quitting "one of these days".

The best times to quit (if not today) is when someone is highly motivated to quit OR if they have some kind of a jump start like you have right now.

Try not to get into a cycle of quitting and relapsing because one thinks, "I can just quit again someday".

After five weeks, you have made it through the worst. At three months you might get this powerful urge to smoke, fight it like hell. No one knows why but at three days, three weeks, and three months, those are big battles. You may not have to fight the three month one.

Wraithorn · 51-55, M

@CestManan Alright, thanks for that. 'preciate it.

CestManan · 46-50, F

@Wraithorn Anytime :)