This addict diary series began in May of 2011 when I quit smoking. Every now and then I post an ‘update’ for self-therapy and interested followers…

Dear Diary & Dearest Readers,

Well, I have wanted to smoke lately. This is a warning signal that I’m becoming increasingly stressed. In the past, I would try to hide from stress with a martini and a cigarette (or two… or twenty…).

Once an addict, always an addict. My knee-jerk reaction to stress is nicotine. My brain knows it won’t help, but cell memory (and The Bitch) are calling me.

Don’t pick up that phone!

Whatever stress I have will pass – but one cigarette will lead to a thousand more. And I know what I’m talking about. I have personally researched this more than a few times, and I hope that you, smokers and non, can benefit from my experience.

Any new non-smokers struggling with The Bitch? Don’t be discouraged to hear she shows up even after 2-years. Her evil powers diminish as you gain time, but she keeps trying anyway. She’s a very stubborn Bitch.

Remember the “STOP THINKING!!” technique?  So simple, and it really works. Try it yourself sometime to stop thoughts you should not dwell on. You don’t even have to throw a tantrum for it to work, but it is cathartic.

And fun too.  🙂

Stay tuned for uncommon reason’s to stay smoke-free…