[Green Elephant]

I quit smoking a few months back, but a rough breakup got me back into it. I'm having a lot of trouble dealing with the hurt of the end of a 4 year relationship, so it makes it that much more difficult to resist smoking.

I'll be strong, and confident one moment, but the next day I'll be driving and get bored, and I can't seem to resist stopping at the gas station for a pack of cigarettes. I bought 3 packs, and every time I finished with each one, I told myself "That's it! You're done for good now, no excuses".

But two or three days later, I buy another pack. I almost feel like I have a split personality sometimes where I'm strong one day, and resist it, but then I'll stop by, fully knowing what I'm doing, and buy a pack.

Does anyone have any suggestions for when the urge hits, and everything in me wants to stop and buy a pack, to resist it?
I feel like I've exhausted all the tips on how to resist that the internet has to offer, and I'm scared that I don't have enough will power to resist it more than a few days.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[dhuber]

I am an addictions counselor and smoking is very very difficult to stop. You are right - stress ads to the need for compulsive behavior and reduces our ability to cope with problems effectively. You depressed mood over a break up is probably making you more willing to indulge in bad habits

The first important goal for success is to put in behavioral changes - emotional comes later. You need to take active steps to avoid the behaviors that help you smoke/ Avoid errands or reasons to go to the gas station. Replace that time with activities that you find enjoyable. Sometimes if it is inconvenient we will have less motivation to be impulsive. It's like wanting chocolate, but not being willing to go get it if it's not in the house.

Thenn comes the emotional. You need to get help about the relationship you lost . That is the real work. I hope that you can talk to someone. That may be the core of the problem

[Green Elephant]

Thanks dhuber, I'm working on the relationship side by spending time with friends, and trying my best to heal and move on. It surprises me how strong my want for cigarettes is lately. I'll be sitting at home trying to keep my mind off it, and even if it is inconvenient, I'll still run to the gas station for a pack.

It makes me feel pathetic every time I do, and it makes me fear how strong it is.