Charlie cat and everyone-I really don't want to sound all holier than thou etc but have you tried hypnotherapy? Why? Because 4 weeks today I was on 20 a day, and had already been to a "hypno" which failed!! OMG £75 and it bl..dy well failed. That made me even more depressed about the overdraft etc and I smoked even more... Well, I went to see this woman and you know how you just click with someone, well I did. She was lovely and even though I felt really stupid doing it, at one point I thought, "If this works and me and dh give up smoking, we'll save about £60 a week". Add that up, take it off out debts and that's scarey. The first time I tried I sort of fancied the bloke (sad, I know) and had to lie on a couch and felt REALLY uncomfortable about it. Felt like having babies all over again. When it didn't work, I cried and had another free session (having gone home the first time, smoked 100 ciggies and cried again) but because I was worried, the second session didn't work either.
One year later and what's really impressed me is that to be honest I have had a couple of really bad moments when I really needed a fag, I've resisted and felt SOOO GOOD about myself. I also worked out that I was being a crap mum. This is something that had really been worrying me for ages, because as soon as I came in from school and started cooking trea, I needed a glass of wine and a fag. By the time Dh came in, I admit, some days I'd had a bottle of wine and about 10 fags, chain smoked, because I was nipping outside to the Utility Room to have a fag. God, if the kids dared ask me for anything, I'd be really nasty and shout things like "Leave me alone, I need some peace and quiet.."
I felt so bad about it but couldn't stop. I knew that if I didn't drink (and then smoke) I would be doing things, like tidying up, reading homework etc or just generally being a bit nicer to the kids. Now, (and I'm sorry if I sound all preachy), I feel like I am being a proper mum, even though the kids fight and I shout at them, but I share the driving with Dh (because I'm not pissed) taking them to Girls/Boys Brigade etc and it doesn't put so much pressure on him.
If anyone wants this lady's number, I'll be happy to pass it on. I have had times, I admit, where when I'm stressed I would have killed for a fag, but I found that, (and I know it sounds really sad) that if I "smoked a felt pen end that it was just the actual action, deep breath in and exhale that worked for me. The lady also "programs" into you that other people smoking around you doesn't bother you. I haven't tried it in a pub situation eyt, but my DH smokes at home and I just sort of sniff the smoke and think that it smells OK but I don't want one. Hope this helps-I know it's hard but I wish all well.