Do I need a drink ! (?)

RvW · 01-13-2003, 05:48 PM

There was a "new years resolution" thread here at one time, and I am wondering if people have stuck with 'em?

I went with four, and have managed to make good on two so far...

"Quit drinking, and quit sleeping in my waders"

Well, the success of the first has contributed greatly to the success of the second [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] :grin:

Giving up the beer hasnt been easy though, I was a 6pack a night (more or less) guy for a long time. The first thing I noticed is that my appetite has skyrocketed, I am starting to feel the difference with energy, and sleep is more restfull and enjoyable.

The point of the post is..... does anyone have recommendations on making it a little easier?

My quiting is a prerequisite to quitting smoking, I dont think I could without quitting drinking first.

Giving up smoking is going to be murder, any tips will help.

5-Cents · 01-13-2003, 05:54 PM

Did you ever see that old episode of "The Twilight Zone" or something like it where the guy answers an ad that guarantees you to stop smoking.

The place ended up following/spying on him and every time they caught him smoking they would take his dog/kids/wife and put them in a little room and shock the floor while he was tied to a chair and had to watch... needless to say he quit smoking. :shocked: :shocked:

I know this does not help you but it just reminded me...

Tilla · 01-13-2003, 06:11 PM

It was the thought of carrying that oxygen tank around . In public, in a store, in a restaurant, in a tree stand, on the gravel bar,in the boat, in the blind, watching the sun rise, watching the ducks swoop in, that stupid little green tank!. You'll be stared at, and people are thinkin', that guy really screwed up!

Sorry, been over two years now.

justdave · 01-13-2003, 06:36 PM

Quit thinking about how nice it would be. You're talking about a major life change with both. I practiced a great long time and got very good with both, and actually found it easier to quit than I figured, I think because I was "ready". Alcohol about ten years ago. One of the hardest parts was convincing friends I was really serious about quitting. Had to change a few cause they just didn't get it and insisted on me being as miserable as they were. After 35 years of smoking and the stairs becoming a chore, I was more than ready to quit that one(about 4 yrs). I think I actually felt much better after clearing the lungs than the liver. I smell things differently now, taste things differently now. I can hike into and out of places that were only a figment before I quit. I did put on the weight though. I have tried several times to get into an excercise routine, but that's an easy one to convince myself to avoid. I wish you luck if you're truly serious about ridding your system. There truly are some nasty chemicals, preseratives, etc, but we hardly think about those while we're cramming them into ourselves. At the price of tobacco and alcohol these days, think of how many more rods and reels you could buy after a month. Or a new boat after a year. Or a new house agter 10. You know the drill.

Just Dave

cannonball · 01-13-2003, 06:40 PM

Get a piggybank, put a six-pac's worth in every day. take the money and buy fishing stuff or something besides beer. try the same with the smokes.

Its amazing haow much vises cost. :shocked:

Small Fry · 01-13-2003, 06:46 PM

I quite drinking 5 months ago. I was a daily drinker. It gets easier with time. I too am getting ready to quit smoking. I'm doing thing different like not carring my smokes in my pocket or leaving my lighter in the truck. Thinking twice before I light up. My biggest fear is gaining more weight. I don't need any more.

I wish you luck and the strenght to maintain now and the strenght to give up your smoking habit. :smile:

Small Fry

Silver Hilton · 01-13-2003, 06:46 PM

As Mark Twain once said, "Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it a hundred times."

I've quite and restarted several times. I had quit for six months when 9/11 happened, that got me started again. One more decent stop last spring, then something else happened, I tried one, and back down the slope I went.

I've tried cold turkey (can't), the patch(doesn't work for me) and the pill, Zyban. The pill works.

I'm three weeks into my latest effort. The Zyban pill makes it pretty easy from a physical standpoint. What works for me is to pick a time when I'm going to be out of the routine that causes me to smoke. A family vacation is good. That keeps me distracted for the first three days when the cravings are strongest.

The hardest times for me are in the boat. Thats where I did a lot of my smoking. I just have to grit my teeth and bear it.

I know what you mean about friends. I stop drinking from time to time, and it's wierd how that seems to threaten some folks. I don't see some of them anymore.

[ 01-13-2003, 07:46 PM: Message edited by: Silver Hilton ]

Boedy · 01-13-2003, 06:58 PM

I used the patch and started when I was Elk hunting this year. Made it easier to get over the really bad cravings and I was so far from a store I couldn�t buy a pack if I wanted one. Still trying to give them up 100 percent I still have one now and then but haven gone back to a pack a day.

RvW · 01-13-2003, 08:51 PM

Yeah Boe...the only time Ive smoked 3 packs in a day was when I am fishing with you!

Nah, just razzin ya man, Id be happy to get to your level.

Ive made changes, I try to disregard how many I have,,,thats always felt like an obsession, always knowing exactly how many cigs I have before I go fishing, or on a road trip.

Ive given up the routine of making sure I have one before I get into a place where I cant have one, like a resturant, or anywhere else I cant smoke.

Thanks for the tips.

Boedy, we gonna fish this week or what?

Im hitting the Wilson Wed and Thurs, and may be on the Siletz Friday.

SH stick with it man! I did the Zyban trip a few years ago, quit for 6 months, had a few beers and a few wild turkeys and someone put a lit cig in my hand...oops.

Unfortunately, I am trying to buy a house, paying for a new truck, and feeding two kids
-n- a dog on an unemployment check...Zyban isnt an option this time around.

Jen...are you a non smoker yet? Try the zyban, or wellbutrin sr...it works

~peace

Corkie Monster · 01-15-2003, 07:58 PM

Well if it helps any, I was a 18 to 24 pack of Beer everynight (No Joke) Been Sober now for 16 months, and still going strong

[img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

Norski · 01-16-2003, 08:57 AM

I need two drinks as my WIFE is haveing a fit over the fishing geer I have been buying,
Boat, new poles reels you name it, I NEED AT LEASED 1 TRIPEL!!!!!!!!

chummer · 01-16-2003, 10:09 AM

Cirrhosis, have'nt you been reading the paper? you gotta start drinking again! It's good for your heart! studies have shown that those who drink a little alcohol have lower LDL(the bad stuff) cholesterol levels because the alcohol produces HDL (the good stuff) and also thinner blood, decreasing the chance of stroke or heart attack, As homer would say, " A beer a day keeps the cardiologist away, Wo-Hoh" :grin:

RvW · 01-16-2003, 04:39 PM

Good news, but unfortunately back when it wasnt good for your heart, I didnt listen then either.

The cravings are subsiding, and although I do miss it, beer was my beverage, my wallet appreciates the extra $7 bucks a day staying put!

riverraider · 01-19-2003, 06:51 PM

If it helps at all, the actual nicotine "detox" if you will, lasts less than 48 hours. Problem is, the a years of habit to back them up... I quit chewing recently and can tell you... if you can get through the first 3 days, you'll do fine ( you might go through a truckload of toothpicks and gum, but you'll do fine. Fishing is tough though. It just tastes better out there with one tucked in your lip.
When it gets tough, go out and do something. Heck, I've gone to the sporting goods store almost daily. I figure, at the 30 day mark, I can go to Willie boats and get me the bait box I've been wanting, because of the money I saved.

RvW · 01-19-2003, 08:31 PM

I apreciate the tips and advice and refs made, Its now been 20 days of beerlessness, and I can honestly say the cravings have backed down to 23 hours a day.. woohoo.

As far as the smoking, I have made no plans, and have given no thought to a date or anything yet.
One hump at a time. The first day of spring might be a good goal, the next step would be which year.