Welcome to Monday’s News on the March – The week that was in my digital world.
72 hours of Nicotine Withdrawal
Presentation at Addiction Mindset
Until last Tuesday morning (12 September) at 1048am I battled nicotine addiction since I was 18 years old. That means I spent 31 years consuming 3 nicotine products: cigarettes → e-cigarette (vaping) → Nicorette chewing gum. I probably spent 100 thousand dollars (on all these) and that’s being conservative. During those same years I had also been consuming alcohol ranging from binge drinking stints in my early adulthood to in later years – full-blown 24-7 monthly drinking bouts (the latter I have referred to as being ‘in the cave’). I consider I have spent at least 200 thousand dollars on alcohol products in my lifetime. I wrote a ‘reflections’ post in March this year called ‘I Won’t Forget‘ during one of my latest, but brief sobriety spells.
Since last Tuesday when I went cold – turkey I also haven’t drunk alcohol. I wanted to use this opportunity to pay tribute to the Addiction Mindset channel and other subject related video channels since they helped me to understand what I would be facing with nicotine withdrawal and provide some motivation. I hope without nicotine cravings I will be averse to consuming alcohol. I found that both usances went hand in hand. Any-hows I am about to enter my seventh day of Nicotine abstinence and I can say I no longer suffer cravings for nicotine. It makes me feel sick even to think about Nicotine and alcohol or contemplating how I wasted – what should have been the best and most productive years of my life. For instance, the realisation of not being able to provide a family home for my kids because of my self-indulgences is not nice; because if anyone deserved a home of their own, even a room for themselves – it was them.
Regarding my current mindset and outlook; it’s a strange sensation to no longer be craving any addictive product. It’s as though I’ve been reset to before the day, I first drunk my parents’ cheap cask wine from the refrigerator and washed off the vomit (with a garden hose) from my mattress out the front of the family home.
I can’t explain why I went cold turkey last Tuesday (apart from being broke, bored of it all and feeling like sh/t) or how I endured the challenges of 3 – 5 days of intense nicotine craving, but I can say:
I won’t forget your amazing grace.
UTMB: Up close and personal at the biggest, wildest trail race in the world
BBC Sport Article:
Welcome to Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, a race so epic it has been described as the World Cup, Tour de France and Super Bowl of running. None of those does it justice.
UTMB covers 106 miles, starting and finishing in Chamonix and passing through three countries – France, Italy and Switzerland – as it circumnavigates Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe.
The distance is only half the story. Runners must tackle 10,000m of elevation gain – comfortably more than the height of Everest – cope with temperatures ranging from below zero to 30C, and handle any conditions thrown at them by mountains which are normally the preserve of skiers. Helicopter search-and-rescue insurance is compulsory. (Read entire article here)
Abelard and Heloise: Medieval Romance and Philosophy
Centre Place Lecture
Abelard and Heloise are among the great scholastic philosophers of the 12th century. Their affair led to their secret marriage, which was discovered with terrible consequences for them both. Nevertheless their letters have kept the romance alive for centuries, and Abelard’s philosophical ideas helped change the course of Western thought.
The Ending of World War I: The Road to 11 November
Gresham College, a lecture by David Stevenson
This lecture will re-examine how the First World War ended, anticipating the centenary commemorations in 2018. It will discuss both why Germany requested a ceasefire, and why the Allies and America granted one. It will argue that the German army was near collapse, and that Germany was not defeated by a ‘stab in the back’ at home. None the less, the Allies had good reasons not to press on to Berlin.
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
It’s a tough road sometimes for sure. Similar to my story. Stay strong.
Hi there. Thanks for your encouraging words Dylan. I hope the same for you.
Thanks. I struggle. Good luck! Stay stubborn!
I’ve never felt more freedom and control in my life as I have the last couple of days getting past the worst of the cravings. I do hope you are able to find a way Dylan to not struggle or to at least struggle less. Thanks again for sharing and your support.
It is freeing. Taking control. It’s always right there, waiting It seems. Been doing well recently but I could fall tomorrow. Stay strong! Thanks observationblogger!
Yeh, it’s like the devil in the shadow…
I was coming back from a medical appointment yesterday and I walked past this tavern playing cool music and I thought f/(k I’d just like to go in there and get smashed and have a good time like I did in my freewheeelin’ youth. Who’s to tell me what to do?
Of course I didn’t go in, but it was one of those moments where you had wished you had walked on the other side of the street, so those memories didn’t resurface like a giant octopus.
I’m glad to read you have been doing well. Speaking of falling tomorrow….Yeh, I should be more conscious and alert to that. My experiences with AA haven’t been good, but there’s another group which I need to check out close by. Thanks for making me mindful of all this. I needed that. Cheers Dylan.
Devil in the shadow. Love that. It is like running from demons at times. Funny how some innocent little can set me of. Without any warning. I went to AA some years ago and they helped somewhat. I agree though it wasn’t the best program. I still go through the cycle. Keeping it at bay as well as possible. Getting older has slowed me down lol. I have to think about or I slip. Stay vigilant and strong! Have a great day observationblogger!!
Yeh, the cravings have been a bit rough this afternoon despite having a great morning. It doesn’t mean I would cave in since I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am now, plus I don’t want it, but my body is so accustomed to it. Might go to this new AA place tonight and see how that goes. I find I have to keep myself busy. Boredom can become an issue and the cravings hit harder than otherwise. I know what you mean about getting older. You too, take care, man.
Struggling tonight myself. Right about staying busy. It’s like I should be doing something but I’m stuck in mud. Other problems like family and relationship troubles drive it. It’s crazy but I’m still standing. Like the song says lol. Stay vigilant! And busy…take care…
I can imagine family and relationship problems can act as trigger episodes. Good song by Elton there! My kids love it.
I went to that AA meeting last night and one thing’s for certain AA is not my thang. The rituals and the whole ‘you have to follow the program’, like I just joined up for Amway lol At least I tried. The last place I went to, close by – I lasted 2 weeks and this new 1 – one night. Ouch. I might go back again if I’m bored and want an aromatic tea and pastry. hehe
Apart from the sporadic cravings, my principal problem now is ‘Sleep’. I’ve never been a good sleeper, but 4 – 5 hours of night won’t cut the mustard especially if I’m exercising during the day.
Yeah, I fought hard last night. Sleep lol
I know what you mean. I go to sleep but I wake up, mind spinning. Can’t get back to sleep. My Son is causing me problems. My girlfriend is tripping out. The dog needs to go to the groomer, on and on. Anyways something. Won last night but dreading tonight. You’re right, the craving is hard. I am stubborn. Hang tough. We will prevail…
Got four hours sleep last night. Gee wizz. Sorry to read about your gf and son giving you grief. The dog and the groomer arghhhhh lol
Yeh, I’m gonna be stubborn as well. Put up with too much crap the last 8 days to let this once in a lifetime opportunity go to waste.
Exactly. The stubborn thing helps me. I just don’t want them to win! Also it helps me to think about the time I’ve put in, not wasting it. Waiting to see what happens today lol..and I have an afternoon appointment with my Dentist lol always something. Stay tough my friend. We will win!
When I was at AA tonight your words of being ‘stubborn’ kept repeating itself, also alertness / vigilance. Before I saw alcohol as a friend, now I see it as my sworn enemy – the demon in the shadow.
I hope the appointment with the Dentist went ok. I had one a few days ago although it was just a clean and revision.
Staying tough man and I hope you are too.
Sworn enemy I like that. Dentist was alright. Prepping for crown. Glad you went to that meeting. They do help. Staying tough for now. I hope you are staying strong. Don’t let them win Whover them is lol
I’m feeling really good today. Nearly no cravings or they pass by like I’m brushing a fly from my face. I feel like I’m that teenager again without any vices or addiction, it’s so weird. It’s a reset on my life.
Good luck with the crown.
Awesome, that’s priceless. Actually a day like this worth more than any material possession could be! It’s going to work out. Got a temporary crown 👑 lol waiting for permanent.
The permanent crown on its way. That’s very regal your majesty! hehe
The days fluctuate here. So, in the morning like yesterday, I was ‘hunky-dory’, but in the afternoon I let boredom take centre stage. Due to lack of sleep, I didn’t want to do much inc. attend AA. The kids are coming over today for the weekend, so that should keep me out of trouble. Cheers.
I feel like Royalty lol. It’s crazy the way my mood can change. Everything good then boom you’re down. Fighting it! That’s cool about you’re kids coming for the weekend. That will great. I like the ‘hunky-dory’..also one of my favorites. Have a fantastic weekend my friend!
Thank you, Sir. That is most kind of you. You too.
You are very welcome!