Hello smokers and x smokers. I am your host here, and smoked for 47 years, and quit. I had a 3 pack a day habit when I quit. Please take the time to read the quit smoking index.

http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=47&pst=1338231

There are 5 threads there, and should prove to be very inspirational.  I will be 2 years smoke free on July 8th. It is not impossible to do. Hard, yes, but it doesn't have to be too hard, and you don't have to be alone.

If you are a smoker who quit, your testimony on how you made it would be very much welcomed here.

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Hello to anyone who gets curious about this thread. I'm also an ex smoker. I quit almost 16 months ago after 40 years of smoking. I quit with the help of this very thread - so, if you are thinking you'd like to quit smoking, we are here to help you do it. Remember, it took a long time to get the addiction to the point of where it is today. Your body will need to adjust to many things when you quit and yes, it is hard. But, dying of a smoking related death is even harder. I've witnessed it. I quit for the people I love, and that included myself. Once I  admitted that cigarettes were going to kill me - it was not a matter of "if" but of "when" - I decided they had to go. I did not want to be a slave to the tobacco companies for the rest of my life, either, and then the cost???? Well, I just couldn't come up with any kind of intelligent way to defend spending $150.00 to $200.00 a month to kill myself! The cough was getting bad, I could hardly breathe when I woke up - nasty cough. So, I came up with cutting a straw in half and stuffing it with kleenex or a bit of paper towel to simulate the "drag" effect when I inhaled from it. It worked for two reasons - first, because I had the cig thing to do with my hands and 2nd, because when I was taking those deep inhaling breaths off my air and kleenex filled "cig", I was getting relaxation from deep breathing. For the first 2 weeks, I had an anti-anxiety prescription for those moments where I felt I would not be able to keep a smoke out of my mouth. And I had this thread. And I quit. I no longer smoke. And, I've been through some awful stuff that would have had most ex smokers crazy enough to start back up. But I also have to say, I prayed. I prayed a lot. And I believed that I could do it. And I did. And like Donna said, it wasn't easy in fact, it was one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life. But I was ready. And when you are ready to face the truth about cigarettes, you can and WILL be able to quit.

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Very good testimony Deb, and you were so right when you said WHEN you get sick, not If. It is a given that is a matter of time.

Oh, and I did that inhaling through my closed fingers sometimes, and it allows you to relax, anjd let out the air slowly, the way you did when you smoked, and felt relaxed.

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Congrats, Donna!!  2 years smoke free!!!!!

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Congrats Donna....2 years

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Thank you both   Deb, we need to celebrate your 2 years anniversary too.  I don't remember us celebrating the one year. You need to remind us when it is near.

How is Dan doing?  Your daughter?

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WOW! I am so proud of both of you! I have seen many friends and some family struggle with this and it's a massive achievement  to overcome it! Bravo!!!!!!!

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Thank you Raffi, and I hope more people can make it. It is a very hard habit to break.   BUT, it can be done. Unreal as it seems.

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My anniversary is on Valentines Day. So, I just past the 17 month mark. Still staying off of them, but it is still sometimes hard with all the stress. But, I am a non smoker now. NO going back. Dan is still a non smoker, too. He will have a one year in September. My daughter really never quit   She just said she did so I would not bug her. I guess, she was washing her hands and rinsing her mouth and changing clothes before coming here after work. Then I smelled smoke on her and asked her about it - she swore up and down she wasn't smoking - her hands smelled like an ashtray. So, at least me and Dan are smoke free and we now have a smoke free home! 

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That is wonderful news Deb. This thread has been so quiet that I totally missed your post. It is wonderful news about Dan too. So many people just can't make it, so thank you Lord that the three of us did it !

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Yep - and thanks, Donna. I thank the Lord every day for helping me get smoke free and I ask him every day to help keep me that way. I have been getting cravings for one lately - I think it is because of all the stress. But I am able to say to myself "what?????? Are you nuts??? NO WAY!!!" 

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Well, since you are going to talk to yourself anyway, I will compliment you on your brilliant answers. That is perfect!

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I've nothing but admiration for people who can give up smoking after so long a time in the habit 

As a lifetime non-smoker I really shouldn't be posting here, except to say that when Peter quit he found so much improvement in his life by doing it.  He could taste food without piling on masses of seasoning, didn't get breathless after climbing stairs... oh, and didn't get banished to the doorstep several times a day in freezing cold weather!

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Well Sheila,

I do get out of breath climbing, but I never excaped getting COPD. Chronic Obstructive Pulinary Disease. However, If need be, I can walk up the steps. I couldn't even think about it before. I was a 10 footer, and then gag to breathe. I am much better off now. I use to need a pot of coffee with a pack of cigs to start my day. I smoked 3 packs.

My sister said my niece just bought some cheap cigs for 7.85 a pack on sale.  whew, and I  was invited to a few doors steps with my bad lungs during Christmas with it being 15 degrees out. I finally got mad and refused to go anywhere. It is so nice to enjoy the freedom to go places without the need of running out for the cig.

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Rebecca          

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!  

I know what you mean about packing a few extra pounds ... especially after I quit - but the freedom I gained by getting rid of those awful cigarettes is well worth it. Same for me - 25 cents when I started - now, they are $4.89 a pack where I live. Had my husband and I not quit, we'd be spending at least $400.00 a month on something that was killing us!!!!    What a terrible, terrible industry that preys off an addiction.

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CONGRATULATIONS !

Gee, I would say we need to celebrate this. Please remind us the day before the one year anniversary. You smoked as much and as long as me. I gained weight too, and if I could lose it, I am sure I would breathe even better. I was just about out of breath totally when I quit.

I like your logo. leaver of the Pack. This one time where being a quitter is good!!! The freedom is fantastic. I live in the highest priced state for the cigs. People drive to Delaware to buy them for half the price. I think the cigs are something like 80.00 a carton by now. I smoked 3 packs a day. I am coming up on 2 years and 4 months Nov. 8th. My sister is off them about 7 years now I think, and my brother, around 20 years.

Don't forget to remeind us of the anniversary, and you can also write up a post to encourage others, plus offer your advice and tips.

for sharing.

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I had gotten a card years ago when I had been unsuccessful after I'd only been quit a month and the outside of the card was a cartoon character (can't recall who/what) on a motorcycle with that phrase on the outside "Leaver of the Pack".  Unfortunately I didn't stay quite that time or several other; it was very free-ing to be successful this time.

As for tips, hard candy helped me and still helps me, but I am afraid I have become too dependent on them and now have another "addiction" to get away from, but then I have always had a sweet tooth! LOL!

Doing things to take your mind off of them, avoid the triggers, even if it is friends. You have to learn to redirect your brain/mind and do something different, even a small diversion works. 

I also used a smoking cessation medication, I won't mention the name but they were little pills and, for me, after a couple of false starts did finally do the trick.  Not having any money helped as well and guilt when I would go bumming off my neighbors.  I also slept a lot, escapism! And I spent a lot of time on the computer, doing my weird art and digital photography.  Seems when I was on the computer I didn't want to smoke as much, now watching TV was a different matter!  That was a trigger for me.

Having friends who are not smokers that you can "hang out" with and going places where smoking is not allowed are good ways to break the chains of dependency and the triggers.

One finale thing one must learn and constantly remind one's self about is that smoking is an addiction, just as with alcoholism, once an addict, always an addict. Where an alcoholic can NOT have even one drink with out risking the return of the addiction, neither can a "Leaver of the Pack" as we will always be addicted to nicotine.

It ain't worth it.


Rebecca

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What you say is so true about not one drink or one puff. They will both put you right back in the swing of things, and I was addicted to my extra polar ice gum too.

I quit with the chantix, and prayer. If you are a Christian you will understand that I could not testisfy about the Holy Spirit taking my alcohol away in hours, and saying this while smoking a cig.  Poor witness for Jesus there, so I had to make this decision.

I only used the first out of the 3 month presciption on the chantix. I didn't have anymore money to get the refills. I was angry for 2 days, resentful, self pitying, and fearful that I would throw in the towel, BUT, since I have this thing with numbers, and I was up to 30 days not smoking, I refused to go back to day one.

I agree that staying clear of smokers in the beginning is a must. Unless you have will power of steel.  It is good to try to avoid situations that you equate smoking with. Maybe I had it easy, as I smoked 3 packs a day, but I was always smoking, so there was no reward for the laundry or mopping the floor etc. I always had my cig lit.

Walking can help, and plenty of water, and I hate water.   I did a lot of picking at stuff to eat. Haven't quit yet, but it is another option, however  weight gain can be dealt with later. If you can do it, making the picking veggie oriented.

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I agree with you, Rebecca. I still have days where I want to grab one because of stress. Cigarettes were my way of dealing with stress for nearly 40 years!!!  Now, I just hit walls. No - I'm kidding!!!  It has been nearly 2 years for me, and I am very happy to be free of that addiction. With the cost and the fact that I can now breathe, I am not having any issues with staying off of them. Time will make it easier as long as you quit because you wanted to. My husband was forced to quit because of surgery related complications. He still wants to take it back up and is angry that he can't!!

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Rebecca,

In one way, you sound just like me. I got off one horrible addiction, but replaced it with a lesser type of addiction, which I then had to give up because of the cost of it. The gum! I just had some recently too, and I sure did miss the stuff, but as an addict type personality, I need to find a replacement for what ever it is that I am quitting.

This goes for dieting too. If I have to give up something, I am ok with it if I find some kind of replacement for it.

Deb, that is not good that Dan is angry. Is it the doctor keeping him off of it, or you, or both?

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I guess I am lucky with not having to replace the smoking anymore. I did at first - and did it with tootsie roll pops. But it was only super bad when I drove. Now, I'm fine with nothing replacing the cigs. It is only when I am really angry that I think about them. And even then, I don't really want a cig - I just want something to calm me down. So, I do deep breathing and count to 10 ... or 100 ... depends on how mad I am

Dan had to quit for the amputation, Donna. And he got told about needing the triple bypass at the same time as they were getting ready to do the amputation. He couldn't smoke or they refused to do the surgeries. He also has the grandkids here and I won't allow him to talk about starting up again with them here. We are all they have, and they know what smoking could do to him. They don't need to be scared to death that grandpa is going to have a heart attack because he won't quit smoking. That is the biggest reason he won't take it back up again. The grandkids. 

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Well, I am sure glad to hear that. I know what it is like to be a kid, and worry that my father was going to die.

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All of you successful quitters please think of me this New Year's Day. I intend to quit after 24 years of smoking.  Physically, I will enjoy medical assistance.  Emotionally, I could use all of the support this group can give to me.  I have an addition not only to nicotine but the act of smoking itself.  I have talked with a guidance counselor who help me realize just how much I depend of the acts involved with smoking such a lighting the cigarette, collecting lighters, playing with the cigarette while smoking and other such dilly dallying around with the pack, cigarettes and lighters. 

During a recent trip to Europe, I discovered just how much I depended on smoking for my nerves and for the sake of sleeping. I could not smoke or sleep on the air plane, no hotels had smoking rooms, one had to go outside of the building to an uncomfortable usually windy damp spot to smoke.  I decided to give it up because I am planning another big trip for two years from now and do not want to be burdened by the addiction at that time.  I am looking forward also to having more money to spend during the trip because I will be saving money by not buying cigarettes or lighters.

Please keep this thread open because I am going to need it after the holidays.  Thank you for your tips and encouraging stories that I read today.

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I always like to have one last look for Kitty info/photo's/stories & stumbled upon this great post...

I'm a recovering-smoker, since mid August this year, unfortunately had this nasty habit for 37 yrs.  I'd quit twice before, once in January 1994 for 12 months (my 2nd Ex, did not approve, nor with me quitting Alcohol at the same time, for as long), then this past Spring, on mine & my (late) Gary's wedding anniversay April 17th, but only for 4 days.

Two things happened this time.  First I received information about how the most badly affected pets from 2nd hand smoke...yup, Cats !  Well, that freaked me out, as Luci & Merlyn are like my children & are extreme excellent buddies for me...

(luci)      meeeoooooooww      (merlyn)  

Second, I prayed for help...as I could NOT afford the cost at all, nor was I any longer convinced that just because it doesn't say in the Bible, 'Thou shalt not smoke' that it was okay !  So I asked our Lord to give me some type of health affliction, that would cause me to drop Cig's like a rotten egg...  I awoke with a severe/dreadful sore throat at exactly 2:00 a.m.   Had it for a couple of days - didn't smoke at all !  Then I only had about a 1/2 pack left - hid it in a tin in the linen closet, just in case I absolutely needed one...  Then I was sitting here working, when I heard a message, loud & clear:  "GET RID OF THEM !" & that was just about 2 days after it all had happened...

My first thought was, NO WAY !  If I needed to have one, I'd be forced to go out & waste more money etc etc...  Then I heard HIS message again...  "Get rid of them & do it NOW !"  (Literally !)

So... I got up, went to the closet, picked up the tin, pulled out the pack, took off out the door, to the elevator, then main floor, out to the recycling bin/garbage & left them ! 

Instantly, as I was heading back to our building entrance, my Peace was completely restored...!  And I've never craved nor wanted one again...  If anything, I'm very angry with myself for all that time & money...

And that's my story...!

Blessings, love & best to you all...  ...luv sjg

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Hi Bee - we won't go anywhere! We know how important it can be to have others to help you out. We'll count down the weeks with you - and you are giving yourself a wonderful gift.

Sheila, that was a beautiful story and you are so lucky to have heard so loud and clear what to do and when! WOW!!   Thanks for sharing that here and congrats on quitting!!  Keep at it - we are definitely all recovering smokers, here.  

I found that setting a quit date, then telling everyone - and I mean EVERYONE - I knew that I was quitting on that date and under no circumstances were they to help me get cigarettes made me stick to my decision a little better. When I quit before, my family would cave in to me and give me cigarettes when I was going crazy for one. Not this time. But, I have to say, I was looking forward to the date I'd set and was very glad to throw away the last 1/2 pack that I had on that date.

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Sheila,

Congratulations to you, and also you Betsy. You will make it just fine. Be positive, and trust in the Lord, or your higher power.

Sheila, I was haunted by the Holy Spirit. Every time I went to light up, I felt this tugging, and it kept entering my mind that the cigarettes were my god.

I  enjoyed telling the world how God took my alcohol from me in just about 5 or 6 hours, not needing hospitalization. Oh I wa sick for 4 months, but I did not pick up another drink for 23 years now. I enjoyed telling people of the night I was saved, and I nearly died. BUT, how could anyone take me seriously that God took it away, while I had a cig hanging out of my mouth/

I never got down to a half a pack, but at 24 cartons I was considering that nothing, and was frantic. I had over 100 cartons at one time, and kept 12 cartons in the right drawer, and 12 in the left. I had a very bad habit, and I stayed angry about non smokers, and people who wanted to see me, but not with my cigs.

I walked in the docs office and asked what he had for me. I said that I have 3 months worth of cigs left, and July 8th I will quit. He gave me chantix. It is a 3  month prescription, but I only got the first month. I didn't have the money for the next one, and was angry for 2 days, but I didn't smoke.

The big thing is to have a plan. Announce your quitting date, and give yourself plenty of time to get all hopped up over it. I never cut back. I smoked up a storn on my last day, and had 11 cigs left, which I  ran under the water at exactly midnight on the 8th. It is now 2 years and 4 months.

I kept a supply of stuff to pick on, and then my extra polar ice gum. If you feel anxiety, all you have to do is close your 2 fingers and put them up to your mouth. Draw in like you were smoking, and let that air out slowly. Anxiety will come out too.

Keep up the good work Sheila, and Keep getting prepared Betsy, and we will celebrate when you quit. Be sure to check out the index. It is full of good posts to read.

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