Welcome New Ex-Smokers

Congratulations on taking that all important first step with cessation - stubbing out the last cigarette and getting started.

Chances are you don't feel 'ready' to quit, and are experiencing a mixture of difficult emotions about it.

Try to relax.  You've found the best place for help. 

Getting Started with Cessation

Park yourself in front of your computer and read everything you can on this forum board. We encourage you to take the initiative to introduce yourself and post often. Sharing your journey with your new quit buddies and offering support to each other really helps.

This thread will serve as the meeting place for those of you who are quitting now, and when the month ends, we will move your 'home base' thread over to the Quit Buddies Unite folder, where you can continue to support each other. 

You can also return to the Introductions folder where you'll find the new Monthly Ex-Smoker thread for those coming along behind you.  Share the tips and encouragement that helped you during month one.  Not only will this help others, it will strengthen your resolve as well.

Start your reading here:  Homework for New Ex-Smokers

Additionally, the folder headings in gray on the left of the page under DISCUSSIONS house different topics.  Click on the gray heading to view the conversations held within.  When you finish with a folder, click on the drop down menu under DISCUSSIONS and select ALL to see all of the folders again.

Introductions/Newcomers Nook
A good place to start with numerous threads from new ex-smokers.

General Chit-Chat 
This is where you will find the daily NOPE thread.  NOPE stands for Not One Puff Ever, and members pledge NOPE on a daily basis.  Give it a try - you will probably find it helpful and empowering.

Quit Support
This is a good place to post for help when you need it ASAP. 
 
Dots(Weeks) and Stars (Months) Milestones and One Year and Beyond Milestones 
Read the accounts of people who are winning with cessation in these folders.

Quit Buddies Unite 
This folder is the home base for the groups who quit together.  This thread will move to that folder at the end of the first month.

Quit Smoking Library
Here you'll find member stories and links to important articles that will inform you about what to expect from smoking cessation.

The next 4 posts will give you additional info on how to navigate/post here.  Please read them and let us know if you have any questions.

Visited a friend who does hypnotism...yesterday, bout 2PM.

1st time for me. It was ok, but not what I had expected.

I'm am old enuf to have been a smoker...'cept the last 30 hours or so...for bout 56 years.

Went 4 years once, but this time, I plan to go, all the way

Hi everyone! My names Tomas and I have been smoking for 15 years. I have tried many smoking cessation methods. Now I am trying to get rid of this addiction with anti-smoking patches. Hope I can still make it. 

I've been off and on smoking since the early 70's. Got Covid Nov 28 2021 and haven't smoked since -- this forum has helped a lot. For me, I had to accept the power of this addiction. I have to take the "Not one puff ever" thing seriously or I won't stay quit. The good news is, I only have to do that today. I can do that today, and so can you. Hang in there. As you know from your 4 years quit ... it gets easier and it gets better. And your body will thank you!!

Thank you...i reckon, 1 day ay a time...amd today is day 4, so yay

Thomas,

Hello, my name is J.R. and I would like to welcome you to the forum. I used the patches to help me quit as well. I had actually used them several times over the years to quit for various short periods of time while I was trying to “Kick the habit”. After reading Allen Carr’s book I realized I didn’t have a “bad habit” I had a bad addiction. Once I accepted that it was an addiction I became very serious about quitting for good. After that I started using the patches again and with their help I got through the step downs and have been nicotine free ever since. 
 

I mention all of that because in your post you already refer to it as an addiction so in my opinion you are in the right frame of mind to quit for good. I hope you are hanging in there with your quit and the patches. 
 

This forum was also a large part of my success. The support here helped me get through the time I would normally give up on my quit. 
 

Good luck with your quit and keep posting on the forum.

Came here after a google search. On day 6 and just went through drawers looking for anything. lol. Ok now.

Congrats, you made it past the first icky 3's - (3 days).  The nicotine is out of your system and its all a mind game now.  Distraction is the key to getting past those so called cravings - claw backs.  You just need to distract yourself for a couple of minutes and that nasty claw back disappears.  Exercise, a cold shower, a hot bath,  a bowl of ice cream, a bag of chips, some carrots and celery - do what everyou need to do to not pick up a smoke and light it.  Smoking is not the answer.  It is the demon you are running away from. 

Read - Allan Carr's Easy way to quit smoking.  This is a very funny and informative book.  you can down load it from the internet.  There is another book - why quit smoking.  YOu can also download it.

Check out the library on this site.  Read the posts of people who have been or are in the same place as yourself.  It helps to relate to others who are going through or who have went through what you are.

You are on the right path, you have made the most important first steps - keep going - you can do it and, more importantly, you want to do it.

 You won't be sorry if you don't smoke.

Your posts are nothine less than insperational.  You have such a wonderful message to us newbies. Yes,  the first 3 days are very challenging and I keep reaching for my pack of cigs but they are, not there. Oh, that's right "I just don't smoke anymore." I repeat this phrase frequently as I approach day 2. As you said in your post, create  distractions, do someting different to take the mind off of the cravings.

Yes Allen  Carr's book "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking" is a great resource. I have read it several times and also attended his video. All good stuff!

Again thank you for your posts. There are so many of us in early recovery that need this kind of attention. Live in the moment and assure yourself that you are probably doing the most important thing in your life - that is quitting smoking. Hang in there and don't lose  sight of you commitment to a better life. 

Good day

N.O.P.E today

Andrew