Hi There,

I've been smoking on and off for about 35 years.  Mostly it was a high-school developed habit that involved alcohol (evenings/weekends), but over the years I've had several bouts where I picked up a smoking habit throughout the day.   These have involved stressful periods of life, as well as being in proximity with others that smoke, and are not taking care of themselves.  I've quit several times throughout the years.

My latest serious habit was formed in March of this year, after going through an ugly breakup and dealing with some internal struggles.  I started back up using cloves (because they didn't smell as bad haha) but eventually graduated to the big M brand.  I smoke between 8-14 cigs a day, average as of today.

I'm planning to quit Jan 1 (it's been my plan for months) and wanted to find a support group where I could check in and get support.  Thank you all for being here.

LS

This is a good place for you to be if you are serious about quitting smoking. It sounds like you have had some successful quits in the past. Perhaps you could draw things from those victories to spur you on to another successful quit. You can do this. It is not easy and it does involve a certain amount of discipline and planning, what to do whenever cravings hit, but know that it is doable. I recommend you hop on here and connect with others anytime you have a bad urge or craving to smoke. You will get a lot of encouragement here! Lastly, post on to December 2022 Ex Smokers, cause that is where all posts are found. God bless your quit! Good luck!!

Welcome LostSailor.  Not much to add from Jerthie's comments. Think about whether you want to quit cold turkey and prepare by reading the December Quit Discussion and elsewhere.

Hi Lost sailor!

Yes, many of us started in high school. There were times in my life when I wasn't smoking but eventually the addiction took over permanently. Between Vape and cigarettes I was feeding a strong nicotine addiction. I am almost 18 months clean and I promise you, it gets better. You come to a point where life without cigaretts seems normal . The key for me was the support of this group. Discussing my addiction and realising how we all have the exact same experiences, It's not just me, or that there is anyhow wrong with me. The second crucial tool is learning about this particular addiction. Understanding the 'science bit' and realising how the addiction is formed in the brain, and how this chemical dependency shapes out seemingly conscious thoughts, stress and fears. Not to mention the enormity of not only the cultural suggestive manipulation through Cinema, television and ads, but also the deliberate and successful campaign to get people addicted to a drug that is slowly killing them over years, for profit, by the Tobacco companies. ( For example, making agreements with governments to include cigarettes in the care packages to soldiers during wars, who eventually went home with an addiction for life). I kind of decided not to pay the tobacco companies (and the government) to kill myself at worse, and ruin my health at best. you can do it. There is information here and other websites, if you are interested, We can send links. 

Hello LS and welcome!  You have come to the right place!  I also smoked over 35 years and started in high school.  I was about a pack a day Marlboro Light smoker.  I never thought I'd be able to quit as there wasn't one day in my adult life that I had lived without a cigarette.  In March, I will be 5 years quit and this Forum was instrumental in helping me...especially the first year.  Once I realized the force of the addiction and had the tools to battle the cravings and the support of my quit buddies here, I was able to overcome this terrible demon.  You can do this and we will be here for you whenever you need.  I will be starting the January 2023 Discussion soon for those gearing up for the new year.  The articles are so helpful in preparing yourself and wrapping your mind around quitting.  Thank you for introducing yourself and hope to see you post often.

Getting Ready to Quit:

What are Your Reasons to Quit Smoking?
Why am I Afraid to Quit?  
When is The Best Time to Quit? 
How You Can Prepare to Quit 
Quit Aid Choices 
Supplies to Have On Hand When Quit Day Arrives
 

Cindi... Thank you for sharing more of your story. You truly are so kind and such an inspiration. LS, I strongly recommend you stay very close to this forum. As Cindi mentioned, it can be very instrumental in a successful quit! Just now I had a strong craving to suck on a lozenge, I quickly hopped on here, saw Cindi's post and was quickly reminded of how important it is to refrain from nicotine in order to feel how truly great it can feel to finally be free! I suffer from bipolar disrder and anxiety. I have used nicotone lozenges to help me cope through bad episodes of either one. What I noticed is that the relief nicotine gives me lasts only as long as the lozenge is in my mouth. As soon as it has dissolved my symptoms heighten. It is a vicious cycle. So please, please promise us you will stay close to the forum during any bad cravings or urges. And read, read, read as many educational articles on nicotine ad you can! God bless your quit!

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking!  Our journeys sound similar.  I smoked to some extent for over 30 years and during some stressful periods or times where I was clearly not trying to deal with emotions, I used smoking as a crutch to numb myself.  Much of the time I also smoked Marlboros and smoked about 10 a day the last 5 years or so that I smoked.  

I haven't posted here in awhile but it's a new year and I quit smoking 3 years ago today so it seemed appropriate to visit the site.  I had tried to quit and failed so many times I was totally sure this last attempt would also be a failure but it wasn't.  For my experience the keys were to find online support from others who have been there.  Previously I just attempted to tough it out when a craving hits and well, that just about never works.  This is a great site to post your feelings and not go things alone so post as often as you need to.  Just don't light up!  That's the only rule.  I also read Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking right as I was quitting and it totally changed my perspective from one that I was missing out on something I love by not smoking to I was missing out on slowly killing myself.  If you can see it that way it will diminish the desire to smoke.

I will also say that the first few days and weeks are the most difficult and then things get easier.  Many, including myself, kind of give up when a tough crave would hit because we just figure this will be a lifelong battle and it will never get easier so why not just go ahead and smoke?  I assure you it gets way easier in time but it's important to always keep the guard up. It truly is a matter of taking things one day at a time.  Don't look at things like you will never smoke again, just focus on today.  If you never smoke "today" then you literally will never smoke because it's always "today".  

I wish you the best on the journey!  Keep us posted!

Dan

Hi, Happy New Year and thanks everyone for your responses.

Jerthie123: You are correct about having success in the past, but my relapses always involve some stressful/traumatic event in life.  I made a list so far of the health benefits from quitting!

JavaNY: Thanks and will do!

xvaper: I totally relate to your comments about suggestive ads and TV.  I watched a show last night where a policeman was saying "how good it feels to smoke".....Lol.

modCindi: Congrats on 5 years!  Wow...

DanJF3: Thanks for the kind words and congrats on 3 years under your belt!  Our journeys do sound similar.

Ok I'm on day 3, sucking on a lozenge and doing my best!  Have a great day, all.

LS