That's fantastic news to hear...congratulations! I remember you well from that time period....so glad you stayed the course, you are inspirational to us all! It was probably at that time I had stupidly abuse following NOPE because these last couple of years have been on/off with a good amount of a months of quit but, again, not following NOPE. I have accepted that I am an addict, I have accepted that one smoke is nothing more than a death sentance in my life. Today I am 8 weeks into being a non smoker. It's great hearing stories as yours...you deserve the best after coming out of the worst!

That is great Karen, every beginning of quit is not easy and you made it two months. Yesterday I sat on the porch at a friend's family, where both the parents and the children (in their early 20's) were sucking on cigarette after caigarette. The smell was thick. It didnt bother me too much, but it definately did not make me want to smoke. It was sad really, to see especially the young, sucking on those cigarettes. It's also sad to hear many of my light smoking friends saying 'they dont have an addictive personality' and that they just 'like to smoke'. There are people who can stop and have no issue. People who truely are not addicted to cigaretts and can have one if they feel like it after months of not smoking and not want to have another. I have one friend like this. But most people who smoke get addicted to nicotine quickly, and cannot just have 'one smoke'. We are addicted to nicotine, and we made a decition to sober up. Well done Karen, you will make it. You have to !

My determination toward maintaining a successful quit this time has been quite different. As all addiction, I just experienced "the bottom" where I finally admitted/accepted my position as it was. My demise is picking up "just one". I've finally acknowledged that this is such a lie and I'd always be hooked with that mind set. I've had to rely on my higher power like no other time in my life. I'm dedicated toward dismissing any mindless temptations to break my promise and will do what needs to be done in order to remain smoke free.

Hooray - well said.  I love the determination in your words.  You are obviously already enjoying a smoke-free lifestyle.

Well done. 

CHeers!! 

Cheers to you as well, Anne. I just had had enough and have higher respect for abiding by NOPE..... don't ever want to go back, ever......

Hey Welchie... I loved reading your post and it gives me hope. I too believe that the quality of my life will greatly improve if I were to quit, or even just cut back on these lozenges. I know they bring out anxiety, but I stubbornly refuse to give them up. What I cannot understand is how I come on this forum and stay on this forum to eventually quit, but never do. So many have quit successfully. I think my mind is genuinely not into the quit mode. Last year in October I went from 12 a day to 4-6 a day, with the personally committed plan to quit by January 2023. Well, I did not quit in January, but managed to stay at 6 a day until April came along. I am trying to figure out how I got back up to 12 a day. Tonight I feel like I would give anything to be at 6 a day, and be satisfied with that. I used to mention that I use the lozenges to stay skinny. I think I have to let go of that dream. I am 51 and I am never going to be skinny again. I know that I am a bit of a vain person. Since increasing my uptake I have lost 5-8 pounds. If I reduce back to 6 a day, more than likely I will regain the weight. Weight loss has got to be the vainest reason why someone won't quit. And sadly, I am that vain person. I work with two ladies who are skinny, really skinny, and they both do not eat on their lunch breaks. They go to their cars and smoke. In June I succumbed to their offers of cigarettes and smoked twice. I am just going to be easy and free on this post and ramble out my anxiety lol. Don't worry too much about me guys. I get through my days. I do not have a lot of stress in my life like most of you who have successfully quit and are married and raising children or dealing with serious health problems. I think my issues are surrounded by vanity and I do have to say that I have bipolar disorder and anxiety. Maybe posting faithfully everyday and focusing on quitting as a top priority will help me out. Hope all is well with everyone.