Free of Nicotine Addiction -- Pancake's Thank You Note

My life as a smoker

I chose to turn my life over to the NicoDemon as a teen. While surfing the beaches of southern California, engaging in the activities that made the 1960's memorable, enjoying time with my dogs or even sitting in quiet reflection watching a sunset on the water, the demon's control was constant, insidious, unquestioned and obligatory as this addiction demands. Sadly, this continued more than 40 years at over a pack a day.

Nicotine addiction controlled every aspect of my day, steadily degrading my health and stealing my life away one hour at a time...all to feed the demon's insatiable appetite for a FIX.

Why and how I quit smoking

January 18, 2007, I was gravely ill with severe bronchitis that made breathing very difficult. For each of the 9 previous years, bronchitis had become an annual event that grew progressively worse and this time, finally, the alarm bells were heard as I had never been this ill before.

That night I crushed that last butt and rasped out a determined "I'm done." I felt an extraordinary sense of peace and certainty that indeed I would never smoke again.

I quit cold turkey, and bronchitis may have been an ally in that first week we call "hell week", as the discomfort of inhaling cigarette smoke vs. the withdrawal from nicotine were equally unappealing. Nevertheless, as withdrawal cravings set in, lacking any knowledge about nicotine addiction, agitation and anxiety grew as I saw no light at the end of this tunnel. I believed my resolve would crumble as it had more than a few times before. I had to reach way down deep to that place we go when all else fails to find that last stronghold of sheer grit. I began a search on the computer for help.

When I arrived at the About.com Smoking Cessation forum, I was feeling more than a little desperate, frazzled and hopeless. I began to read the many articles there explaining our addiction, what to expect with withdrawal, the tips to make this easier and found that the fear of failing was slowly giving way to HOPE.

I made an initial post and discovered the greatest gift of all that awaits every soul who finds our forum: the warm unconditional support of our team. I was met with multiple responses from individuals who made it their mission that I not fail.

I learned much on this journey we call the quit and have some suggestions I would like to share but think the single element that made this quit successful is all about the people I made it with who shared their knowledge, their time, their friendship and constant support that I might succeed and finally be FREE. One of the greatest gifts one can give another is a second chance at life.

When we arrive at this forum, we lack the weapons and necessary knowledge to break free of this addiction. These gifts are given freely to us here by some of the finest people on the internet -- maybe the world.

It has been the journey of a lifetime, and because of YOU, dear forumily, I AM FREE, empowered and forever grateful. And so I am still here writing a thank you note for what what your input has meant to my life and all those who care for me.

((( THANK YOU ))) :--)

Advice

• OWN your quit and treasure it as the gift that it is.
• Quit ONE DAY AT A TIME. We are in NO hurry.
• Start each day with a NOPE (Not One Puff Ever) pledge.
• Stay close to the forum and actively participate by reading and posting.
• Get a Stress Ball to squeeze the dickens out of when you are feeling anxious.
• Let it be OK to have bad days. It is NORMAL and TEMPORARY.
• Stay as physically active as you are able, doing things you enjoy.
• Ice water and ice cubes helps with craves and accelerates detox.
• Lots of TLC, favorite music, food, back rubs and aroma therapy.
• KNOW that we CAN do together what we could not do alone.

Terry Martin, Smoking Cessation Guide, says:

"One of the greatest gifts one can give another is a second chance at life."

So true, and something every person who takes part in the support process can share in. We are all students and teachers alike.

Congratulation on finding your freedom, Pancake. I know you understand just how precious it is. :-)