Readers Respond: Do You Think You'll Always Miss Smoking?

Responses: 74

At the same time, we hate smoking, and we worry about what it is doing to our health. Is it any wonder that long-term smokers often develop anxiety issues?

If You Want to Change Your Life, Change Your Mind

Do the work to change what cigarettes mean to you and you will gain the permanent, true freedom from nicotine addiction you seek.

What Do You Think?

I Hope I Won't Always Miss it!

I am doing so much better this time than with any past quit attempts. I think this website is the difference. I know my triggers for the puke sticks and I will remind myself that they are just cravings, nothing I can't get over if I just stay calm and let the craving pass. I am determined this time to make it forever!!!

—Guest lmddad

Maybe

Most of the time I don't, but once in a while (while partying with friends) I still kind of miss smoking even after two years without. But I know now that I can live life without them and don't need them in my life. Most of the time I am pretty happy without them.

—karenbartholomew2

Don't Think So

I know with time and rethinking I will not miss smoking...I find lapses where I don't miss it now and I'm only into my 3rd week. If I have memories of smoking from time to time that is fine, everyone has memories..good and bad! I know for today I will not smoke and therefore certainly do not miss it today!

—Guest Khotch

The Waves of Addiction Still Catch Me...

I think that the nicotine fits will still be recognizable as such years into the recovery process. I started looking for some support this evening while dealing with an exceptionally strong craving. I quit 199 days ago with no preparation. Just a disgust in the rising prices and the addiction itself. Thanks to all for your personal stories...they have really helped me this evening to stay home and away from the convenience store. G-Luck to all!

—Guest pirsq

Identity Crisis

As of right now I miss smoking, and feel that I will always miss it. So much of who I was is wrapped up in smoking.. Never met a mean smoker. I am not going to give in, although the last two days have been excruciating.

—denken91

Addiction -- It's a Sneaky Customer

I am 10 weeks into my quit and my nagging persistent desire to smoke has subsided. It has gone from loud background noise to an occasional distraction. My mind still argues with my heart and I have my moments where I try to convince myself I could take a cigarette and be under control not to smoke again. This is the illusion of every addict. I KNOW I AM A PUFF AWAY FROM A PACK A DAY. I only need to go back and read my blog (http://quittingcigs.blogspot.com/) to be reminded of how much energy this quit has taken and the fact that I never, never want to have to go through the withdrawal from this powerful and addictive drug again. When I read of people that relapsed I remind my self that you never quit quitting. It just takes up less of your mind time as each month passes by. When you read up on how addictive nicotine is it makes you so proud of the thousands who are beating their addiction. It also makes you more tolerant of smokers who are still trying to begin to quit.

—erbe38

When I Take a Drink

I would never miss smoking for weeks on end, then when I drink I would just take one. I'd hate myself but its just association and from now on I am breaking that association and living my life smoke free.

—blasss

NO!!

I am a smoker thinking of trying to quit AGAIN. I smoked for 25 years ,quit for 11 and smoking now again for 5 years. In those 11 years, I never missed it. I was so happy to be rid of the addiction. I hated the smell of others and would feel sorry for those smokers standing out in the freezing cold puffing away.The odd time I would have a dream that I was smoking again and would wake up horrified. I have no idea why 5 years ago on vacation I asked my husband for one. One puff away from an addict again. I'm right back where I started, have tried to quit many times,unsuccessfully. I won't give up trying to quit though, otherwise it's going to kill me, that I know. My friend today told me her brother just had part of his tongue and his voice box removed from throat cancer last week. They will install a box so he can talk. that is not something I can or would handle, so I better get my act together and do something about it now. I really truly hate smoking and will never miss it.

—wylie1

Missing the Missing

I always thought that I would miss the smoking. Although it has been only 6 months I find that I do not miss it anymore. In fact it's just the opposite - I enjoy the extra time that I used to spend fitting smoking into my life. Standing around smoking, looking for the next opportunity to light one up, having one sticking out of my face while I did jobs around the house...etc the list goes on. No I do not miss the smoking....if I don't start missing it soon it doesn't look like I'm going to...DON'T QUIT QUITTING!!

—LACEY_J_DOGTON

I Think So...

Started at 14. I think I always will miss smoking, honestly, so I will need to watch myself. I am currently uncomfortable in my own skin, and hope this will change. I quit once for 7 years, and then started smoking again. This time I am older (46) and hopefully wise enough to remain healthy. I will never take another puff.

—Guest RP

Hoping Not!

I hope not!!! Almost 3 weeks quit now. I am very proud of myself actually, but nervous also. I have smoked almost 30 years and quit with both my pregnancies only to start up again. Most of the time I do well and don't think of it, but then I get bushwacked by a craving and all I can think about is getting into my car and driving straight to the store to buy a pack. One thing someone recently told me that has been helping me is that if you wait out your craving for just 5 minutes, it will go away. So far that little psychological mind game is working for me. I tell myself I can do 5 mins. The other thing that keeps me on the straight and narrow is that my kids have started to ask about smoking. My 6 yr old looked at me one day and said, Mommy, can I smoke one of them? That was it! I am sick just thinking that I might have influenced my children to smoke one day!

—Guest Mary

Maybe

I am in my 4th month and I do still think about smoking. I just tell myself"This too shall pass" and it does. Hang in there.

—ginas03

Not Always

After a few attempts at quitting, there were times when I miss smoking soo badly. There were times I missed not smoking a lot too. This addiction is powerful. But I like the saying If you want to change your life, change your mind. I think this addiction can be overcome if we really want to. I think we have to put in the work that it takes for us. I have been changing my mind about cigarettes without even trying. Then my addiction seems to talk to me and I get a strong urge. Waiting till it passes does work. Some waiting is longer than others. I think eventually I'll miss smoking less and less. Feeling the urge to smoke will probably still come from time to time, but I don't think it will be anything that I can't handle. Right now at 4 weeks of not smoking, I have some terrible cravings. I miss it too. But I do have faith and hope. My thoughts about smoking are changing more and more every day. Just got to keep getting past the bad moments. I want to live without it.

—jesra

Quit 3/27/09 - Cold Turkey since 4/6/09

I am 57. Smoked on and off (mostly on) since I was 13. I don't have any heath issues that I know of, but I do have a 14 year old daughter who is looking at me and wife who doesn't smoke looking at me and myself looking at me in the mirror wondering why I stayed so addicted for so long. I guess being insecure is probably the biggest reason. Working on that. Do I still want nicotine. Yes at times I do. The urges are not nearly as long or strong as they were at month one. Will I always want a nicotine hit either through smoking, or chewing or whatever? I sure hope not! But I think If I do, the urges will become more of a minor nuisance that a constant crave. Actually, it's becoming more and more like that now. I'm thinking it may take a few more months to a couple of years to become really comfortable with my quit. I guess I try to look at it like this. It took me 43 plus years to get used to being addicted. It's gonna take some time to get un-used to it.

—JoeL.312

Respect the Miracle!

I found the disappearance of the desire to smoke a real miracle the last time I quit. Do you detect the irony there?!! I really thought I was free, but I took a cig after 3 months thinking it was "just one." Well, 18 years it took to work up to quitting again. Two weeks of no smoking now, and I will respect the Miracle of not wanting a cig when it comes this time, and guard myself. It doesn't seem like "wanting" as we think of it, so value the freedom from smoking, watch your back and don't ever forget what you have paid for this freedom!!!

—becjane