It Was a Long Time Coming
- Two months and 22 days ago I was sitting in my backyard, hungover, feeling terrible because I had fought with my boyfriend. I didn't have any cigarettes, so I was smoking my dad's and/or brother's cigarette butts. It was that very moment December 18th, 2012 that I felt disgusted with myself. I said out loud, "This is disgusting. I'm done!" And haven't smoked one cigarette since. It hasn't been easy. It's taken a lot of effort on my behalf. The Smoking Cessation emails were very helpful in the beginning and I keep a "Smober" journal.
- —Guest SGo0730
Challenge
- I thought of every "smoker" I never thought would quit and DID - they were always my excuse for NOT - then I was the last soldier standing and felt like a loser - DONE!!!
- —mlsnomore
More Thank Anything, I Want to Retire
- As I approach my 60th birthday, I think more and more of retirement. Except for an 11-month period of unemployment following a lay-off, I've been working full-time or going to school full-time since I was 6 years old. I'm ready to do something else. It occurred to me that I can't afford to smoke on a retirement income. Then I heard that health insurance companies will be charging penalty premiums to smokers. That was it. The only way I'll ever be able to afford my dream of retirement is to kick the smoking addiction. That may also be the only way I can hope to live until retirement.
- —Playfield
You are Having COPD Exacerbations
- Monday is my quite date and I have been on this website for two days reading what everyone has written and I am getting my education to be better prepared to quit, I have tried so many times before. I was diagnosed with COPD about 3 years ago I would get bronchitis symptoms once a year and they would last for a week, Antibiotics and Steroids always cleared it right up...that is until this year when right after Christmas I had what I call an episode, so I got the inhalers, the antibiotics and the steroids and was warned that if I didn't see an improvement within 48 hours I was to go to the emergency room. Thought that should tell me something, but not me. I would do a breathing treatment so I could smoke, then I started having dreams about dying and to top if off within a week of finishing my steroids I had another episode... the dreams kept coming and I was scared. What if I fail again it wasn't an option. So here I am educating myself and learning from you all and I have my patches.
- —Guest mcvayv
God Gave Me the Will to Quit
- I started Wellbutrin as part of my quit program, and that, along with A LOT of prayer, I just decided one day that cigarettes tasted and smelled disgusting and happened to be at the end of my pack! I am on day 13 now, and although it has had its ups and downs, I am so grateful that God took the desire to smoke out of my heart. I have three beautiful children and I am 33 and have smoked for the majority of the past 16 years. Although I have not had any physical symptoms, cancers of all kinds run in my family on both sides and I had a horrible dream that I had pancreatic cancer and was dying. All of my family was there and I had to tell them that I did this to myself and it seemed so selfish. Although it has taken a few months since that dream, I believe God gave that to me for a reason. It has gotten better each day, although still extremely anxious, I know I will have peace soon.:)
- —Lovelifelivelonger
My Addiction Had Become My Prison
- A friend/neighbour of mine stopped by my home the other day. When I answered the door and realized who it was I quickly stepped outside so she wouldn't smell the odor of cigarette smoke. I have known this woman for the better part of a year and she has never been inside my home and I had never smoked in front of her. She is an avid bicycle rider which is actually how I met her, she was giving free lessons and bicycle riding was something that had always interested me. Anyway I felt embarrassed and ashamed for not inviting her inside in that moment. When my husband arrived a little later he visited with us outside for a bit and after this friend left he asked me why I had not invited her to dinner as she lives alone and seemed lonely. I admitted that I didn't want her to know that I smoked. That was an eye opener, and I emailed her a dinner invite for the following week determined to quit before then. I realized in that moment how much my addiction had become my prison.
- —mountainraine
Sick of the Tyranny
- I quit 2 months ago, cold turkey, after smoking for 28 years. Doing it cold turkey was hell for the first three weeks, I was actually in tears at times due to the cravings. So glad that I didn't give in 'though - the cravings are becoming less frequent and strong all the time. I gave up because I fear for my health, was sick of the tyranny, and couldn't justify the cost (£7.90 - £8.20 in England now). It's only now that I'm free of the overwhelming nicotine addiction do I realize how dangerous, disgusting, and dirty a habit it was. Please give up now if you're thinking of it - it's easier than you think.
- —Guest LondonCalling
Epiphany
- One morning on my way to work after a particularly stressful morning with my three year old daughter, I found myself rummaging around in my handbag like a mad woman looking for my smokes, cursing my daughter for making my morning difficult and therefore makin me forget to put my smokes in my bag. A couple of seconds later I found them in my bag, lit one up and realized I was cursing my DAUGHTER for me forgetting to bring my disgusting addiction with me. At that point I just made the decision, called my fiancé on the spot and told him I was quitting once I had finished my tobacco whether he was or not. I'm now on my fifth day smoke free. I won't lie, I feel like crap and it's bloody hard, but my sense of pride that I have gotten this far is irrepressible!!! Even five days seemed impossible for me before. I'm glad I finally had the guts to at least try!
- —Guest Natasha
Embracing the Discomfort!
- I was sitting alone, doing some deep insightful thinking and realized that I have literally spent over 1/2 my life on earth being a smoker. I have never been an "adult" without my smoking addiction. I lost my uncle, cousins wife and family friend in a tragic accident a few months back and have all around just felt miserable. Grief is a powerful thing!! And I decided that if I can survive this tragedy, I can survive anything. I know there is nothing more powerful than just taking one step at a time. But I think more than anything....I realized, that being uncomfortable and just plain miserable...can be survived! I will survive quitting smoking the same way, just one step at a time. I will keep moving forward, keep living my life, time still ticks on....and each step brings me further away from the thing that caused me such misery. Keep on, Keepin on!!
- —chantelpb
My Brother Died
- I've been smoking 15/day for 17 yrs. gave up once when I had a tongue biopsy. Soon as it came back normal result I started again. My brother was s Type 1 diabetic since he was a baby. He never ever smoked but he was non compliant, ate and drank what he liked. We lost him to a stroke at age 40. Scared the hell out of me and got me thinking about my own health. I'm 6 days in on patches and I'm amazed!
- —Guest anna
What Was my Last Straw?
- When I found out I would die if I didn't quit before my surgery. I'm having my half my lung removed. I have a hole in it and pneumonia kept getting in the hole. I have emphysema in the lung they're removing. I wish I never smoked.
- —Guest Denise Belanger
It Was Never Going to Be the RightTime
- I was a pack a day smoker for almost 20 years (I'm 35), with one quit that lasted two years (I feel so dumb I started up again on a trip with too much drinking and a smoking friend!) I quit january 1st, so this is my 5th day smoke free, yay for me! I am using the patch, have enough gum and candy to stock a store, and am drinking lots of water. So far so good. Worst cravings are at night because I usually smoked a lot then, so I try to drink my melatonin early and go to bed. It's not easy by any means, but I thought it would be a lot harder so I kept putting it off. Reasons for quit: I don't want to hear a cancer diagnoses, I want my nephews to have me around for a long time, I HATE the way my house smells.
- —Guest Bettina
You Should You Should
- "You should" how many times can you remember friends or family telling you. I have an aunt who would always give me a huge guilt trip over smoking. I kind of thought she was snooty about it and just trying to take me down a peg. But if you're stubborn like I am, continuing to smoke after friends, family even girlfriends or boyfriends have told you is ignorant. How many potential good times have you and I missed out on? You should try. Cold turkey or with a patch. I refuse to suckle from the teat of skanky ol' Nicoteen again. Though her milk is sweet, it's death!
- —Guest mike
NEW YEAR 2013 - It's Time!!!
- I'm 25 years old. Been smoking for about 6 years. My biggest reason I wanted to quit was for myself and husband who is quitting with me. Having each others support is great. Another reason I wanted to quit was because I want to get pregnant. I always told myself that I'll always smoke until there is a good enough reason to make me quit. Well if I ever got pregnant that would be the day I quit. I'm still not pregnant but I decided that my reasoning for quitting when I find out I'm pregnant is so stupid. How could I do that? I want to be smoke free and as healthy as possible before I even start trying. I smoked my last cigarette at 11:50 last night. Approximately 23 hours ago. I already feel better. So does my husband. This is the best decision in have ever made in my life. I'm doing ok so far. I got through the day at least. I was extremely edgy and irritated this morning. Wanted to smoke but not nearly as much as I thought I would. Day one is over, I'm ready to keep going.
- —Guest Becky
Day 4 and Counting
- My last straw was contracting bacterial pneumonia, It made me realize that I am 50 years old and there is no more waiting to quit. I know if I continue, I will die. Smoking kills!!!! No more clothes that smell like smoke, no more going in my garage and either sweating or freezing to smoke. I am done.
- —alisa716
