Any other smokers trying to quit?

[sadinred]

Do you feel like you are entirely messed up on drugs when you're not smoking?? Like the world is NOT real? Like it's Too Real?

Anyone want to start a DU group for quitting? Can anyone offer help for me to start one? (I read How To in the Group section, but would like tips.)

[Marlena]

1. quitter here...

I quit nearly 10 years ago now! Quitting SUCKS. But, once you get 6 months - 1 year out, things are SOOOO much better. You just have to get through the hell of first physical and then, for far, far longer, psychological withdrawal. I had cigarette dreams for literally years after quitting, but the real (but only occasional, after the first several weeks) urge to smoke lasted only about a year.

Good luck with your group. Quitting is worth it. I'm a runner now, and have a little girl, and neither of those is compatible with smoking. Lots of other things are incompatible with smoking, too. You'll feel better. You won't be getting sick all the time. You'll find other ways to order your day and better things to do with your time.

[sadinred]

6. Thank you

A baby is in my future (hopefully) and is my motivation.

[Kurt Remarque]

2. i quit 6 years ago and sounds very famiiar

i used nicotine gum and joined a support group

[lanlady]

3. Never thought I could do it....

...but I've been smoke-free for nearly 2 years, after 30+ years of heavy smoking. I used the nicotine lozenges, which seem to give a stronger dose of nicotine than the gum -- and this helped me get through the first couple of weeks. Every now and then I get little urges to have a smoke but it passes quickly.

Good luck to you, you'll be happy you quit when you realize how much better you feel and you don't have to sit through movies or plane flights with nic cravings!

[InvisibleBallots]

4. like it's too real

quiting cigarettes is the hardest thing EVER. Good luck, you'll need it.

[mmonk]

5. I plan to quit

but not until the spring. I've failed once, so next time I want to be prepared mentally.

[Sugarbleus]

7. Hubby just quit two weeks ago...he

went through the white knuckle thing for those two weeks, now he's in the psychological withdrawal thingy.

I've "quit" several times (last time was for 4.5 years). Each time is harder than the last try. I remember quite well the withdrawal stages mentioned herein. The first couple weeks or so is not so bad with patches and kudos from others..it's the physch withdrawal that comes later on that got to me the last time I tried quitting. It was a bastard! Wooboy. After a few months, the itch to smoke does go down, thankfully. After a year, you can actually BREATHE..lol I got all caught up in cleaning my house from the nicotine smell. Washed EVERYTHING. That kept me busy and my mind off of smoking.

I'm smoking again...poor hubby. I'm next to quit though. We usually like to stop "one person at a time" because the "attitude" problems are too intense for two people to be in withdrawal at the same time.

Much Good Luck~~ :)

[sadinred]

9. scary

My longest was 3 months.

The urge stays with you though huh? 4.5 years and still there? It's not even urge though, it's like an insane person inside of you whispering "Cigarette, cigarette cigarette", day after day. Very Scary.
I have a friend who quit 30 years ago and to this day insists he will start again on his 65th birthday. He's got another 8 years.
I have to try. People DO quit for good, it's not entirely impossible.

Good luck to you as well. Thanks for your post.

[Sugarbleus]

13. LOL...yes about the "person". I think it's called a "Monkey"

Did I read you to say you are pregnant or wanting to start a family?

I was able to quit when I was preganant, many years ago. I just stopped. I was so sick with MS anyway. Cigs made it worse. I quit because I HAD to for the baby. That made the process easier somehow..just knowing it was my "duty" or something. For the baby etc. Parents will do "anything" for the safty of their children--lift heavy cars, take a bullet etc. Look at it that way.

If I had stuck to the no smoking after the birth :eyes:...well, the rest is history. *banging head on keyboard*

When I did the no smoking thing years afterwards, for ME the physical(body symptoms) cravings went away after several months. I only dreamed (imagined) of picking up a cig after that; I wasn't "craving" it anymore. I chewed gum, went on walks, sucked on lollipops..some people use "worry stones" or whatever to fiddle with to keep their hands busy.

YES IT CAN BE DONE..........Once you achieve non smoker status, DON'T EVER EVER GO BACK, NO MATTER WHAT. After years of smoking, Nicotine is harder to kick than heroin and much much deadlier. Best wishes~~ :)

[stupid grin]

8. Perfect reason to quit :)

That's precisely why I've been a non-smoker for 5½ months. Get yourself some crunchy vegetables and cut them up into sticks. Carry them with you in a little box and chomp on 'em whenever you feel like lighting up. It works.

[sadinred]

11. thanks & congrats! n/t

[CornField]

10. 4 weeks, 3 days, 18 hours, 59 minutes, 26 seconds

According to quitmeter.com :)

Welcome to the quitter club! I know you can do it. (What an exciting and wonderful incentive you have.)

[sadinred]

12. 1 hour 37 seconds

I will use that. Thanks!

[THUNDER HANDS]

14. 3 weeks, 1 day, 6 hours, 30 minutes, 34 seconds

yay me! :D