I just smoked my last cigarette.

[Ariana Celeste]

I'm going to try the whole non-smoker thing again. Last time I quit, I did it cold turkey and had no problem for 9 months. And then I got arrested, freaked the hell out, and bought a pack of cigarettes the night I was bailed out.

This was mid-December. I started out just smoking 4 or 5 a day. Then it was 2-3 packs a week. The last few weeks I've found myself back to a full pack a day, sometimes more when I can't sleep. So now, once again, I wake up in the morning feeling like a 50lb weight is sitting on my chest. I cough all the time and frequently smoke rather than eat. After several months of feeling like I could breathe again, not having trouble walking up a couple flights of stairs, I'm back to feeling shitty all the time.

So I'm under a ton of stress, I'm starting probation in a couple of weeks, going to be trying to get my shit transferred to WA so I can go back home. Have a ton of shit to do. But I think I can handle it without the damned cigarettes. Maybe if I feel healthier it will be easier to face the next day. I dunno. But I'm over it, I'm done. I just smoked my last cigarette and I'm not picking up another pack.

Wish me luck- I hope it's as easy this time as it was the last.

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. Yay you! Good luck!

I admire you greatly! :hug:

[Ariana Celeste]

2. Thank you very much :)

:hug: It's about freakin time I figure.

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. Do you know PassingFair? She doesn't post much in the Lounge

but she quit about 5 years ago after stop starting and hasn't gone back. She might be able to give you some tricks. She's my best friend in real life and she did an awesome job of it. I do know she eats a LOT of popsicles! :)

[Ariana Celeste]

10. right on

Popsicles are heaven. I ate a lot of baby carrots and sucked on ice, not to mention chewed a TON of sugar free gum last time I quit.
I've seen PassingFair around :)

[RogueSpirit]

3. Hey, I wish you the best of luck

I am going on 18months smoke free. You need a good support group, someone you can contact when you get the urge. I used the patches and the messageboards on quitnet.com. Seriously hang in there and do not get discouraged if you slip. you didn't get addicted overnight, it may take a few tries to overcome it. Feel free to PM me if you need any advice or support.

[Ariana Celeste]

11. Thanks :)

I do have a ton of support, and hang out with very few smokers. Congrats on 18 months!

[Nicole]

4. Good luck!

You've done it once & you can do it again! :toast:

I also resumed smoking while stressed out when I quit the first time.

The second time I quit I managed to stay smoke free even though the stress factor was higher that time.

[Ariana Celeste]

13. You're right

Can definitely do it again.

Congrats on your quitting! :toast:

[Nicole]

19. Thanks!

It's been 7 & 1/2 years now. :woohoo:

You might want to post in the DU smoking cessation forum.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=326

I've never posted there because I was already a quitter before coming to DU. However I have read some great threads of support for those who need it there. :)

[Ariana Celeste]

21. I've looked in there before

lots of support and good advice to be found, you're right!

[Roon]

6. This really helped me when I quit

http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/cravingsandurges/a/101thingstodo.htm
Group, if you can do group it will be the best for you!!!

[Ariana Celeste]

14. Thank you, I will take a look :)

:hi:

[Mojambo]

7. Rock on. n/t

[Ariana Celeste]

15. Indeed

:P :)

[dembotoz]

8. you are like me in a few ways.

either no cigs at all or a pack and a half a day.
No moderation, no cutting back,
All or nothing.
Now been over 25 years with no cigarettes.
It is worth doing.

Best of luck on this and all the other stuff.

[Ariana Celeste]

16. Yup, that's me

Congrats on 25 yrs! I hope to say the same some day!

Thanks very much :hug:

[Elidor]

9. Good luck to you

I had successfully quit - and then broke up with my SO and promptly started back. I'm gonna have to do it again.

[Ariana Celeste]

17. Thank you

Good luck when you quit again :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

12. Good luck, Ariana, and good for you!

:toast:

[Ariana Celeste]

18. Thanks :D

:toast: :hug:

[Inchworm]

20. You are an inspiration

I wish you the best!

I am in that all or nothing smoker boat. I did manage to get it to one pack a day stage, but lord help me if I'm drinking. Soon for me...

:yourock:

[Ariana Celeste]

22. Aww, shucks

thank you :)

I don't have so much a problem smoking while drinking- it's when I wake up and have my coffee! I may have to switch to tea or juice for a few days.

[applegrove]

23. Good luck and log onto the quitnet for support and advice. They really

help. You can log on when you are having a crave, ask for help, get 5 responces, thank them all, then your crave is over with and you don't end up smoking.

[Ariana Celeste]

24. thank you very much

:hug:

[Richard Steele]

25. Hey, best of luck with that!

I hope it's easy this time as well. :thumbsup:

[Ariana Celeste]

27. Thanks, hun

:hug:

[MsKandice01]

26. Good luck to you!!

I hope to able to do the same myself very soon.

[Ariana Celeste]

29. Good luck when you do!!

:hug:

I think I'm going to play my game for awhile and ignore the initial urges.

[hellbound-liberal]

28. I'm happy to say that I smoked for twenty years and quit 11 years ago and never looked back

You've already done this once. You can do it again! I used those big pretzel rods when I quit. You can pretend you're smoking a big cigar. If you ever need extra inspiration, send me a PM and I will share some horror stories about smoking with you. One that I had to live through very recently. Take care and stay strong!

[Ariana Celeste]

30. Congrats!

I chew on pens >.<

It works though! You take care, too- I'm getting off the net to fight the initial urges :)

Feel free to PM me, a story might help :hug:

[NC_Nurse]

31. I'm pulling for you!

You can do it! :hug:

You'll be so glad you did! :-)

[Callalily]

32. What a tough

decision you made. I wish you all the luck in the world. It'll be difficult, but well worth the effort.