Quitting

Kind of funny I am reading the posts which are talking about prior quits, and it goes on to say my two prior quits, and I am thinking my gosh my 500 prior quits!  What works the best for everyone, cold turkey, or the patches.  It seems the patches work well for me but this time it last for like 10 days, and I always seems to pick them up again.  OMG

[kathyjo]

How badly do you want it? That's what you have to ask yourself and that's what we are/have perfected ; )
All kidding aside, it is certainly a hard addiction to quit and understanding what makes it so is a big step in the right direction. I think education is another step forward and so, when I quit, I tried very hard to get to the root of my addiction, to learn why I did it and then with a LOT of support from here and at home, tons of willpower and prayers, I took back control of my life. There are no more quits for me because I will never give in again and thats why I stay here and thats why I read the articles at whyquit.com : )
Good luck to you and if you need support, we are here for you.

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2y 2w 1:08 smoke-free, 16,391 cigs not smoked, $3,933.84 saved, 1m 3w 5d 21:55 life saved

[Jade59]

Hahaha...I think you must mean me?  See, I admire people who have at least TRIED to stop before they were 47, no matter how many times that might be :)   My habit was very ingrained and it really wasn't until I was just so sick of going through the whole routine, that I began what turned out to be my "quest" to be smoke free.  

Like Kathy Jo said, getting to the root of your addiction will ultimately give you a final quit.  My first quit in 07 was before this forum existed and I was completely uneducated about nicotine and Why I smoked and I "cheated" many times within the first year.  My second quit was in Apr08 and even with education, I relapsed because I still didn't have a good understanding of what my triggers were and how to avoid giving in to them.  

My trigger, mainly is anger, I thought, until I relapsed AGAIN after April and finally realized my other trigger is my chronic pain.  Smoking was helping me cope with it.  Smoking also Increases my pain so 38days ago, I was done with smoking for good and I feel very secure in saying that.  I don't miss it a bit!

I think of it this way.  My pain will never go away and anger and stress will always be a part of my life...I have no control over those as they are human emotions...but I DO have control over smoking.  Smoking, while it seems to help in the moment, really doesn't and not only increases anxiety in the long run, but increases my pain as well.  I am 38days today smoke free and yes, my issues are still here, but I have learned other ways to cope with my anxiety.  I quit c/t which is not for everyone, but I like to get the whole w/d process over with instead of dragging it out over months.  The issues that come with my quit last a month alone :(

You can do this, you just need to realize your triggers and come up with other coping skills.  You also must Want, Very Much, to stop.    

Good luck to you.  Hopefully, 501 will be your final quit! :)

[Jade59]

oh, and downloading a meter and starting a tracker gives you a good visual of your progress.  It's a good personal incentive :)
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1m 1w 1d 12:25 smoke-free, 383 cigs not smoked, $105.33 saved, 1d 7:55 life saved

[vstevens500]

I posted my reply to you both in the wrong place.  Anyway thanks to both of you for your words of encouragement.  Happy non-smoking and I will talk to you soon.

[vstevens500]

One other question for you both, I know that it will affect my sleeping as well as other things, but how long did it take for you both to be able to sleep through the night after you quit?

[Jade59]

My experience may not be quite accurate as I quit smoking weed as well so it wasn't just nicotine I was dealing with.  I am also a poor sleeper and Never sleep through the night, but once I quit smoking, I would say it took maybe 2wks to notice I was sleeping much better than I ever did when I WAS smoking.  And that's the SHORT answer LOL.  

[karmadog]

this is my 15th quit.  I am done.  I go into major depression when I quit.  everyone is different.  I will tell you this.   I sleep 12 hours a night, and take a nap as well. Now I don't know if this is cuz I'm depressed that I know I can't light up, or because no nicotine makes me a lot more tired, as nicotine is a stimulant.  

[Jade59]

Congrats on your quit!  Sorry you're so depressed :(   I hope that eases with time.  Wow, 12hrs plus a nap!?  I wish.  I even take a sleep aid...

[kathyjo]

I never had sleeping issues and I quit with Chantix. I also use a sleeping aid but I used that long before my quit (changes).
Everyone is different and so I wouldn't anticipate something that may never happen. That makes for stress and we all know what happens then ; )

Like Karmadog I slept a lot. It was my way of minimizing the urges. Congrats to you Karmadog.

[karmadog]

thank you  and vstevens500 it has been a tough ride, but after 15 xs of quitting and going back, I will do whatever to keep them out of my mouth.  and sleep is great.  I will do what  I need to do for now.  Also, antidepressants I tried, made me sick and unable to sleep.  so I will stay like this.  ty