Is it wrong to just give in cigarettes forever?

[RachelK82]

I feel like the smoker with the least willpower in the world - Ive tried so hard to quit so many times, and I always relapse, no matter how hard I try!

I start out with good intentions, but I always break down, then sneaking 4 or 5 cigarettes a day, grows back up to smoking 10 cigarettes a day, then smoking 15 cigarettes a day, then 20 cigarettes a day, then 25, then 30...

before I know it, I find myself wearing nicotine patches, or chewing nicotine gum - and back up to smoking two packs a day in no time.

Its like, sometimes I almost thing that trying to quit only makes things worse. I used to hardly ever actually smoke three packs a day when sober, I mean, its one thing at the bar, but its another thing to be stone cold sober and still puffing thru that third pack.

Its so pathetic, it just makes me want to cry. I know Im only just barely in my 30s, and that Im already having some health problems which are probably from my smoking, but Im so sick of the shakes and withdrawal symptons I get everytime I try to quit - I just want to throw the towel in and give in to my slavish addiction to cigarettes forever.

I know a hundred of you will tell me I can do it, and I can quit and not to loose hope - and thats great that you think that - I wish I believed it too.... but what Im wondering is whether there is anybody on this website who was willing to just own up to the fact that they knew they were addicted to cigarettes and that they couldnt give them up, and just accepted that fact and stopped beating themselves up over it ?  I feel like Im at that point, and I dont want to find myself alone.


Thanks again so much for all your help and support!  

[Jerry_NJ]

I am an old guy and I think I have achieved that "status" because I quit smoking at age 45.  I never smoked 2 packs a day but could hit 2 packs if I was at a party...drinking.

I started smoking a little bit, inhaling, by about 13 years old and was a smoker in high school who carried cigarettes in a rolled up shirt sleeve when not in class.  So I clocked up a lot of years as a smoker, doing the math I smoked for about 30 years.  I liked pipes too, had a small collection, and even a few cigars

These were the days a pack of cigs cost about 35 cents (suppose I was making about $45,000 so the cost was not a factor, it would be now).  I too tried many times to quit, then my wife quit and it started to NOT BE COOL to smoke in when I was sick on a weekend at age 45 I said to myself when I ran out (like to buy a pack a time, it seems) and decided I felt so bad I'd not go to the store and see how my condition went.  I had an important presentation to give to upper management on Monday and there was a clear threat of ending up without a job, so I wanted to get as well as I could.  Hope this helps... so on Monday I gave my presentation and didn't smoke then either, I bet several others were smoking, those were the days smoking in a conference room was acceptable (all this made it even harder to quit).  So by the end of the day I had gone three days without smoking and still and was still a bit sick from whatever I had. I said to myself, just quit.  I did, that was almost .30 years ago... it was tough for the first week, first month, and not easy for the first year.  As I said the cost wasn't much, but as an intensive I put the cost of cigarettes every week in a draw and along the way purchased some "fun" think that I could afford, but may have thought the item foolish... but using cigarette money,, it was FREE in my mind.

I really don't know how long it took before I had some pangs for a smoke, but I do know I have had no interest in smoking, in fact hate the smell, for many years, at least 25.

My health isn't great, but not so bad for a guy my age, and I try to enjoy every day, and I know I would not be alive if I  had not quit... yes one day you will be old, but I suggest not very old if you keep smoking.  

[Margot49]

I hear you loud and clear.  In my 60's and still smoking.  It is a horrible habit and addiction.  I have heard people say it was easier to get off street drugs than to quit smoking.
I don't do drugs and seldom drink but come from a family with strong alcohol and drug addiction and smokers so can assume some of this is genetic.
I talked to a Pulmonologist and am going to try to stop with help from his office.
I won't take Chantix as I have problems with a lot of drugs and know people that had problems on it.  However, my daughter has used it twice and did quit, so far.
Wish I had a magic answer,
Friends that have quit say it just tajes will power,something I seem to lack.
Good luck!  I hear you.

[ddine]

I suggest you set yourself a challenging target like running 8 miles in an hour, and getting a six pack abs.
If you are able to achieve these, keep raising the bar.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. But you started, which is good enough. Just keep at it.
            
Smoking not only causes lung and bladder cancer it also has cardiovascular effects. Smoking in the long term can damage the vessels permanently. It causes damage to the lining of the blood vessel leading to deposition of fat and formation of plague. So the vessel lumen diameter is decreased. This cannot be undone, but quitting smoking will not further damage the vessel. So, try to prevent further damages.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.