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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsSix weeks since I quit smoking.
I recently had the smoking dream. What a nightmare. I'm glad that's all over with.
The first three days are really tough if you do this cold turkey. But once you get past that, the withdrawal symptoms start to ease up on you. You are now free of nicotine. The next eleven days will probably be difficult, but nothing like those first three. Once you've made it two weeks you should be completely done with withdrawal symptoms. It's all in your mind after that.
It's easy for me now. I still think about smoking here and there, but the idea of smoking does not make me want to start again. I can do everything I did as a smoker including having a few drinks. I feel a lot better. I have more energy, food tastes better, I'm saving all kinds of money, I look better, I smell better, and I'm probably going to live longer. I didn't really have a bad attitude when I smoked, but I'm more positive now. My wife is proud of me and my kid will never see me smoke.
I know I have to stay vigilant, though. I know I can start smoking again years after I quit if I don't reinforce my reasons for quitting. I'm a member of an online support group for quitting smoking and I'm going to remain a part of that community to help others and keep myself off tobacco.
I know that all sounds very serious. That's because it's a real drug addiction that can take decades off of your life.
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,514 posts)That IS wonderful.
It's a tough battle, which makes your success all the more note-worthy.
Not only will your child never see you smoke, but that child will never have to breath your second-hand smoke, which is also a Class A carcinogen.
Win-win all around!
luv_mykatz
(441 posts)May you receive all the support you need to stay free from smoking.
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)Keep it up!
applegrove
(118,460 posts)when I see somebody smoking I think of that awful herbal smoke sensation and am revolted.
rurallib
(62,373 posts)KEEP IT UP!
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,315 posts)Anyway, best of luck Tobin! I finally quit after umpteen attempts, and it was cold turkey. I've resisted smoking "just one" because I still fear a relapse.
I think I'm still "a smoker", just haven't smoked in 15 years. I'm guessing it never quite ends.
Phentex
(16,330 posts)but so good for you in the long run!
Denninmi
(6,581 posts)My father was a very heavy smoker when I was young. I have some respiratory issues now, asthma type symptoms that can be quite severe, whenever I get around smoke.
Flying Squirrel
(3,041 posts)I quit cold turkey last November and went 7 months. Then a stressful incident caused me to go buy a pack. 2 months later I still haven't quit again, although I'm only smoking 2 or 3 a day (so far). Have a plan for managing stress, and follow through with it.
a kennedy
(29,606 posts)HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)It's been so long since I quit that I am no longer bothered by smoke-filled rooms and can have a cigarette as a treat and not feel the need to buy a pack. I've never been "evangelical" about smoking and I'm actually rather bothered by ex-smokers who are.
What made me quit was a single statement. Shortly after I met my wife, I asked if she minded that I smoked. She said, "No, but I would like to keep you around a little longer." I smoked all the way home (330 miles), got into my apartment, pulled out a cigarette from new pack and put it back in with her words in my head. I kept that pack and I've still got it. I've also still got her and she's got me. And I'm sure Jen will be happy to keep you around a little longer too.
MiddleFingerMom
(25,163 posts).
.
.
It really IS "easy" now - just one... only one thing upon which to focus.
.
.
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"Never again." Never lose track of that biggest lie -- "I'll just have one."
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.
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Picture some sleazebag whispering from the shadows, "The first one's free, kid."
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It IS a hard position to attain... but I think relatively MUCH easier to maintain.
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You're THERE, Tobin. You've made it.
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kwassa
(23,340 posts)If you've done it that long, you can do it forever.
You can also literally count the cigarettes you would have smoked that you didn't smoke. That will give you a feeling of achievement.
cbrer
(1,831 posts)Haven't touched one since. You are doing the right thing in so many ways.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)The withdrawal phase is an up and down thing. It's not that the first 2 weeks are the hardest. It's that they are super hard, then much better, then there's another phase of withdrawal, then much better if you get past it, then another bad patch, and so on. But gradually, the healing phases are higher and higher, and the hard patches get less hard.
If you find yourself being convinced you can have "just one," or "just a pack," watch out. That's like an alcoholic thinking he can have one beer. That was a downfall for me once. And I had been smoke free for a year or two at that time. I fell off the wagon, and I was hooked again.
It IS a serious matter, so you are right to take it seriously. You should be proud of your steely determination. Congrats!
Incitatus
(5,317 posts)Congratulations and keep it up
CountAllVotes
(20,863 posts)It was just yesterday that I heard the news that a friend of mine who smokes has developed lung cancer and has 18 mos. to live.
It is not worth it to smoke!
Cancer sucks!
Congratulations!!
Don't ever go back to it!!
jme0318
(214 posts)I love you and I am so proud of you! Jen
bluedigger
(17,085 posts)You really have made it through the worst. When I quit the last time, nine years ago, it was cold turkey. I still get the rare urge, and even the occasional dream, though not for a long while now. My mantra became "I don't smoke" every time I wanted to light up. It works!
pipi_k
(21,020 posts)don't be surprised if you have recurring smoking dreams from now on.
This past Monday was 16 years since I quit. I still sometimes have smoking dreams where I wake up and honest to goodness believe I've been smoking.
Sometimes I smell cigarette smoke in the house, even though nobody has smoked in it for 16 years.
Other people's cigarette smoke is both attractive and repulsive to me.
It took me about 8 days to get over the worst of it. I have anxiety disorder, so the loss of the effects of valerian (one ingredient in cigs) really affected me badly.
Like you said, it really is an addiction. One cigarette can start it all over again.
Good for you for sticking to it!
Mr.Bill
(24,228 posts)Congrats to the OP. Keep your guard up, you will be tempted. As time goes on, the urge will hit you less frequently. After nearly ten years here, I still think about it once in a while.