It has been 4 months, 17 days, 48 minutes and 30 seconds and 1667 cigarettes, here!!LOL
I had tried to quit a number of times unsuccessfully. When it finally worked for me it was because I was mentally ready. I had told myself that after this last cigarette I will never have another one NO MATTER WHAT. That means if I go out drinking I won't tell myself I will just have one or two because I am drinking. That means that if I am going on a long car ride I will not allow for a few butts. That means that if I have a horrible day and an super stressed that I can have one. No matter what I will never have another cigarette.
As soon as i was able to accept that then I became a non smoker. I am not sure when I quit, but it was probably about 10 years ago or so. I still have cravings. It is not easy to be a non smoker after being a smoker. It can be challenging. The challenges get easier though even if they do not go away.
Thanks so much for posting this Skillet. I've been wondering about the Zyban because I had read it made it easier to quit without becoming really cranky (my poor family) and without weight gain. Next time I see the doc, I'll ask for a script.I quit eight years ago. Had tried and failed dozens of ways and hundreds of times. Every cold led to lung infection that required breathing treatments and antibiotics.
My doctor referred me to a lung specialist who diagnosed COPD and promised that if I wasn't dead in five years I'd wish I was. He suggested a smoking cessation medication called Zyban. My insurance wouldn't pay but luckily the exact same pill is also sold as an anti-depressant called Wellbutrin which he prescribed for the mild temporary depression caused by the news of my own impending death. Honestly I suffered no withdrawal and have not been tempted to smoke since.
I have some first hand experience kicking addictions and nicotine is a son of a gun. Good luck to you all.
A quitting smoking group would be great. I love to see people kick the habit - it's such an awful one. I know that alot of people started smoking when they didn't know it was bad for you, and were really young - so it's sooo hard to quit.
I myself have never smoked a cigarette in my life, or done drugs, so I hope I am a bit of inspiration for those who do smoke to quit - you CAN live without it!!