where to begin?

Hi, aposie. Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking and welcome to the SSC. The relaxation smoking provides is a sham. About a half hour, or so, after your last smoke your nicotine levels have dropped to the point that your body begins craving it. At first it isn't readily noticeable, but if you don't provide the "fix", it will increase noticeably until you do. Then when you smoke the cessation of the withdrawal symptoms is what feels like relaxation. The reality is the cigarette is causing the stress, not relieving it. I strongly suggest you go through the Online Quit Program here. You can access it by clicking on the "here" under the roadway and car. There are tests to assess your nicotine dependence and readiness to quit, as well as tons of information and tips on the various methods of quitting. Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 238 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,760 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $904.4 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 24

Update

Hi, Infinite. I just read your post about herbal alternatives. Great information! :) You've become a wonderful asset to this site and it wouldn't be the same without you. I've recently have turned a mental corner. I am no longer a quitter, I am a non-smoker now. It's a subtle difference, but a very big feeling of freedom. I expect I'll get hit again from time to time, but they won't be threats, just annoyances to wait out. Can't really explain it, I just know it like I knew my wife was the one 25 years ago. We've gotten really involved in dog agility, either at classes, volunteering at competitions, or training sessions at the park. It is so wonderful to be able to run a course and have my breathing back to normal in a minute or so. So I don't get here as much as I used to. Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 238 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,761 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $904.4 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 8 [B]Seconds:[/B] 45

My Time Distortion

Ah, yes. Quitting's temporal distortions. The first two weeks take roughly six months. The next two weeks only take about 3 months. Now you've spent nine months reaching the first month quit. The second month takes about another two months, but the third is pretty much real time. So now you're a year into your three month quit. Then somewhere during the next three months the distortion reverses. Nobody has ever been able to define when (such is the nature of these things). One day you realize you've been quit for six months and you wonder how you got there so fast! And you'll smile. :) Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 238 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,771 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $904.4 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 21 [B]Seconds:[/B] 5

My story

Hi, Abby. Welcome to the SSC. Of course there's hope for you. Your post here is proof of that. You still desire to quit, where there is desire there is hope. All that remains is to cultivate that desire to quit until it is stronger than the desire to smoke. It seems obvious that you are not entirely ready, but you must be aware that waiting for the right time is doom. The right time will never happen. Want proof? Try waiting until all the traffic lights are green before you leave the house next time. Ain't gonna happen. But you are on the right path. Until you are ready I suggest you learn as much as you can about this addiction, both on this site and others. Study back into our archives. I doubt there is much to experience in quitting that hasn't been discussed here. And also, I suggest you examine every cigarette you smoke. Every time you light up, ask yourself "Why am I smoking this?" and do not be satisfied with the answer "Because I like it". That answer is a junkie's lie. Were you bored, sad, angry, annoyed,...? Ask yourself "Is it truly helping anything?". You'll find the true answer is "No". Pay close attention to what is happening to you as you smoke it. Feel the heat on your fingers and lips, in your mouth and throat. Feel the burning in your eyes. Notice the difference in color of what is exahaled and know that the difference is what stays in your lungs. Do you have any rattles or gurgles in your chest? Hear and feel them as you smoke. Soon as you're done, try running up a flight of stairs, or do some deep knee bends. I did this before I quit a little over 7 months ago. By the time I reached the point of quitting I was so disgusted and sick of smoking that quitting was the only option. Keep working on it, Abby. You aren't a failure as long as you keep trying. You can do this, we can help. :) Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 238 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,769 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $904.4 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 10

Hi

Hi, muse. Welcome to the SSC. You've learned an important lesson the hard way. [color=Red]N[/color]ot [color=Red]O[/color]ne [color=Red]P[/color]uff [color=Red]E[/color]ver. [b]NOPE[/b] You've done this before, so you can do it again. Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 238 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,769 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $904.4 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 4 [B]Seconds:[/B] 16

1,000 DAYS

WOW!!!! I'm just stunned. [size=4][color=Purple]CONGRATULATIONS ON 1000 DAYS QUIT!!!!!!!!!!![/size][/color] Thanks for stopping in. What a boost! :) Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 239 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,792 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $908.2 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 58 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

Please help - desperately need support

Hang in there 3kitties. Getting hit with craves around 100 days (congratulations to you) is normal. Sometimes they are like the first week, but they do pass in a few days. I got hit around 85 days, or so, and spent about 3 nights curled up on the couch just waiting for it go away. It did. Since then it's been smooth sailing. Don't worry about asking for help. That's what a support group is for. :) You've got a great quit going, 3kitties. Just another day, or so, and you'll have it made. Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 239 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,791 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $908.2 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 56 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33

Lady's at 200 days!!!!!!

[size=4][color=Red]200 DAYS ROCKS, LADY!!!!!!!!!!!!![/color][/size] Congratulations. You've done a fantastic job! :) Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 239 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,792 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $908.2 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 5

400 Days!!!!!!

[size=4][color=Orange]WAY TO GO, RUSTY!!!!!!!!!!!!![/color] [color=Red]400 DAYS IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!![/color][/size] :) :) :) :) Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 239 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,792 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $908.2 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 23

Weekend Promise 01/20/06

Some folks deserve to be ticked off. :eg: No smoking in Scottsdale, AZ this weekend. Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 242 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,853 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $919.6 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 45 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 58