I started smoking when I was 14 and now I'm 60. I gave it up twice with some success. One year off the first time and seven months the second. The last time I noticed the changes in my body. It was like, "Okay, I remember feeling this way physically a long time ago." There was this familiar old taste in my mouth and I thought, "Oh, I remember having this taste in my mouth when when I was 14" I had completely forgotten that. The problem is that taste in my mouth brought me back to that 14 year old me and all the problems I had at the time. Memories came flooding back and they were not good ones. I also realized that smoking did solve some of my problems then. It gave me some control over stress and coping with all the control freaks around me at the time. I really felt out of control while off smoking so I went back. I think that taste brought on a depression. I am quitting again this Monday and realizing that I have to learn to cope without a cigarette. Going back to the person I was before I picked up this thing to depend on. It's kinda scary. Cranky I am quitting again next Monday

Hi Cranky! I too have smoked for many years; I am 52 and started when I was 12; stealing packs from my Dad. Not a pretty picture, is it? We were addicts even then. If you had a year in, you pretty much know the drill. But I want to ask you this: When you went back to smoking, did it fix anything? did it really change any power or control you had or didn't have? I think not. Do please read lots of the older posts here, and ask for help when you need. We all do this one day at a time. Choose freedom! Denise [IMG]http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p300/DeeKaySss/noddingparrot.gif[/IMG] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/16/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 46 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,394 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $345 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 45

Hay Cranky I started smoking at birth if you want to use secound hand smoke. I started my own at about 12 years old. I am now 64. So if I can do it you can. I was a chain smoker. I used Chantix. Have been off of that for 6 weeks now. Keep at it you can do it. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/22/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 70 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,838 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $630 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 10 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 8 [B]Seconds:[/B] 32

Dear Cranky I would try real hard to focus on your memories of why the first two quits failed and work on that. Preparation is the key to success. Plan your quit and then work the plan. Use the tools to the left to get ready. Come here to SSC and stay close by. For me I believe much of my success is because of the support here. Take Care [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/30/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 305 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,588 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $915 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 33 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 56 [B]Seconds:[/B] 11

oh yeah + i've saved myself $ 4,550 bucks cheers [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 700 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 17,501 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4550 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 100 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 20 [B]Seconds:[/B] 58

Cranky, it's very freaky thing buts it's true... You actually revert to your old self prior to smoking, prior to living a life of nicotine dependancy & addiction. lets face it, constantly dying for a fag or chainsmoking shure took up a lot of our time, leaving little time to deal with our feelings & emotions. I guess it's this part that scares some of us to smoke again. I find it al refreshing, at least i'm not dying for a fag anymore.. + not smoking lets me concentrate on bigger & better things like... life. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 700 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 17,501 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4550 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 100 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 20 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33

Hi Cranky, A discussion about memories returning when we quit smoking came up not too long ago. It seems some people experience this. You may be interested in reading it: [url=http://www.stopsmokingcenter.net/support/viewmessages.aspx?topic=33657&forum=1]Memories[/url] While our reasons for starting smoking may be different, I think all of us eventually used smoking as some sort of escape mechanism. Since most of us started smoking early, we never fully learned how to handle life as adults...so this quitting thing is a learning process. Depression is common and is often expected when you stop smoking... some is caused by withdrawal and adjusting to life without smoking... and some depression can be pre-existing while years of smoking may have masked it. So if depression has been an issue for you before, please speak with your doctor. There are amazing treatments that can help you be successful. This site will be your most valuable tool. Visit here every day and let us know how we can help. Congratulations on your decision. You can do this. Just look around this site at how many are doing it every day :) Looking forward to seeing you around the forum! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/2/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 667 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 13,349 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2381.19 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 70 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 36

The strangest part here is that you are in reality out of control when you let your addiction call your shots.....and make no mistake that IS what happens....the junky comes calling with the memories and the lies and you fall in and let him make the decision for you to light up a smoke. You felt more stress after quitting because you were using smoking to handle the problems....you say it handled the stress.....sorry, it just covered it up....and in doing so brought it's OWN stress.....you find yourself dancing to the tune of the addiction when you smoke. We just twist our thinking process and let IT tell us that it relieves stress.....SURE it does....we are addicts!! Look at it as growing into not what you WERE before smoking,,,,but what you will BE without smoking.....you should begin to grow and change when you stop smoking....reach out and embrace this...see all that you can be when you are FREE. Katy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/4/2002 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1793 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 71,733 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $10220.1 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 233 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 58 [B]Seconds:[/B] 32

Cranky, Use this knowledge for your next quit and let it help guide you :) We are ready when you! Keep Strong, Josie _____________________ The SSC Support Team.