Hi Lori,
Welcome to the SSC! Just had to stick my nose in to say hi and give you an earful...
You remind me of me. I just up and quit one day. I was headed for my first day of jury duty and slapped a patch on my arm to get through the day in a nonsmoking building. Thought to myself, hey... how long can I go without a cig? Well, one year so far today! You can do it too! I found this site about three weeks later and it saved my quit. Everyone here has been super.
You have gotten some great advice from others.
Here are some little tricks...
Ice Water!
Distraction yourself. TV, video games, movies. Go someplace where you can't smoke.
Change your routine, drive a different route, sit in a different chair at home.
Things to fiddle with.. some people like straws or coffee stirrers. Dum Dum lollopops are good too - they last about as long as cig.
A pillow to scream into :)
Stay here on this site as much as possible! When a crave hits, come over here and post!!!
I was glued here in the beginning.
Many here have read the Allen Carr book to quit. Great tool for a positive attitude.
Think of all the good things you are feeling... you are FREE!!
Don't worry right now about the upcoming drive. I did and it freaked me out! When the drive came along it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Jim made good points. I keep flosser picks, licorice and lollipops in the car. You will have the worst two weeks done with by the time you drive.
Most of all.. hang in there! Or like Tresa says.. "Hang Tough"!
Just hang on tight and it WILL get better!
Best,
HP
My Milage:My Quit Date: 4/1/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 365
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 8,760
Amount Saved: $2,102.40
Life Gained:Days: 47
Hrs: 22
Mins: 27
Seconds: 23