I am also a cold turkey quitter. I'd heard that the nicotine is out of your system after 72 hours - and I wouldn't want it to be there longer. I'd also read in Allen Carr's book that the physical withdrawal symptoms are actually really really mild, and that's how I experienced them. I experienced mild discomfort for 3-4 days, especially on the chest, around my throat, and that was it for the physical withdrawal.
I had been really afraid of quitting because in the past I would do this: I'd say I quit, destroy my cigarettes - including all the butts in ashtrays, go absolutely nuts and within half an hour I'd have bought a new pack! This time I gave myself nearly a month to prepare, so that I could convince myself that I can succeed this time. I read all that I could get my hands on. From what I read, I figured that it need not be too hard or too painful to quit smoking. I convinced myself that quitting smoking wouldn't mean suffering. It is certainly challenging, but unbearably painful - no.
But the main thing is quitting, no matter what method you use, and staying quit! Keep up the great work everybody!
