I smoked my last cigarette about 10 minutes ago.
Hopefully, this time it will stick.
Anyone know of a dealie for your PC (free, preferably) that tracks how long since your last cigarette, how many not smoked, and how much you’re saving? I know Yahoo has a widget, but I can’t install the widget engine at work.
If you already quit, what was the hardest part?
I don’t smoke, but I stopped in to offer support and wish you well. Sending supporting thoughts your way! 
www dot trytostop dot org is a support board for folks trying to quit and stay quit. I signed up there a few years ago when I first quit. I’ve had one significant episode of backsliding, but I’m quit again. Of course, I had a couple smokes Friday night, but a cigarette or two once in a while is ok with me. Which brings me to your question
I have a really hard time going out with old friends and having a couple drinks, and not smoking. Fortunately, I don’t drink all that much (a drink at home after work doesn’t make me craze smokes), and I don’t go out with my friends for drinks more than 5 or 6 times a year. I don’t worry about smoking on those occassions, then. YMMV.
More specifically, the third day of withdrawal was very difficult for me.
Why the third day?
I honestly don’t know, but my cravings, ill temper, and general hostility peaked on that third day, then dropped off and I was about 100% better the next day. I presume my body was sloughing off the last of the toxics or something. After that it was pretty much downhill. The cravings never really go away, but they become significantly weaker and don’t last long.
Even though I had a couple smokes last Friday night, I had no cravings after that. Actually, smoking was a big let down. Whatever it did for me physically (stimulant, nic buzz, whatever) is gone. The social part of addiction is valid, though. You may want to try to steer clear of situations where you’re with smokers doing something you’d usually accompany with a smoke. At least for a few weeks.
I’m not much of a bar-hopper, but I recently put a kegerator and bar in the basement, where my wife and I smoke in the winter. I’ll probably not be spending much time there for a while.
We were looking at a 4/1 quit date, but I’m out of smokes and a little light in the wallet right. Besides, I think I’m ready now. No sense putting it off for two more weeks. My wife isn’t ready just yet, but she’s committed to the 4/1 date. Hopefully by then, I’ll have gotten through the hard part and can support her as she gets through hers.
Congratulations! Other dopers who have quit smoking have talked about SilkQuit (google it for the download). It’s free and, if you input some information about your smoking habits, it will tell you the sort of things you want to know.
Good luck staying on track! I’m rooting for you!!!
-Mosquito
Perfect! That’s exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
Good luck. I quit a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve smoked on three occasions thus far. My girlfriend has been an amazing support in this. Her and I agreed that she’ll hold my tobacco, and when there’s a worthwhile occasion (friend’s b-day party, party at our house, and getting my UK visa extended have been the three thus far), I smoke with my friends. Which is really what I enjoy - the smokers’ club.
Putting myself in this frame of mind has helped. Rather than saying that this is my last smoke ever, I say this is the last one for a few days or a week or something. I’ve noticed that my craving for smokes has dropped, but my enjoyment of it has gone up. The risk of making up excuses to smoke is real though. I’ll let you know how it goes. In the meantime, stick to it.
Whooo! Go, Casey! As (hopefully) inspiration, let me say that I’ve been quit for three years this May 5th and still going. I did the cold turkey thing, and it was the first few days to a week or so that was the most difficult. I found that after that, it got easier and easier. I suggest you continue your daily routine as normal–don’t alter your other behaviors and habits since this can make things more difficult. Some people try to stop doing the things that would normally make them want to smoke, such as drinking, for example. I think if you try to give up too many things you enjoy to try to curb the cravings, you only end up making it harder to stick with it. YMMV.
Keep it up, man! Good luck; I know you can do it.
Hey, I’m in. I just had my last smoke Saturday night. I’m trying to get healthy, save money and kick this ridiculous habit once and for all.
Good luck!
Check out this website! QUITMETER
Casey
I think there is a site called QUITNET.COM or something that will keep track of the same thing as Quitmeter but you don’t have to download anything.
Also, you asked why the third day is the worst for cravings and my guess is that by the third day all the nicotine is out of your system and the nicotine receptors in the brain are damn hungry.
I find keeping myself occupied at ALL times helps the keep the nic fits to a dull roar. Don’t allow yourself to get bored. Clean the house, paint, draw, take a bike ride. Do anything to keep yourself from sitting around and thinking about a smoke.
Well, if I found you attractive before, Casey, prepare to be stalked even more!
More on-topic, umm… congratulations? My quitting smoking experience was really just “I’m not going to smoke anymore!” and then I didn’t.
But I’m crossing fingers.
Way to go, Casey! It can be done: I’ve been for 10 weeks without a smoke, and am going to declare myself officially smoke-free after 3 months.
This thread has a lot of good advice as well as encouragement. I went cold turkey after smoking about 2/3 of a pack a day for over 15 years, and the following ideas may help.
What are your triggers? Boredom, stress, habit? {I found force of habit the worst} Identify when you most want a smoke, and change your routine at that time: go for a walk, get up, get out.
Throw out the cigarettes. You will weaken, but it’s a lot easier to lapse when there’s a pack in the drawer to tempt you: that 10 minute drive to the store can make all the difference. I instructed Missus Case that I was not allowed to smoke, and to stage an intervention if I tried.
Stop drinking for a while: you have a beer, you want a cigarette. You have two beers, all your good intentions fly out the window. Stay away from your smoking friends for a while, too.
Be prepared for about 3 weeks of feeling like murder: you may wish to apologise in advance to your nearest and dearest. Hang tough during the rocky bits: it can be done. Just tell yourself that it won’t last forever: if you can beat three weeks, you’ve done the hardest bit.
Don’t get cocky, kid. You’ve been a month without a smoke, you’re feeling good about yourself, then the craving sneaks up on you. One cigarette will hurt you. Don’t reward yourself for not smoking by smoking again: one becomes two, two becomes half a pack, then you’re back on the treadmill again.
Take all the money you’re saving, and keep it in a big jar. At the end, buy yourself an enormous treat: you’ll deserve it. So far I’ve saved over $600 that I would have used to kill myself. I also have my senses of smell and taste back, I don’t get puffed walking up hills, my fingers are no longer yellow - I’m feeling good.
Good luck, and stand strong - this thing can be beaten.
I quit a year ago. I enrolled in a program through my employer that furnished “the patch” at no cost, and a telephone support system. Worked for me. That and drinking water every time I started craving a smoke. I still have the occasional craving, but it’s just a very momentary thing, and goes away quickly if I focus elsewhere. Whatever you do, good luck, and always endeavor to persevere.
You are going to find that your cider tastes so much better than you thought it did before.
Congrats!
Congradulations to all that have suceeded. Smoking took my grandfather, grandmother, my mom has about 6 months to live from it… and I am only 22.
If it helps, think of the people you don’t want to let down by smoking. Maybe that will help.
I quit right after Christmas. I have had a few lapses, particularly when I went to visit my best friend in February, but on the whole I’m doing pretty well. The cravings have stopped except for when I’m drinking with friends. Since I’m also cutting down on drinking, this is not really a big problem. I threw away my last pack with about 9 cigs left and I haven’t bought any since.
I just had a cig on Sunday with a friend after drinking some wine. When I went to bed a few hours later, my hair smelled so smoky! I can’t believe I always smelled like that and didn’t notice.
My father-in-law in Japan has also quit after nearly 50 years of the habit, because he wants to be around to see his only grandson grow up.
I haven’t had a cigarette since Saturday and two weeks before that. Drinking was my downfall on the weekend. I would like to try and not smoke anymore, so am going to not be drinking this weekend. I feel stronger and smell nicer and my breath doesn’t reek anymore. I will hopefully also be around to see my daughter grow up and have her own children.
Congrats Casey and good luck.