Going on three weeks now without a cigarette, and I feel a lot better about myself, physically and otherwise. I haven’t become one of those “preachy” former smokers, because I know I could fall back into it at any time. (like an alcoholic who quits drinking, or any other drug addict, I know it only takes just one.)
I didn’t use any drugs or techniques (to Hell with the patch - stupid thing never worked for me, and it just made me want to smoke more), but I gradually cut down. Toward the end, I was down to one cigarette a day, and then finally I decided I didn’t need that one, either, so I quit.
Like Oak Man and others have said, just take it one day at a time and you’ll be fine. You can do it - I did. Good luck, and don’t quit quitting.
-Dirty
I’m having a hard time with it. Currently smoking again. I’ve heard that most quit by the 3rd try… how about the 30th?
Each time I’ve used the patches and have managed “okay” without the cigarette - occassionaly bad urges but manageable.
Once I remove the patch… sigh I become the most un-likeable person in the world. I feel like I’m out of control completely - borderline RaGe! It freaks me out so badly that I go buy another pack and within an hour of that first one, I’m back to feeling like my normal self. Yea, kind of Bruce Banner (sp?) / Hulk thing.
Any suggestions?
MeanJoe - Who REALLY is not normally “Mean”.
MeanJoe,
Thats exactly why I liked using the gum. I don’t those chemicals cruising through me 24x7. With the gum, whenever I got the urge for a smoke I popped a piece. It works fast to satisfy that craving plus helps with that oral fixation. Taste like hell though. Just make sure you always have some gum near by. Just like your cigs were always close by. Plus carry something like a small pencil to keep your hands busy.
I quit using the patch Worked the first couple of times (once for a year, then for six months) - weiiiirrrrd dreams, but now they don’t work for me any more.
So, I am gearing up to do it cold turkey. :eek:
My problem is if I drink alcohol (which isn’t that often), I need a cigarette. I can’t seem to separate the two.
So, I guess I won’t be drinking for a looooong time. 
I quit two months ago on the 19th. I did it cold turkey, but lit one about a month ago and put it out after one puff - so I’m not counting that.
The first week was pretty easy, but I was on my honeymoon. The second week was horrible - I threw fits and cried and was absolutely miserable. I started going to the coast every day rather than twice a week, and spent as much time as possible doing other sports. I developed two new hobbies to obsess myself with, that helped a lot.
After the third week, I’m finding I crave a cigarette less every day. Except when I drink. I’ve had to get up and walk around outside when going out with friends, just to tame the craving. It’s been fairly OK the last few weeks.