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[Rhncasi419]

Hi all. At time of this writing I am 2 months 14 days 14 hours quit smoking on the nic patch. I had 1 ONE slip up on Christmas Eve when I smoked 1 cigarette. I have tried to quit several times over last 5 years. In fact, the 5 year anniversary of my fathers death dying from lung cancer at 64, prompted me to try again this past November hence my 2 1/2 months quit. This is my strongest quit ever. I'm not beating myself up for th 1 slip up. It only strengthened my resolve to never take another puff again, well, that and the fact that I got reamed with the disappointment of my non smoking husband and 22 yr old son when they saw me smoking with my sister in law that night, it was such a deep defeat to have smoked that cigarette and I never want to be feel that weakness again. Weaning myself off the 7 mg patch brought me here.  I smoked since I was 14 and I will be 50 in April- over the last 5 years I've quit many times with 3 months being the longest - all cold turkey, all quits had more than 1 slip up - I was always justifying 1 a month was ok - well I've learned for me no, no it is not ok. This time I am going to succeed. 

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Congratulations on being smokefree.  I would be more careful around old smoking buddies they miss you and will help sabotage your quit.   To stay smoke free you have to be willing to do whatever is necessary not to smoke no matter what, NOPE not one puff ever. 

Start First, by educating yourself about nicotine addiction. 

Education is the key to a successful quit.

Read: Freedom from Nicotine My Journey Home and Nicotine Addiction 101         

Here are the links      http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html   and http://whyquit.com/ffn/

Also Read   Allen Carr’s book, “Easy Easier Way to Quit Smoking”.       

The link is here:  http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

 Go to the home click on Community Help  link and get started. We will support you. You are in your journey for freedom.

[Daniela2016]

Welcome, and congratulations on the best decision you could have made for your health!  You are in the right place for the support you need during your recovery.  Please educate yourself about the addiction to nicotine using the materials indicated by Jackie.  She is one of our elders (people who have quit 1 year or longer), and knowing what to expect at different times during recovery is going to help you conquer challenges along the way. Use the site to explore and read as much as you can, read other people's stories, come and blog as much as you need to, we will be here to help as we can, share with you from our own experiences.  If you ever feel you are about to give in, please write a blog with Help as

subject and someone will always be around to speak with you and support to the best we can!

[Giulia]

Kudos on the 2 1/2 months.  Minus the 1 cigarette.  It's that one cigarette that will get you every time.  EVERY TIME.  You can't have just one.  That's why you'll hear the NOPE tenet proclaimed time after time on this site.  Because when you think you can allow yourself just one, you haven't yet closed the "option to smoke" door in your mind.  If the option to smoke still exists for you, then you need to find the way to close that door psychologically and emotionally.  The more you educate yourself about this addiction, the stronger will be your resolve and commitment.  The more you read the blogs, conversations and responses within this site, the greater reinforcement you will receive for your decision to quit.  A couple of places I would recommend:  Best of EX  and https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/relapse-prevention?sr=search&searchId=27c6f65a-78c7-4b51-a...  With the tools in hand, this time you WILL succeed!  Cheers.

[susan_m]

Congratulations on two and a half months!  That's fantastic!!  

You need to forgive yourself for the slip.....but don't forget it and be grateful that you maintained your quit. Many would fail, and you're still standing strong. Yay you!

Welcome to EX.  The one thing we all have in common is that we credit this site for helping us through the process of quitting and in maintaining our quits. 

I look forward to following your journey!

Susan

[Thomas3.20.2010]

There's only one direction, Rhncasi419! 

Forward! Keep your Eyes on the Prize - Freedom!

Let go of that one or it will pull you back under that smoke cloud!

You're doing Great! 

One step in front of the other - Eyes on the Prize!

And to mix metaphors - Lock that Back Door 

and throw away the key!

[TerrieQuit]

Hello and welcome to EX! I am so glad you came here! Congratulations on 2 !/2 months! You are doing fantastic! I am going to give you some links. The first 2 are fun and the 2nd 2 will give you encouragement and hep you find your way around!

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/community/celebrations-events/blog/2017/02/01/the-daily-pledge-fe... 

Welcome to the EX Café Tue 02.07.17 

/blogs/ShawnP-blog/2017/01/28/welcome-to-our-community?sr=search&searchId=c9f56f13-8e95-4545-a351-78... 

My Welcome To New Members (10 Years Of Watching) 

If you already know about these "take what you need and leave the rest"

~Terrie~

[elvan]

Please do the recommended reading and know that education and support are your best friends in this quit.  Congratulations on your quit.  We all started somewhere and we all have similar histories because we are all addicts.

Welcome.

Ellen

[crazymama_Lori]

hop on my profile if you want by clicking my name or picture and snoop around.  There's a boatload of people here that will help you along the way.  Glad to have you aboard !!!

[Thats_it]

You are doing great. Take it one day at a time and try to celebrate your success at every point. Keep at it! It will get easier.