It started in 6th grade. The “cool kids” hid a pack of smokes in a hole in a tree in the schoolyard playground. We sat in a circle and passed one around. It got to me and I didn’t inhale and of course got laughed at and then “schooled” on how to inhale. I went home practiced in the mirror and figured it out. My whole family smoked, they were .50 at the time so easy to get. I smoked up until 29 when my first baby was born. Quite for 5 years. Had another baby and when the stress got bad I picked up again. Divorced, have been smoking since 2004. I want to quit for my health. I’ve tried many times and have always gone back. I have arthritis, cervical radialocophy(might need surgery), gastritis. Smoking exacerbates my pain. I have cut down to roughly half a pack a day. I have planned for my quit date to be Nov. 26th. I have tried the smokers quit line, gum, and patches. I can get through the first three days with the help of the patch,gum. I’m disabled, last time I quit I went three weeks felt good, but got bored and found myself at the store. So here I am trying again. This website looks like it can help. My biggest problem is support. My only living sister smokes . I have a long-time friend that quit two years ago. It’s not always feasible to lean on him. My goal is to get/keep my pain under control and find part time work. Any and all suggestions welcome! Years back I read the book by Allen Car, stopped for two weeks. It works! I plan on reading it again. Thank you, god bless, Linda.
