I'm ready....

[amanda-k]

I've finally reached the decision that I need/have to quit smoking. I have taken some steps this past week to get me headed in the right direction. I was smoking 3 cigs on the way to work, probably around 5 at work throughout the day, & 8-9 at night. I was pretty close to smoking a full pack a day. On Monday I made the decision that I just can't do this any longer. I was getting to the point where it hurt to smoke. You would think that the second I started having chest pains that I could just chuck them in the trash & quit all together. Not the case. I started making some pretty extreme excuses for my habit. It would always go back to stress. Work stress, traffic stress, family stress, & financial stress. I honestly think that I created these stresses to make an excuse for me to smoke. I haven't quit all together but I'm trying really hard. I've stopped smoking going to & from work which has been hard bc for the last 15 yrs it has been my ritual. I have quit smoking at work which has been pretty trying. I'm not smoking heading home. When I get home I have about 3-4. This is where I'm struggling the most. I'm needing to get to the next level with this. If I can go for over 12-16 hours without smoking I should be able to kick this. This has been a struggle but this is the farthest I have ever gotten with my quitting attempt. I'm just going to try harder and see where that gets me by next week.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

You are afraid of going without the drug.

Its the biggest fear although we often aren't that honest with ourselves.

Nothing to be afraid of.

Don't overthink it. Let it happen.

Stop putting up 16 hour roadblocks in your mind.

Mix it up.

Think differently

[tracy18]

Hey Amanda
I'm here to say reading your post was like reading something I could have written about myself!! I was at the point you are at when I said "NO MORE!!!" . I have quit soo many times. Like you, I blamed my addiction on stress and just about anything else I could find which would allow me to keep on with my pack a day (sometimes more) habit. I'm on day 5 and lovin it! You can do it!

[jan9]

I used to think I couldn't quit smoking because it was the best stress med. out there. I even told people that all the time. I'd say " when they come out with a drug that can calm me down like smoking a cig. I'll quit smoking then." I thought OMG how can I deal with stress without smoking.
I wanted to quit and knew I needed to quit but felt no way I could. Besides I tried before and failed I just wasn't strong enough to quit. I told myself all that junk. While thinking about quitting it made me get more nervous and chain smoke even more.
Then I found whyquit.com I sugguest you check that out you will learn alot about this addiction. A friend gave me this web site and I read and learned so much. So many nice and helpful people here. READ and ask for help anytime. You can do this !!!!!!!

[lee7]

I started to quit when I had chest pains. It was to late. A week latter I woke up with a Quadruple heart bypass. I have spent almost 30 days in the hospital in the last 40. You dont want this!!! lee

[jen25]

Your fear can control you, or you can control it. You're putting too much fear into it, thinking it's going to be so horrible and how are you going to make it..... It's really more about the fear of quitting than the actual act of quitting itself. With enough determination, you will overcome this. Never think of yourself as a loser because the first 12 times didn't work. The important thing is you never quit trying to quit ( =

[lauren12]

Have you tried to use anything to quit? Or, are you just going cold turkey? I didn't think the patch would help me, I figured I would have to have something in my hands or mouth to ease the cravings. But, the patch has been my lifesaver! Just try to wake up one morning, and fight the erg for one last cigarette. Slap on a patch, and hopefully have a smoke free day. I don't know if it will work for you, but it did for me (I'm on day 5) so I thought I'd share.

Good luck to you=)