Hi, All! I'm David and I'm new here.
I smoked an average of two packs a day for twenty four years with several previous attempts to stop. I quit smoking on February 2, 2014. (Actually, at 10:30 p.m on the 1st, so I just use the 2nd as my official day one.)
With previous quit attempts I used nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges. The longest I've quit previously is 8-9 months, so I've been exactly where I am now before. I've thought I'd never have another cigarette, just like I think now, before. I'm aware of this and will not become complacent this time. There's no such thing as just one cigarette for me. I cannot ever have a single puff again.
This time I quit cold turkey with the help of the Allen Carr Easyway book and online webinar, as well as a session with a local hypnotist, and several relaxation meditiation recordings designed to help with the quitting process. This quit will be my last.
Things were very, very rough at first (so much for the "easyway" - but Allen Carr's method did/does actually help me greatly - it just wasn't as totally easy for me as I was still having some intense withdrawal in every sense).
After getting through the first two weeks, things have been going great, getting better every day - but now that I'm in No Man's Land I'm experiencing all that the blog posts here describe it to be. (I've bookmarked Ron Maxey's description of No Man's Land from 2002 on this site. I also really like the willingness vs. willpower post.) Occassional strong urges and that junkie voice whispering excuses in the back of my mind. I'm not going to give in. I owe it to myself, just as we all do, to get through this.
I don't ever, ever, ever want to suffer through this withdrawal process again. This is number four. This is the last quit. This one's for real. This time, I'm willing to let it go. 🙂
So, anyway...hi there! I look forward to chatting and helping support when I can.
David
