Why do I have so much fear of quitting??

[cyndibarnes]

I want to quit so badly, I am tired of everything that has to do with smoking. Let alone the family members and friends who have dealt with lung cancer around me! But to be perfectly honest I am having 'huge' overwhelming feelings of fear and my quit date is tomorrow January 5, 2010. If i had any doubt of me admitting to being an 'addict', they are long gone now! I need any tips so I don't try and sabotage my quit date before it is here! Does this make sense to anyone else?

[shannonleigh30]

It totally makes sense! I just set my quit date for January 24th. I have set so many dates and let them pass by with another reason (excuse) for not quitting. I am a recovering heroin addict. I have been clean for 4 years. I don't understand how I could quit such a horrible physically addictive drug, but i can't give up the cigarettes. I think my family and friends have a hard time keeping me accountable when I try to quit, because they figure I am better off with the cigarettes than "real" drugs...I guess that's why I joined this site.

[bassano]

I went through the very same thing last week. My quit date was 12/30 and the 2 days leading up to it were horrible! Anxiety, fear, stress, sweaty palms, fidgity, could think straight, everything!!! I was totally freaking myself out. But you know what, then I quit and it was so much easier than I thought it was going to be.  You have already realized that it is just your mind trying to sabotage what you know is truly the best thing for you. Some times we are our own worst enemy. Don't let it happen! Just jump in and take the plunge and I bet it won't be as hard as you are expecting. Just take it one hour, one day at a time. 

[cyndibarnes]

I have to confess to whoever is out there, that I went through my first quit day yesterday really well, til the evening and I knew I had 3 cigs left in a hidden pack! Found them and smoked! I realize why the tips include not having anything around when you quit!!  I know I screwed up so I have to set a new date again, mybe today since I don't have anymore hidden and I haven't smoked this AM?. Cause the bottom line is I do really want to quit, but was I really ready mentally, does that make sense? I ran into a friend of mine I hadn't seen in a while, who said she would be a 'quit buddy' with me she wants to quit too. I hope this will help, sometimes having a person to talk too and be accountable, like this site but I can see her may be a good thing. Another friend mentioned seeing a hypnotist? He had great luck and quit after 30 years and hasn't picked it up since? Anyone have any comments on that method? I guess I need more imput and support than I let on before.