"I'm dreading the feeling of desperation that surely will come at some point while I'm trying to quit again."

[hwc]

Someone planning to quit smoking wrote this earlier and it's an almost universal fear among smokers, right? I mean, we all know that gnawing desperation of needing nicotine. Maybe when we are stuck in a meeting. Or waiting for a long movie to end so we can bolt for the exit and light up. Maybe in an airport. Of course, it's scary has hell thinking that every minute of every day forever will be like that after you quit. So here's a little secret:

The only people who feel that desperation for a cigarette are nicotine addicts.

Non-smokers don't feel it. They don't even think about smoking except that they probably think it's disgusting. Ex-smokers don't feel it. Once you get through the transition phase, that craving is gone. I quit over two years ago. I can't even remember the last time I thought about smoking, let alone feeling a desperate crave. Maybe the last time was towards the end of the first week. Maybe the second week. I don't know. It must not have been that big a deal. I can't even remember. I kinda vaguely remember going out and walking it off in the driveway. Probably seemed like a big deal at the time. Now, I think of that week as the best thing I've ever done.

So, if you are afraid of that feeling of desperation, then you should be excited to quit smoking because it's the only way that you will never, ever feel that pang of desperation again. On the other hand, you could go ahead and light up, right now. Just one. It'll stop that pang of desperation in eight seconds when the nicotine hits your brain. Unfortunately, there's a catch. It also guarantees that the pang of desperation will return in 45 minutes. And, return again and again as you live all day, every day, for your entire life going from one desperate pang to the next, never able to make it stop, and having the rearrange your entire life just to serve as a slave to those pangs of desperation.

So, are you really afraid of those pangs of desperation? If you are, then throw the cigarettes away.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Throw  them don't stow them.

[waco2]

That really helps me, thanks. Smoking has always been my dirty little secret, never talked about it with anyone really, and it helps to know that others have this fear too and that it really is just a fear and not actuality, atleast it's only temporary, and that's a FACT I have to remember. Sometimes I feel sad about quitting, thinking that life just won't be as fun and enjoyable anymore. Like every little activity or social event is just that much better with smoking, but I have to remember that it's really not. It's only the addiction that forces me to think so, and once the addiction is gone, so is that stupid way of thinking. 

It's sooooo easy to concentrate on just that one little good part about smoking, that few minutes of that progressively decreasing body high, but how quick we forget all the negative parts of smoking when that craving hits. We forget the feeling of gasping for air walking up stairs or putting your clothes on even. That feeling of waking up feeling like you have eating a lump of coal and your mouth tastes literally like an ash tray. The racing heartbeat, the dry skin, the constant paranoia about smelling like smoke and having to freshen up constantly, and seriously how much money we waste on the crap, and forget about the long term negatives...

[taboraz]

Wow that is insane I thought I was the only one that got really sad about it.  My quit date is October 24 th and im trying to change my smoking habits to loosen the glue as it was called.  But when I think about giving up cigarettes I get really sad and panicy.  My brain tells me that I have been smoking so long that there really isn't a point to quit because the damage has been done.  Smoking has been my best friend for a long time.  It has helped me thru a lot of  tough times and good times.  Quiting smoking is like losing my best friend.

[Thomas3.20.2010]

Amazing! I wonder if every smoker who ever existed thinks EXACTLY the same thing! The messages are identical! Did we give up our individuality when we chose to become addicts? Seems like it! I went back a few years in the blogs to see - and YES the thoughts and efforts were IDENTICAL nothing changed just different people going through the same thing! That's why it makes sense that what worked for the long termers will work for me - it's the same process! All I have to do is listen and learn and DECIDE to do it! It's all right here and basically I AM THE ONE WHO HAS THE KEY! Quitting smoking is like finding out your best friend really wants to KILL YOU!

[molzep]

I totally agree.  It seemed overwhelming in the very beginning of my quit.  I imagined the cravings could always haunt me. Not true! I go through each and every day without even a smidge of a desire for a cigarette!

No cravings, no "if only"s.  Just freedom from smoking!

[daisy6]

Let the choir say AMEN!

[Linda142]

The relief I felt when I realised that gnawing desperate need had gone, and the dawning on me that it was because I stopped relieving the pangs with nicotine that had kept me trapped all along.