I, too, have quit before, but my challenge is staying quit.

[cawcaw]

I smoked from age 13 to 40, quit for 10 years, and started playing around with cigarettes again 2 years ago when I started back to college for a second degree.  For some reason, I convinced myself that I needed the nicotine to focus on my studies.  Actually, it really does help me focus - but, in the long run, I know that it's just a quick fix.  If I want true results on focusing better, I could try meditation.  So, I quit again 2 weeks ago when I was really sick with a horrible cough (by the way, for the 10 years I had quit, I never got sick, but once I started smoking again, I started getting colds again - amazing, huh!?)

I joined a 6-week American Lung Association weekly group, and they are providing 6 weeks worth of patches.  Even though, I am not on the patch for over a week, my plan is to keep the patches on hand (only 7 mg - lowest dose), and put one on if I get a terrible craving to smoke.  Maybe I won't need to use any of them.  I've never tried a support group for quitting smoking before - never tried an internet one either.  Since I'm on the computer all the time anyway for school, maybe this will help.

I like everything I've read so far on this website and hopefully I can be of some inspiration to others, as well.

Thanks for being here.

[maggie_8-1-2010]

Hi!  I'm concerned that you may use the patch incorrectly and that it will only lead to more problems for you. Once you've quit smoking and have gone more than 3 days cold turkey using a patch would only be reintroducing your body to nicotine and your body will go right aback to the  physical addiction it had before. I used the patches in the beginning and they really helped me but I did not use them on again and off again.  There are 2 other sites that have plenty of information about the nicotine addiction. The more you know the more likely your success!  They are:

http://quitsmokingonline.com/  and  http://whyquit.com/

I know you are already in a program but these others are also helpful. You CAN do this!  We are here to support you!

Maggie 

[cawcaw]

Maggie,

You are right about using the patches the wrong way, and I have decided that I will let the patches I have just sit there.  I have not smoked for 2 weeks and have not used a patch for 1 week.  I'm over the physical withdrawal.  So, instead of self-medicating my "difficulty with focus" while in school with smoking or patches, I will come to one of these websites for starters.  I also checked out the first of the other websites you recommend and went through module one this morning.  Thanks!  It's a good website.  Thanks to Theresa as well.

Carol

[thea3]

I am so glad I watched the show The Doctors when they offered on line support. I quit for 12 years and did the most stupid thing i could do started back up! I am basically on my own. My husband just can not see why I can't just put them down and can't believe when I tell him I enjoy smoking. He does not know I have joined and I truly am not going to tell him until after the fact. I am glad to be part of a support group of  people who are and have been where I am. Will go shopping for smoking aids today. One reason I am so scared to quit is the weight gain. Thea

[cawcaw]

How ya doin' Thea?  There's a lot of women on this website that have talked about not gaining weight - probably good sources of support.  Did you get your quit smoking aids?  ..Carol