My hardest assignment ever

[jinman]

Four years later.... cold turkey..........All done. I no smokie no more. Better late than never I suppose.

It seems many of us have similar stories. I started smoking when I was 21 years old and bored out of my gourd while attending US Navy technical schools. In those days, you could smoke in the classroom. I didn't quit until 30 years later right before I turned 51 in 1998. I was angry at the cigarettes and angry at myself and the constant hacking cough. I too quit cold turkey with no help or crutches; just a strong will. It was very hard, but today I'm so glad I did it. Congratulations on becoming totally unhooked.

 

[polo1665]

Back in march 2009 after 50 years I quit smoking .
Dec 7 2009 i had a small stroke .
I told all the doctors who treated me I quit smoking and look what happened to me.
And asked them did I quit smoking for nothing ?
Every one of them said no and stated the results of the stroke would probably have been far more damaging than it was had i not quit smoking .
As it turned out the stroke left no visible signs ,but i still had to have surgery on my left carotid artery on 1/11/10.
One even said if I had still been smoking I might not have been sitting there talking to him at the moment .
I quit cold turkey but it don't matter how you do it just get er done.
You have everything to gain and nothing to loose .
Do it now .Quit while you're ahead .

LBrown, this is the first I've heard about your stroke. Glad you made it through O.K.. Hopefully you are fully recovered and doing well.

Mark

 

[LBrown59]

It seems many of us have similar stories. I started smoking when I was 21 years old and bored out of my gourd while attending US Navy technical schools. In those days, you could smoke in the classroom. I didn't quit until 30 years later right before I turned 51 in 1998. I was angry at the cigarettes and angry at myself and the constant hacking cough. I too quit cold turkey with no help or crutches; just a strong will. It was very hard, but today I'm so glad I did it. Congratulations on becoming totally unhooked.

But worth it.

LBrown, this is the first I've heard about your stroke. *Glad you made it through O.K..
**Hopefully you are fully recovered and doing well.
Mark

*Thanks .
** I'm doing fine .
I need the weather to warm up so i can get out there and get some tractor therpy.

 

[polo1665]

But worth it.

*Thanks .
** I'm doing fine .
I need the weather to warm up so i can get out there and get some tractor therpy.

I got about three hours of "therapy" tonight........moving snow Very cold, but still alot of fun.

Mark

 

[LRTX1]

I smoked from age 15-16 to around 27. From the age of 23 I smoked three packs a day, ilbeit I stayed awake for 20hrs a day quite frequently, that was some something else I needed to quit.

Long story short, I quit smoking, drinking alcohol, coffee, and elimanated a few aqauntinces that prompted me to drink, which prompted me to smoke, all the same day! I just stopped it all one day. It took me getting mad over it.

My approach was, I told myself to wait five more minutes for a smoke. When that five was up I forced myself to wait another five before I took that smoke. Pretty soon that turned to hours and then days. I never had another cigarette.

I say it took me about 3 weeks to get over the imediate "I need a cigarette right now" feeling. Another 6 months to lose almost all cravings. Every now and then I smell one and have an urge.

That has been 8 years ago now and still haven't smoke nor drank, I do drink a cup of coffee once a month or so in the winter.

I wish anyone luck on trying to quit.

 

[IH3444]

There is postives with coffee. People who drink coffee have less incidences of diabetes. It is also a mood elavator, hence, it makes you feel better. The other vices mentioned are bad for you. If coffee keeps you awake, only have it early in the morning, or drink decaf.

Baltasar Gracian stated that your whole life will be about what company you keep.

The Oracle - Baltasar Graci?

http://www.sacred-texts.com/eso/aww/index.htm

You have choosed a good path, not an easy path. I commend you, and wish you well on your journey. Congradulations for being tobacco free for 8 years, and to all those who have quit.

 

[LRTX1]

There is postives with coffee. People who drink coffee have less incidences of diabetes. It is also a mood elavator, hence, it makes you feel better. The other vices mentioned are bad for you. If coffee keeps you awake, only have it early in the morning, or drink decaf.

Baltasar Gracian stated that your whole life will be about what company you keep.

The Oracle - Baltasar Graci?

The Art of Worldly Wisdom Index

You have choosed a good path, not an easy path. I commend you, and wish you well on your journey. Congradulations for being tobacco free for 8 years, and to all those who have quit.

The only reason I quit drinking coffee at the time was it made me want to smoke. It actually makes me a little sleepy when I drink a hot cup at night. After not having it for a few years, I really lost the urge to drink it frequently. Now I only have a cup every now and then.

I just felt like sharing my story.

 

[DavidVT]

First, good luck.
Second, there are many programs that can support you if that idea works for you.
Third, understand that many folks quit several times before finally being successful.

I don't care for the medical drugs but that is a personal choice. Read up on those if you go that route.

In my case, I was traveling overseas quite a bit. After a 14+ hr flight and while waiting for a taxi, I had one cigarette and then threw my pack away. That was almost 3 years ago.

I was fortunate to be out of my element which seemed to help. No routines like climbing into my smokey car, sitting with my wife having the after meal butt with coffee, or going out to break at work and having a butt with the regulars.

To be honest, I was never able to quit for my health. The cost of the habit finally did it for me. Cold turkey can work. Yep I had a nasty cough and a mouth full of sores for a little bit but now I have money in my pocket at the end of the week. I also noticed that I don't hit the ATM anywhere as often as I used to.

Again, good luck!!

 

[LBrown59]

Long story short, I quit smoking, drinking alcohol, coffee, and elimanated a few aqauntinces that prompted me to drink, which prompted me to smoke, all the same day! I just stopped it all one day. It took me getting mad over it.

1*My approach was, I told myself to wait five more minutes for a smoke. When that five was up I forced myself to wait another five before I took that smoke. Pretty soon that turned to hours and then days. I never had another cigarette.
2* I wish anyone luck on trying to quit.

1*I took a simlar approach by telling myself I could smoke a cig when ever i decided I wanted one .
It's been over 10 months since i told my self that .
Guess that I just never wanted one.
2*Same here .

Them cigs . can tell some of the biggest lies .

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I smoked for 20 years - serious smoking - approx 1 1/2 packs non filter plain cigs per day. As many others have said you have to decide you want to stop.

Went to a MD who did hypnosis. Stopped that day - smoke free now for 30 years.