all the best Po  i hope  it gets better for you

don't give up ok

Jim it's not just that it's in your mind it actually physically alterts your mind. Basically the earlier you start and/or the long your continue your addiction the stronger the change becomes in your mind. The good news is that you can change that but, it isn't easy. If we look at the habits surrounding or involved with our addictions then begin to change the habit and addiction connection it helps in quitting.

My smoking all though bad is how I manage my pain. Being looped up on hillbilly crank wasn't for me and the lovely loss of bladder control from heavy duty muscle relaxants wasn't appealing to me. I expected to lose my bladder control at about the same time I completely lose my mental facilties.

Right now, I'm looking into exercises and diet to manage my pain and in the process of changing my smoking habits connection. For example, no smoke with the first cup of coffee in the morning or any coffee, scheduling smoke breaks at weird atypical times, etc.

Well, heres to another year.. maybe I can give up food this year !

goodonya Tailsgirl...drop back and let us know how you're going....

True, which is why I used Chantix. I quit smoking on May 18th, 2007 after smoking for 32 years. Chantix does not put nicotine into your system. Nicotine goes to receptors in your brain and causes your brain to release dopamine, which in turn, gives you a feeling of well being. Chantix blocks those receptors, and releases a small amount of dopamine into your system. Not nicotine. In my case, I had ZERO physical withdrawal symptoms. ZERO. But there is a psychological side of the addiction that is up to you to beat. A pill can't do that for you. I have a friend that, upon hearing my story, decided he would try Chantix. He thought it would make him quit. Your success in quitting, under any circumstances, is directly related to your will to quit. You have to really want to quit and you must commit to it.

 When I tried to smoke, after being on Chantix, I found that all I got was a sick feeling. None of the satisfaction that I used to get when smoking. My mind told me I wanted a smoke, but when I smoked, I got nothing from it. So, it made no sense to smoke. I am smoke free now, and I have not needed Chantix for well over a year now. I am so proud of myself, yet it seems like a dream. I see people standing outside at work, smoking, in the cold, or in the rain. And I realize what a slave to cigarettes I used to be. They had me outside at restaurants smoking, while family and friends stayed inside , probably talking about how they wished I had never picked up that nasty habit. When I come out of a walmart and the smell of cigarettes hits me, it's nauseating. I can't visit my brother for long because the smoke makes me sick.

 John, I tried the patch, hypnotism, cigarest, etc.   I believe in Chantix and wish you would consider it. Sorry for telling this long story, but I feel so strongly that Chantix would help you, if I could afford it, I would buy it for you!

Doc is right, the psychological side is hard, but think of this: We are programmed to think we can't quit. We hear so many people say "I tried everything and I just can't quit!" or various other lines like that. We tell ourselves we can't do it, because we have tried so many times.

Remember this:

When a baby elephant is born in a circus setting, they tie it to a stake in the ground. It pulls and pulls but can't pull the stake up. As it grows into adulthood, it quits trying to pull up the stake, because it has been programmed to think it can't. We both know a full grown elephant could easily pull up that stake, but he doesn't. So he don't try.

My thoughts and prayers are with you on this , John. I know you can do it, if you really want to.

I just re-read this whole thread. I have pretty much said the same thing 3 times...lol. I laugh at myself, John, but I sincerely just mean to help.  I hope you are still smoke free! I will give you a heads up, if you quit smoking, you will not need to clean your monitor as often. My entire Desktop was brown when I smoked, I didn't realize it was really white until I quit and I cleaned the nicotine off everything. Man! All that crap is in my lungs! Gross!

Positive energy going out to all of those who've decided to quit! It's tough to do, but it's do-able if it's the right time for you. I quit 2 yrs, 10 months ago, after smoking a pack a day for 36 years. I'd tried before but always started again after convincing myself that I could sneak a smoke!

What helped me to quit was a contest that the Canadian Cancer Society had. You had to sign up and be smoke-free for one month to be eligible to win a car. If you got picked, you had to prove that you hadn't smoked by providing a urine test. I knew my only chance of quitting successfully, was if I didn't sneak a smoke. Because I really needed a new car at that time, it gave me the incentive to not cheat. I would have been really disgusted with myself if I had won the contest but lost the car because of sneaking a smoke.

I also used the patch, but at a weaker strength. I had tried it in a previous attempt at regular strength but found it bothered me physically and affected my sleep.

It helps to clean your house of the smell (if you smoke inside), wash all your clothes, spray your car, etc - anything to get that smell out. Throw out your ashtrays and lighters. Tell your buddies who smoke that  you can't see them for a couple of weeks, the first month is critical. Change some of your habits that relate to smoking. Chew lots of gum or mints to keep your mouth tasting fresh.

As an added incentive, I transferred the cost of a package of smokes into my online account every day, then after a while, I transferred it at the end of every month. So far, I've saved $7,568.00 since quitting!

I still love the smell of a lit cigarette, but I know that I will never smoke again. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

It will be a year for me on the 14th or 15th of this month, after 41 years smoking at least a pack a day.  Sure I still miss them, but not as much as in the beginning. Of course I now smoke *pencils*!!!    Well I tend to chew on them...I think the hardest time is when I am stuck trying to say something.  And sometimes when working on a pic.  But anyway like vStyler said...

If I can do it John so can you.  It took 44 years at 3 pack a day average, lung cancer and COPD for it get through my thick head to stop.  I hate to think of the nest egg for retirement I sent up in smoke too.  Above all, save you life.

Ohhh, didnt' read far enough back I guess.  Well nothing but congrats then and glad to see you on the way the better health.  I wish I could say not remotely tempted though.

Congrats John, that's great news, good luck with the food!

congratulations on the 12 months teddy!!.....fantastic effort....be back here next year to check on you both again...

Day Five for me on Chantix. Fingers crossed.