I just bought my last pack of cigarettes---

[Katherine Brengle]

(I know these is a quitting group on DU, but the Lounge is busier, so...)

Anyway, I tried to quit smoking a few months ago, made it a few days, and then started up again. However, I just tried to do it cold turkey, without any planning or support or any of that, and that was a big mistake. I just woke up one morning and flushed all of my cigs down the toilet.

So, last night I was thinking about how much I want to quit. I mean, I really consider smoking a disgusting habit that is killing me and probably billions of other people all over the world, so there is no reason to continue doing it. When I woke up, I decided that today is the last day of my life that I will be a smoker. I bought myself a pack of Marlboro Ultra Lights, and when they are gone (which they will be by tonight, I guarantee it), I am taking my ass to CVS, buying the patch, and that's that.

Okay, that's all--I am a big believer in public accountability, so I figure if I tell all of my friends and everyone I else who I interact with on a regular basis, I am more likely to stick with it.

Thanks for listening!

[mikeytherat]

1. Way to go!

Your body is already thanking you!

:applause:

mikey_the_rat

[CornField]

2. Best of luck

Try a big glass of orange juice when you get a bad craving. (It worked for me.)

In a few days I'll be joining you (15th). I thought I quit in 2004, but I merely paused for a couple years. *sigh*

[Rockholm]

3. Excellent.

[Hugin]

4. Try the Lozenges...

They work better.

;) :thumbsup: :yourock:

[Katherine Brengle]

5. Interesting--I'll look into it!

And thanks!

[gizmo1979]

6. Goodluck!Acouple of us are quitting

on the 20th.Maybe we'll all be non smokers by the end of the month.

[EstimatedProphet]

7. Good for you!

Thinking about it this way helped me:
Quitting smoking is easy-you just have to never smoke a cigarrette again.

Now, I do still smoke hookahs, cigars, and pipes, but it's not the same monkey on my back at all.

[tjwmason]

8. Good decision and best of luck to you.

It's bound not to be easy, but making youself accountable to others is one of the best ways.

:yourock:

[Tikki]

9. My son quit using the patch.....

..we both quit over a year ago...I quit 'cold turkey"...he quit using 'the patch'...he wore the patch in steps for about 8 months...

...but, what is important we quit... for good.

You will too...I'm betting this time will be your success.


Tikki

[Katherine Brengle]

10. Thanks--knowing that it worked for someone else is always helpful!

:hi:

[Gidney N Cloyd]

11. One little suggestion:

Go to CVS and get the patches NOW. Have them and everything else you need layed out and ready to go for yourself when you get up in the morning.

[underpants]

19. Yes and the cloth athlete tape

the stuff works like a miracle.

I would also highly advise Orbit gum (Citrusmint is my favorite) and take up some sort of work out even if it is just walking-you will feel the effects of not smoking sooner.

[JitterbugPerfume]

12. It can be done!

I quit years ago and never looked back

[WritingIsMyReligion]

13. Way to go!

:bounce:

Stop in here anytime if you need the support!

:D

[Left Is Write]

14. Good for you!

I quit almost eight years ago, and I'm very glad I did.

[wain]

15. Cigs do kill you. I know. They killed me.

I wish you the best. It's not easy to do. I failed several times and had to learn the hard way too young. But, I was very, very lucky and am in life's bonus round for 11 years now.

Funny, but after having the crap scared out of me, I had no withdrawal symptoms.

Good luck. Don't have to do it the hard way!

:hi:

[Katherine Brengle]

16. I just smoked the last one--

It was weird... I know this probably sounds crazy, but as I stabbed out the last remaining embers in my ashtray, I felt good but I also felt a momentary sense of loss...

Tomorrow morning, I am slapping on my first nic patch and going out into the world as a non-smoker for the first time in 2 years. (I quit while I was pregnant with my daughter, but started up again after she was born, in April 2004.)

Thank you all for your replies--I am confident that I am strong enough to do this.

[applegrove]

17. Go Katie Go Katie Go Katie!!

[KitchenWitch]

18. You have my support

I quit almost 17 years ago and have been grateful to be free of the habit!

[PassingFair]

20. My small suggestion:

Rent and watch the movie, "The Insider". (Al Pacino and Russell Crowe)

It made me SO mad at the cig companies that I decided to quit.
After our business slowed down and money got scarce, I HAD to quit,
and scenes from the movie stayed with me.

Almost 4 years smoke free now!

[Road Scholar]

21. Good for you Katherine! I wont bore with my war story, but

I had a very hard time quiting, but I never gave up. I haven't smoked in 20 years. Just hang in there and be ready for a little jolt at first, but hang tight.

[Radio_Guy]

22. Best of luck to you

I've never smoked (just didn't like the taste) but my parents both smoke. They have tried and failed many times. Dad has since had a heart attack. I wish you the best of luck and all the support you need.

[LynneSin]

23. Good Luck!!

You mentioned you quit while pregnant with your daughter. Everytime you get a craving look at that little girl and remember that you're doing this so you know you'll be there as she grows up. My father couldn't kick the habit and I lost him when I was 14 years old. It's something that no child should every have to go through watching a parent die especially when it was a preventable disease.

[2bfree]

24. Whoo-hoo!

I am so proud of you! :) I don't even know you but I am proud just the same!

[Orsino]

25. Best wishes! n/t

[MissMillie]

26. Try quitnet

www.quitnet.com

Lots of support over there.


Good luck to you!

[Katherine Brengle]

28. Thanks--I'll check it out later this afternoon!

So far so good!

[Benfea]

27. I recently fell off the wagon so to speak

I bought another damn pack. Gah. Anyway, I'm down to the last couple of cigs in the pack, and then I'll hopefully have better luck staying quit.

[Katherine Brengle]

29. Good luck Benfea!

[Katherine Brengle]

30. You all rock, and I think I am high on the patch...

Thank you all for the encouragement--it actually is helping. So, I am on my first patch, and I was wondering if anyone else had used it and felt kind of high the first day--I think maybe it's because I am getting the drug with none of the truly gross parts of actually smoking (like carbon monoxide) so it feels better than actually smoking?

I don't know, just curious.

Okay, I'll keep ya posted, but right now it's time for me to go to the doctor-yaaaay! (Translation: ew.)

Thanks again!!!

:yourock:

[Tikki]

36. My son had colorful and interesting dreams while...

on the patch. Sometimes I think he rather enjoyed those dreams...
His real life was kinda going sadly at the time...
..anyway, after eight months he quit using the patch and it has now been near 15 months as a 'no thank you, I don't smoke' person...


Tikki

[LostinVA]

31. I did it cold turkey -- 11 years April 1

Two packs a day.

Good for you, KB! Good luck! You can do it!!!

[NaturalHigh]

32. Good luck, Katherine.

Keep us updated.

[miss_american_pie]

33. Good luck!

I can't tell you how I wish my father would quit.

[Sheri]

34. Careful.

Be sure not to smoke on the patch. That can be really dangerous. My SO chewed a lot of gum when he quit. You might want to try that too.

Good luck to you!

[jschurchin]

35. A suggestion.

Go see your Doc and get a script for Wellbutrin. It along with the patch will help you from becoming a raving bitch.