I have been smoking for 15 years. I decided that my health is more important then my habit. I approached my family doctor who said that I could try the Nicoderm patch and see how we go. I have been wearing the patch now for 1 week. It really does work. My doctor has also prescribed a low dose of prozac since I am nervous.

Hey, how are you? I think that's great you are sticking to the program. I am not doing so well at all. I am hoping by sharing with others who have the same problem, I can kick this nasty habit!

Congratulations on making a decision to save your life! It is a liberating feeling to not need a cigarette today. I quit smoking January 3, 2003. I used the patch for about 4 weeks, and that's all I needed. It was really tough the first couple weeks. Night sweats, nightmares, insomnia, a horrible cough, but then it all passed and my own freedom was on the other side. I needed other people who were fighting their own addictions for support. I prayed for the obsession to be removed and it was. Sometimes only for moments at a time, but nonetheless it was gone. Today I very rarely find myself scooting closer to a smoker to smell that stinch. It happens occasionally, but I'm happy to say I haven't been forced into the slavery of smoking again! You can do it!

Yes it is just the first step to freedom from this cloudy, smokey addiction???

Best of luck to you littleone. I know my addiction is different but I know it's hard sticking to a plan..I hope you can overcome your dependency on cigarettes..I need to stay away from snickers.

I see that smoking is your weakness..and I have seen some super suggestions..The patch is what I heard is the best remedy of all!Nicoderm CQ

I ti s obvious that you have chosen the right reasons to quit. That is the first step in wanting to make the change. You have taken steps by talking to the doctor and are well on your way to making that change be the most positive one. I am glad you are addressing all the other issues that come along with the process as well. Good job.

Smoking is a very hard habit to break but when you do break it, it feels really good. It took me hundreds of dollars wasted to realize that I needed to stop playing and quit. I would buy a pack of cigerattes, smoke one and throw the rest away. I mean I actually have lost count in how much money has gone down the drain.

randle wrote
I would buy a pack of cigerattes, smoke one and throw the rest away.

It is funny, I could never do that. If I caved in and bought a pack, I would smoke the whole pack. Luckily I am at year 7 or 8 now. It has been that long I have lost count. Funny thing is I was hit by a craving about two weeks ago...

I used to smoke a lot when I was a kid , but I have put a stop to it all , its been 8 years and I don't know but I have to stop , its 3 weeks since I stoped

I congratulate anyone who has the power to quit smoking. It is a very powerful addiction. Please hang in there and know that your lungs are healing with every clean breath you take.

hi all,

            1 year back i was left alone for a long time due to work in a country where i couldnt easily socialize. So i started smoking to relax(big mistake) . i am writing this so that it could help somebody who think its not possible anymore for them to try quitting or to someone who is thinking that they can still live with cigarette or who think they are too old or busy or rich or poor or weak or strong to quit.


             First of all I agree with you. Its one heck of a job to quit.In fact i could not shit properly without a smoke. That is the reason we easily invent a reason for not stopping. In fact in the first 2 days of quiting, nothing in this world could please me than that '1 puff'. i tried quitting before 2 times. Once i was 1 week without cigarette. Its the most stupid mistake i did on the 7th day,because i was 'strong enough' to not to touch it.
 
            Only method which worked for me was 'one day at a time' . Try not smoke just one day.And go to sleep.Dont think about tomorrow. easily days becomes weeks and weeks become months. And now i am 253 days recovering smoker :) I a below average guy like me could do it, anyone could do it.

             Infact i still have other addictions of alcohol,pornography etc.





        

One day at a time! Your strong enough to beat your smoking addiction. Did you know that only 3% of smokers wanting to quit actually do quit? So I dont think your below average. Your one of the rare 3% :). If your strong enough to kick your smoking addiction in the butt! I have complete faith that you could also do that same with your alcohol addiction and your porn addiction. But as you said, one at a time. I suggest talkling the booze first. With a clear mind you can conquer anything. Get support for that and join a rehab if the withdrawals are hard. It will take a while ofcourse, but dont make the mistakes you made with smoking. Dont think that since your under stress its OK to drink just one drink. Kick it out of your life for good! I promise you after a while you wont even feel like your missing out at all! After that tackle your porn problem. I think you can definitely do it all and your strong enough. I life with an addiction is just a life focused around one substance and all the amazing things are out of it. It's not fun, its not life, it takes over your life and its best to be without it. Theres no greater feeling than that! Keep updating and let us know how your doing! I'd love to hear about it!

There are other, worse drugs you could've used to relax, and although cigarettes are very bad for you, at least you didn't get addicted to something like that.  I think it's good too that you're trying to help others with quitting smoking.  I think there's this huge stereotype nowadays about how quitting cigarettes is so very hard. I've heard that it's just as hard as quitting heroin.  So I give you a lot of credit for that.  And I think it's great that you are able to recognize that you have other addictions that you need to address as well.