Smoking Addiction & Recovery Support Group

I think it is different for everyone hun. I have quit to many times to count and every single time before I felt like a smoker that was trying to quit. This time feels different. From day one I considered myself a non-smoker. Not even an ex-smoker...that's to close. It's in your head (I don't mean that in a bad way at all), all the strength you need. I know it sounds silly but you just have to convince yourself. You are on the right patch and stick around here, it helps a ton and people will give you ideas and things to try you may not have thought of. Hang in there and congrats on your choice to quit. You won't regret it!

Another thing to think of...I became a vegetarian a few days before I quit. I wonder if that has my mind tied up planning new meals, reading labels, and focusing else where that might be keeping me from missing or spending time thinking about smoking. Something to think about if you have another habbit or whatever you would like to change or quit, it might be a good distraction :) Take care and good luck to you!

Good question TTK, I'll be reading your responses. Hang in there. We can do it.

Natalie, I think that was an awesome response. I never thought about the "ex-smoker" or "non-smoker" situation. It is all mental after a few days free from nicotine.

I love it, I'm a non-smoker!

Hang in there TTK!

Great question and I'm sure you'll get a lot of interesting input here with this one.....

As I recall I didn't get really cozy in my quit skin until about three months into my quit. Like NatalieKay I knew in my heart of hearts that this quit was THE quit. Like you I used Chantix though for only three weeks. There are STILL times the old habit calls to me but not often. Read a lot, distract a lot and do reward yourself often.....heck you're nearly nicotine free by now so many kudos and congrats to you....hang in there it's so worth it!!!

Best wishes!

Natalie's right. As soon as you know you are a non-smoker that's when it happens. That's when you will quit and stay quit. You have to *know*. For me, it was day 1. I *knew* I was done for good. And it made it so much easier..

As far as ridding it from your mind completely.. it could take awhile. I still think of them occasionally but the cravings are almost 100% gone and when they do come they are really mild and pass almost instantly. I'm on day 40 something. I think.. I started "feeling" like I'd both physically and mentally beat it about 2 weeks into it or so. But hang in there, it gets easier every day!

"when do you get over that hill and really feel like a true non-smoker?" You probably won't know the answer to that, it just happens, it is different for everyone. It will happen and you will be free.

Hiya! this has to be my 400th quit attempt (only half joking!) but this is the ONE! I feel different about this one,this one is a gift I'm giving myself not something I'm giving up.I find that most of the time I don't think about cigs anymore and when I do it's less of a craving than a habit thing...going for a cig when you finish a job etc...then thinking oh! I don't smoke lol
There was no sudden moment it just gradually got easier,I'm at 84 days now...can't even believe how easy it seems to be but I don't want to be complacent either!! I'm good but on guard lol Big hugs and great going so far!!! xx

I'm beginning to wonder what 'normal' is. lol I'm on day 15 I think. I'm sooooooo depressed. Ok, well if I'm not feeling normal, at least I'm a non-smoker.

Hi Tik well done on your 2 days smokefree. I see you are going cold turkey so good on you. Some people swear by cold turkey. I used the patches and I liked them cos it gave me a chance to deal with my psychological addiction to smoking. Chantix and wellburtin are good too I hear but they are expensive here so I chose the government subsidised option (nic patches)
Gosh the question you have asked is a tough one. I like you started smoking at a young age and have smoked for around 36/37 years. A 2 pack a day habit that was killing me slowly.
I have been smokefre for nearly 7 months now. I started to feel ok about my quit at 5 months but then at 6 months I nearly smoked again, but for the support of this group. I dont think about smoking all the time now somedays go past and I havent thought about it once, but I try not to get too overconfident cos I know Im an addict and only 1 ciggie away from a relapse.
You are doing great, stick round here and we will help you as much as we can
Hugsssssssssssss Deb

Like everyone says, it's different for everyone. But with me it was like what I hear a lot of people on hear say. This time it's different I was happy about being a none smoker. It was like a weight lifted of my shoulder. I looked at it differently this time then when I quit before. Like Trace said, I was doing myself a favor. I have been happy about quitting from day one and it has stayed that way. It probably is the different positive attitude. I'm not sure. It just feels right. And I know it's going to stick.