Kick Butt: Quit Smoking Today

Well here I am still smoke free, and I hit my 16th month mark on October 24th.  I am sure alot of you think Oh, she is out of the woods and it is easy for her by now.  But really is it different for every person.  There are some people who stop smoking and after awhile it is like they never smoked in the first place, or so I heard.

But unfortunately I am not one of them.  I am have a good friend who lives in Florida.  She has been quit for 16 years now and says she would still like to smoke, but knows she can't. 

So every morning I wake up and the habit of smoking being the first thing on my mind still happens each and every morning. But I go out and get something to drink and take my thyroid medication and start my day.

Don't be discouraged no matter which catagory you fall into, it's still one of the best decisions you have ever made in your life, no matter the discomforts that might come with it or for how long.

Susan

Wife of Greg, Mom to Rick and Rob

Grandma to sweet Anthony

http://amazingcouponanddiscountdeals.blogspot.com

Former Smoker and Nicotine addict

Congrats Susan on your 16 months! That's an awesome accomplishment!  BUT, speaking from experience, DON'T get complacent. DON'T do what I did! Here's part of my story...

I started smoking my Sr. year of H.S. and smoked for 5 years, then quit for 2 years. Was at a party one night, got offered a cig, and said 'Heck, one can't hurt after all this time' -WRONG!!! - I bought a pack on the way home and relapsed for 25 years. In 1995 I went through treatment for alcoholism where I was introduced to a 12 Step program.  For 3 weeks nothing seemed to be working till the Sunday I did my 3rd Step from the bottom of my heart, totally surrendering- then it was like going from a dark backstage to the curtain rising on opening night -the compulsion to drink was gone, I felt reborn- my 'whole attitude and outlook upon life' had changed.  I can't fully describe the feelings of freedom, serenity, hope, happiness, love all jumbled together  as a result of loosing the chains of that terrible addiction.

    Yet, I continued to smoke. My Dr. did advise not quitting both together.  I decided to give myself 1 yr. sober then quit smoking. 1 yr. became 2, then 3.  New Year's Eve I put out my last butt and have now been smokefree since 1/1/99.  I did not imagine the changes would be as dramatic as 4 years earlier -Boy, was I wrong!! - loosing the chains of ANY addiction is a lifechanging experience

    To win, I had to surrender. To keep what I've got, I have to give it away. So I continue to work in a local Addictions Recovery Ministry, to go to meetings, to remain active on the Support Boards online, to share my experience strength and hope with those who follow, and to be reminded by them what it was like and to be bouy'd up by their youthful enthusiasm.

   Thank you all for helping me in my recovery ODAT.

Bill L.

Alcoholic/Nicotinic

By the Grace of God I am

Sober and sucking clean air today, just today

and for that I am truly grateful :)

DOSobriety 3/5/95  DOSmobriety 1/1/99

12th Step Prayer

http://billl.homestead.com/12thStepPrayer.html

Thank you very much for your repy.  Believe me there is nothing complacant about me. I have had some difficult days and very bad nerves.  But I am still hanging in there.  With mild emphysema to cope with, going back can never be an option.  It's either stay off of them of die.  So I struggle each day, but I will not give in.

Susan

Wife of Greg, Mom to Rick and Rob

Grandma to sweet Anthony

http://amazingcouponanddiscountdeals.blogspot.com

Nicotine addict

Hi I am 17 months smoke free!

I still have cravings. I know I always will. But I know how much better I feel and I don't get sick as much now. As with any addiction it will always be one day at a time. But that is okay and I am up to the challenge!