Stop Smoking: Secrets of Successful Quitters

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I was a very heavy smoker for over 15 years. At one point smoking 2 paks a day of Camel un-filtered cigarettes. We had our first child on the way. I didn't want be a poor example and it was eating me alive inside (convictions). I had tried several times to stop during my wifes pregnancy, but couldn't kick the habit. Every time I walked into a bar or saw someone with a cigarette, it was a habit to chain smoke. I tried many things to stop. I finally got on my knees and prayed for the Lord to deliver me from my addictions. A midwife, my wife and I delivered our new born beautiful daughter at our apartment. That day, the Lord delivered me, COLD TURKEY, from all my addictions!!! I didn't want to be teaching a little child, who I had a bigger responsibility to take care and to love, the same bad habits and mistakes that I was making and had made. Since that day I have not touch any pot, cocaine, cigarettes and anything else, except occasional wine or beer. The best part, I HAVE HAD NO SIDE EFFECTS NOR WITHDRAWALS AT ALL. THE LORD DOES DELIVER, IF YOU ASK FROM YOUR HEART!

MB of WA 1:01PM January 24, 2010

I've smoked off and on for 15 years. I quit the first time when I found out I was pregnant with my son and was smoke free for about a year and a half. 9/11 happened and I relapsed. It took another 4 years for me to quit and that was because I took up cycling and wanted to ride more than a mile without sucking air. I was again smoke free for about a year and then went thru a divorce and started up again. I really was disappointed in myself. I began a new relationship (with a smoker) and we both knew we needed to quit. He gave it up as a new years resolution, it took me a little while longer. I put it in my head that when we went on vacation, the cigarettes were not coming with me. 6 weeks after he quit, I smoked the last one in my pack and got in the car for a week long vacation. It was easy to do it then because we were enjoying our trip, my mind was off of cigarettes, I wasn't in my usual habits. We pointedly stayed in non smoking rooms, ate in the non smoking section of the restaurants ect....I came back still a non smoker. 2 weeks later we discovered I was expecting. That was all the motivation I needed to stay a non smoker. Our daughter is 3 months now and I'm still a non smoker. I can be around others who smoke and it doesn't bother me. I think what worked for me was transfering those bad habits to something positive. Coffee and cigarette in the morning went to coffee and feeding my daughter her morning bottle. Cigarette at work turned into a brisk walk around the building. I feel much better and I know I'm healthier for quitting. It can be done!

Michelle of MO 9:28AM January 24, 2010

I smoked for 40 years and during a brief college reunion, I read the book by Allan Carr. Me, an Addict, I just couldn't accept that, so as I finished the book, I handed

my college roomie my pack and said "I quit" that was 5 months ago. I am smoke

free and feel great. I walk 4 miles without becoming breathless.

jane wheeler of FL 6:26AM January 24, 2010

We should give up the habit.

of 1:23PM January 13, 2010

I've been smoking for nearly 50 years. I am smoking while I write this post. I am sick of being sick so often with coughs and colds, and now I burning up $10 a day in smoke.

I've tried many times to quit, even joining smoking cessation groups over the years. My husband nags me constantly, along with all my friends and relatives who quit long ago. I have prayed many times that God would just take away my desire to smoke.

I just want to thank all of you for your encouraging comments. As I read them, I again think I will try to quit--one more time.

Thanks!

April of IL 1:18AM November 20, 2009

Quitting is easy. It's the staying quit that fails, 3 weeks later, 6 months, 2 years, twenty. You haven't quit until you realize you've been addicted to nicotine all this time, and what a mark the nicotine companies are playing you for. Afterwards you look at smokers with great compassion, not secret envy.

nicotine is as addictive as heroin according to science. We build all of our ideas and attitudes around cigarettes, but they're all lies made up by the addiction. It's not the cigarette, it's the nicotine, and knowing the difference can change failing into succeeding.

I read Alan Carr - his book is out of print in the U.S. (wonder why) but you can find it on UK Amazon. He used to smoke 100 per day and he knows all the tricks we play. You smoke while you read the book and when you finish the book you know that you will be HAPPY to be a non-smoker for the rest of your life.

That's the difference, not quitting as some kind of sacrifice, but being happy not to smoke, Then there's no danger of going back (the biggest reason to fail).

It works. I never think of cigarettes but I don't have to try, because I know what they are now. Cigarettes are not the enemy, nicotine is the enemy. The tobacco companies know this full well, and you're being gamed.

Ross of TX 5:06PM November 19, 2009

I smoked for a solid 40 yrs. Before I quit I had stopped my other addictions while I was staying in Wyoming with my husband while he was working. I had wanted to stop all my bad habbits, but nicotine was by far the hardest. I tried everything, cutting back not buying anymore, everything. I decided to get the patch so after a week I relized it was a mental thing. While wearing the patch if I wanted a cig. I would simply jump on my excersise bike until exercising helped me forget about the cigs. and I started breathing better and loosing weight. I was really fighting it so I said I can not do this alone so I turned to GOD. I prayed and cried out to JESUS to please take away any obstical that was preventing me from stopping. Jan. 6th 2009 I woke up and GOD told me I would never smoke again and I have not. The power of prayer is amazing and my will power is very strong.. We are not LOSERS as the loser who thinks we are , we just made bad choses which got us addicted to nicotine. Nicotine is a very addictive drug which if you turn it over to GOD and have will power and faith YOU CAN QUIT!!!!

Cindy Lightsey of MS 1:52PM November 19, 2009

I smoked a pack a day for 25 years. I put my last cigarette out on November 9, 2007 at 8:34PM CST. I used Nicocure which I bought on-line. It is suppose to clean the nicotine out of the body at a much faster rate than quitting cold turkey. For all I know, it was an expensive placebo, but it worked for me. I don't miss the cost, the smoker's cough nor the smell! It was a mind game in the beginning. I kept telling myself I could have a cigarette in six months. When May 9 (six months) came around, the last thing I wanted was a cigarette! I am thoroughly enjoying my freedom from nicotine addiction!

Jean of WY 1:49PM November 19, 2009

I've been a smoker for 10 years and my 27th birthday is coming up on Wed. and would love to start it off as a nonsmoker. However, I am extremely addicted and have horrible withdrawal symptoms when I try to quit. I have heard about Chantix and how it can improve your odds drastically, so I did my homework and found that it can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. I have a history of depression so I am kind of hesitant to try it. I was wondering if anyone has tried it, if it worked, and if you had any psychological problems while on it? Thanks so much, Jess

Down with ciggs of CA 1:48PM November 19, 2009

i believe there is really know secret way to stop smoking...ive been smoke free now since 1985,,24yrs and counting..started smoking at 17. i had tried several times to stop. but truth of the matter was i really enjoyed smoking..know horror stories or gruesome picture jolted me to stop....but i was begining to not feel well,slight quick pains around my heart....shortness of breath. good grief i was only 43yrs old..that scared me.....so i decided to throw away the smokes.simply asked GOD to help me quit....did not dwell on long prayer thing. just asked and left it at that.when i reached for a smoke i remembered how awfull i felt and the heart pains....guess that was my so called secret formula to ending my love afair with smoking.from time to time over the years iv'e thaught i'd maybe like to light up again....but its a brief thaught. nothing [know magic product]now harping from friends-family-or medical will work...it is YOU-and YOU alone who will make .you are the SECRET...good luck to all of you out there in your lil clod of smoke.

martha of NE 1:47PM November 19, 2009

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