20 Years of Smoking
Hi,
Have been smoking for over half my life and worried about what 20years of smoking has done. Yet to date have never made a serious attempt to quit. I've put on patches for a day before and tried gum etc but never really tried that hard. Reason for giving up now is that I have 2 young kids (1,4) and want nothing more than to see them grow up. Also, my mum passed away last year and one of the last things she asked of me was to give up. I told her I would but to date just keep putting it off. I've finally realised I can't put this off anymore and need to stop making excuses. Stupidly,I don't think I've ever really considered smoking to be addictive or a 'drug' but now that I am quitting I feel like I'm losing a friend, a crutch, a support in hard times. The only way I'll beat this is if I accept that I'm addicted to a drug that controls a big part of my everday life and will eventually kill me. I believe the time is right and am confident I will beat this. I know, however, it will be hard and hopefully with the support of this online community I will like many others have succeed. Have been reading other peoples stories and have found them really helpful so hopefully someone will gain from mine.
Hi rosco38,
I have been smoking for 32 years. I too lost my mum last Year. She died of lung cancer and took her last breath in front of me. I decided then that I didn't want my children or grad children to have to go through the same thing. Today I am 45 days smoke free. I still have good days and bad but am determined not to go back again. Good luck to you, stay strong and keep checking in here as I have found this web site very very helpful
Hi Rosco38 - are you planning on using anything to support you? I have been taking Champix and have found it really works for me (although everyone is different). It may be an idea to talk to your doctor about various options available to you. You dont say if you have started yet but I can tell you that the first 3 days are the hardest as far as cravings go and I have just talked myself through each one by saying "yes this feels horrible but not as bad as getting smoke related cancer would feel". I am on day 6 now and it has gotten a lot easier (I know that 6 days is not much but I really wanted to know how long the bad cravings would last and couldn't find it on here so hope this helps)good luck stay strong and do it for yourself first, then your kids as the only way to beat this is to do it for you.