Take 20!

So you are not new to the life of a non-smoker which should make it easier. 80% of this journey is the habits we have with cigarettes filling the voids, etc after the initial nicotine addiction which can be conquered in as little as 72 hours.

Learn about nicotine , the addiction and you. Once understanding the relationship and how it does nothing for you, you will find it easier to stay smoke=free and make this your last quit! So many benefits to enjoy......

I too have tried many times, I hated myself for not being able to overcome this habit, This time I have come to the understanding that the addiction I thought was my fault is not the one to blame, the addiction comes through NICOTINE and this means as soon as you have just one two or three, thinking that's OK, you have let the enemy in again, and he/she is winning. Not one puff as some say on this forum. You will have found many methods to quit which are best for you, so you are one step ahead, just try to remember who the real culprit is here.

Hi nic I'm glad to hear you are feeling strong enough in yourself to stop smoking from experience I can tell you it will help make the grieving a little easier although you will still have your moments. Stay strong and before you know it that wheeze will lessen. I'm giving up on patches too. Did you know you can get them on a script from your doctor? They are cheaper than buying them over the counter. I come to this site regularly its great for motivation whenever you need it. Hang in there..we are all on your side and have your back.

Thanks for the replies everyone!! I will stay strong! My son is buying tobacco today to go out with his friends. I will tell him not to bring any home.. much easier with a smoke-free home. I wish you all the best too!! How far along are all of you?

PS FreshAirOK - I thought you could only get 3 scripts with the doc now? Or is it unlimited?

I got 3months supply on a script this week. I'm only 1 month smoke free but expect that it will see me through. Not sure about the rules. Can anyone else out there help with nic's question? Have a happy smoke free weekend.

Gidday Nic

Mate it's not easy, however, just remember NOPE (Not One Puff Ever) and you will get through it, nearly a year for me. Happy Travels bud.

Thanks for the replies everyone!! I will stay strong! My son is buying tobacco today to go out with his friends. I will tell him not to bring any home.. much easier with a smoke-free home. I wish you all the best too!! How far along are all of you?

PS FreshAirOK - I thought you could only get 3 scripts with the doc now? Or is it unlimited?

It's the NOPE thing I struggle with. Especially when my son brings smokes home and I know they are in the house! How do you cope with that and resist knowing they are there? Lucky he really only buys them every 2 weeks and doesn't smoke most of the time... I will resist!! Thanks guys :)

NRT's are only aids to assist in cutting down the nicotine in stages. With cold turkey , that part is done in 72 hours. Nicotine diminishes by half every two hours. There may be traces in your urine or hair for weeks or months, but not enough to affect the body after just 72 hours. Unless you are increasing your nicotine with NRT rather than decreasing consumption, you should be able to just stop off of it pretty quickly. It is my believe that is becomes like a a placebo, and eases your mind. As I have stated many times before, it is about the Mindset, the 80% part of accepting this journey. :You want to quit smoking, you know your should, but a wee part of you holds on to the longing for one more puff. Let it go, and be free of the cravings. Embrace the idea of being a nob-smoking and being freer, healthier, wealthier and happier!!!

Retrain your mind. Acceptance and positive thoughts and actions will see you through.

You asked how to deal with your son bringing smokes home because just knowing they are there seems to create a problem for you. Yes, you can ask him not to bring them in, however that is not the real issue. When cigarettes are available you have a choice. When they are not, you feel deprived. You chose to quit smoking, only one thing is involved ....NOPE. Yet how to deal with not one puff ever again!? ......Truly wanting to quit smoking and honouring that decision that you have made to better your health and overall life. Personally once given the reins to have control, i would take control. I don't like being told that I can't. That I don't have a choice. I make my own choices, thank you. Make the choice to be a non-smoker and think like one.

You have had periods of being a non-smoker, and I pick up the sense that you believe yourself (and your son) to be social smokers. Does that mean you can just smoke when you want and not bother for days or weeks? That sounds wonderful, but it only lasts so long before the decision as to when to smoke is taken from you by the nico-monster. I am sure that that is how we all started out years ago as kids. Why not set a good example for your boy and hopefully spare him the health issues and empty pockets? The loss of a loved one can't be replaced, but turn your thoughts and energy to those who need you now.

Knowledge is power and not only set you free, but keep you free!

Yes NOPE is the answer. I know I'm not a social smoker as it always leads to daily smoking.. I need to make the choice to not smoke regardless of whether they are around me or not. I have done it before for over 3 years then got cocky thinking 'one can't hurt'. We all know how that goes!! ;)

I've not smoked for a 2 year period before, but, just one puff always leads to daily smoking in my experience.

just say "no thanks"

NOPE is the answer

Yes NOPE is the answer. I know I'm not a social smoker as it always leads to daily smoking.. I need to make the choice to not smoke regardless of whether they are around me or not. I have done it before for over 3 years then got cocky thinking 'one can't hurt'. We all know how that goes!! ;)

Yes NOPE is the answer. I know I'm not a social smoker as it always leads to daily smoking.. I need to make the choice to not smoke regardless of whether they are around me or not. I have done it before for over 3 years then got cocky thinking 'one can't hurt'. We all know how that goes!! ;)

Yes NOPE is the answer. I know I'm not a social smoker as it always leads to daily smoking.. I need to make the choice to not smoke regardless of whether they are around me or not. I have done it before for over 3 years then got cocky thinking 'one can't hurt'. We all know how that goes!! ;)

Yes NOPE is the answer. I know I'm not a social smoker as it always leads to daily smoking.. I need to make the choice to not smoke regardless of whether they are around me or not. I have done it before for over 3 years then got cocky thinking 'one can't hurt'. We all know how that goes!! ;)

Hey everyone.. So I caved on the weekend and smoked some of my son's cigarettes. I think I've had around 10 all up. I have had terrible anxiety and it's amazing to see how much better I felt last week without them. He's decided today he is quitting too and promises not to buy them again. We are doing it together. From tomorrow... NOPE... I am committed to this smoke-free life!! Just wanted to share my slip as I'm sure I am not the only one! I hope you've all had a good day :)

Hey everyone.. So I caved on the weekend and smoked some of my son's cigarettes. I think I've had around 10 all up. I have had terrible anxiety and it's amazing to see how much better I felt last week without them. He's decided today he is quitting too and promises not to buy them again. We are doing it together. From tomorrow... NOPE... I am committed to this smoke-free life!! Just wanted to share my slip as I'm sure I am not the only one! I hope you've all had a good day :)

Hey everyone.. So I caved on the weekend and smoked some of my son's cigarettes. I think I've had around 10 all up. I have had terrible anxiety and it's amazing to see how much better I felt last week without them. He's decided today he is quitting too and promises not to buy them again. We are doing it together. From tomorrow... NOPE... I am committed to this smoke-free life!! Just wanted to share my slip as I'm sure I am not the only one! I hope you've all had a good day :)

Well Nic you may have had a slip but you made great strides in your journey. I am thrilled that your son is taking this journey with you! I hope that you can encourage each other and both make it a successful mission, but remember that no one can be pushed into it and that he may have joined in on a whim. Hopefully he will adopt the mindset as well . My hubby never joined this site, but he will read the posts on my tv monitor. I am glad that you chose to stay with the program and breathe better and longer. Life is great, and anyone can choose to be a non-smoker!

Hey everyone.. So I caved on the weekend and smoked some of my son's cigarettes. I think I've had around 10 all up. I have had terrible anxiety and it's amazing to see how much better I felt last week without them. He's decided today he is quitting too and promises not to buy them again. We are doing it together. From tomorrow... NOPE... I am committed to this smoke-free life!! Just wanted to share my slip as I'm sure I am not the only one! I hope you've all had a good day :)

Thank you!! Yes I am glad too.. Yep I know life is much better without those dirty stinky things! Have a good day :)

Thank you!! Yes I am glad too.. Yep I know life is much better without those dirty stinky things! Have a good day :)

Dear Nic1978,

Try positive affirmations. Think of several positive phrases you can say to yourself. Repeat them across the day. Make them personal or wise sayings. There are pitfalls to smoking, like negative attitudes and mind games. We must trick the mind and the memory back into a good healthy fit state. You may notice more choices and options as you quit. You are building a better tomorrow.

Thanks penelopejane, I will do that. I am turning around the thoughts I have and that others also say to me. 'Oh you are grieving, don't worry about smoking' and many more like that. I know good health is what I need to help me cope in my hard times. I left the house today without a patch on. I have no desire/cravings at all so I think I am going to do the rest without aids. I want the nicotine out of my body in 3 days time! Day 3 and going strong :)

Thanks penelopejane, I will do that. I am turning around the thoughts I have and that others also say to me. 'Oh you are grieving, don't worry about smoking' and many more like that. I know good health is what I need to help me cope in my hard times. I left the house today without a patch on. I have no desire/cravings at all so I think I am going to do the rest without aids. I want the nicotine out of my body in 3 days time! Day 3 and going strong :)