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Nothing Is Impossible...
I started smoking regularly when I was 17 (I am now 26) and have tried to quit at least 3 times before this attempt.
I find it prudent to mention that, in trying to quit the last 2 times and in trying to quit now, I was made aware that I suffer from a Mental Illness called Dissociative Identity Disorder, (formerly Multiple Personality Disorder) which due to the nature of my disability makes it extremely hard for me to quit smoking, as I do not always recal actually having a smoke... (As at least 30-50 of my Alter Egos also smoke.)
However, despite the complexity and complications involved with such a mental condition, coupled with severe depression, I have reduced from 15-20 smokes a day previously to currently 1-5 a day... I decided to try and quit smoking again when I learned I had to have all 4 wisdom teeth removed 2 weeks ago and have heard many stories (some from my father, an ex-smoker, and friends) who have had the same procedure and smoked afterwards and contracted "dry socket" which is said to be extremely painful. I decided to use the possibility or extreme pain as a reason to quit smoking, being as it is generally advised that you not smoke for at least 1-2 weeks after tooth removal...
I will admit the cravings have not intirely gone away in those 2 weeks but so far I have managed to cut down to 1-5 smokes a day after the 2 week period of non-smoking...
I hope to cut down even further and eventually quit entitely, for good this time.
I have previously quit for a year at a time each time my two children were borno longer are 4 and 6 now) because I was motivated by the welfare of my family to quit.
I find it even more difficult this time because due to my mental illness, my children no longer live with me but with relatives, so I have to twly on other reasons to quit as well as family bit, ultimately, I wish to see the day where I can not only say to everyone that I have gained control over mental condition, (without the aid/use of medication) but that I have also gained control over something ultimately more dangerous and disabling to me thayouy mental conditions... I hope to be we to say to my kids some day soon that, although I may have other difficulties, that I have overcome my nicotine addiction...
I think, ultimately, if you can beat your nicotine addiction, you can beat any other thing in your life that you wish to overcome, regardless of how huge it seems.
In other words; I believe if I can quit smoking, then I can have even some modicum of control over the even more difficult aspects of my life and vice versa...
I have tried many times to quit smoking, among other things and if I will not give up on other aspects of my health and/or life, why give up trying to quit...?
Basically, no matter how hard it seems, or how impossible, to quit smokimg, I think, if I can manage to convince over 50 people to quit all at once, then anyone can do anything! Do not give up trying to quit! I have learned you can make it through extraordinary challenges if only you believe in yourself and never give up! even if you fall back a little, do not let it deter you! Just because you have a setback doesn't mean you should give up! Even the most addicted/dependant people can give up smoking if they have the strength and support! I want to prove I can be one of them. I Can be stronger than my addiction!

Hi Dean,
''I think, ultimately, if you can beat your nicotine addiction, you can beat any other thing in your life that you wish to overcome, regardless of how huge it seems.''
This is so true!
You said that you've stopped twice in the past for about a whole year?
Use that as your motivation! If you can stop for a year you can definitely stop for GOOD.
I can guarantee you that once you stop smoking your anxiety will greatly reduce.
It seems that you also have problem with the long term mental cravings.
I myself am almost 11months smoke free and still from time to time have mental cravings for a cigarette.
But every time i want a cigarette i say this to myself:
Yes i want a cigarette but do i want to be a full time smoker again?
The answer is obviously NO.
Good luck to you and to all of us with our quitting journey,