Health .
I am 23 years old and i was a smoker for 12 years - currently on my 13th day smoke free using nicabate patches. I have had depression and generalized anxiety for 12 -13 years now which is one of the reasons i want to quit for good. My top reason would be to half my chances of getting a disease - in just the past year i have had 4 people be diagnosed with some forum of cancer, including operations and things removed. I've known 2 people that lost their lives because of it as well. Yesterday i was told a family friend is having issues with his kidneys and is close to renal failure, this man doesn't smoke. I'm terrified of what the outcomes will be if i continue to ignore the health issues that come with lighting up a cigarette which is what keeps me going. I hope to have a family one day and i can't do that if i'm not around.
Congratulations on your decision to take better care of yourself. I am sorry to hear about your friends, but glad you are taking heed of the warnings. The journey is easier with all the facts to turn our thoughts negatively against smoking rather than mourning its loss . We all now know that it gave us nothing all these years, but only stole our health, money dignity and respect.
Stay positibe, stay on course and stay smoke=free!
Hi Robn and Happiness, thank you. I've been reading stories from others who have been smoking for 30+ years and have quit, it's great motivation.
I can't auto correct but i was meant to write 2 and not 1 year.
Hi Red, it is helpful when craving to go over how stupid it is and yes i have come to grips with it and do regret it. Thank you :) Congrats on quitting, how long have you been quit for?
You are not alone Deanna, most of us were duped into smoking at an early age. Who could think we get addicted to something that first made us gag? But , that is the nature of the beast, so addictive, so promoted by movies and peers as glamourous. Uggh. We came to like it and once finding ourselves "hooked", accepted it, after all it was only a couple a day and we were young.....It is good to see some younger ones seeking help here. We were meant to be non-smokers and we can return to that status. Don't be afraid, you have made moves, changed jobs and had different experiences in life. This is no different. Anyone can quit smoking.
Hi happiness it's the best & only choice. Nuts sorry to hear about your Father, don't beat yourself up either, people start smoking for all sorts of reasons what matters is giving it up - Good luck to you as well. Thank you Beth, same to you :)
I was looking after my father for the last 4 years of his life. He needed life support oxygen 24 hours day and night to stay alive. He had emphysema due to smoking. It killed him in the end.
Hi deanna,
I'm in the grip of depression lately. I got notably worse when I started smoking.
SMOKING DOESN'T SOLVE ANYTHING.
IT makes depression & anxiety worse.
Hi PuffNoMore, sorry to hear about your Father. Bet he was thankful that you took care of him :) It is. I read somewhere on this site that there is a 'loop', from having the smoke, withdraws to smoking it. During the nicotine cravings emotions can get more heightened, nicotine goes to the brain which releases dopamine which settles emotions and cravings down like being a roller coaster? a continuous cycle; not being in the cycle and finding other ways to relieve what every reason it was why the person smoked is healthier mentally and physically. Good luck if you are currently quitting take care of yourself :)