Making a Promise
I smoked for 45 years and when I quit exactly one month ago today, I was smoking two packs a day. I had tried quitting twice in the past, one time cold turkey and the second time with the patch. The withdrawal both times was so bad that I'd walk into things, my mind was hazy, I was angry and irritated with everything and everybody. Both times my husband said, "Enough." I was miserable and I made everyone else miserable. I had never acted so badly. For years my husband or my father would mention theiy would like me to quit. For the past year I had been thinking about quitting but not seriously enough to come up with a plan. One day in early November my father called and offered me $500 if I'd stop smoking. I told Dad I had been thinking about it and no way was I taking his money. That is when I got serious about quitting and began researching the best way for me to quit. I knew I couldn't do it alone. I had failed twice before. I began praying A LOT that I couldn't stop smoking on my own and I needed everything God could do for me. I began noticing my attitude began changing towards smoking. My mind set was "I don't want anything controlling me! How dare the tobacco companies sell a product so toxic and so addictive" and "How stupid can I be paying $13.50 daily for two packs. That's $4,927.50 a year! For me, cutting down was the best option. I wanted to quit before Christmas because I wanted this to be a Christmas gift for my Earthly Father and my Heavenlyi Father. Time was short so I cut 40 cigarettes to 20 in one day. I thought about how many I could smoke before bed. I did that for 5 days. After that, I got a baggie and counted out 2 or 3 less cigarettes for the next few days. Again, I was praying A LOT and giving God all of the glory. When I cut down to 5 cigarettes I went to my doctor and asked for every med, patch, gum, lozenges, etc. to help me on the day I quit and she said anyone who can get down to 5 cigarettes didn't need anything. She was right. I was so excited aboout wrapping Dad's "I QUIT" poster that I couldn't wait until Christmas Day. It has been a month now and while I think about smoking I have had no withdrawals. I haven't been cranky, irritable, angry or any physical withdrawal symptoms. It has truly been a miracle, not something I could have done by myself. I would never break a promise to my dad or God so I will continue to be a non-smoker. Again, I give God ALL the Glory. If God did this for me, He will do it for you.
What an awesomelly magnificent story. The mind is a powerful thing. But , yes God is stronger yet, and if your belief in both is unwavering, why not?
I am blown away. Speechless.
I shouldn't be surprised really though, after all , i did smoke approx. 28 on a daily basis, and suddenly on a heath kick and whim cut down to 3,5, and 5 for 3 days while considering quitting, realizing i could, and I did! I had no cravings after 72 hrs of my last cigarette because i truly WANTED TO QUIT! i had just never thought i could. I could not have believed it could be so easy.
BELiEF is powerful, whether in yourself or something higher. Maybe the promise to yourself, for the gift of a lifetime for your loved one. Maybe a combination.
Goes to show all that nicotine addiction is not as powerful and controlling as we have been led to believe. Where there is a will there is a way.
How wonderful you really wanted to quit. I liked smoking and didn't really want to quit so I knew I wouldn't be successful and I wasn't. The mind can do great things but I wasn't willing to count on myself. I've read numerous articles that nicotine is more addictive than a lot of street drugs. I believe that but I also agree with you that it doesn't need to be "as powerful and controlling" as we give it credit. How often I've said, "If there's a will, there is a way."
It is the truth. I found others here than believe the power of the mind. Even the NRT manufacturers say their product is most effective with councilling. (Thats us) for the 90% psychological aspect..(learning and changing beliefs, and physical change of behaviours).
You have attempted quits even if many years ago, as i have(30 yrs), without success. However, we did learn something from them. :) This time we had the DESIRE & WILL. I did not credit God, but maybe i should. I am still here. Maybe i am doing His work.
I know it is possible, you know it too. Once others believe, they can too.
Happiness, I give all the glory to God and I told him I would because for me to successfully quit it took a higher power. You're right—we do have to have DESIRE & WILL. Many times God opens a path or opens a door and we did! Good for us!
I thank you for exploring my stories. I did leave a reply under the one entitled. If you've givenup givenup
434Dog..where can you get 13.50 for 2 pack?Non smoker here but that was cheap..well cheaper..but even 13.50 is too much to pay for something that kills ya.
In Canada a pkg. of 20 is around $12 depending on the brand. You can also buy off the Indian reservation for as little as $30 per 200 in a bag.
It would be interesting to see what other countries paid for the vile poison sticks. There are so many reason to become smoke-free. Rising prices are just another incentive to stay that way.
Hi 434Dog. I don't know if Champix is a miracle drug. It has unfortunately been the cause of so much depression that it has been blamed for suicides. I like the idea of it very short time in relationship with my mentioned backwards quit approach. Instead of taking it for 12 to 24 weeks, I was more inclined to think when someone is in the right mindset to quit, after practicing being a non-smoker to their best capability, then take the drug, which helps you to cut down, for the 10 days , then 4 days later the nicotine is out of our system. Therefore you would only need to take it for 2 weeks. I would love to hear from anyone with more knowledge about it.
Champix and Nrts have more and worse side effects than withdrawal. I still support smart turkey, although i realize that others can't find it in themselves to attempt it. I found the cravings mild and short lived. I found my freedom in 3 days.
I still find your story amazing and gutsy! Belief in yourself or a higher power. Amen.
In the U.S. it's easy to find cigarettes for $6.50 a pack in the Midwest, especially at the Indian reservations and casinos. I'm sure it's much more costly on the east or west coast. Each state adds its own tax so it can vary a lot from state to state. I did change brands because my favorite brand was over $7. I know years ago I taught a foreign exchange student from Norway and he couldn't believe how cheap our cigarettes were. He was paying $6 at home while we were buying them for $1.25. I can't imagine what Norway is charging now!
I didn't realize all of the side effects of NRTs and Champix. There's one commercial of an actor promoting Champix saying that it was the only way he was able to stop smoking. Your idea of taking Champix for two weeks makes sense. It helps those who need it through the toughest time and they wouldn't be taking them so long that it would cause such great depression or side effects.
Happiness, you're so upbeat and such a motivator, I know you help a lot of people on this site. What a wonderful service you're giving for free. I wish you continuous success while I give all the glory to God.
Stay in touch!
Hi 434dog, thanks for the response. I am from Texas but moved to oz some years back. Here it's 35.00 for a pack of smokes but you do get 25 cancer sticks in the pack. Best of luck to you and yours. :)
Debbie317 and PuffNoMore, if that was the price of cigarettes in the States, I'd have to get a job just to pay for lung cancer! We are all so lucky to be free of the chemicals in cigarettes and the cost of cigs! Congratulations to us!