Hi Lizza, you have come to a great site for support and advice. Lots of great success stories to encourage you as well. The body is a wonderful thing, it can heal itself after all the abuse we have given it. But it will thank you for not abusing it any longer and for giving it plenty of water and proper nutrients. You do feel better almost immediately. The Mind is a powerful thing too and the nicotine has had done a number on it as well. The mind too also has to be healed and re-programmed. Change your routine so you don't automatically reach for the cigarette and remind you it is no longer a part of your life. Do the 4 D/s to get through a craving.

Nicotine withdrawal only lasts 3 to 5 days. (Hasten it by drinking water and eating detoxifying foods to hasten the process)Also exercise helps. The nicotine is out of your system by then... do not revert to nicotine products (of course better to use NRT than smoking) simply because 20% of the battle is won and even NRT users have to go through the next 80% of the battle which is the psychological part. It does not mean that the 80% will take longer, you can hasten the process with a solid mindset or possibly skip it altogether as i did.

I did not read Allan Carr's book ( that explains this mindset in 400 pages ) until after i had already quit smoking , but i have shared what i had done and have learned, in my posts) Allan Carr has an 86% success rate where he advised smokers in one 5 hr seminar and they walked away as non-smokers. My hubby got it from the library after i quit and happy to say he is a 4 day non-smoker and doing well. I will post another story in a few days to let you know whether he has cravings after day 5.

You can do this. We are all here for you.

So hubby has quit as well, and although he still reaches mindlessly for a cigarette on his table beside him he is doing very well. Day 20 for him, Day 36 for me and no issues of concern. He still gets a few fleeting thoughts, but easily dismissed. We both hang with our smoking buddies on break. I usually take a few mints with me when i go out of the house. I think he eats more, but small healthy snacks like an apple or veggie sticks, perhaps with hummus i make for him.

Sure do miss the ashtray for little pieces of fluff i pick up off the floor, for chocolate wrappers, nail clippings etc.... but not the smell not unsightliness. I couldn't believe the stench while washing it out around Day 7 of my quit! Should can it and sell it as a quit incentive..lol

I hope you are doing as well on your quit Lizza. If you didn't follow through, please consider doing so. It is never too late to quit unless it is too late. You are younger and healthier than a lot of us here. Stay that way!

I am back again after following your story. You seem to have the motivation to quit but a fear of giving up the cigarettes and becoming a non-smoker. You have not been back on for a few days now. I hope you haven't quit trying to quit as you said.

Ah ha, ... giving up smoking. So what is it you are giving up?

You relayed your fears from personal experience, family members who are facing the years of consequences of smoking. Your partner coughing so much it hurts your ears. A friend who can't tell a story without coughing up a lung in mid sentence.

You have the experience from brief periods of quits that you not only smell better, but smell better! Two butts stinking your car up, how the aprtment smells, and how bad the air smells in Sydney. How you breathe better, feel better, and your skin looks better.

It is FEAR that holds you back. Not Fear of dying... you see first hand the destruction. Not FEAR of quitting because you think you will fail. You won't fail it you really WANT it. You are in FEAR that you will succeed , but still haven't come to terms with the changes it involves to live like a non-smoker.

Do you think non-smokers envy you?

Surprisingly enough some do . Smokers hang together during our poker breaks outside. There is a commaradary because we all have something in common. But we don't stand around talking about smoking, do your friends? Anyone is welcome to come and enjoy our conversation, our analysis of some poker hand etc... (or the newest gossip around the water cooler) . No one will bannish you because you don't smoke! Some non-smokers use the time to stretch their legs and join someone at another table to engage a conversation. Anyways, this person obviously is not interested enough to just come out and join us. Let alone start smoking to do so. We do have non-smokers join us though in nicer weather. I love that i will have a choice now in a blizzard, or thunderstorm. Oh, the lengths we go just for a puff or two. Craziness. Senseless Addiction.

Alcohol is just an excuse to say, i didn't mean it. You know you are going to have a smoke because it gives you a valid excuse. Sorry, no it doesn't. You are already looking forward to that cigarette, because you have an excuse, a scapegoat. Fool me once, shame on you...Fool me Twice shame on ME!If alcohol is a weakness then abstain. from alcohol . Abstaining is TEMPORARY. Quitting is ONCE. Be prepared for triggers, especially when you know one is likely.

Fear of being a non-smoker is the issue. Why? Really think about it. The library is free to join and get Allan Carr's book. If you can't figure it out on your own, then i suggest you read his 400 pages. People read the book and quit cold turkey. 86% plus success rate with 1 read or seminar.

Believe that the cigarette has nothing to offer, that you are giving up NOTHING. You can't crave something you have no desire for. Hate it, despise it, see what is its ugly truth, what it has costs you. The Mindset gives you the freedom to leave it behind and never look back.

Hi Liza. I wrote a post that may interest you. I would really value the feedback on it, as you are familiar with Champix.
"Have you GivenUp GivenUp?. "I look forward to your response.
All the best to you.