Stories & experiences

Hi cuba. You may have to bite the bullet and declare to yourself "enough is enough". If you want to be a SOCIAL smoker fair enough? I couldn't be one. The cycle repeats over and over. And, to top it off, the damn addiction seems to grow and grow in a never ending story of having to buy those thing's again and again.
I , just like most people have stop smoking completely.
I have known people to have a rare Cuban cigar or a few puff's on a cigg on occasion, but, they are lucky!
On the other-hand, I think i'm lucky to escape alive.
I will not be tempted.
Set your freedom, not your addiction.

How long have you been quit Cuba? If you are under a week or two then it’s not your time to quit- if I take longer bear in mind not a physical need you are sensing just a mental twinge or symptom of addiction- don’t give in - you have no physical need. Each puff is re-hooking you

Thanks to both of you. In answer Mike O I have been “quit” for around 9 months but I have smoked a bit the last few weeks and at other times. I know what to do though which is to never pick up another cigarette.
I went and got some lozenges today which I’m using when a craving hits. They are far better than smoking.

Good on you for taking another approach and being determined to see this battle through to the end and being victorious! Remember that there is no such thing as "just one" and that truly you are missing nothing and gaining everything in the long term. Stay positive, you CAN do this!

Thanks Happiness. I do feel very motivated again and determined. Also good about my decision not to smoke. I’m in a better place than previously. It was the right choice to go buy lozenges and I want to add that it is amazing the difference quitting completely makes to your mental health. I feel instantly in control and positive again.

Retrain your brain, I did and giving up was easy. I smoked for 35 years and stopped without a single substitute, well maybe a bit to much food but no patches, tablets or vaps. I listened to The Hypnotist on Apple Podcasts for 3 days while I slept and that was it, then just a bit of will power to remind myself I wasn't a smoker when the habit crept into my thoughts. I also did a lot of paint-by-numbers to keep my hands busy. Almost a year now, and on the odd occasion my brain says after you finish this job you can have a smoke...and I laugh and think thats right I'm a non smoker and the fleeting thought is gone. If you are interested search for The Hypnotist and download the ones specific to smoking and play them when you sleep softly, I swear it re-trained my brain

Retrain your brain, I did and giving up was easy. I smoked for 35 years and stopped without a single substitute, well maybe a bit to much food but no patches, tablets or vaps. I listened to The Hypnotist on Apple Podcasts for 3 days while I slept and that was it, then just a bit of will power to remind myself I wasn't a smoker when the habit crept into my thoughts. I also did a lot of paint-by-numbers to keep my hands busy. Almost a year now, and on the odd occasion my brain says after you finish this job you can have a smoke...and I laugh and think thats right I'm a non smoker and the fleeting thought is gone. If you are interested search for The Hypnotist and download the ones specific to smoking and play them when you sleep softly, I swear it re-trained my brain

Retrain your brain, I did and giving up was easy. I smoked for 35 years and stopped without a single substitute, well maybe a bit to much food but no patches, tablets or vaps. I listened to The Hypnotist on Apple Podcasts for 3 days while I slept and that was it, then just a bit of will power to remind myself I wasn't a smoker when the habit crept into my thoughts. I also did a lot of paint-by-numbers to keep my hands busy. Almost a year now, and on the odd occasion my brain says after you finish this job you can have a smoke...and I laugh and think thats right I'm a non smoker and the fleeting thought is gone. If you are interested search for The Hypnotist and download the ones specific to smoking and play them when you sleep softly, I swear it re-trained my brain

Hi well I wish you luck in your endeavour and I want to share my story with you in hope that it may help in some way but I must warn you that I shoot from the hip. I quit smoking 1356 days ago. That nearly 4 years and I must tell you that it is no cake walk by all means. I had attempted many times prior to this and failed. I would get to 4 weeks and it was like I was hitting a brick wall. The withdrawals seemed too much. This time when I did hit 4 weeks I thought to myself that if I didn't keep going it would just cause more disappointment for myself so I kept going. 1 thing that I found was that yes the withdrawals ate strong but only lasted about 30 seconds. After that month they began to become further apart. At 3 months they were subsiding substantially. I hope that this gives you a bit of understanding and ease the hardship of quitting for you? Quitting was 1 of the best things if not the best thing I've done with my life. I wish you good luck and if you fail. That's totally cool because you're more likely to quit next time like me.

Hi well I wish you luck in your endeavour and I want to share my story with you in hope that it may help in some way but I must warn you that I shoot from the hip. I quit smoking 1356 days ago. That nearly 4 years and I must tell you that it is no cake walk by all means. I had attempted many times prior to this and failed. I would get to 4 weeks and it was like I was hitting a brick wall. The withdrawals seemed too much. This time when I did hit 4 weeks I thought to myself that if I didn't keep going it would just cause more disappointment for myself so I kept going. 1 thing that I found was that yes the withdrawals ate strong but only lasted about 30 seconds. After that month they began to become further apart. At 3 months they were subsiding substantially. I hope that this gives you a bit of understanding and ease the hardship of quitting for you? Quitting was 1 of the best things if not the best thing I've done with my life. I wish you good luck and if you fail. That's totally cool because you're more likely to quit next time like me.

Hi well I wish you luck in your endeavour and I want to share my story with you in hope that it may help in some way but I must warn you that I shoot from the hip. I quit smoking 1356 days ago. That nearly 4 years and I must tell you that it is no cake walk by all means. I had attempted many times prior to this and failed. I would get to 4 weeks and it was like I was hitting a brick wall. The withdrawals seemed too much. This time when I did hit 4 weeks I thought to myself that if I didn't keep going it would just cause more disappointment for myself so I kept going. 1 thing that I found was that yes the withdrawals ate strong but only lasted about 30 seconds. After that month they began to become further apart. At 3 months they were subsiding substantially. I hope that this gives you a bit of understanding and ease the hardship of quitting for you? Quitting was 1 of the best things if not the best thing I've done with my life. I wish you good luck and if you fail. That's totally cool because you're more likely to quit next time like me.

Hi Cuba,
I can relate to you as I quite 5 months ago and there was a few Saturday nights that got the best of me. I managed to not keep smoking eg full time but putting it back in my system I think made me think about it more. I haven't had any cigarettes for 4-5 weeks now and I feel good. My partner is going overseas in 3 weeks and i need to be strong when he is gorn. This is going to test me. I look at younger people who have die who have smoked, drank, taken drugs (shane warne, Elvis (I just watched the movie) and this reminds me that it is very important that we care for our bodies and mental health.

Thanks Liz87, I’m glad to hear you’re going so well. I am too now thanks to the support and I’m feeling healthy and well again. It really is worth it!

Thanks Liz87, I’m glad to hear you’re going so well. I am too now thanks to the support and I’m feeling healthy and well again. It really is worth it!