2 years, counting, and so tempted

[j3nny3lf]

I quit in January 2024. I used the patch for two weeks, then a low nic vape for two weeks, then a FUM for a few months. I smoked for 44 years, starting straight off at a pack a day and by the end I was up to 4 20 smoke packs of Little Cigars because they were cheaper (also nastier, smellier, and much harsher, but they gave me my fix for $1.80 a pack).

Lately I find myself thinking about just having ONE. ALL the time. I crave the nasty things like a hypoglycemic craves sugar.

Does anybody have any suggestions to help get rid of this craving? I really don't want to go back. I just spent a week in the hospital with pneumonia and was diagnosed with COPD. I'm on oxygen at all times, now, and I hate that I did this to myself.

[Cbdave]

Gday

10 years quit for me now. 
Start the nope pledge every morning to be a super superior ex smoker bloke…….,

No way. Bullshit. Big lie. Just like the nicotine lies. 
I remind myself I’m an addict. Yes like you about 50 years an addict.

Im always 1 smoke a day from 40 a day. 
That close? Really done that too many times.
I face it every day. I like my world.

I’m an addict but I don’t smoke.

I really enjoy my life as a non smoker.

 

 

 

 

 

[Paul723]

For me, there came a time when I just said to myself, "Smoking is over, I'm done with it, move on".   You're quitting smoking not abstaining.  That one would be awful and you know it.

[QuittingGirl]

We all know how difficult it is, but you have to remain strong especially since you were diagnosed with COPD and are on oxygen!  Do anything to take your mind off of smoking.  Go for a walk, drink a big glass of water, call a friend.  Do anything but smoke!!

[Doreensfree]

Staying Quit will stop this awful illness from getting any worse 

Just imagine how horrible you would feel if you smoked that cigarette .

You would hate yourself , right back where you were 2 years ago .

You feel very sick , faint , smelly and very disappointed .

Just to end my hubby died of copd / emphysema … Would you really want to put your loved ones through that 

Keep that Magical Quit …

 

[Reciprocity]

Quit "romancing the cigarette"; or a nicotine fix to be more exact @j3nny3lf!

You've quit - IT'S OVER! You're a non-smoker now.

 

Surely you can't be contemplating trading doing additional damage to your lungs just for an imagined momentary pleasure of having a hit of nicotine? This is your addiction talking to you, trying to control your mind still. Don't let that happen because you'll regret it tremendously; I guarantee it!!

[DenaliBlues]

Hi, @j3nny3lf! I’m coming up on 3 years quit and I still have big “crave waves” from time to time. As others have said, I took smoking off the table. Period. No negotiating, no increments. Just NOPE. But cravings still happen. So very aggravating!

 

For me, 2 things help. The first is mentally “reclassifying” the cravings as nostalgia, not anything I have the option to act on today. The second is not to focus on them. Don’t give them the power of my attention. I wouldn’t chase a noisy, smelly trash truck rumbling down the street… I’d let it pass on by. Same with the cravings. Just a trash truck… a noisy commercial for junk I don’t need. Change the mental channel. Focus on something else. 

 

You have nearly 2 years of proof that you don’t need to act on the urges. Good on you for keeping your precious quit intact!! 

 

[lookmawatchmecrash]

I know I’m late to this post, but as someone who is on the first day after my 1,999,999 quit… I would give anything to be in your spot right now. You are truly an inspiration, and I hope I can make this one stick at least as long as yours. I hope you keep the quit. It’s so worth it.

[Minnie Mouse]

The question to ask yourself is not do you want a cigarette but rather do you want to be a full fledged smoker again.   It's never "just" one.  They always travel in packs.  You already made the choice to quit.  No reason to rethink it.  Do anything but smoke.  The want will pass if you let it.  You can stay quit.  

[Minnie Mouse]

@lookmawatchmecrash  You can quit once and for all ... believe it!   None of us with long quits are super human beings endowed with special powers to quit smoking.  We did the hard work in the beginning to get to where it no longer is even an issue for us.  It's a choice.  It always will be.  Join us.  

[Doreensfree]

Good to see you @lookmawatchmecrash

You can do it , stay close to the board 

We will help you

[QuittingGirl]

Hi @lookmawatchmecrash Welcome! We are very glad you have found our site, and you will find a ton of support here, from member advice to so much information on the dangers of smoking, and how to quit successfully.  Quitting smoking is a journey that we all know is not an easy one, but it's definitely doable and so worth it in the end. We have quitters here from newbies,  quitters who have quit more than once such as yourself (this is my 2nd and last time quitting),  and all the way up to 20+ years and everything in between.  

 

Our best advice for you in the beginning is to come on this site every day, if you can, and do the daily Nope pledge because it will keep you focused.  If you ever find yourself where you feel you are going to give in and smoke, there is an SOS section.  Since our members are from all over the world, there is usually someone around most of the time.  To help you get your mind off of smoking there is a Games section too.  The most popular game is Chicks and Sticks, go and check it out, it's a load of fun!

 

What I used in the beginning of my quit was cinnamon sticks.  I would take them and pretend that I was smoking sucking the air in and pretend to blow it out.  They really did help me and they tasted great.  So much better than dirty cigarettes.  If you don't like cinnamon you can use cut up straws.

 

 If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.