2005: Hoping For A Smoke-Free Year - Smoking Cessation Message Board

malibubarbie999 · 12-22-2004, 12:25 AM

Hey everyone, thanks for taking the time to read this. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I am 21/F, smoked my first cigarette at 11 and became a regular smoker by age 14 (anywhere between half-a-pack to a pack-a-day). This has been an extremely difficult and stressful year for me (for many reasons), but I am making it my new years resolution to do something positive for myself and quit smoking. It is hard for me to imagine life without cigarettes. I smoke shortly after waking up in the morning, after meals, in the car, when I'm stressed/sad/happy, whatever! This is going to be difficult but I want to do this more than anything. My quit date is quickly approaching and I would appreciate ANY tips you have on quitting! I am considering the patch, but am currently taking stimulant meds (Adderall) for ADHD so I'm not sure if I can combine these two things. Anyhow, if you are an ex-smoker, I'd love to hear about how you dealt with cravings and stayed strong in your decision to quit. Thanks for any input!

Deda · 12-22-2004, 02:18 AM

Hi Malibubarbie--

Good for you in deciding to quit. I know it seems scary, and in your mind you are probably doubting yourself, thinking that you really can't do it. Don't listen to those thoughts, you can. I was like you, badly hooked, (most of us are) smoked for 30 years and quit at least 10 x. (2 x I made it to a year). This time I got serious though. I started by using Welbutrin, but only for 3 weeks. And I planned a quit date, and then on that date, I finished my last cig at noon, and slapped on a patch. I posted on this board a lot with other new quitters. I had a couple of short relapses, (after 4 months quit), but now I am doing really good, and hardly have any cravings, just now and then. I'm still learning to live without my cigs. (I smoked about 1-1 1/2 packs a day) It is wonderful not being controlled all the time by those stupid cigs. I'm in charge of my day now, not the cigs in charge of me.

I will be here if you need any help, along with other that post here. Be strong in mind...you can do this!

Deda-->15 months smokeless

malibubarbie999 · 12-22-2004, 09:47 AM

Thank you so much, Deda, for your advice! You have given me hope! Congratulations on your quit - after 30 years of smoking, I can only imagine how difficult that was for you. You are a very strong person. I hope I can follow in your footsteps and make a successful quit. Like you did, I've tried quitting many times before, with no luck. The way I look at it now... the longer I smoke, the harder it'll be to stop. It's been 10 years since I smoked my 1st cig and even that seems like forever! I've lost 2 relatives to smoking this year (1 to throat cancer, 1 to lung cancer). Both were in their 40s. Also, my grandpa is dying of emphysema. I don't want that to be me 20 yrs down the road. Thanks for giving me the words of wisdom

Deda · 12-24-2004, 01:17 AM

You are welcome Malibubarbie.

A very Merry Christmas to you and a happy, healthy and SMOKE FREE New Year!! I just know that you will do it!

Deda

malibubarbie999 · 12-24-2004, 09:30 AM

Merry Christmas to you, too, Deda! Thank you so much for your advice and inspiration! You've definitely given me hope. Through this website, I am sure that you have given hope to many, and that is great. Quitting a powerful habit like smoking is never easy, but it makes it easier to know there are people out there (like you) who know exactrly what I am going through. Have a great new years and be safe!

Take Care--

MalibuBarbie