It was five years ago today...

stratovani · #1 06-17-2011, 08:28 AM

... that I finally beat my tobacco addiction. Smoked my last cigarette the night before, then I slapped on a patch when I got up in the morning. It was tough those first few weeks, even with the patch on, but I stuck it out, and it's the best thing I've ever done. I was 52, and I'd been smoking since I was 18, and I'm guesstimating I smoked somewhere in the neighborhood of $30,000 dollars. I could have put a down payment on a house with the money I sent up in smoke! But the real motivator for me was seeing old people having to carry around oxygen tanks wherever they go because of emphysema and COPD. I certainly didn't want that in my future.

So that's one problem taken care of. Just a couple more to take care of and I'll be all set!

Jim Nazium · #2 06-17-2011, 08:36 AM

Awesome. Congratulations. 20+ years here.

Absentia · #3 06-17-2011, 08:49 AM

Congrats,
one year this month, I've had a cigar here and there but not the pack and a half. the smell of cigarettes makes me sick now.

Breathing, not getting winded going up stairs, not coughing up brown crap all worth it.

gttim · #4 06-17-2011, 08:56 AM

Quit 5/17/1992, so 19+ right now. For the last decade was smoking about 2 packs a day. Amazing how the quality of life improves after you quit for a while. Since that time have become an avid cyclist and 6 time Ironman. Cannot imagine a life smoking.

Smokin' Toaster · #5 06-17-2011, 09:20 AM

Congratulations!! 25+ years for me, but always be aware that you are one cigarette away from starting back, and this applies to me too. Sure, I think they stink and can't stand to be around them, but all it would take is one night of too much to drink and "hey, everybody's smoking so I'll have just one" and they'd be back. Not likely for me, but I always remember, there cannot be any "I'll have just one..."

Way to go, man!

stratovani · #6 06-17-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin' Toaster

Congratulations!! 25+ years for me, but always be aware that you are one cigarette away from starting back, and this applies to me too. Sure, I think they stink and can't stand to be around them, but all it would take is one night of too much to drink and "hey, everybody's smoking so I'll have just one" and they'd be back. Not likely for me, but I always remember, there cannot be any "I'll have just one..."

Way to go, man!

You're absolutely right, I couldn't agree with you more! It's the nature of addictions, and like alcoholics or drug addicts we're only one cigarette away from being smokers again. That's one of the things that always in the back of my mind.

macaroni tony · #7 06-17-2011, 09:40 AM

congratulations! keep at it strato!

pedroims · #8 06-17-2011, 11:19 AM

Congratulations !!! fortunally tobacco is not my thing, last time I had a cigar was two years ago in South Africa, the manager ( she) of the hotel where I was staying invited me to the cigar lounge and let me pick any cigar I wanted, I chose a Cohiba esplendido , I lighted on with a scoth in my other hand.... damn cigar, I still had the flavor in my mouth the next day...not cool at all ...and a headache

bjabass · #9 06-17-2011, 11:25 AM

6 months for me, 2 packs a day for 40 years before that. Bad case of bronchitis cured me. I coughed so hard (smoking with bronchitis is HAARRRRD...not to mention stupid) I cracked a rib. THAT was enough for even THIS idiot. I am now convinced that the next one I smoke will kill me.

Fretless1! · #10 06-17-2011, 11:58 AM

I applaud you, sir! I applaud all of you that have quit. That is one nasty addiction and very hard to kick.

macaroni tony · #11 06-17-2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjabass

6 months for me, 2 packs a day for 40 years before that. Bad case of bronchitis cured me. I coughed so hard (smoking with bronchitis is HAARRRRD...not to mention stupid) I cracked a rib. THAT was enough for even THIS idiot. I am now convinced that the next one I smoke will kill me.

That is almost unfeasible!

Congratulations and keep it up!

TheSuzie · #12 06-17-2011, 12:39 PM

Excellent. I grew up smoking and carried on well into adulthood. It took me many tries to stop and finally stay stopped. Any time temptation cropped up I tried to remember that fact up front. Been a long time now and considering my current state of health I hate to think what it would be like now if I kept smoking all these years.

Happy Anniversary!

S

BartmanPDX · #13 06-17-2011, 12:42 PM

Very nice! I've had friends who have struggled very hard in trying to quit. It's quite an accomplishment to succeed.

warwick.hoy · #14 06-17-2011, 01:04 PM

Nice.

I picked the pack back up last April after being tobacco free for over a year and just today decided to get back on the wagon. 4 hours and maybe 3 cravings latter and I haven't caved. I keep getting up to go outside like an involuntary reaction,...but I just sit my butt back down and tough it out.

gttim · #15 06-17-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin' Toaster

Congratulations!! 25+ years for me, but always be aware that you are one cigarette away from starting back, and this applies to me too.

Even after 19 years I still have dreams of smoking. I always experience regret in these dreams, and wonder how I started again, but I do still have these dreams.

Wyrm74 · #16 06-17-2011, 01:30 PM

I stopped dipping after 20 years. About a 18 months ago I just decided it was time, finished the can I had open and then just stopped cold turkey. Toughest week of my life followed by the 2nd toughest week of my life! I got back $1,100 a year by quitting!

I know the "pain" associated with quitting, so good on you. That is a major accomplishment!

stratovani · #17 06-17-2011, 01:56 PM

One thing I've learned is that you have to look at it like an alcoholic, insomuch that an alcoholic will always consider himself as an alcoholic who is sober at the present time only, and who is always only one drink away from being a full-blown alcoholic again. We smokers will always be smokers who choose not to smoke at the present time, and are just one butt away from full-time smoking.

Congratulations to all of you who have chosen not to smoke today. May the "not smoking today" days turn into weeks, months, and years for you.

machine gewehr · #18 06-17-2011, 02:09 PM

Congratulations! Feels good doesn't it?

I haven't given up totally but I started doing sports (biking) and I smoke very little now, haven't smoked today yet,it's 11 PM.

powderfinger · #19 06-17-2011, 02:57 PM

That is very awesome, dude. I am 7 years "free" of tobacco myself. I smoked from 1991 to 2005. I useds to crave a cig for about the 1st year, now I do not crave them AT ALL. I find the thought sickening to my stomach 7 years later. It only gets easier!

powderfinger · #20 06-17-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratovani

One thing I've learned is that you have to look at it like an alcoholic, insomuch that an alcoholic will always consider himself as an alcoholic who is sober at the present time only, and who is always only one drink away from being a full-blown alcoholic again.

This is an interesting post. I am/was an alcoholic as well, who has been sober for about 3-4 years now. I also, as posted earlier, quit smoking about 7 yrs ago in 2005. With smoking, I find the thought repulsive and sickening, and do not crave a smoke ever anymore (and keep in mind, I smoked 15 years). However, with alcohol, I do crave it still from time to time, and realize I could become full blown at any moment. Im not worried about me ever smoking again, but thinking about taking a drink often makes me crave one. Cold beer on a summers day would be nice, but I know my limits as an older adult now.