Nicotine is more addictive than heroin... And like gambling and alcohol... You never really do quit and relapse is always a possible outcome.
I tried every trick in the book for 40 years trying to quit. Then they came out with those goofy electronic cigarettes. After six months of them, I quit permanently ten years ago. Haven’t touched a cigarette, vape or anything during those 10 years. I’ve reached the magic point where I’d hate to have to try quitting all over again. I always give vape the credit for my success. Nothing else worked.
I did cold turkey for Mrs rktman’s 55 birthday. That was 7 years ago. She’s been clean for 11 years from cigs. I knew if it was a birthday present, no way could I ever go back. 😂👍. I couldn’t afford them now anyway......
It’s a particularly nasty addiction.
I know this personally.
L
I like a nice cigar now and then. Maybe five times a year. Same with a pipe, same amount but clustered around the upcoming holidays.
What happened to the “Smoker Mafia” that used to be here and attacked anyone critical of smoking? Say something to one and they would ping their list to come and attack.
Nasty bunch.
Day 31 stopped at the Pontiac dealer and bought one, haven't smoked since.
Quitting smoking was tremendously difficult. Took my 6 years. Every time I went drinking I’d start smoking again. It was only after I quit drinking that I was able to quit and stay off cigarettes. That was 43 years ago.
Bfl
Horshiiite.
Just quit.
It’s a character flaw to continue once you choose to stop.
Choosing is the glitch in the matrix.
You have to choose to not do it.
Some folks enjoy smoking.
They know it will un-alive them.
But do it anyway.
That’s also a choice.
I quit smoking for over a year. Every day was a battle. After work I had to talk myself from stopping at a gas station to pick up a pack. I finally grew tired and went back to smoking. Then vapes were invented. It was still hard to give up the cigarettes. It took me three months just to be on the vape.
35 yrs tobacco free here, although I still enjoy an occasional cigar with a nice Cognac or scotch. I can’t imagine myself ever going back to cigarettes and I was a heavy smoker from an early age.
I quit many years ago and haven’t thought about having a smoke for a long time. That is until I read the article.
You have to think differently about it.
Once you commit to quit, it takes a while to get past it.
After a while, you are no longer quitting, you simply don’t smoke anymore. It is not a part of your life.
The nicotine addiction clears out after a couple of months. The hand to mouth bit is the part that lingers. I wondered what I would do instead of a smoke break. For a while I would sit there and not smoke. After a while I just went about my business. I used Commit lozenges for nicotine replacement while fighting the hand to mouth habit. Remained happily smoke free for years. Started smoking cigars a while back and wish I hadn’t. At least I don’t freak out if I can’t have one.
Its been about 45 years now, the first months were not easy. My experience was that the more time that went by the less urges to smoke I had and the more disgust I had of the thought of smoking,especially found others smoke disgusting. Unlike those in the study, my energy increased.
I began smoking at 18, after HS, “Benson&Hedges Menthold 100s” - the longest cig available
Carton was $2.89 (10 packs).
After 5 years, increased to 2 packs a day.
Tried quitting a gazillion times.
After another 5 years, quit cold turkey - totally painless - and never looked back.
Now smoke-free since I was 28...and never again had an urge.
I’ve had 2-3 cigars but it’s been decades since the last one.
They needed a study for this? Lou Reed said of all the things he quit smoking was the one he never stopped craving.