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Smoking & How to Quit

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Have a helpful hint or motivating thought to share? Tell us your story. Encourage others. Share strategies for quitting smoking. This area is for you.

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I am on day 6 of not smoking. I am, for some reason, having a VERY hard day. Besides day 1, this is the only day I have physically reached for my cigarettes (thank goodnes I do not have any - I may have been on pack 2 by now). I quit because my 5 year old asked me too, and as much as I love him I really enjoyed the smoking. But he also has been one of my greatest motivators!! When I have a craving, I do my deep breathing and think of how my son's face looked when I told him I was quitting. But 2 days ago I got a cold. I am all stuffy and it is making my deep breathing very hard! I am jumping on my husband's case every time I turn around, then the next moment I am crying. Then I feel so stupid for being so controlled by something. My thinking seems messed up and my concentration is gone. I feel like I am putting all my energies into not wanting a cigarette. I am glad I am not alone. But really, does it get easier???? I heard day 3 and week 2 was the worst. Got past that day, then someone told me that month 11 was the worst... ARE THEY SERIOUS????? I thought if I could get past week 2 I would be home free... But by month 11 I will probably be in the hospital for stress, divorced and my kid will hate me. It was quite a downer. I hope it gets better.

Christal from Missouri

One day at a time is right. I'm on my 4th day of quitting. I have been smoking since I was teenager, now I'm 36. It's hard. I think about it still but I don't want to go outside my deck and leave my 7 month old by himself while I smoke.

Single Mom from Washington

I want to quit so badly for health reasons. And to not feel embarrassed or ashamed of such an ugly, unpopular habit. To feel better while exercising. To have more energy. I had quit for 6 years since I got pregnant with my first child. And I never craved cigarettes during that time. But one night I reunited with some old friends and I bought cigarettes. I only smoked occasionally at first, but then I started working at a job where the manager wanted me to join her for smoke breaks and I reluctantly did. Suddenly I was smoking during the day, every day. Every time I felt stressed, I'd go out for a smoke break at work. And now I smoke four times as much as I ever had smoked in the past! I quit for 3 weeks a month ago, but got in a fight with my husband and went out and bought cigarettes to go with my glass of wine out by myself at a pub. And now I can't stop again. I smoke 1/2 pack a day and usually a whole pack on weekend days. In the past I never felt it was an addiction. I could quit at any time. Now I feel like it has control over me. It's like my friend that shares in my stress and pain, and I'm afraid to give up that friend. There is no logic to it. It is very logical to quit. There are all the reasons to quit and no reasons to continue. So why does this have such a hold on me?

Rebecca Marie from Texas

Tell me, when you think of quitting, or even when you are in the process of quitting, do you find it miserable? Exhausting? Hard? Then this means you are using the willpower method. You still have a desire to smoke so you have to battle with yourself until you go mad and give in right? I always thought this was the ONLY way, but it isn't!!! You can feel wonderful and excited to quit smoking! I quit smoking a week ago after 13 years of smoking by reading a great book about an easy way to stop smoking. Before you all roll your eyes at the self help book idea - please give it a chance. It uses what I think is the most powerful weapon known to smother an addition - POWER OF THE MIND! Congrats to all those who have quit and I sincerely wish the rest of you become successful at escaping the addition.

Jessie from Alabama

I’m on day 6 of my quit. The comments I’ve read from all of you here really help. Thank you all for sharing your experience and advice.

Bonnie from Michigan

I am trying to quit smoking. I started when I was 20 and am now almost 59. I suffer from anxiety and depression and this is horrible. I have smoked between 10-15 cigarettes a day, and am down to three a day. The symptoms are bad. My anxiety is worse, and I can't concentrate at work. I don't want the patch because I don't think I can go cold turkey yet. I'm trying to get my dependence down a little before cutting out all cigarettes. I would appreciate any encouragement you can give me.

Ami from New Jersey

I am a 30 year old mother of 3 and 1 year ago I lost my father to cancer. I had been smoking since I was a teen. I was on a pack and a half a day when my oldest child came to me and asked when I was going to stop smoking so I could live a longer life then her grandpa. I thought about all I would miss if I continue to smoke. My father was 63 when he died. My grandfather passed away from lung cancer when he was 50. I knew then I had to stop. I want to see my kids grow up. I am on my 3rd day of being smoke-free and it’s hard. There are time I think I’m not going to last until I look at my kids. You have to take it 1 day at a time. Good luck to all who have chosen to live a healthy life and a smoke free one.

Anonymous from Pennsylvania

I am 23 and have smoked for 5 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed it, but deep down you're never totally happy to be a smoker. I want more from my life than to only know a crutch; I want to finally be able to gain mass in the gym (I'm quite skinny); I want to know what my physical best is. I don't want my wife to outlive me by a decade. I love her. I like me, and I know I'm better than this rubbish. I haven't smoked in 2 days. There are times I feel dreadful, and times I feel a momentum and pride I haven't otherwise experienced. The withdrawal has robbed me of casual comforts and I hope it wanes within the next few days. The bottom line is this: cigarettes have gotten this deep into my life. They own me. As a smoker I am always settled. But I am better than that and I WILL make it. I know you will too.

Dave from Indiana

I quit smoking about 8 months ago after 25 years of smoking. I still miss it a lot, but everyone I talked to says it takes about a year and you feel human again. I quit cold turkey after trying pills, gum, patches, hypnotism, and anything else you can think of - I tried it all. If you really want to quit smoking, just quit. You have to really want it though. Don't beat yourself up if you don't quit the first time - I tried about 6 times before I was successful. I promise you, if you can make it, it really is worth it.

Dianne from Ohio

I'm 42 and have been smoking since I was 12. Both my parents died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I am breathless, my voice is changing, and it is hard for me to take a walk because of my breathing. How sad is that? I have quit smoking today; it is probably the seventh or eighth time I've tried to quit. I feel good about it this time. I want to BREATHE. I get so scared of not being able to simply breathe any more. I am horribly addicted to the nicotine and will smoke even through illness and breathlessness. I am using a patch and so far so good. I know I can do this. I know I can beat it. These comments and stories are helping me get through my first day, so thanks to all of you. My mantra is "one and I'm done" - I can't have even just one. It's only been a few hours, but that adds up to half a pack of cigarettes not smoked. I can do this. So can you. Good luck to all of us.

Lisa from Colorado

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Content last updated May 6, 2009.

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