Thank you for the email. I will be three years a nonsmokers March of 2019.
My life has improved for the better...I get lots of oxygen now! It feels
great!
I quit cold turkey March 2016 because I got sick. I didn't want to eat,
much less smoke at the time. I told myself that I just needed to get
through the first 72 hours (3 days) and I wouldn't be physically addicted.
It worked! It was like a pressure valve went off. I was free.
After the 72 hours, I didn't crave cigarettes. I was also a member of
whyquit.com on Facebook which gave me information and helpful support.
Honestly, the epiphany that made my quit succeed after dozens of attempts
to quit was FINALLY understanding that all I was doing was regulating my
nicotine levels ALL DAY LONG. I didn't want to waste my time with smoking
because it is time consuming staying stocked up with supplies and smoking
them. I made my own with American Spirit, thinking that smoking tobacco
without additives was better for me. Smoking is smoking. If I was smoking
spinach, I'm still inhaling substances into my lungs. Simply put, my lungs
just want oxygen.
The time spent also smoking felt like a problem. I have been that person
standing outside smoking down a cigarette in inclement weather or outside
my car trying to get my nicotine levels right. I was the only smoker having
to go outside family gatherings or away from the nonsmokers because I
needed to get my nicotine level right. Gawd! What a waste of time. I
realized that I wasn't going to waste anymore of my time doing that. That's
basically it.
Having done the become an EX study helped me stay mindful and determined so
thank you for that.
I'm done. I never in my life would have thought that cold turkey was for me
because I hated the withdrawal. I've tried the patch, the gum...cold turkey
was it. I got sick and I was so low that it was worth a try.
Good luck to those trying. Never give up! Just keep trying and you'll get
it. I used to joke that I was a serial quitter haha. I've severed the
addiction. It's possible! You can do whatever you set your mind to!
