Quit smoking around two weeks ago

[booger]

And now I'm smelling things and tasting things I was never aware of before. Ain't smellblind no more!  

Not having issues with cravings either. I was a pack a week smoker since I was like 18. I just liked to smoke whilst I drinked. But since the pandemic hit, had to put my much beloved dog down after almost 15 years with her, responsible for a dumpster fire project at work that I didn't understand and caused me such stress that it was workin' on me while I was trying to sleep, etc. I became a pack every two days smoker. That's way too many cigarettes for junior. I'd just go outside with a bottle of bourbon and chain smoke and cry all by myself. No, not an alcoholic. I tried to become one but I'll just have to add that to my list of failures in life. I just like the taste.

I'm pretty sure I won't ever smoke another cigarette as long as I live. I've gone two weeks now, not pulling my hair out or yelling at random people on the street. I still talk to myself but I've always done that. Now my lungs are cleaning themselves out. Eeeeuuww.

Anyone else here quit and what was your experience?

[ducpainter]

Good luck with it.

I've tried several times, but have never made it stick. My boss at my seasonal job likes to say, 'I'm one cigarette away from being a pack a day smoker'. That's pretty much what happens with me.

[Howie]

Quit twice, first time for a few years, second time from about 16 years ago until now.  Neither was a big deal for me. 

[Speedbag]

Congrats. 

Never developed that particular habit thankfully. Wish the wife unit would quit, but it seems unlikely. Nobody is getting out alive anyway.

[booger]

Quit twice, first time for a few years, second time from about 16 years ago until now.  Neither was a big deal for me. 

How long and how intense of a smoker were you? I heard quitting tobacco was more difficult than quitting heroin. I'm surprised I'm not having more trouble with it than I am. The celia in my lugs are cleaning house and I'm coughing up all kinda gack right now especially at night when I go to bed but not having hallucinating cravings or anything like that.

[Blackout]

Good on you booger. I've never smoked a day in my life even though both parents and older brothers did. They all quit years ago but family vacations used to be a torture.

[Howie]

About 1.5 to 2 packs a day.  Ease of quitting is different for everyone.  If you are surrounded by smokers that plays a role.  If you live with non smokers, go out, smoke a cigarette and return to be told how badly you stink it would be easier.  Just to be clear, I fully understand many people do have a hard time quitting and often takes several attempts.  I also do think media telling people how difficult it is doesn't help.  What does help is all the money you are not spending on cigarettes.

[ungeheuer]

Good on you booger.

+1

Mate, I found quitting difficult....  several attempts, some 'outages' lasting longer than others.  But my most recent attempt to quit was such a bloody awful experience... I never want to go through that ugly shit ever again.  

By 'most recent' I mean more than 30 years ago.  

I never want a smoke now, but I do still regard myself as a nicoholic although the temptation is zero these days.  Also, I dunno about you but I have waaaay better things to spend my money on.

Keep it up, you won't regret it  

[booger]

Thanks guys. Two packs of smokes here in DC are like $25. At my weekly rate that's $650/year, at the two day rate that's around $2300/year(shit!). Best move I've made in a while. I've been needing to make a good move in some way and I think this is one good way. So between that, my weekly psychotherapy sessions and taking my bicycle to work like I used to when I was younger and getting myself a Golden Retriever things are looking up for junior. 

[Randimus Maximus]

Ironic story...my dad was a smoker while he was in the Marine Corps (and maybe after) in the mid-60s.  He quit when cigs hit 25c per pack, as he couldn't afford it.  

I dabbled with them as a teenager (like many did).  That may have been when my dad told me the previous story.  But as a small town cop, he laid down the law.

Some years later, I picked it up again as a casual habit...  That probably lasted six or seven years.  Was up to close to a pack a day guy (although there were days when it was a pack or more).  Quit off and on occasionally.  But stopped cold turkey in 2002 or 2003.  Not sure what the trigger was, but it just was.  Haven't had a cig since then.

I can't imagine smoking at the prices today!

But that being said, congrats on your progress.  It only gets easier from here!  

[GregP]

Congrats and good luck! Grew up in a house of smokers back in the 70s and 80s when it was obligatory to get in the car, roll up all the windows and smoke you’re heart out. I could hold my breath for a really long time when I was a kid. 

Never picked up the habit as I was pretty disgusted by it based on my experience as a kid. Tried a puff here and there and could never get past that sick feeling it gave me.

Now you want to talk about sugar, that’s a whole other addiction I am very aware of and I understand how people go back to drinking, drugs and smoking after they quit. I can go a few days but the sweet tooth always wins and I go big when I cave. It’s easy to say it’s just sugar, but we all know what the stuff does to you over time.

[Stella]

Ironic story...my dad was a smoker while he was in the Marine Corps (and maybe after) in the mid-60s.  He quit when cigs hit 25c per pack, as he couldn't afford it. 

I dabbled with them as a teenager (like many did).  That may have been when my dad told me the previous story.  But as a small town top, he laid down the law.

Some years later, I picked it up again as a casual habit...  That probably lasted six or seven year.  Was up to close to a pack a day guy (although there were days when it was a pack or more).  Quit off and on occasionally.  But stopped cold turkey in 2002 or 2003.  Not sure what the trigger was, but it just was.  Haven't had a cig since then.

I can't imagine smoking at the prices today!

But that being said, congrats on your progress.  It only gets easier from here! 

Ya think you know someone....   



Congrats on this new life, Booger.  And my condolences on the passing of your pup.   An easy excuse to search for a diversion from that heart ache. 

[booger]

Ya think you know someone....   



Congrats on this new life, Booger.  And my condolences on the passing of your pup.   An easy excuse to search for a diversion from that heart ache. 

Thank You!! When Yoyo died it sent me to a very dark place. Her ashes are now with me safe & sound and I have another pup, Bunny, a beautiful white Golden. Drove up almost to Philadelphia to see her when she was six weeks old, and lay in the grass as the whole litter crawled all over me. That was the beginning of my way back to happiness. Two weeks later I went back & picked her up. I am completely worn out! She's a good strong baby girl wow. Already over 50lbs. She hurts her papa by accident all the time she's so big goofy heavy & strong. I'm loving it. Chewed a hole right in the middle of my gf's Persian rug her parents gave her when she was born. But my gf loves her too! We''ll get that repaired. Over the moon with Bunny.