How did you stop smoking?

I have always smoked. I want to quit because I really don't want to smoke. I am sometimes embarrassed that I smoke. I never want my kids to smoke and I don't want to get cancer, but I used to be an alcoholic and drug addict and feel like smoking is all I have left to use. I know that sounds stupid, but I just could never get rid of this last thing - cigarettes.

What should I expect when I go without a cigarette?

Hi,

I quit because my son (10) and my dad kept asking me. When my son started crying - I knew it was time.
1st I tried cold turkey - I kept sneaking cigarettes.
2nd I got the patch - I kept sneaking cigarettes
3rd I changed my way of thinking. Every time I snuck a cigarette I thought "how stupid am I"? I'm hiding in my backyard doing something I don't want to do. I relied on the patch and after a week and a half - I stopped wearing it altogether.
Then I confessed to my son that I was sneaking and I allowed him to wet all my cigarettes. Then I showed him where I hid them. It was good to have his help in the end. I felt stronger with him.
I think I went through "withdrawals" I had a nasty headcold that came from nowhere.
I have been smoke free for 6 months and I get cravings when I smell them - but I think about all the good things that come from not smoking. Fresh smells and good tasting food..... Good Luck

I tried using the patch, it worked for about 6 weeks, but then I went on vacation. I knew there would be a lot of down time, a lot of "hurry up and wait", so I went off the patch and started smoking again. I bought a carton. They didn't taste as good as I thought they would, which was a help.

When I finished that carton, I tried to go back to the patch, but I had a bad reaction, almost like a chemical burn. I didn't have a regular doctor at the time, so I didn't have immediate access to Chantrix. (I know people that it's helped, some it didn't and a couple that had bad reactions.)

It's been 10+ months now, I still find myself looking for my cigarettes, but I'm getting over the cravings. My wife's cigarettes no longer seem appealing.

People talk about how great it is t get your sense of smell back. I'm a mental health care worker and see clients in their homes or in the community, sometimes giving rides for shopping or doctors. I've realized how many cigarettes I lit up to mask smells.

I just quit cold turkey, but this is tough cause the nicoteen in the cigarette is a addictive and it takes a long time to get out of your system. They have a product called Chantex that is suppose to work, otherwise chew alot of gum and just think positive and you can do it. Your feel alot better and be able to do alot more. Good luck to you.