MarylandQuitter

In early December 2012 I went to see my Dr. about something unrelated and before I left I decided to mention that I wanted to quit smoking but enjoyed it too much. I told him that I could quit if I really wanted to, I just didn’t want to. I told him that I wanted to quit smoking for my family because they meant everything to me and I knew that the cigarettes would eventually catch up with me if I didn’t quit for good. In a nutshell, he told me I was full of shit. He told me that my family wasn’t the most important thing in my life, cigarettes were. He also went on to tell me that I was an addict to which I laughed and said “you’re telling me that I’m an addict because I’m smoking tobacco? It’s not like I’m shooting heroin or snorting cocaine.” He chuckled to himself and said “you’re the exact definition of an addict and the only reason why you’re not out on the streets stealing to feed your addiction is because cigarettes are legal.” I was mad as I sat there. How could this man say these things to me? I really do enjoy smoking. I sat and I listened. He gave me a prescription for Wellbutrin XL to help me quit smoking. I told him that I didn’t need any medication to quit smoking and he informed me that I had been smoking for nearly 28 years with several failed attempts at quitting and whatever I was doing was not working. After about 5 days the medication started to work to the point that after 2 or 3 pulls on a cigarette, I would get sick to my stomach and be on the verge of puking. Still, I lit one cigarette after another hoping that the nausea would not last, but it did and finally on December 17, 2012, I decided that I had enough and quit. This time I stayed nicotine free for 9 months and was sure I would never smoke again. I spent hour after hour, day after day reading everything I could about nicotine addiction. I watched the documentaries about the evil tobacco companies (which are on this website and very good I might add), joined a support group online and was sure I had all the answers to staying quit for good. But as things go, I relapsed again in September 2013 because of one reason; I still believed that the cigarette had something to offer me. After all of the reading and learning about nicotine addiction, none of it mattered because somewhere in the back of my mind I still believed in the cigarette. Thankfully, my relapse was short-lived and lasted only 1 week and 1 pack of cigarettes. What a shame it was to light the first of some 20 odd cigarettes after being smoke-free for ~9 months. Those 9 months prior that I speak of, although smoke-free, I was still believing somewhere in the back of my mind that cigarettes could offer me something because of my triumphant reunion with them nearly two years prior. It was all a big lie perpetuated by me. When I bought that pack in October I thought it would help. After reading Allen Carr’s book several times and being proactive for so many months, who was I kidding? The only thing I got from it was emptiness. It was at this moment and 19 cigarettes later that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that cigarettes could not do a damn thing for me. It took a one week relapse for me to 100% believe that no matter what happens in life, no matter how crappy I feel, cigarettes will not do anything. With each and every cigarette I analyzed how I felt. From the very first pull on that cigarette I was ultra aware of how I was feeling. I remembered Allen Carr. I remembered the lies. I remembered all the former smokers in the support group. I recalled all I had read about this addiction. I was still waiting for the enjoyment because I thought it really existed. Not only did I not get one bit of enjoyment from any of it, but I also found out the hard way that there isn’t a single thing enjoyable about smoking. It wasn’t until I truly understood that I got nothing from smoking that I willingly put the cigarettes down without any medication and without a second thought. However, close to the end of that week of smoking I could feel the addiction coming on strong. Had I not chosen to quit smoking on October 7th, 2013, I feel that I would have fallen back into a full blown nicotine addiction and smoking 30-40 cigarettes per day as that was my usual routine. I was probably just a few cigarettes away from this happening and it was scary to relive those feelings of being physically and mentally addicted to smoking constantly needing to feed the throngs of nicotine withdrawal. This is not a place that I ever want to revisit. If you think that you enjoy smoking or that is somehow relaxes you, then you still think that smoking cigarettes can still offer you something of benefit. This is romanticizing the cigarette, also known as junkie thinking, whether you want to believe it or not. Leaving this door open is dangerous because something will happen along the way that will allow the addiction to creep in and when you least expect it, you’ve relapsed. Lastly, a relapse doesn’t happen without first romancing or allowing junkie thinking to creep in. No situation, as bad as it may be, will force you to smoke unless you’re still believing that you can get something from the cigarette. Quitting smoking takes no action, only non-action. Don’t ever take another puff. Remember “N.O.P.E.” each and every day and make it a priority over life and all of it’s ups and downs. Never smoke again. Not one puff, ever (N.O.P.E.).

I adopted Sir Ernest Shackleton's family motto in 2001. Fortitudine Vincimus—"by endurance we conquer"

I was pleasantly surprised to see Cris here posting when I got home this evening. jajaja I remember the first time I saw that I was like, is that a typo? jajajaja Reminds of the "chicken wing" era. :)

I Quit The Wrong Way Video addresses the concerns of long-term former smokers who now watch my cold turkey quitting based videos yet had quit by an alternate method and now feel bad that they may have quit the wrong way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgWlA8s3v8I Related videos: -How does your program compare too... -Is cold turkey the only way to quit?

Without a doubt, you can remain a non-smoker for the rest of your life, provided you're firm in you're commitment to never take another puff and unwavering is letting life's ups & downs influence your quit. As far as others being non-supportive, please watch the videos below. :) Dealing With People Who Try To Undercut Your Quit Video discusses how there may be times when you encounter family members or friends who actually try to undercut your quit. Often they are smokers who feel threatened by your quit, but there are times where non-smokers may encourage you to relapse too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S46gMeHbws Talking To Others About Not Smoking Video discusses how talking both to long-term quitters as well as to people who are current smokers can help to strengthen your resolve to never take another puff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n08bxg01NOw

Glad you're back on the train! I relapsed after a 9 month quit. I smoked 1 pack in 1 week. Take one puff and it's a relapse. It starts over, right now. I looked through your recent posts and didn't see the update you mentioned about in another thread, but I'll take another look. In the meanwhile, here are a couple of videos. :) I Will Not Smoke Today Video discusses the advantages of waking up each day and committing to yourself that you will not smoke that day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8p2rJ5tlaU&feature=youtu.be Related videos: -One day at a time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD4dz... -Make a list of why you quit smoking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgZ-P... -Complacency https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZSkt... Related article: -"I will not smoke today" http://ffn.yuku.com/topic/23271 Never Take Another Puff Video talks about my original use of the phrase "Never take another puff". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYNWI8C1vOE&index=36&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB Related article: Never take another puff http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_04_03_ne... Free downloadable book of "Never take another puff" http://whyquit.com/joel/#book Video on mantra's referred to in this video: What is your quit smoking mantra? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-q-5k... There Is No Legitimate Reason To Relapse Video explains how that under any conditions, even those of catastrophic stress or loss, there is no real legitimate reason to take a cigarette. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCm_5b144XE&index=37&list=PL4F05C03D0F9B86DB Following are links to several articles and videos that extensively explores this principle. Related articles: There is no legitimate reason to relapse http://ffn.yuku.com/topic/24 We understand why you relapsed http://ffn.yuku.com/topic/23027 I have to smoke because of all my stress http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/15534 How would you deal with the following situation http://www.ffn.yuku.com/topic/12463 Related videos: Resources explaining interaction between nicotine and stress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHbpX... Smoking does not help solve stress http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C5eTa... I am climbing the walls because I quit smoking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUUsA1... I'll be a nervous wreck forever if I quit smoking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJBu7B... Why do smokers smoke http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9AmZi... Video referred to in this video: Carrying nicotine replacement products in case of emergency http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMRj1B... Nicotine is nicotine is nicotine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KViTfI...

Showing Others That There Is Life Without Smoking Video discussing how your quit may help influence others to quit too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM_bw2D-x0A Related videos: -Helping others quit Can you help a person who doesn't really want to quit smoking? -Quitting smoking can make you calmer, happier and healthier -The fear of failure -The fear of success

How To Help Your Patients Quit Smoking Video addressing how doctors can influence their smoking patients to want to stop and then help guide them on how to successfully quit smoking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql_treklRKU&feature=youtu.be Videos related to topics discussed in this video: -"Whatever you do, don't quit cold turkey” -Quitting is more doable than most people think -Setting quit dates -Premature deaths caused by smoking -Resources regarding quitting aids -Why do smokers smoke -Everything you did as a smoker you can do as an ex-smoker -The fear of success -The fear of failure -Resources explaining interaction between nicotine and stress -Quitting smoking can make you calmer, happier and healthier -Is relapse a natural part of the quitting process? -Never take another puff Videos discussing doctor-patient issues -When you may really need to talk to your doctor about quitting smoking -Suggested videos and resources to refer patients to who are interested in quitting smoking: -How to quit smoking http://www.joelspitzer.org/tipsheet.html -Hour and a half program that can help your patients save their lives http://www.joelspitzer.org/enhance.html -WhyQuit.com Patient Resources http://whyquit.com/patient_cessation....

New Video To Pass Along To Your Physicians, Dentists And Other Allied Health Professionals Two minute video that announces the release of a 15 minute video that I just produced for doctors, titled "How to help your patients quit smoking." Please consider letting your physicians, dentists and other allied health professionals know about this new resource. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4njJyqvYbu4 -New video: How to help your patients quit smoking Other videos referred to in this video: -Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking -When you may really need to talk to your doctor about quitting smoking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVk2Vetm1dc

NOPE, not today thank you very much. :)

Glad to see you back!

Welcome, Carlos! How long have you been quit now?

I hear ya!

I think it was.

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I suggest a seat in car #12 as it is the official coffee house. The coffee is always fresh...and free. Don't let Ava try and charge you for it because she pockets the money for books. There is nothing that can stop you from quitting except yourself. I understand why people use the term "nicodemon" and assign it other names, but truly, it's just a weed that contains a substance that is highly addictive, toxic and deadly. You quit by never taking another puff, ever. By assigning it some outside force you give it a power that it doesn't have which also could turn into an excuse to smoke. In doing so, we don't hold ourselves 100% accountable for our actions because there's this "other thing" that is really evil. Doesn't exist. It's just you and some dried up leaves soaked with thousands of chemicals that you're addicted to. We're all nicotine addicts. Nothing more, nothing less. We made the choice to smoke and we can also make the choice to never light up again. If we all could do you, you certainly can as well because I know for a fact, nicodemon and monsters don't exist. Proud of you! Welcome back. :)

Okay, done. :)

What is the username?

Welcome, Lisa!

Very cool videos! My daughter and I have a 30 gallon planted freshwater aquarium with CO2. It's a labor of love but surprisingly, very little maintenance once I got the right amount of dosing for the plants, CO2, feeding, light etc. We're newbies at it (about 10 months) and even though I wasn't crazy about the idea, I love this thing. Looking forward to building a 120-150 gallon tank next with a sump etc. It's a hobby that I never saw myself getting into, much less enjoying it so much. :)

Pearl's mother was not sweet. She was meen and cruked!

The hole eyedea that peeple due stooped things that mayck them luk mour dum is loodichris. Thair dummer wen thaye treye two spell using corect gramur four self glouryfikshun. Eye dont no, sum peeple gust dont get it.

But wait, big brother is going to get involved, nationally. "Briant said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently completed a study on age and smoking and will soon present its findings. He said Congress may then set a national age limit for tobacco use, so cities should wait before acting on their own." Interesting read here with some background info as well. The good old FDA. The lovely folks in Congress. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: