Smoke Free

[BigAl52]

Just like to say Congrats to Markiver54 today. Its 6 months smoke free. Atta boy Mark. Keep it going

[Mistered]

Atta boy Mark. Keep it going

Yep - very commendable and hopefully he has it 'whipped'

I watched my dad go downhill and finally succumbed to COPD from a lifetime of smoking.

I quit over 30 years ago and was very proud of my low BP and 99% O2 transfer that was displayed on the computer monitor over THE HOSPITAL BED I WAS IN LAST YEAR !! (not my fault) but regardless - there are people who have NEVER smoked and don't have this high of O2 transfer.

While I DID smoke at one time I cannot understand why people still do knowing full well how harmful it is.

[cooperhawk]

While I DID smoke at one time I cannot understand why people still do knowing full well how harmful it is.

I quit almost twenty years ago and I always say that if they tell me I have two months to live, I will go get a few cartons of Pall Mall.
I spent a lot of years studying Psychology and although I could analyze why I smoke, it didn't help me quit. It took my younger brothers death from cancer and a drug called Zyban to quit for me.

Nicotine is a very powerful drug. Much more than even alcohol or other narcotics. It's an old friend. It makes you feel good for a while, and then demands some more. Nicotine makes you panic that if you don't have another smoke you may die! Of course you won't die, but it gives you that feeling. The craving is not pleasant, and then when you give in it's a very pleasant feeling. Almost Euphoria.

Still want a smoke whenever I drink a cup of coffee. I guess that will never go away, but the craving and panic is gone and I'll never let it back in, unless of course they give me two months to live.

[JEBar]

congrats Mark ..... keep the string going

[markiver54]

Thank you to everyone! And thank you Al for the reminder post!
Very good post Coop, well put!

[cooperhawk]

Thank you to everyone! And thank you Al for the reminder post!
Very good post Coop, well put!

Understanding helps, but it still take tremendous will power to quit. Never give up.

[PT7]

I quit almost twenty years ago...I spent a lot of years studying Psychology and although I could analyze why I smoke, it didn't help me quit. It took my younger brothers death from cancer and a drug called Zyban to quit for me.

Nicotine is a very powerful drug...

...the craving and panic is gone and I'll never let it back in...

I think it's a good thing this thread gets bumped periodically. Hopefully others might be encouraged to overcome the nicotine addiction. BTW, I do understand about your younger brother's impact on you, Coop. Sorry about your loss. I lost my younger sister to lung cancer ten years ago.

For myself, I quit more than 40 years ago and still know it was a good choice I made. I'll not ever forget the one thing I did learn through various medical research and writings. As Coop mentioned, "Nicotine is a very powerful drug." The surprising fact is the relatively short period of time it takes to come full-circle out of nicotine addiction, and especially how very quickly positive results are felt:

How Long Do Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
Nicotine is out of your body 72 hours after you quit smoking. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms usually reach their peak 2 to 3 days after you quit, and are gone within 1 to 3 months.(1) It takes at least 3 months for your brain chemistry to return to normal after you quit smoking.(2) The last two symptoms to go usually are irritability and low energy.

Any effective smoking cessation program has to take into account this long adjustment period. It is why some doctors recommend weaning off nicotine slowly with nicotine replacement therapy.

In summary, most people start to feel better after 1 week, and the symptoms are usually gone within 3 months.

These statements are given credit in the full article posted here: https://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/q ... g-plan.htm

On-going congrats to you, Mark, and to anyone else who won the battle. 'Tis a good thing.
Very good post, Coop.
PT7

[BigAl52]

Coop just craves Cookies now with his coffee

[TMB]

Congratulations markiver54 keep it up.

[fortyshooter]

Many congrats to you and keep it going!

[Grunt67]

I quit in 1976, doesn't bother me now, although, being around smoke does. Took me about 3 weeks to get over the " I want to's ).
Hang in there folks, it can be done with some will power. I quit cold turkey.

[markiver54]

I quit cold turkey.

I admire your strong will power!

[Vaquero]

Congrats Mark, keep it up.
I only smoked for a couple years back in my teens, early 20's.
It's been 40 years since I smoked.
The wife, and youngest daughter smoke, the son is working on trying to quit at the moment.
Been about a month, sure hope he sticks with it.
Watch my dad suffer and pass from emphysema.

Nope.
Mark, buddy see ya in a couple hrs., ya know where.

RP

[markiver54]

Thanks Bud, will see Ya soon!
Good luck to your wife, daughter and son!
Appreciate Ya! Bottoms up in a little while...

[RanchRoper]

Good job.

[markiver54]

Good job.

Thank you RR! Was not real confident at first, but I think I've got this licked. Getting off the help meds Monday, then its up to me. After 6 months now, I am confident in my will power. Appreciate your encouragement!

[RanchRoper]

Stick with it. 33 yrs no alcohol for me. Stubborn pride. Make it work for ya.

[markiver54]

Stick with it. 33 yrs no alcohol for me. Stubborn pride. Make it work for ya.

BIG congrats on your alcohol free life RR. That is a BIG one as well. Congrats for sure.

[dave77]

Smoke free 3 years for me, I still get an occasional craving and will puff on my vape pen, 0% nicotine and I don't inhale. The sooner you can quit the better, I didn't quit until I already had COPD. Would be worse if I had kept smoking, I don't do too bad but if I do anything very strenuous I have to take frequent breaks to catch my breath.

[Travlin]

I had asthma when I was a kid and that is why I was never tempted by tobacco. I value every breath that I take. They took me to the E.R. one Sunday afternoon and gave me four shots of adrenlin before I could breathe comfortably. So from then on I knew there was no future in tobacco.All of you that have kicked the habit or are working on it ,stay with it so you can be around to see your children and grand children grow up. I just had a Lodge Brother loose his wife in her early sixties from the little white slaver. She suffered very much the last two years she was alive.