Hi smokers and non-smokers. I am a smoker who tried to quit 4 times - still smoking. I am an addict and we are often treated like criminals. It's shameful that the government allows big business (cig companies) to add higher levels of nicotine and other poisons annually to keep smokers addicted. It is said that quiting smoking is worse than kicking heroin. I know people do it and I think about it every time I light up. I don't drink, drug, or have sex (not exactly by choice). My vices are eating and smoking. I weigh 114-116 so I'm not worried about eating. After reading your comments I'll think about quiting, again. Thanks, Saundra

Saundra, please do. You sound so healthy otherwise. Why harm yourself when you have the power within to make the change.

We'll be your cheering section.

Saundra, I have been meaning to get back here to talk to you. I only have Wed and Sunday off so I am limited these days. However, I do have time for a smoker who has a desire to perhaps...Quit?
I quit right here, with the help of all the girls and I am still smoke free. Just say the word and I will make a point of coming here to support and encourage you.
Dotsie is right...the power lies within. It is like a seed - it just needs to be nurtured in order to take root and grow.
chick

Hi everyone and Dotsie and Chickadee. My week was stressfull and got more so on my days off (Tues/Wed) so I guess I'll be posting in the work topics now, too.

I'm sure you heard about Dana Reeve who never smoked and died 2 days ago. A tragedy!

I quit smoking about 4 years ago with the help of a hypnotist. It worked until 2 weeks later when I got the call that my dad was in the hospital. I flew to LA - he went into hospice and died. Decades earlier, when I lived in LA, I quite smoking and we had a 6.5 point earthquake. Want to hear more? Fuggedaboutit!

Last year, a woman I work with said she never believed in bad luck until she met me! I just thought it was my life. I was in an elevator that malfunctioned in Nov. 2004, extreme pain, loss of work, lots of smoking, pain pills, and muscle relaxers. Just got off of short-term disability again because I reinjured myself late December. Blah, blah, blah.

I would suggest posting a bad luck contest but I can't imagine what the prize would be - I'm afraid to suggest anything. Ha, ha, Saundra

Hi, again. There are non-smoking clinics and they are very expensive, as was the hypnotist I used. Don't forget that everyone in AA and NA are smoking because they stopped drinking and/or drugging - smoking is all they have left and it is also an addiciton. Saundra

Saundra,
This may sound harsh, but bad luck us bad luck. We all have it at times.

Smoking is an addiction.

The bad luck is related to the bad luck only in that the bad luck can be an excuse to go back to an addiction.

Apparently you weren't really ready to stop. When you are, you will.

Hopefully that will be soon and we can help you through it by being a sounding board.

smile

BTW, Ignore the woman who told you you made her believe in bad luck. Believe you are lucky and you will be.

Saundra,
I want to encourage you to make the effort once again. It's never too late and there's no way I can describe how good you are going to feel afterwards. You have to be there! YOU CAN DO IT! SMILINIZE is so right when she says, "when you're ready, you'll do it." It's the truth. Everything else is just rehearsal. I quit four years ago and I just laid them down and that was that. I was ready. REALLY READY. No lip service. READY. Here's wishing you the very best in your efforts! We're here for you!

JJ

I am still smoke free since Thanksgiving 2005. That's 23 weeks I think. Thought I'd post to encourage anyone who is trying to quit smoking...or anything for that matter.
Have faith in yourself.
chick

Great news Chick!
Keep it up.
I'm still "trying" but not as hard as I should be.

chick, are you doing anything to replace the habit like chewing nicotine gum or anything?

CONGRATS!

Do you feel much better?