I smoked 2 – 2 1/2 packs a day for over 20 years and I was hardcore. I told myself I really enjoyed smoking and wasn’t going to be bullied into quiting by the media or from pressure from non smokers.
I finally quit smoking eight years ago now and it was one of the best things I ever did. In my case it was a serious case of Pneumonia that nearly killed me that made me realize just how essential our lungs are and how unpleasent it was to not be able to breath.
While I was in the hospital on a respirator I obviously couldnt smoke, I asked the doctor to put me on the patch and he agreed. This helped. When I got out of the hospital two weeks later I had already gone through any withdrawel anxiety and the patches were working. I decided to stick with it.
My youngest daughter had just been born and I sensed that if I didnt quit smoking and abusing myself she might not ever know me. So another motivational tool for me was the desire to spend as much time as I could with my family and friends before I checked out.
As previously noted the benefits of quiting are huge. Anyone of even average intelligence can grasp all the positives. But quiting really doesnt boil down to an intellectual choice. It has to be an internal committment. You have to really WANT to stop and you have to be ready to do whatever it takes to get over the hurdle. Once you do that its not as hard as you might think. The patch or gum helps but ultimately the cure lies within you.
More4me please promise us you wont smoke again without at least talking to us and waiting for two or more responses. Friends can help and if you can make it through even 10 minutes the urge to light up will pass. So take advantage of the former smokers here and lets get you through this.