Although I've cut down a lot I still keep a carton at home, one at work and one in the car! I've got to stop that as I can't smoke at work and I very rarely smoke in my own cars.

Lendaddy,
Oops! I meant to type "him" instead of "me". See what happens when I type while I have the flu...? I have been sick for a week and it's getting old!!

Len, your invitation is tempting but I know I'd fail at this point. Still, I'm tempted just to take a chance, and to support you. But right now, there is virtually no question I would fail.

Couple of years ago I took bupropion and it was kind of amazing. I didn't really care to smoke. Some "helps" are not much help at all, but that stuff seemed to make a big difference.

No, I've made snap decisions to quit before and it has not worked. I don't want to go into this thinking I'll fail. I'm going to line up my resources and put together a strategy that I can feel confident about, and that I can pursue tactically. Just sitting there deciding each two seconds to not smoke......well......I just don't have what it takes to do that.

I have some idea what you're going through though, Len. And you have my admiration. And I'd help you with some company if I thought I could keep up.

BTW, I'm having many of the same thoughts. The stuff about family. You see, I truly did not think I would live this long. Sounds funny but it's true. So now, I'm starting to think I might not be killed by a vehicle or a bullet or something, and that maybe it's going to boil down to age and health. Even then, the finish line is obviously getting closer. Pretty wild ride, this "life" thing.

one day at a time...for starters think how pleased your wife and child will be when you show up at home not smelling like a filthy ashtray. I say leave the beer etc. alone for a while. good luck!!

Oh, one more thought:
Yoda says, do not try, do. There is no try.

I quit smoking for about three years, started again last year because of work stress, and frankly, it's a stimulant and I need it to keep up the insane work schedule I have lately. I'd tried many times before that, but it didn't work out very well. The thing that really helped was realizing how nicotine works on the brain.

From what I understand, nicotine alters the brain chemistry such that it causes the cells to actually need nicotine to function properly. Their base comfort state is with nicotine present. It occurred to me that these little cells are probably sending out distress signals, which, in the brain, causes thoughts. Therefore, none of the bull**** reasons, rational or irrational, to smoke are actually real. Your brain will come up with all sorts of wild reasons why you should smoke. Ignore it. It's wrong.

I hate these words but, "one day at a time". I quit about 15 years ago it was a bit*h but worth it.
Go Lendaddy Go!

According to research, the body kicks its chemical habit in about 7-10 days. After that, it is all mental. I pulled it off by keeping this in mind. Make it one week, then its all in your head.

Another good piece of advice someone gave me- start exercising. I felt like hell when I did, and it really helps keep you on track. If you get jittery tonight and really want a smoke, jog around the block. You will feel like hell, and the last thing you will want as you are gasping is a smoke. Also, throw out everything related to smokes NOW. Throw out lighters, ashtrays, etc. Obviously throw out tobacco. Drink tons of water. I would wish you luck, but we both know luck has nothing to do with it. Its all you man. Do it.

Although I have never smoked, I wish you guys all the best. It takes a lot of willpower to quit an addiction especially cold turkey. I used to drink 15 or so sodas a day and I have gotten it down to about 1 or none now. Good Luck.

Go Lendaddy, Go. I think non-smokers might be able to respect what Len's going through, but they don't know how it feels. I know how it feels. Len is in constant agony. It might be easiest if Len just curled up into a fetal ball, fists clenched, teeth gritted, eyes shut hard. For a few days.

May the force be with you.

Seriously man! I have a new baby in the house now and after stamping my feet on the back porch smoking I have to come in, change shirts, wash my hands and brush teeth so I'm not breathing my smokey nasty breath in his face. Don't want him associating that smell with Daddy.

How could I explain to him why we can't finish that car project 15 years from now because Daddy like to smoke with his beer.

Damn I wish I never had that first one. Really looking forward to quiting in a way. Every time I light up heading to my quit day, I keep reminding myself what a time consming, health beating, expensive stinky habit it really is....

YOU GO LENDADDY!

I quit cold turkey about 8 years ago. The first 3 days were the hardest!! But in a day or two you will wake up and feel 1000 times better, thats when you know that you've kicked it! And just think of all the Porsche parts you can buy with the money you'll save!!!!!!

DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!!!

Lendaddy:
I quit smoking more than 30 years ago. If it helps, I'll describe how I did it.
Beforehand, you have to consider some things. First, you will have to think about the chemical addiction and getting past that. Second, and just as important, is getting past the habit of putting the things in your fingers, mouth, fooling with it, etc.
Second, you will have to realize (and internalize) it's expensive and a dirty, filthy habit - your ash trays, breath, clothes, car, house, closet, etc. smell like it. Do you like having yellow, smelly fingers? Do you think you really want (or are the kind of person) to be a slave to it (or anything else) for the rest of your life? Do you really want to play Russian roulette with your health?
Here is how I stopped. It might work for you, or quitting cold turkey might work for you. I did it gradually - with the determination I would ultimately quit.
First, I stopped smoking anything before eating lunch. No rolling out of bed and lighting up. After awhile, smoking in the mornings wasn't attractive anymore. After lunch, I allowed myself to smoke as much as I wanted. Next, I allowed myself one after lunch and two or three during the afternoon. After dinner, I smoked as much as I wanted. Later, I restricted myself to one after lunch and none in the afternoon and one after dinner and a couple later on before bed. The result was that after awhile I was only smoking maybe three or less a day. When I reached that point, I totally quit. Smoking three a day, what was it worth? If I couldn't quit then, I couldn't quit.

Good luck. It's an important decision to make.

Lendaddy,

I'm forcing my mother to read this tomorrow. I vividly remember the night she called to tell me she had non-hodgkins lymphoma. I can remember being furious when I realized she was trying to hide the "puffs" as she spoke to me. You don't know what an awful experience you may be saving your family from.

I quit about 6 years ago... salted, undyed pistachios. I always have some handy, for the (now rare) occasion I have a craving. Especially handy when I'm drinking.

Addiction is brutal. But it can be beat. My mother chain-smoked until one day she read an article in Reader's Digest. She put out her cigarette at that instant and never lit another.

Best wishes, lendaddy.

It's tough, but you can do it.

My neighbor and his wife just quit. She's in her early 40s and was just diagnosed with emphysema. Even so it's been a challenge for both of them. They sit down at the computer and look at all the "smoker's lung" photos they can find.

My dad quit right before getting in the ambulance that took him to have his by-pass surgery. My mom never got the chance to quit. She had a stroke and died when she was in her early 60s.

Good luck.

Wow guys, great personal stories and info! Sup, I understand and hope you're not too far behind me. I made it through the night last night, even with a couple beers and the football game on. And I actually feel pretty good this morning! I was totally unable to concentrate yesterday, and I hope that changes soon since it makes it tough at work. Food already has more taste too(I remember that from last time). It's funny how you don't notice it on the down slide though??? Thanks again guys and I'll keep you guys updated on the effects and progress.

That's huge. Good work. Keep telling yourself you're a non-smoker. It's the truth. Going 24 hours for a three pack a day guy is a big deal. We all know you can do this. You're too darn stubborn to give up now!

Still, you have a rough day ahead. You are not going to be Prince Charming today. Too bad. This is your life you're trying to fix. Let them deal with it. Stay positive. Be tough.

Nicotine is supposedly more addictive than Heroin....it's tough to kick.

From the Center for Disease Control:

<b>20 Minutes After Quitting</b>
Your heart rate drops.

<b>12 hours After Quitting</b>
Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

<b>2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting</b>
Your heart attack risk begins to drop.
Your lung function begins to improve.

<b>1 to 9 Months After Quitting</b>
Your Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.

<b>1 Year After Quitting</b>
Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.

<b>5 Years After Quitting</b>
Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s 5-15 years after quitting.

<b>10 Years After Quitting</b>
Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s.
Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.

<b>15 Years After Quitting</b>
Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker’s.

Guide to quitting: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Quitting_Smoking.asp

Your not going to make me post pics of smokers' lungs at autopsy are ya? :)

What Moses said. It's HUGE. I can appreciate the severe agony you overcame yesterday, probably hundreds of times. From three packs, to 24 hours of zip. We're very encouraged. I'm very humbled by your resolve and determination. but then, we knew that about you anyway. I think you're probably a bit like my Danish grandfather.

Thanks for the pass. The pressure will certainly be on me when it comes time to pull the trigger. Again, I'm encouraged and humbled at the same time by your experience.

I'll add this: One of the best smokes of the day is the first one in the morning. And right now, if you were to smoke, it'd be the fist cig in many many hours. In one way, this would be a very satisfying smoke. Because of the physical addiction. But I'll point out two things. One is that, while that morning cig is satisfying in one way, I also have noticed it ruins any brightness I might have otherwise had going. In other words, I might get some real good sleep and feel pretty cocky in the morning. A cig fixes all that. Makes my eyes droop. Makes my brain foggy and my chest hurt, removes my sense of smell. But the impact that strikes me the clearest is the droopy eyes. That cig can negate a good nights' sleep. In thirty seconds.

The other thing is that, if you've been clean since yesterday morning, then you're probably about half way through the bulk of the physical addiction thing. The psychological addiction thing is nothing to sneeze at, and you'll battle that furiously for weeks, perhaps months, maybe years. But I think the body achieves some quick success at overcoming the bulk of the physical dependency. After today, you're largely in the clear, with mostly just the psychological dependence left. Taht's an oversimplification of course, but what I'm saying is that the biggest milestone goal you're going for, is in sight.

Good luck. We'll keep watch. We're here. Hey, if you want my cell number, I'll provide it. I'd be proud to serve as the brunt of your various frustrations. And I'm a socialistic liberal, and proud of it. Let me have it.

No need for such craziness Sup:) Right now my biggest problem is focus. Both literally with my eyes and mentaly. I have kind of a fog over me right now, but no real pain. I have several times reached in my pocket out of habit for a smoke, like when I leave my office. Gotta admit it's a little disappointing when you recall "oh yea, I quit". And after lunch, that was tough!