Goes to show, its mostly in the mind...

[nsd_user663_3950]

I was chatting to a friend today about stopping smoking and she told me that she hasnt smoked in 14 years but still wants one. Ive only been stopped for just under 7 months and I dont want one at all really. I think this must go to show that in her mind she never got round to understanding the addiction and knowing it for what it is, thus she still "craves" after 14 years.

The sooner you get to understanding the addiction the sooner you'll get over it and the better your life will be. Who wants to be craving for 14 years ?!

[NicFirth 10 Years Smoke Free]

Great post and very true!

[nsd_user663_3633]

You are so right...

As I have said on here before,

My only quit in the past that lasted more than a couple of weeks was for 8 months, and it was torture. 8 months of hell, when I finally caved it was like being released from prison. I think because I had beleived smoking was a guilty pleasure that I enjoyed but shouldn't partake in.

This time I was prepared for the same but I was sick enough of smoking to know I wanted to do it. Luckily I found this place - a couple of weeks of learning and by the end of 2 weeks I knew enough about the addiction (and why I smoked) to be certain I would never smoke again.

I cannot remember my last crave, I can even sit in the smokers area at work talking to my friends and have smoke blown (accidentally) in my face and not be fazed by it.... except hating the smell.

Because I now know that smoking gives me nothing, I never enjoyed it - I just enjoyed it more than having withdrawals. Knowing that, once past any physical withdrawals it becomes a simple matter of knowledge being power. Simply knowing why you did it and the true extent of the dangers is enough to make staying quit a pretty painless process.

Being quit is great.... being free is awesome. Absolutely fantastic.

[nsd_user663_3950]

Thanks for the replies. Stuart you put it much better then I did. Excellent post mate, I do remember you saying about your 8 months of hell in a past quit, in fact its something that stuck in my mind for some time, it illustrates perfectly how knowing your enemy is the best way to defeat it.

Cheers folks

[nsd_user663_4026]

Know your enemy. I like and agree with that too. Alan Carr showed me the enemy on a previous failed 3 year quit but I didn't have to tools in place to defeat it on a forever basis. This forum and the brilliant advise and links did that. Up the forum and all who sail within it!

[Maverick_uk]

Love the enemy defination, going to use that one from now on.

The only time Im craving now is when Im doing nothing, just sitting around. Even just goiong for a walk takes my mind off sticking a cigarette ibn my mouth. People around me smoking dont bother me.

I am stupid enough to think I've cracked it cause I know the Enemy is sitting just around the corner just waiting to catch me out.

[NicFirth 10 Years Smoke Free]

try this on for size

It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.

-Sun Tzu, the Art of War

I.e. Understanding the trials, lows and cravings of your quit gives you the knowledge to keep it going