Rest assured, it does get easier

I posted this as a response to someone, but thought it might be an inspiring story for others, so I'm making it a proper post...

>>Rest assured it does get easier. And that craving becomes a fleeting thought. But it does take a while. I promise, you are already over the worst of it. (29 days) It was at that point I kept telling myself, if I give up now, I'll have to go through this part all over again someday. That was enough to keep me on the straight and narrow. I did not EVER want to go through that again!

I can't tell you when the craving went away and turned into a passing thought because I didn't make a note of it. It was kind of gradual. If I had to guess, I'd say somewhere around a couple/few months.

I've been free for just over 9 years now and I always make note when the passing thought crosses my mind. Nowadays it happens once every three or four months or so. It lasts about 2 seconds, doesn't bother me a bit, and is a testament to how strong I've been and how I overpowered the beast!!!!

I knew I had WON when I got into a door slamming fight with my darling husband and the thought of having a smoke didn't even cross my mind. He must have thought I was a lunatic when I immediately turned around laughing, joyfully crying, and hugging him over my success. I told him "I'm still flaming mad at you, but I'm soooo excited!! I was that MAD and it didn't make me want to smoke!!!!!" Wooohoooo!!!! We both laughed and cried. I'd WON!!!!! Yay ME!!!!