Quit Smoking Support

[tk1999]

I am a reformed smoker - I quit in November 2005 after smoking for nearly 10 years and was 23 when I quit ( not a good statistic to have... 10 years of smoking at age 23! but oh well). It was not my first attempt at quitting, I had had many unsuccessful attempts over the years and was determined that my 2005 attempt would be my final attempt.

I went through the NSW Health QUIT program and used nicotine patches for 2 months - I stopped using them as they did cause insomnia for me and very vivid dreams but my resolve to quit was strong and I made it! I found the support of the email program and follow up phone calls to be invaluable.

So I would like to offer my support anyone attempting to quit

[Lisa]

TK, I too stopped smoking in Nov 2005 but mine was after 15 years of smoking

I stopped cold turkey after finding out I was pregnant. It was definitely easier than I thought it was going to be. I had attempted it in the past with other pregnancies, but always slipped in the few sneaky ones. In the end I thought I would give up when I was good and ready and then made a date for myself in which I refused to be smoking past. I definitely didn't want to be smoking when I turned 30. I found out I was pregnant 4 weeks before my 30th so it was just another reason for me to stop.

Since then I have had a few friends quit too who agreed that they thought it would be a lot harder, and I have also had some friends who have had difficulties. My advice would be to make sure you're going to be 100% committed to giving up. I found being able to say 'I haven't smoked in xx days/weeks/months' was a real boost for me.

Good luck to anyone out there thinking of or about to give up smoking