Well I guess I'll start at the beginning. I smoked as a kid started at about 9 years old and by the time I had a steady income (paperboy :) I always had a pack with me. By the time I was 18 years old I was smoking 2 packs a day my health was heading south and I was completely disgusted with the habit and quit cold turkey with basically just the help of chewing gum ... or so I thought ... it turned out I didn't quit ... I just paused. The pause lasted for 14 years. Like an idiot, out with some friends at a bar over a holiday weekend 11 years ago, I took ONE drag. Just ONE drag I thought ... hell ... ONE drag couldn't kill me. That ONE drag got me stoned ... It was awesome!! The rush through my body after not having a drag for 14 years ... Intense!! And of course I had it totally under control ... I mean it was at least 2 weeks before I was out with friends again and took another drag ... hell it was probably 2 months before I was out with friends smoking the whole cigarette ... Ohh but I still had it under control ... yeah right. Within one year I was back at 2 packs a day. Two packs a day for the last decade. I'm now 44 years old. I quit smoking September 2nd, 2006. Cold turkey once again... well maybe with the help of sunflower seeds :) I've just past the 4 month mark and believe I've jumped over a milestone ... yesterday for the first time since I've quit I don't believe I thought about smoking all day. If I get a craving I chant to myself "ONE drag = two packs a day". The first week was tough ... the second even tougher ... hell ... the first two months were pretty tough!! I finally think that I'm breaking the habit at the cerebral level ... reprogramming the mind is the true key. I'm sure I've been over the nicotine addiction for a couple of months and that now my cravings are psychological. I believe I was able to quit this time because like when I was 18 once again I had become [b]Totally Disgusted[/b] with smoking and being a smoker. I did increase the amount I smoked in the last few months before I quit to progress the disgust ... then picked a day. I chose Saturday September 2nd, 2006 ... labor day weekend ... so that I would have three days under my belt before having to return to work.

Terra - Thank you for sharing your experiences. Reminds us to protect our quit at all costs...........and N.O.P.E. Sounds like you have the right attitude and are well on your way to quitting for good! Windy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/11/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 118 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,376 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $590 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 45 [B]Seconds:[/B] 10

Wow. What a story. Sad and inspirational both! I quit Sept. 9th after being a 3 pack a day smoker for 34 years. It's been tough and I still think about smoking, but it does get easier as time goes on. My downfall in prior quit attempts was---like you---the 'just one drag won't hurt'---yeah, right! Glad you have joined us and thanks for posting that. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 121 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,050 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $968 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 12 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 31 [B]Seconds:[/B] 35

Terra, Wow what a story! Thank you for sharing it with us! Congratulations on 4 months! I have moved this over to stats parade as it needs to be celebrated! Please take the time to reward yourself for reaching this milestone! Danielle _________________________ The SSC Support Team

Terra, This is an awesome ending to your story. Congratulations on your success and thanks for sharing a story that we can all draw knowledge and conviction to keep our quits. N.O.P.E. Not One Puff EVER! CobenFan [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 288 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,760 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1008 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 27 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27

Dear Terra [IMG]http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j240/kkcamaro/SofaJumpRLC.gif[/IMG] Congratulations on 4 months of not smoking. I like your mantra....1 drag=2 packs a day! You should be proud of your quit! You are an inspiration. Welcome to SSC! Stay Strong! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/30/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 343 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,152 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1029 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 38 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 24