I smoked 2 packs a day for 20 years. I will be forever grateful to the Psychologist who told me "Smoking is a learned behavior and anything learned can be unlearned". The reason I am so grateful is because I think that made the difference in my success after 2 failed attempts. I looked back at how did I learn how to do this? Because he was right. It was just like a child learning to walk. Initially there is a lot of effort and then it gets into the subconscious mind so you don't think about it anymore but if you attempt to stop without looking at how you started, you will always feel deprived, I believe. my quitting process was mostly accomplished in a month and a half but fully done by 3 months. I really unlearned the habit and learned how to be a non-smoker. I have been smoke-free since March 13, 1986 at the age of 38 years. Woo Hoo!

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I started smoking in my teens. I have consistently smoked 3/4 of a pack a day for at least 20 years. The last 10 years I have had a chronic cough and some wheezing. I seriously tried to quit about 3 times. I never made it past a month without falling for the old "I can have just ONE, I've been so GOOD" bullshit. This time I am using patches and gum. I've been "ex-smoker" for 5 weeks now. The patches have made a big difference. Other than missing my smokes a couple times a day, I am doing just fine. I think about it less every day. I know this time that I cannot ever have even ONE cigarette. The thought depresses me but I am committed. I do not want to die young from a smoking related illness. I do not want my (nonsmoking) husband to have to watch me die, or help me lug around an oxygen tank. I started a fitness regime about a year ago, and I think that being physically fit has also helped me this time around. Its nice to breathe easier during workouts. I also enjoy laying next to my husband without worrying about wheezing or coughing. I think the time was finally right for me to quit. Still, it is the hardest thing I have ever done.

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