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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here, I wonder if the method one uses to quit affects cravings.  Is there anyone else here who was a regular, habitual smoker (so, not whatever counts as social smoking) and quit cold turkey without using nicotine replacements, therapy, whatever else?  How are your cravings?

I know I will never go back to smoking.  I think addictions of any kind are moral failings and, when I was a smoker, I despised myself for being so mentally weak. [/quote]

I started to smoke socially when I was in college (at parties) but it didn't take long at all for it to become a full blown habit.  I was smoking around 2 packs a day when I quit and it was one of the hardest things that I have ever done.  The cravings were horrible for the first few months with a gradual easing up after that.  I did have some weak moments during the first couple of years when I would have some cigarettes.

As far as quitting goes, I had tried to quit numerous times using the patch, nicotine gum.  But that just seemed to prolong the process and the discomfort of nicotine withdrawal.  So I finally dug my heels in and went cold turkey.  I found that in those early days in particular it helped to go places where smoking is prohibited - inside shopping malls, movie theaters, book stores, etc.  I worked with smokers and knew other people who smoked so I couldn't just stay away from smokers/smoking altogether.  That was probably just as well because eventually you do have to get used to the fact that others smoke but *you* don't do that anymore.

Just stay the course.  It isn't easy but quitting is hands down one of the best things I have ever done for myself.  I only wish I had never started - what a stupid habit![/quote]

OP here, well done.  Quitting two packs a day is not easy.  I was at half a pack to a pack a day, although I could go through a pack and a half on stressful days.  I never tried the patch, gum, or other gradual methods because I knew I was either going to quit or I was not.  It's like eating a burger or not.  I'm one of those people who will either eat the burger and trimmings and get on with my life, or skip the burger entirely.[/quote]

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