How do you know you have officially quit smoking?? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

VANFLAMESFAN · 02-10-2011, 01:25 PM

So I was a smoker for the last 13 years. Maybe 10 years of smoking 10-15 per day. I am currently in the process of quitting and I have made it 15 days without smoking an entire cigarette. I was wondering and this is for anyone who has quit smoking, when do you know that you have officially quit?? Is there a certain time frame?? 2 months?? 1 year??

Im assuming it varies for different people. I mean, when I was 22 years old, I went 7 weeks and thought I had quit, but New Years Eve party got me smoking a couple and before the night was over I bought a pack and was back on the wagon.

I know I have a lot more work to do to fully quit, but to be honest, I lit one up last night, had 2 drags and ashed it. I didn't like it very much. I think I have officially quit, but I'm not sure.

Any others with stories??

Traditional_Ale · 02-10-2011, 01:28 PM

One year.

But you cannot have even a single puff at all, and especially ever again.

I started again about a year ago after being off them for three years, so you're never actually unaddicted. You just become a non-using addict who doesn't have withdrawl symptoms. But if you start again it's so much easier to get hooked than someone who has never been hooked who smokes a cig once and a while.

Good luck man!

chemgear · 02-10-2011, 01:29 PM

No idea what threshold people normally consider for smoking (I know for alcohol many people consider it very long term commitment/lifetime diligence.)

Regardless, congratulations on your efforts and good luck to your continued success. Nothing worth doing is ever easy.

GreenLantern · 02-10-2011, 01:29 PM

I will just tell my story..

I was driving along Queen street here in Saskatoon, I was about halfway through my cigarette and just decided it was gross and I was done. I threw it out the window and haven't smoked one since. That will be 5 years Feb. 17th. I smoked for about 9 years.. close to a pack a day.

I knew I had officially quit instantly because I just had absolutely no desire to smoke ever again. I think you know you have quit smoking when you get that feeling.

Just my experience..

Also that is true, you never truly quit smoking, you just stop smoking. If that makes sense.. even to this day I will crave one when I drive, if I don't chew gum or suck on a tic tac who knows what would happen..

Komskies · 02-10-2011, 01:30 PM

Not a smoker here but I would imagine you have officially quit when even the thought of having a smoke repulses you.

Flashpoint · 02-10-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I have made it 15 days without smoking an entire cigarette.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I lit one up last night, had 2 drags and ashed it. I didn't like it very much. I think I have officially quit, but I'm not sure.

I'd say you're still a smoker.

(I kid, I kid)

Good for you for trying though! Maybe see if you can get through new years, since that was your Achillies heel in the past.

dissentowner · 02-10-2011, 01:33 PM

When I quit before the real indicator is going out drinking. If you can go tie one on and not want to smoke you are in the clear.

BigBrodieFan · 02-10-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

So I was a smoker for the last 13 years. Maybe 10 years of smoking 10-15 per day. I am currently in the process of quitting and I have made it 15 days without smoking an entire cigarette. I was wondering and this is for anyone who has quit smoking, when do you know that you have officially quit?? Is there a certain time frame?? 2 months?? 1 year??

Im assuming it varies for different people. I mean, when I was 22 years old, I went 7 weeks and thought I had quit, but New Years Eve party got me smoking a couple and before the night was over I bought a pack and was back on the wagon.

I know I have a lot more work to do to fully quit, but to be honest, I lit one up last night, had 2 drags and ashed it. I didn't like it very much. I think I have officially quit, but I'm not sure.

Any others with stories??

Congratulations on doing so well. Don't quit quitting!!!

JustAnotherGuy · 02-10-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I will just tell my story..

I was driving along Queen street here in Saskatoon, I was about halfway through my cigarette and just decided it was gross and I was done. I threw it out the window and haven't smoked one since. That will be 5 years Feb. 17th. I smoked for about 9 years.. close to a pack a day.

I knew I had officially quit instantly because I just had absolutely no desire to smoke ever again. I think you know you have quit smoking when you get that feeling.

Just my experience..

Also that is true, you never truly quit smoking, you just stop smoking. If that makes sense.. even to this day I will crave one when I drive, if I don't chew gum or suck on a tic tac who knows what would happen..

I was just about to say what you said in the bolded part.

SeoulFire · 02-10-2011, 01:36 PM

You never quit - you just go an increasingly long time between smokes. I am currently about 5.5 years and counting.

Personally I knew I was done after one month - went out on a bender and had no desire to smoke at all. It basically comes down whether you want to quit or think you should.

DrJ · 02-10-2011, 01:37 PM

Most people relapse.

Are you using any cessation aids or have any other support? These will really help you!

John Doe · 02-10-2011, 01:39 PM

My experiences run more with Traditional Ale's. Both my brother and sister quit for at least 5 years, but started up again after just "trying one again". I quit a long time ago (approx. 25 years), but I still get cravings occasionally when I smell cigarette or pipe smoke.

Traditional_Ale · 02-10-2011, 01:42 PM

I do agree with the posters in this thread who have mentioned that going on a bender is the real test. If you can get pissed up and not smoke then you're doing it right.

MacDaddy77 · 02-10-2011, 01:43 PM

Are you a golfer??

If you are you'll know as soon as your able to make it 18 holes and a couple beers after the round without even thinking once about smoking.

I smoked for 12 years and this was my indicator, It happened about 2 years after I quit. Now I don't even think about smoking not one thought, IT"S AWESOME!!!!!

MacDaddy77 · 02-10-2011, 01:44 PM

Here's a good read

http://answers.google.com/answers/th...id/525239.html

underGRADFlame · 02-10-2011, 01:46 PM

I quit cold turkey 7 years ago. I considered myself a non-smoker after 6 months. I haven't had a cigarette since, not even one drag. And it was over 5 years before I had a cigar after that.

As it stands I will be happy to never have a cigarette ever again. But then again my uncle stopped smoking for 23 years, and he lost his wife to cancer he went straight back to smoking due to the stress. So you never know.

VANFLAMESFAN · 02-10-2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

I'd say you're still a smoker.

(I kid, I kid)

Good for you for trying though! Maybe see if you can get through new years, since that was your Achillies heel in the past.

I did say 15 days without an ENTIRE cigarette.

I'm not a big drinker or party guy anymore. I drink maybe once every 5-6 months. So I will be interested to see how I handle that kind of night.

My big must smoke times were after a meal, getting into the car, during intermissions of hockey games, right after work and party time. I've handled each one of the situations pretty good, but havent partied yet. I think I should be able to get thru that.

J Diddy · 02-10-2011, 01:51 PM

Sounds like if you lit one up last night, even for just two drags, that would indicate you have not officially quit yet...even if you didn't like it.

Good luck though!

habernac · 02-10-2011, 01:52 PM

You're never clear. I quit 9 years ago and still want one. Every. Single. Day.

You just need to fight it with every ounce of your body every single time.

V · 02-10-2011, 01:52 PM

I quit for 6 months once. Had one smoke one night after hockey and bought a pack the next day.

I quit for 18 months once. Had a kid, bought some cigarallos and was instantly hooked.

I'm getting pretty close to 8 months again, and I know for a fact that if I try just one then I'm back into smoking. It's depressing, because I really enjoy smoking, but I know that I'm not even allowed one if I want to stay quit.