I quote smoking after 34 years. I was a hardened smoker and hated it. I hated being owned by it and I was certain I could never quit. But all it took was 3 weeks on patches. I was staying with my Aunt Louise and one night she called from work and asked if I wanted to go to the 5:00 Mass. So I showered and got ready and she came by to get me.
Once I got into church it hit me that I hadn't put on a patch after my shower. So I sat there for about 20 minutes with miserable cravings and my chest tightening. I made it through an hour of Mass and I asked if we could go home to get my patches.
She goes, "no, we're meeting everyone for dinner and we're late." Amazingly, once we got into dinner the addiction feelings left...for good. I never wore another patch after that night. I have no desire or need even during my most severe bouts with PTSD. In fact, quitting is one of my few accomplishments and one of the very few things I feel good about. I never tolerate anyone smoking cigs. I hate everything about it and I'll leave the table or move away through a crowd to get away from it. Thinks like that. I could be open to pipes but don't really see the need. I've been smoke-free for 4 years.
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