Turkey's Triumphs: Page 43
Thoughts from cold turkey quitters who've remained nicotine-free for at least 1 year
Victory@WhyQuit.com
Happy One Year Anniversary to Me! Thanks so much to this group [Turkeyville] and the moderators. Especially during the first two weeks I immersed myself in all the videos and literature and reached out for help. It was definitely a minute at a time for awhile there.
I learned here about the law of addiction and that I could not mess around with the smallest dose of nicotine in any form. I learned here about my addict brain trying to talk me into "just one" and that I had to just not listen to it. I got support here walking through my first party and other stressful times.
I hardly ever think about them anymore and I am so grateful to finally have that whole addictive dance behind me and know I'll be safe as long as I stay vigilant and NTAP. Thank you, thank you! If you're new hang in there it gets better and then you're free!
Bernadette LeRoy
I've been quit for almost 6 years after maybe 40 years of smoking. Last night I had a very clear dream that I smoked. In the dream I was driving around in a car and telling [Turkeyville's] admins why I was smoking. They didn't judge me for smoking, but they just weren't interested in my reasons and I couldn't make them understand 'why' I smoked. When I was left alone (in the dream) I felt such disappointment.
When I woke up it took a few minutes to realize I had not smoked. In fact, a few times today, I felt like I HAD smoked as it was so real. There was such joy when I realized I had, in fact, not smoked. So grateful. These dreams are powerful in that they allow you to get a sense for what it would be like to smoke and just how devastating it would be and what a waste of a good life. As so many of us say; being nicotine free is the best thing we've ever done for ourselves. Taking a deep breath never felt so good.
Eileen Grady Schweinitzer
Tonight at midnight will be 3 years of keeping it on the outside. Everyday is a celebration! Thanks to this site, the mods, (no tagging!!!) and all of us helping each other to recovery one day at a time
Al Tiede
I quit smoking on November 1, 2013 after smoking off and on (mostly on) since age 12. I was 43 years old when I finally gave it up for good, no patches or gum, cold turkey.. Today I turned 50. I’m so excited because this will be my first full decade starting as a non-smoker. I feel so much better and I’m so thankful for my good health and physical fitness. I know I will NTAP. I can honestly say I never miss it.
Donna Marie
So excited to say, A year ago today I quit smoking after 42 years!!!! Thank you WhyQuit for getting me through it.
Brit Wool Guillory Paiva
Yay! I’ve been waiting to post this forever! One year smoke free today! Almost 11,000 cigarettes not smoked I always thought it was impossible after being an active addict for 27 years. Thanks to this site and members for the support!!! Keep up the great work new turkeys! You CAN do it!
Rogan Stephanie
Wow...I can't believe I actually made it to one year. It was so hard at the start but as time went on it became easier and the cravings fewer until now I rarely think about having a smoke. Take heart all you new turkeys. You can do this. Just hang onto NTAP and use this amazing site and watch the videos. Thank you to all those who gave me encouragement on this journey ... here's to Year Two.
Lynda Cosgrave
I posted a success story here almost five years ago. You can quit, and stay quit. It's been six and a half years and no tobacco at all (after smoking for 20+ years).
The mantra of "there is no good reason" got me through. The dreams of smoking stopped years ago, and now the smell of tobacco is unpleasant.
For those struggling, know you can do it. Keep reminding yourself "there is no good reason". The extra cash back in your pocket doesn't hurt either. I figure I've saved around $14,000 in the last six and a half years.
Thank you all so very much.
Brian Scott
I found this site years ago. I don’t remember how to be honest. Maybe a smoking cessation clinic? There were several of those. Me and my mom were hard core smoking bffs. Coffee, wine, activities, breaks, whatever we smoked! We both wanted to quit but you know how it is when you’re an addict. In 2014 she died from lung cancer. It was really fast. She was diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving 2013.
I’d like to say I quit right away. Since then I put myself thru the misery of several withdrawals. Next month (11/25/19) will be a year! Believe me when I tell you the impossible is possible. I know what it’s like to look for inspiration and wish for freedom. I wasn’t a ‘social smoker’. To paraphrase a quote I heard, I smoked like I was trying to kill myself. I have had my moments but I promise any newbies all things are possible 💜
Rogan
I just realized that yesterday was my 2 year smoke free anniversary! And I missed it! I also missed my 1 year by 2 days. I smoked for 31 years, never even tried to quit in all those years! When I first quit and joined Turkeyville, and would see people who had been quit for long periods of time, I thought wow, I'm not sure I will make it. But sure enough, one day at a time, and the time flies by!
Hardly even think about it anymore. Don't get me wrong, I literally still have days where I'll think, daaang I really want a cigarette. And I have to remind myself that 1 puff could ruin it all! I change my thought to something else and it passes quickly.
All I know is I am so grateful to not be a slave to that nasty cancer stick anymore!! For all of you that have just quit, and it's hard!!! It really is!! Just remember you can do it! Just tell yourself, one day at a time, not another puff!! Good Luck to all of you! And thank you to all in this group who helped when I was so in need of support!! This group is amazing!
Valerie
I can't believe today is finally here. Five years ago, I made the decision to quit smoking cigarettes! It was by far one of the hardest things I have ever done. You see, I was the pack a day smoker who throughly enjoyed a cigarette after coffee, a good meal or a glass of vino.
I started smoking at 18 and never stopped. There really isn't an old school picture out there of me without a cigarette in my hand. When I made the decision to quit, I always wondered what not smoking 5 years down the road would look like. Well now I can tell you.
I am a little chunkier but my skin is beautiful, the air smells wonderful, my gums and lips are pink, you can smell my scent instead of Marlboros, I don't own an ashtray or have a million lighters in my purse, car or house. I can fully enjoy the flavor of a great meal. But most importantly, my chances of having a stroke are like that of a person who never smoked and have decreased my chances of getting heart disease in half.
I smoked for 24 years. I made the commitment to never take another puff again and I meant it. This is my crowning achievement. I have been smoke free for 5 years and I have the rest of my life to go. Thank you WhyQuit for this group and continued support. You guys really have helped me through this process!! I made it through to the other side and I will never go back. I am soooooo proud of me. Congrats to me! #ntap #coldturkey
Altoria
Hi New Quitters! I stopped smoking September last year and I wish I’d done it years ago. I still come on this website to encourage Newbies and to remind myself how far I have come. I didn’t think of smoking at all this week or last week or the week before. I sometimes see people smoking and think......I used to do that but now I’m no longer a nicotine slave. You can do it. Take one day at a time NTAP
Cherisse
1 whole year nicotine free! no smoke,no stink,no freezing to go out...extra money! ya for me!
Liz
Tomorrow is 1 year and this past Saturday I lost my brother to throat cancer. Kind of... he was so miserable from it, he took his own life. I was then in a home with chain smokers during some serious grief. But somehow, I have not smoked. This 1 year benchmark tomorrow did not come easy. Thanks for you all here! NTAP
Tracy
Today makes my 1 year nicotine free! My mom was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer last year and the next day I quit cold Turkey. Turkeyville gave me so much motivation to protect my quit. I read the memorials on the website thinking about my kids the whole time. Education about nicotine is the best weapon against it. I honestly feel I couldn't have done my part without knowing all that I do now about this drug. As a smoker I would shrug off the "your lungs are probably black". I kicked nicotines butt! I won. & I will keep on winning. Aug. 17, 2018
Samantha
One year ago yesterday I went to the doctor and was bluntly told to quit smoking or die. No offers of "assistance" just those words. I came home a mess and smoked 2 more cigarettes. The first few days were a nightmare but then I started feeling different. I didn't cough when I laid down, Didn't smell like an ashtray. Didn't feel the need to hide in shame because I was smoking. Breathing was better. Had a bit more cash in my pockets. Soon I had saved enough for a vacation with my grandson.
It wasn't always easy and there are still times the recovering addict in me thinks about smoking but She doesn't give in. Thanks for all the support from WQ.com and the understanding of my family. Much love to all. NTAP.
Dorothy
1 year ago at 5:30am, I made the decision to quit smoking. I was awoken by a panic attack. I couldn't breathe. My mind was racing, and all I could keep envisioning was my dad's mother in a hospital bed near death because of end stage COPD. She passed away a few hours after we saw her, and I believe that is truly what caused me to quit smoking.
I never actually tried before. This was my first attempt, and I went cold turkey, around smokers and no relapses. I lost my voice for nearly 4 months, I was a crying mess and my anxiety was even worse for awhile, but I still quit. Some days when I am really stressing, I say out loud that I really want a cigarette. But then that feeling passed and I no longer want it. It has been one hell of a year, I had smoked for half of my life. But even as I put myself through hell, I would do it all over again.
I may miss smoking some days because think of it as losing your best friend. A cigarette was always there... But it was killing me. I felt a loss but it was needed. I am glad that I quit smoking. Here is to the rest of my life smoke free.
Heather
Hey! I am 1 year smoke and nicotine free as of now! It feels great to type it down, woohoo! Thanks to you guys and whyquit.com for getting me through and supporting me in the beginning, especially during the first three days and then the first month or two. NTAP! I'm a happy and grateful turkey today.
Alina
1 year today...I am so happy I chose to quit. This was my first real attempt and I never looked back. I smoked 34 years.
Beth
I quit smoking ten years ago and I used Whyquit.com as my inspiration and the main tool to help me quit. To those who are thinking about it, it works and just follow along as they suggest and walk you through the process. It really does work and I am grateful for the help you guys provided me.
Joe Sena
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