May 17, 2012 | Subscribe

Monkey sees what monkey does!

By sweetmercyday4 on Tue, 11-15-11, 17:07

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I`m 66 years old. My first experience with tobacco came at age 8. That likely shocks most folks. Both parents used tobacco and rolled their own back in the 50`s. I stole the papers and tobacco from my parents and followed suit . We were country folks living way out in the sticks in Pennsylvania and it wasn`t unusal to see a child smoking. At the time i thought how special it was that i could roll a perfect cigarette from the little cloth bag of tobacco and a package of rolling papers. Also in those days there were no warnings about what to expect from smoking. By the time i was 13 i graduated to pre -rolled cigarettes and there was no problem buying them in any store. It`s not so much i felt hip or cool sporting a cigarette ..by then... the reality was i was hooked . I smoked my way through the 50`s,60`s,70`s,80`s,90`s,right up to 2010. Through all these years i had numerous lung infections and times when i felt i couldn`t take another breath. I would cough so hard i would throw up.This is no way to live.I was at my wits end and so afraid. Although by then i knew what tobacco would do to me but couldn`t get off this roller coaster. My doctor introduced me to Chantix and i was desparate to stop smoking. My first try was a dismal failure and i blame myself. I didn`t follow my doctors instructions. I felt i knew better than my doctor and didnt continue the second month with the lower dose of Chantix. Some say you can fool others but you can`t fool yourself. Oh how wrong i was. I failed miserably. I collected my bruised self esteem and ego and admitted i had no power over tobacco. Once again i started from scratch with Chantix. Followed the instructions to the enth degree. It was so hard at first...my every thought was about a cigarette....how good it would smell and taste after a meal, when i was watching tv,surfing on my computer or with that morning cup of Joe i was so fond of. It seemed for years my sidekick (tobacco) was my best friend , my comforter and always at my side when things got rough. Little did i realise it was sucking the life out of me. As time rolled on i thought less and less of those perfect situations. Here i am one year later and totally tobacco free. I can`t say i never think about my so called old friend....but i know now that it was a deadly relationship.....I hope my story helps someone else gain control of their addiction. First step is admitting you are powerless over that monkey on your back. If i did it you can to.

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By marcie on Tue, 11-15-11, 20:23

A lot of people will appreciate your story and your encouragement. Thank you for sharing. Very happy for your success. God bless you.

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By dare on Wed, 11-16-11, 13:19

oh my gosh I love your post. I am from the country too.(stilllive in the country) we used to steal the adults tobacco from my friends and roll them. the first one was so loose i think i inhaled all the tobacco lol. we even rolled up dry leaves and bark oh my was it nasty.
i quit for my children my son was five and my daughter just born when i promised my son i would quit in the new year. i smoked three packs per day then. well the new year cam and went and then my son came up and reminde me of my promise i quit the next day. i am a frim believer when you make a promise to a child keep the promise for all we have is our pormise commite to earn trust. so i quit and it has been 18 years smoke free. yesssssssssssssssss. some of my friends are dieing know of lung cancer.
hey i even got the hairy tong from smokin gheavy it was like sucking on a hair ball all day . SERIOUSLY

i am so glad you quit that is definitely a fet
hugs dare

I learnt:Life is what we make it , I can either embrace it whole heartedly or choose to let it to continuely weigh me down. New motto: unload when safe , dump completely others and punch holes where i can to let the rest seep out.

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By lala21 on Sun, 11-27-11, 22:49

I started at nine......I do want to quit though I am going through a lot right now so Im trying to take one thing at a time.....I am 21 I have never attempted to quit before because I get sooooo angry its like im in a rage.....how long does the withdraw as far as "irritability goes" which what I experience is way beyond that!!!

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By dare on Mon, 11-28-11, 09:24

lala i quit at 3 packs per day . i used the patch for close to three months. i had to start at 21 then 14 and then 7 i believe it was in strength in nicotine. anyways i am been smoke free 18 yrs now. i crave a patch the odd time but never a smoke. it broke the link tot he smell of smoke. i just made sure i was home three days each time i went downa strength. i did this to while living in an abusive marriage so i was highly stressed. lol i think the 3 packs a day states righ there i was stressed alot.

anyways it is worth quiting i tell yu and will never regret it . your clothes no longer smell like an ash tray,males whom don't smake will feel more comfortable in askin gyou out. you don't have to hide out side to smoke because non smokin gareas are every where inside. and the money you save is cool.

i took the money i spent and spend it on me still for if you are ever tempted to smoke you will lose what your enjoyin gbuying withthe money. the first year i bought a video camera. i take short outings to thngs i never could before. like museums and events around the area. before i stayed home smoking lol
hugs dare

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By dwindowclner on Mon, 01-09-12, 00:53

Thank you for a great post, and for the above follow ups.

Trust God, Do the next right thing

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By TeppyJ on Mon, 01-09-12, 11:32

I don't smoke cigarettes, but my grandfather used to roll his own. Bull Durham was his brand. Sometimes when the family was all in town they had a "rolling fest"...they had little machines that just spit the tobacco and paper out perfectly rolled. I used to like the sweet smell of his tobacco. It wasn't filled with the chemicals that are in the new ones.

I know this post was from Nov. 2011...but it popped up on my recent post things.

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By lala21 on Tue, 01-24-12, 15:26

Has anyone ever tried wellbutrin for this I am supposed to be on antidepressants anyways I head it help with quiting smoking.....just wondered if anyone had any success with this!

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