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I quit smoking nearly 10 years ago after nearly 20 years of smoking almost a pack a day.
I read somewhere that it takes the body a very long time to "heal" itself after all that poison in the system which is a bit disappointing after all the work it takes to quit.
does anyone know if the body ever really recovers from a 20 year smoking habit? I was under 35 when I quit.
thank you
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Add a Comment153 Comments
Yeah totally. I quit on January 3 after about six years and it's given this year a really positive slant. Knowing I have the self control to not smoke has helped me take on new challenges like going Vegan for a month, giving up caffeine and alcohol for a month, selling my car and walking more often.
Whilst these are all things I could have done while I was a smoker, I am certain that I wouldn't have had the energy, stamina, confidence or even desire to do any of them if I hadn't have given up.
April 23, 2010 - 7:33amThis Comment
i used to smoke since i was 13.. now i am 20 and after seeing how bad cigarettes were after coming to the states i tried to quit...i used to finish a pack of reds a day now im at 3 ultra lights but i can't seem to be able to cut any lower. Need desperate help.
March 30, 2010 - 12:28pmThis Comment
Hi Anon - It sounds like you're ready to quit and just need some support. Here's a great link from WebMD on the "13 Best Quit-Smoking Tips Ever."
http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/slideshow-13-best-quit-smoking-tips-ever
There are many stop smoking support services available.
The American Cancer Society
1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
American Heart Association & American Stroke Association
Toll-free number: 1-800-242-8721 (1-800-AHA-USA-1)
Web site: www.americanheart.org
Toll-free number: 1-888-478-7653 (1-888-4-STROKE)
Web site: www.strokeassocation.org
Quitting tips and advice can be found at everydaychoices.org or by calling 1-866-399-6789
American Lung Association
Toll-free number: 1-800-548-8252
Web site: www.lungusa.org
Printed quit materials are available, some in Spanish. Also offers the tobacco cessation program "Freedom from Smoking Online" at www.ffsonline.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office on Smoking and Health
Toll-free number: 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO)
Web site: www.cdc.gov/tobacco
Free quit support line: 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW)
TTY: 1-800-332-8615
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Telephone: 202-272-0167
Web site: www.epa.gov
Has advice on how to protect children from secondhand smoke, a Smoke-free Homes Pledge, and other tobacco-related materials on the direct Web site, www.epa.gov/smokefree, or at 1-866-766-5337 (1-866-SMOKE-FREE)
National Cancer Institute
Toll-free number: 1-800-422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER)
Web site: www.cancer.gov
Toll-free tobacco line: 1-877-448-7848
Tobacco quit line: 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUITNOW)
Direct tobacco Web site: www.smokefree.gov
Quitting information, cessation guide, and counseling is offered, as well as information on state telephone-based quit programs
Nicotine Anonymous
Toll-free number: 1-877-879-6422
Web site: www.nicotine-anonymous.org
For free information, meeting schedules, printed materials, or information on how to start a group in your area
QuitNet
Web site: www.quitnet.com
Offers free, cutting edge, effective tobacco cessation services to people worldwide
We'd love your feedback on any of these organizations, and on your progress. We certainly wish you all the best for success.
March 30, 2010 - 5:46pmTake care, Pat
This Comment
I have been smoke free for only a week but i can beleive the energy already I am very short of breath but i know it will get better. I am only 40 and am expectiing my a grand son in just 3 weeks, and so theres my main motivation. I am finding the nicotine gum very helpful. Good luck to all on there adventure.
March 18, 2010 - 9:27amKristen from NY
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Kristen,
March 18, 2010 - 1:58pmWhat wonderful news! Congrats on being a non-smoker for a week, having improved energy AND a grandson in just a few weeks. That is great motivation, as you said, and we hope to hear back from you again with any progress reports. If you need any help, support or kudos...please write back to us!
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It has been now 7 weeks since I became a non smoker and let me tell you Ladies and Gents you don't need any Nicotine patches or pills to help you stop . That's what they want you to think .
February 22, 2010 - 2:20amAllan Carr " The easy way to stop smoking " . I don't feel miserable , I can go out to pubs and clubs , meals out in the company of smokers and don't feel like I'm missing out specially when they come back stinking of smoke , all I can think is " Thank God I'm a happy non smoker "
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Im on my 2nd week smoke-free cold turkey.
February 4, 2010 - 10:38amI decided to quit smoking when I got really ill. because I was sick, I didnt have any desire to smoke, so it was a perfect starting point. for the first 2 or 3 days it was easy to not smoke and after I recovered from the flu I had it started to get a bit harder... but it was definatley easier than quitting cold turkey on a regular day. all I had to do was put myself in that mindset while I was sick "This is my rare opportunity. No more smoking." 2 weeks later im still not smoking. so my advice to anyone trying to quit... maybe next time you are feeling ill... take it as an omen, not a set back and try to use it to your advantage and quit. getting past those first 3 days is the hardest part unless you are ill.
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Anon - Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking, and for being in your second week as a nonsmoker. Please feel free to keep in touch and let us know your progress, frustrations, joys and insights in the weeks ahead. We with you all the best. Pat
February 4, 2010 - 6:25pmThis Comment
I quit smoking just by reading Alan Carr "The Easy way to stop smoking " no nicotine patches , gum or whatever . please give it a try and read with an open mind . No will power involved .You'll be surprised
January 27, 2010 - 9:36amThis Comment
Hey, I started smoking at age 19 and decided to quit at age 21 I have been without a cigarette for over a year now. I was a pack a day smoker. And to be blunt, I was also smoking marijuana through a bong apparatus daily for 9 of the last months before the end. That tends to really affect the bottom half of your lungs. I quit both simultaneously cold turkey. I realize i wasn't smoking for particulary long which im sure would make a difference. But I found this to not be all that difficult, there was about 3 months that were hard. but truthfully I have faced much harder obsticles in my life, I am actually slightly suprised of the lack of self control many people have. Then again I could never have imagined myself smoking for 20 years or so that is a mighty long time. I have no idea how long it will take me to recover and I am not too worried about it. I am just happy to reduce my risk of Emphysema.
January 10, 2010 - 7:28pmThis Comment