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Hello! Today is my one year anniversary of having stopped smoking after just over 20 years. I know it's been said over and over but I never thought I could do it and be this successful. It was just plain exhilarating (and still is) to be free of this heinous addiction. Like many people out there, I too have tried a number of times but now feel down to my very bones this quit is the one that will 'stick'.

I've often read the WhyQuit disclaimer that said: "WhyQuit is staffed and its materials authored by professional cessation counselors who are not medically trained physicians. WhyQuit's information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a site visitor and his/her physician. Do not rely upon any information at this site to replace individual consultations with your doctor or other qualified health care provider."

I understand why it's there and why you have to post it, but I have to tell you that it's because of whyquit.com and other sites like this that are devoted to helping us stay quit that I attribute my success. Sadly, although my doctor always encouraged me to quit, beyond offering to write prescriptions, I never had the education, tools and resources that sites like whyquit.com offered.

I know I will continue to need to care for my quit and never backslide or become arrogant that I could have another smoke, for the rest of my life. Interesting because it doesn't feel like a battle or something I 'gave up' any more. Now it feels like one of the best gift I've ever received. Thanks for saving my life.

Gratefully,

Bell

Six years ago today - the evening of May 15, 1999 - I said "no more!" Tempered by a dozen prior serious failed attempts and frightened by the prospect of withdrawal, what I most feared was success. Smoking had so infected every aspect of my being that I simply couldn't imagine life without it being worth living. Ohhhhhh, how wonderfully wrong I was.

One thing was different this time. In April 1999, I at last surrendered to the fact that I was a true drug addict, every bit as chemically dependent as any alcoholic. After thirty years of games in attempting to control the uncontrollable, of treating an addiction like a habit, I now, for the first time, willingly admitted that I would never ever be stronger than nicotine. The games were over. But if not stronger, then what?

On May 13, 1999, I discovered the beauty of "can-do" encouragement flowing from online support, on June 16th I read Bryan's story and felt the positive influence of horrible truths, and on January 20, 2000, I was introduced to Joel's Library and almost immediately recognized a vast void in my dependency understanding.

Remember the end of the movie Ghost, where Patrick tells Demi that "the love in your heart, you get to take it with you?" Well recovery is the same. Although it may feel like it during the first two weeks, we leave absolutely nothing behind. Every neurochemical that nicotine released -- more than 200 -- already belonged to you. Recovery is a matter of giving our brain time to re-sensitize itself, and us time to again appreciate engaging every aspect of life without nicotine.

If you have not yet done so, I'd strongly encourage a one time cover to cover read of Joel's Library. Also, I'd find a quality source of ongoing support - a calm and comfortable ex-smoker, a non-smoking loved one or a serious and highly focused online support forum. Just one guiding principle determining the outcome for all, a principle that will always remain our common bond ... no nicotine just one day at a time, Never Take Another Puff, Dip or Chew. As with all who've posted here, if you need help, or have a question, e-mail us. We're each here and we're with you in spirit. The next few minutes are all that matter and each is do-able.

Breathe deep, hug hard, live long!

John R. Polito (a/k/a Zep)(Gold x6)
Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Hello, my name is Tommy and I quit 1 year ago today (12 July 04).Many thanks to God and WhyQuit.com. I had tried every possible quitting method during the last few years, but never tried the educated cold turkey method as described here at WhyQuit.

The beginning was difficult and I my eyes were glued to this site for the first few weeks - continually educating myself and reaffirming my promise to keep my quit. The real life tragedies, photographs and suffering that I saw posted on this site was a real wake up call for me. I read from people that really opened their hearts and emotions about how this dreadful addiction had affected their lives and their families. Then I read about the success stories, ordinary people beating this addiction and gaining control of their lives again, and I believed that I could be one of this team also!...and it worked!

This site should be on the school education curriculum for teenagers to help them quit/not begin and prevent them having a life of guilt and worry as most of us (former smokers) have had.

Since I quit I now have 3000% more energy. I now enjoy my sports again. I met a beautiful lady and married her. I lived in a European city and my country banned smoking last year in all bars, restaurants, etc, so quitting was relatively easy because the "triggers" were greatly reduced!

This year my employer relocated me to Moscow, Russia - a very interesting and historical city. Everybody smokes here - it is frightening to see how addicted to cigarettes most of the population is. There is cigarette bill-board advertising, magazines etc. This has been outlawed in Europe for many years, so it is a big culture shock. Museums, outdoor events etc list major tobacco companies as their main sponsors...wow! The prices of cigarettes are very cheap and as a result everyone smokes, in restaurants, bars, work etc. These are the new markets for the big tobacco companies - Russia,China and Asia.

The amazing thing about all of this is that since I quit and everyone that I work with now in Moscow is smoking all around me.... I have no cravings. I do not want to smoke and I pity these people and their terrible addiction. I actually find it funny because most of the time I cannot remember smoking and cannot imagine myself smoking (and I smoked for over 20+ years!!!)

Indelibly etched in my mind is NTAP...never take another puff. This promise/oath is so important to me and my health. Quitting smoking has been the greatest achievement of my life and I am proud of this. I hope that this short letter will give some encouragement to anyone out there that is worried about quitting or is thinking about resuming their smoking career. Please quit one day at a time... I did ... and it gets really easy later!

Many thanks to Joel, Kim and Whyquit.com...you saved my life.

Tommy