Am very very happy to be here!! I am just over 10 days into my quit. I have seen Freedom as a bit of an icon, and soooo wished to be eligible it has been
untrue. I have a 24 year smoking history and am having difficulty in even getting my head round admitting to the realisation of that fact. I have been
reading the articles on this great site for about 6 months now, and connect so well with the truths being explained here.
I have tried NRT before ( though dubiously as I DID see it as nicotine by another means) and cold turkey, though it hasn't lasted more than a couple of
days. This quit is my last. The first few days were really hard - not with cravings but with palpitations, sleeplessness, tight-chestedness, and a bit of a
misery feeling..no sudden euphoria at all!! BUT.....I have landed!
A tremendously strong connection was alcohol-smoking. I hadn't had a drink up until last night when a friend came round with a bottle of organic cider
for me, as I had made that sort of request. It tasted so strongly of apple!! I could actually taste it! AND..for the first time in 17 years, I drank alcohol
with no cigarette, nor a desire to have one....this is heaven. AND..the night before, Iwent for a run of 40 mins duration along a trail ( I live in the
beautiful Peak District in Derbyshire, England), the furthest for such a long time.
I have received a vast amount of perspective from this site - a philosophy, thinking skills and particular gambits as well, that continue to help me keep my
quit safe.
There is so much else to tell, and I have been lurking on 'newies' first post threads for a while, and will want to offer my words to them good souls
as well.
Suspect I have dragged this out much longer than planned. Am just so happy to have made it here, after reading and wishing it for a long time. Being here is
an acheivement in itself!!
I look forward to posting with others a lot, but will sign off right now, and get this up there on the board.
Many thanks for reading this and sharing my joy at being here. Rob.

