I smoked for twenty years, and I quit smoking cold turkey six months ago. I always admired people who could decide they wanted to stop smoking, or anything for that matter, and just do it. These people must have a stronger will than me because I have never been the type to be able just to drop a bad habit and never look back. But I did, and this is the story of how I finally quit smoking cold turkey.
I can remember when I was a teenager, I heard a statistic that said if a person hadn’t started smoking by the time they were 18, most likely they never would. I never wanted to smoke as a teenager, but suddenly, most of my friends started smoking when we were 20 years old, and I got addicted to nicotine. As the years rolled by and we grew up, most of them quit smoking, but I couldn’t and didn’t want to. I loved smoking, even though it was a nasty habit, and if I ever did want to stop, I always reasoned that I could find a patch or something to help me quit smoking.
I considered myself a “considerate” smoker, if there is such a thing. I didn’t smoke inside our home, never at work, and always kept my cigarette butts contained in a place and didn’t throw them everywhere outside. I could go all day at work without one. When people I didn’t know very well figured out I was a smoker, they couldn’t believe it. I didn’t smell like a smoker or look like the type of person who smoked, whatever that meant.
I knew the risks. My own daddy couldn’t stand the fact that I smoked and warned me over and over that I needed to stop before I ended up with lung cancer. It’s always the lung cancer you hear about when you smoke. I always reasoned that it could never happen to me and I honestly had no intention of ever quitting. I liked smoking, and I needed it when times got really stressful.
My Last Cigarette
I had my last cigarette on November 30, 2016, only I didn’t know at the time it was going to be my last cigarette. If I had known, I definitely would have savored that moment and that cigarette. I probably would have smoked a few more. My husband and I were pushing it time-wise to get me to my heart catheterization appointment. I inhaled that last cigarette really fast and looked forward to this procedure being over with so I could have another cigarette to release the stress of having to go through this.
A couple of hours later, I received the news that I would have coronary artery bypass surgery the next day. I wasn’t going anywhere for several days, and there wasn’t time for me to sneak out and enjoy one last cigarette because I was busy being shuffled around for lab work, CT scans, meeting with the anesthesiologist, and generally falling to pieces, not sure if I would live through the surgery. This is the part about smoking that you don’t hear enough about. Smoking contributes to heart disease. I probably would have had this surgery on down the road at some point in my life anyway because of genetics, but smoking probably accelerated that surgery time by at least 20 years.
Because of oxygenation issues after surgery (due to my smoking), I had to stay on the ventilator longer. The suckiest part of waking up in recovery after heart surgery had to be breathing over the ventilator because I felt like I was strong enough to breathe on my own, and then having to be suctioned out while I felt like I was slowly choking to death and there was no way for me to communicate to the nurses because I had a tube down my throat and my hands were strapped down. It happened a couple of times in recovery before I was finally able to be weaned off the vent.
The crazy part of all of that was that I couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital and have a cigarette, even after all I had been through! Then I had a random cardiologist who was on call one morning to look at me, and he told me in a not-so-nice way that I could absolutely smoke again if I wanted to but that he would see me in a couple of years to do this all over again. And THAT is what did it for me. I do not ever want to have open heart surgery ever again.
What It’s Really Like to Quit Smoking Cold Turkey
So, what was it physically like to quit smoking cold turkey? I’m guessing it’s kind of like an addict going through detox, only on a smaller scale. I was agitated, to say the least. I couldn’t sit still when my cravings got really strong (and it was usually always at night). I squirmed in bed. I know it helped at first that I was confined to my hospital bed for five days straight and couldn’t physically get up to smoke. But as I healed and got stronger, the cravings never really went away, and I even DREAMED about smoking. Six months later, I still do. The first time I had to be around someone smoking, I nearly crawled out of my skin that night because I couldn’t sleep, sit still, and wanted a cigarette so bad. I could even smell a cigarette a mile away if someone was smoking nearby. I had a short fuse and was just a little snappy at times. I even considered vaping because I could still get that hand-to-mouth action I craved without it being too bad. How stupid is that reasoning? Seriously?
So, were all the withdrawals, mood swings, and insomnia worth it? Yes, but it sucked going through it, plain and simple. It was hard, but I can finally be around someone who is smoking and not have it make me feel like I’ll go crazy if I don’t have a cigarette. Do I still want to smoke? Yes, I really, really do, even though I know how bad it is, but I won’t. I still even dream about it. I’m not even going to sit here and say that I feel better because other than just not having that constant smoker’s cough and being able to breathe a little deeper, I can’t tell a huge difference so far health-wise, even though I know my body is probably thanking me. Maybe someday I will feel differently, but I still miss smoking and quitting is complex, and there is no easy way to do it, period. It’s work.
I am on day 34. I quit cold turkey after 54 yrs of smoking. I have only been able to stop this habit with the help of God! I have a great support group and I also find that by sharing with others, I am stronger! I find the cravings are not as strong now. Though there are moments when I think I need a cigarette really bad! I just bow my head and ask God to get me through this and He does! I can breathe better and am not coughing as much! Ty for encouragement!
I quit 7 weeks ago. Best decision ever. But I still want to smoke every day. I had a ritual daily of having just one cigar and an energy drink. Now my fingers don’t smell of smoke, my teeth are whiter and I breathe easier. I was vaping for a bit, but gave that up too. It’s a struggle to quit, I tried many times, just hoping this is it. Because my many friends are smokers and I give in in social occasions.
I randomly woke up this morning with that tickle in my throat. I want to smoke. I feel like yeah I need to stop. I dont smoke at work before it was a more private take the stress away like at night
or social drinking. I dont like smelling like smoke. Thinking this has been a full 5 years daily smoke disappoints me. The pandemic sucks at first every smokers cough made me feel paranoid but losing my job to be home all day for 2 mo ths pepped up my smoking habit. I need to be intentional about quitting this opened my eyes
March 20, 2020 I had a heart attack Feb. of 2019, had the flu which turned to pneumonia then the heart. I did have 98% blockage in one artery. I had a catheterization, a balloon stent. After all this I swore I was done with smoking but I still am smoking. I really do want to quit for my health but quitting is scary as I also am Bipolar. Sometimes the depression is really bad and smoking I rely on to help cope. I am afraid of what I will do if I don’t smoke anymore just as much as I am afraid of continuing to smoke. There is nothing I can take medication wise to help as I take many meds already. I have tried to locate support groups like AA but for smokers and they are too far away for me to even get to. I also have had asthma since childhood. That doesn’t help either. I see a therapist and a shrink. This is a difficult thing for me to tackle, I am scared and don’t know exactly how to stop or if I can stop. I have been smoking roughly since 14, I am 53. I have watched my brother and Mom quit. Why can’t I seem to do it?
Kim I feel the same way ..I’m literally speaking myself through this process of quitting to smoke . I personally donnot wana get a heart attack or be forced into quitting, however I find it really hard to just say no to cigarettes..
I’m at a point where I have prayed about my situation as I really wana be free of cigarettes..the smell ..the dirty habit..the waste of money and waste of health ..
I’m hoping that the day comes soon where I can say I’m finally free and my life isnt controlled by a man made cigarette…good luck keep trying and push forward..we can do this …
I’ve been smoking for 32 years and I really want to quit, but the ‘detox’ period really scares me. I feel my smoking is like an automated process…reach out and light. Never tried to quit before….I know I’m going to need a good support structure as I have stresses at work and home.
Hi Leonora,
I quit cold turkey on April 2, 2019. I found a great support group a few days after I quit, the Facebook group is amazing. The website is whyquit.com if you care to check it out. They have a ton of information to help support your decision to quit. The site free and the support is top notch. I hope this helps!
Lisa
I am day 10 of being cigarette free by cold turkey. It’s hard, really hard. I feel like I could put 3 cigarettes in my mouth, light them all and hot-box them right down to the butts. BUT I WON’T! I don’t want to have to start over again. I keep telling myself that I can do this. And I will!
Go Janet!! That’s amazing! I know how very hard this is. Just stay strong…you will be so glad you did!!
Hi
I started smoking around 14 years old. Quit a couple times once for 1 year second time for 3 years. And the 3rd time for 17 years. Yes 17 years, and started again. I have recently just quit again after smoking for the last 8 years. I really must say I didn’t find it too difficult. I loved the social aspect of smoking more than anything as well as the feeling of relaxation and taking time for me…how ridiculous!
I had a stent put in my heart almost 2 years ago but continued to smoke. However, I had a type of “asthma” attack and wound up in the hospital for 5 days. They’ve never really figured out what the cause was but it was the last straw for me. I feel that acid reflux is the culprit. Made much worse or even caused by smoking.
I have no intention of smoking again and look forward to a much healthier “longer” life. Congrats to you!
Thanks Rachel! It has been very tough. I’m glad to hear you’ve kicked the habit again! It’s the one thing I wish a million times I had never started. I’m so happy you stopped in to share your experience. Stay strong!!
This is tina and i quit 25 years ago becuse of heart problems. And i never want to smoke again
That’s awesome, Tina!! Keep going!!
Oops again. The cord. Not the musical CHORD. Where the heck is my coffee??
Oops. Cut the CORD. Not the vocal chord.
Wow. You had quite an experience! My husband has been struggling to quit for 10 years. He made it 6 months once but told himself he could be a social smoker, which he can’t. He’s finally down to 1-2 week but he can’t cut the chord. Like you, he really, really wants to have a cigarette but he can’t stop completely. Congratulations to you for stopping. I’ve seen firsthand how hard it really can be.
Bless him! It’s SO hard. I hope he can eventually quit for good. I still miss it, but I know in the long run that I just can’t risk ruining these “new” arteries. So great to hear from you, by the way!!