Any ex smokers out there? Options

[Random_Stranger]

Seriously, what is the most effective way to quit? I wish I could just get a shot that magically made me not want to smoke any more. After my uncle died this year of liver cancer, I promised my mom I wouldn't let her bury me and want to quit for her. Yet I think about the consequences, I know it is a matter of will power (not my strongest suit). Do those patches really work? The gum doesn't cut it for me. Anyways, I just thought I would ask.

[GriffGirl]

October 22nd will be my 1 year since I quit smoking. I started smoking when I was 15, almost 16, and quit at 33 just about exactly 18 years after I started. That's a scary prospect, to be in my 30s and have smoked for half my life. I always associated people smoking half their lives to people who were older, like in their 50s at least.

Whatever method you use to quit smoking, the bottom line is really simple. You have to want it. Genuinely want it. If you do, you'll find a way that works for you and you'll quit. It's that simple. It sucks, and it's really hard. I was a complete basket case when I quit - and damn near homicidal for a good 3 weeks after quitting, and that was WITH the patch (which I actually recommend). I either cried all the time or really genuinely wanted to harm people. I had ridiculously ****ed up dreams from being on the patch, and yeah, I gained weight. You quit any stimulant and you're gonna gain weight.

A year later I'm still just as determined to not pick it up again as a habit. I can honestly say that while I have smoked maybe 10 or so cigarettes in the last year, I haven't felt the actual "urge" to smoke except for once, when one of my dogs died. I have no desire whatsoever to smoke on any kind of regular basis. And I'm really really proud of myself for finally quitting.