Hi -- I smoked 3 to 3 1/2 packs a day for 42 years and I haven't smoked one for almost 10 months. I truly didn't WANT to quit .... I LOVED cigarettes but last year I learned I was facing some rough times in the hospital and I figured being desperate for a smoke would make it even worse so I quit.
I used the patch for 39 days and then quit that too.
I "babied" myself. When I wanted a smoke horribly I'd say, "Oh you poor baby, of course you can have a smoke. You just need to wait a couple of hours." I've been waiting successfully for 10 months

And I've had my share of stress --- brain surgery and breast surgery - no kidding