Hey there, I'm kind of in the same boat. I wish it was legal everywhere too. It's helped me similar to how it has helped you and I wish more people would see it as a legitimate treatment. Especially since I'm paranoid and scared to take a lot of prescription drugs. Sadly, until it is legal in our areas we have to find other ways to help us cope. Were you planning on quitting forever, just until you pass the drug test or until it becomes legal?

I too have been an avid smoker for at least twelve years starting consistently around age 14, but lately I like to quit from time to time just to build my tolerance levels back up, though admittedly I've never quit long enough to pass a UA drug test.

What works for me is keeping myself really busy. Usually the internet helps me a lot (like right now) because if I can keep my hands busy typing then I don't even think about it as much. I don't know how healthy this is but I also try not to eat a lot because I always want to smoke afterwards (leftover side effect after quitting cigs) so I stick to light snacks that don't make me feel too over-full. Also exercise!!! Fitness DVDs are great when I get the urge to smoke. Similar to weed it helps me to feel not so down or anxious, and I get a small confidence boost when I'm able to get the exercises all done. It also helps to wear me out. If you have problems sleeping exercise seems to help with that too.

I don't believe anyone should suffer or live in poverty because they smoke/have any addiction so if you absolutely are having too hard of a time and you really need the money there are still ways to pass a drug test. If you don't mind having someone else's pee strapped to your thigh, I've had friends who buy the synthetic urine and dump it out and have someone clean refill it with their urine. You have to keep it a certain temperature though so if you buy the synthetic kit make sure it is one with a heating element and a thermometer. Don't use the synthetic urine. Everyone I know who has used it said they failed, even the really expensive $100+ kits.

I also have one friend who smokes up a storm and swears the swab method doesn't work and she often gets those jobs easily, and she also gets bored easily and changes jobs on pretty much a monthly basis. If you can, try to find a job that uses the swab. She claims you only have to abstain from smoking for 24-48 hours depending on how heavy you smoke regularly. Of course this is second hand information. I've only ever had one temp job and they didn't drug test.

I know it is hard to even think about quitting when you know how it helps you. The first time I skipped a day smoking I couldn't remember when the last time I didn't get high was and I was sure I was never going to make it the. entire. day. but I did and once I did I knew that I could and that was an empowering feeling!

Good luck! I really hope you find a solution that works for you. Don't be discouraged if you can't quit right away either. Some people do really well cold turkey and some people need to wean themselves off. Whatever works for you!