I became a non-smoker March 1, 2005. Cold turkey, the only way to go, for me. I didn't want to trade one dependency for another (my view). I since have learned that smoking is an anti-anxiety behavior, after my anxiety skyrocketed about 3 months after I became smoke-free. At least that's what it seemed like, that it skyrocketed. But I think the anxiety was there all along and I was just dealing with it by smoking, so when I changed that behavior then I began to really feel and experience the anxiety; it was more noticable to me.

This isn't uncommon. It's a huge reason many people return to the behavior that helped their anxiety.

Being willing to feel this and recognize it for what it is will help keep your new healthy behavior in place. I realized that what I wanted was to not feel so anxious and edgy and grrrr!! but I was able to see that as something separate and not a reason to do something I didn't want to do. Being sure I didn't want to relieve those feelings with smoking, I came up with other ways, some I knew and some from trial and error, to help with those anxious feelings.

Becoming smoke free is wonderful !!! My clothes smell good, my hair smells good, my wallet is healthier too!

Maybe we could suggest a sub-forum in Health Support for "Becoming a Non-Smoker"? What do you think about this idea?

I wish anyone and everyone who decides to become a non-smoker the best success! It is so worth it... YOU are so worth it!