Hall of Fame
Join us in celebrating success at quitting smoking! Our Success Story program
recognizes individuals who have overcome obstacles during their quit, and
Support Group members who have made significant efforts at helping
others.
Every month we publish the most inspiring success story. If you would like to
submit your personal quit story or if you would like to recommend someone from
our Support Group, please click here.
To read the stories of past monthly winners, please visit our
Hall of Fame.
Please join us in celebrating this month's winner!
Recipient: Chico1969
Quit Date: February 01, 2010
We are extremely excited to announce Chico1969 as this month’s Hall of Fame inductee. Please help me in congratulating her for her success with her quit and also thank her for the continued support she has offered in the online community.
Please outline your smoking history.
From a young age it appeared that Chico was destined to be a smoker - she had her first cigarette at the age of 9 even though her parents caught her and gave her grief for it, she continued to sneak them once in a while. She thought she looked older and very cool. She was fully hooked by the age of 13. She smoked at least one large pack/day for the past 28 years. Chico had never really tried to quit until two years ago.
What motivated you to quit this last time?
Chico had a severe asthma attack about two years ago and has had a few more since that time - she was told that she was on her way to having COPD so it was either quit now, or die an awful, early death. It frightened her so much, but not enough to make it through her first two quit attempts! Both lasted 3 months. This is the turning point for her.
What was different about this final quit?
Chico has a hard time putting a finger on what was different about her final quit as compared to her other two attempts. She feels that it was definitely easier this time around. She figures that quitting smoking must be like anything else, the more effort you put towards it, and the easier it becomes to succeed. During her first quit Chico felt a bit forced into it, it didn’t really feel like it was her choice. After two attempts, it became quite clear to her that this is something she needed to do for herself in order to have a greater quality of life. She also realized that this was something she CAN do. She also discovered that it was not as awful as she actually thought it would be. However, it is tough in the beginning! But she assures that it does get easier as time goes by.
What did you use or what techniques did you use to resist cravings?
Chico used the Nicoderm Patch - from level 1 and she is still using level #3 (7mg). She plans on using this for another month to get past that danger point of three-four months. She also chewed a lot of sugarless gum, drank lots of water, avoided situations at first where she knew there would be smokers, posted and read a lot on SHO and called her quit partner - her brother when she felt like smoking.
Did you have any major slips? And if you did, what did you learn?
Because Chico had two prior attempts at quitting, she did have slips that lead her back to the evil Nicodemon on both occasions! Both slips began as her talking herself into "Just one cigarette with my drink" – both occured at the ever so dangerous three month mark. Before she knew it she was back to one pack/day and also back in the hospital with other asthma attacks. The messages are loud and clear at SHO - Not One Puff Ever - NOPE. It is very true.
Do you have insight or advice for others?
The one thing that Chico can say to others is that if she can do this, than for sure anyone can. She was chained to her cigarettes, would NEVER be caught without at least half a pack, would avoid going to certain places if she thought she may not be able to smoke - such as movie theatres or sports games. She would smoke even when she was deathly sick with bronchitis even though her lungs were trying to tell her that they were dying with the asthma attacks. Nothing would make Chico quit - until she finally WOKE UP and saw smoking for what it is - A KILLER, no matter what way you look at it.
Thanks for these wonderful words of wisdom Chico! Thank you for sharing your story with us and congratulations on your induction into the hall of fame!
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