I quit in 1990 and it was extremely difficult. Going into the hospital for a Prostate operation did the trick.
I quit drinking in 1990 and decided I deserved a vice, so I started smoking cigars. I was a HEAVY cigar smoker at one point, and quit in 2010 when I got strep throat. The actual habit was tougher to kick than the nicotine addiction, I think. I used Nicorette gum. Then I picked up a chewing habit and used regular gum to get off of the Nicorette. Eventually I stopped altogether. For as long as I drank alcohol, the only temptation I still have is to start smoking cigars again...but I know better. I lost 2 brothers to lung cancer and my father to pancreatic cancer (he drank & smoked.)
I began smoking in my teens(13) and quite for the last time in 1988. I had tried to quite for several years using everything but did it cold turkey finally.
I started smoking in the Navy. A hot cup of coffee and a cigarette would keep a Sailor awake during Watch at sea. But, I was never a heavy smoker at a 1 1/2 packs a week (7 days). I had some smokers tell me, "don't even call yourself a smoker. I can smoke a pack and a half in one day or less." I stopped smoking after I bought my horse and started rodeo/team roping. Drop a cigarette on a horse and the rider will be on the ground! But, I did take up using Copenhagen and Skoal (dip). But, after it started irritating the inside of my lower lip, I stopped it as well. Neither wife nor I associate with anyone who smokes. She has some asthma and just can't handle it. One time, her former girlfriend wanted to light up a cigarette in our Durango and we both told her (almost at the same time), "absolutely not!" She was ok with that.
i smoked for about thirty years-- i bought me a daily e -cigarette and never went back to cigarettes--one e cig will last me 2 and a half days
Have you ever been addicted to anything ? I was addicted to smoking - we all know how that worked out And many years felt like I was addicted to diet cokes. In part that was my doctors fault, however I broke that addiction on my own. When I was single I never kept booze around because I went out on the week ends. But for a short time I bought some, and yep, found myself having a drink every night. Gone. Yes, I have done drugs but not needle type. I was never addicted that I know of. As for pot used rather frequently, but because of the cigs, decided one addiction was enough. Never had any other addictions that I know.
I quit drinking when I hit 36. I was drinking a 12 pak a day, plus way more on the weekends. I recall drinking for free at bars where friends worked, and one time a friend approached and and asked if I was OK. Apparently I downed a dozen gin & tonics in less than 3 hours without showing any ill effects. I was lucky that it was [physically] easy for me to quit. I've known others who really struggled, including a younger brother who almost died from it. It's a nasty drug. When I quit drinking I started smoking cigars, because "I deserved a vice," or some such stupid logic. I never smoked before. Those were really hard to quit...I ended up smoking a lot. I got off of them by chewing nicotine gum, and I got off of nicotine gum by chewing regular gum...what a stupid ordeal that was. It's been over 10 years. I used to smoke pot, but that was a long time ago. Funny, if pot gets decriminalized, that's the only thing that might tempt me after 30+ years of sobriety. But even then they would have to bring back what was called "dirt weed." I'm not interested in the high test stuff. And I likely wouldn't tempt fate. Regarding diet sodas: was that when they contained cyclamates? I knew a few folks who really struggled with that. To this day (for that and for other reasons) I will not use artificial sweeteners of any type. But I don't drink sodas...never have to any degree.
@John Brunner I do not use any artificial stuff anymore either, anything we like kills us anyway, so i am going out happy. Tis a pity that pot is legal in most places now - and I can not smoke or inhale none of that anymore. But like I told some people i like Brownies
1-6-1986 was my last pot smoking day. Got a hold of some seriously laced stuff and well thought I was going to to die.Cured me
I don't believe I've ever had a true addiction, though I do go into a fit if our internet connection is interrupted for a few hours. I've never smoked, have an occasional beer but can take it or leave it, and never used drugs... not even marijuana. My hubby has been a toker since the 70's, though. Hmmmm. Then again.... COFFEE!!!