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MAINTAINING YOUR FREEDOM AFTER THE SMOKE CLEARS
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No matter how strong you think you are, there's no guarantee you'll stay quit forever. The "Nicodemon" doesn't give up easily and neither should you. You must forever keep on your guard and never give in to the temptations that come along. And NEVER, EVER believe that you are in control enough to be able to have "just one" cigarette...or even a single puff. On this site, you will discover how that one simple indescretion can ruin all of the hard work you have put into your new life as a non-smoker. This information will be presented through stories collected from quitters who lost their quits after many months, and in some cases, many years of being smoke-free. As heart-wrenching as it is to hear, it is equally important to read those testimonies and learn from them so that we can all have hope to avoid the pitfalls and dangers that lurk well into the extended phases of quitting.
Perhaps you quit smoking a while back, but still find yourself struggling from time to time. Or maybe you are planning to quit smoking, but you're afraid you can't stay that way. Welcome to Stay Quit Forever, an online resource created by a fellow quitter who was also once a hard-core smoker. After more than seven years without a cigarette, I would like to share with you my own secrets for maintaining my successful quit, along with tips, advice, and stories from other quitters I've had the pleasure of meeting over the years.
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PURPOSE FOR THIS WEBSITE
The mission of this site is threefold. Most importantly, it is to help with relapse prevention. It is also intended to serve as an inspiration and source of encouragement to new quitters, and to serve as a refreshment stop for those who are further along on the journey to freedom from nicotine addiction who might need to be reminded of just how fragile a quit really is. While there are numerous products and methods out there to help a person quit smoking cigarettes, it seems there aren't enough resources out there to help quitters maintain their independence once the smoke has cleared and they find themselves standing alone, one-on-one against the Nicodemon. As addicts, we will be vulnerable until we die, and must be forever vigilant if we are to remain free from the bondage of smoking.
HAVE YOU BEEN QUIT FOR A YEAR OR MORE? Tell Others Your Story!
Maintaining a solid quit for at least one year is a major accomplishment, and no easy thing to do. It takes a lot of dedication and determination to get that far along, and those who make it to that big milestone always have stories to tell about their incredible journey. If you have a quit of a year or longer, please share your success story here for others to read. And be sure to include the ugly parts from the early days so that the new quitters who read it will understand that what they are feeling and experiencing in their own quits is probably normal!
HAVE YOU RELAPSED? Your Story Is Important, Too!
Unfortunately, there are many people who relapse back into full-scale smoking, sometimes even after long periods of being quit. While it is a devastating experience, your story can be a positive reinforcement to others. As much as it might hurt or feel embarrassing, your story could help others avoid making the very same mistake. If you have lost a long-term quit, we'd like to hear the details of your experience and share them with others who might need to hear what happened to you, and possibly help them avoid the same pitfalls.
DO YOU HAVE SOME QUIT TIPS OR ADVICE? Share Them And Help Others!
Simple tricks like carrying cinnamon toothpicks or chewing gum, engaging in hobbies or other activities, having a support person to call when a craving hits, or changing a daily routine associated with smoking can make the difference between relapsing or moving forward into a successful quit. If you have a quit tip or words of advice that might help a struggling quitter maintain their freedom from smoking, no matter how simple or silly you think it might be, please share it so we can post it. You could end up being someone's hero and not even know it!
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The Stay Quit Forever site will always be free to use, and no log-in or password is required to use the site. It is strictly anonymous except for nicknames and aliases used in stories that are published. In lieu of donations or membership fees, this site is supported by proceeds from the sale of T-Shirts, hats, coffee mugs, and other merchandise bearing quit related motivational and inspirational content. Click Here to view the current selections available in the Stay Quit Forever store hosted by Cafe Press.
Other features will be added to the Stay Quit Forever website as time goes by. Please check back soon and often for updates to this site, or click the link below to receive a periodic newsletter that will announce updates when new information is available.
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