text: for ex-smokers only please........? i have smoked a pack a day for 17 years now.  i've tried numerous times to quit, using everything from the patch, wellbutrin, gum, losenges, and cold turkey.  i've tried to even switch to drinking tea in the morning rather than coffee.  anyway, each time i quit i end up falling back into it within a couple of days.  the one time i lasted 3 weeks was with the patch.  however, my stress levels are extremely high right now, so i'm a bit nervous.  i asked my husband for support, and he's more than willing.  i'm looking for any tips you all used to help in your success on quitting.  i'm so sick of the smell, taste, cost and the way it makes me feel so sluggish.  for me, it's about 50% addiction and 50% a hand fixation.  thanks in advance!  i'd like to quit very soon! i smoked for 40 yrs. then my husband developed a neurological disease. i realized if i wanted to be around to help him out i would have to stop. boy it wasn't easy but this time i had to quit. if i got sick the both of us would be in a fix. i drank water to keep flushing my system and help maintain my weight-  chewed on carrot sticks and celery stalks to satisfy the need to hold something in my hand and also to prevent weight gain it is still hard when i have that cup of coffee but i have to say it has been 2 years  and i haven't gone back (it took me six months to completely quit without cheating) i still drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and to my surprise i also lost 40 pounds without dieting- and have kept it off if you get stressed do something  you enjoy to keep your mind and hands busy- take a brisk walk don't think about smoking- that is what is stressing you when i wanted to quit my doctor wanted me to try the patch but i didn't want to substitute one crutch for another he also wanted to put me on wellbutrin but that really turned me off i said if i am going to do this i am going to do it right if i can you can  i believe in you believe you can good luck