Turkey's Triumphs
Reflections from cold turkey quitters who've remained nicotine-free for at least 1 year
Did you successfully arrest your chemical dependence upon nicotine by quitting cold turkey? Have you remained 100% nicotine-free for at least one year? If so, send and share your victory message.
Oh, geez! I almost forgot. I'm 17 years quit today. Woke up 17 years ago and just decided to quit. Had quit unsuccessfully many times before. This time, about a week in, I was searching on the internet and found "Freedom From Tobacco" which was a Microsoft group/forum. So long ago that Joel was still writing new posts. LOL!
John R. Polito and Joel Spitzer are the backbone of what was Freedom From Tobacco and what was and is "WhyQuit". Joanne and Linda were also instrumental in the early days. Lot of interesting stories there, I'm sure.
Anyway, I immersed myself in learning about my/our addiction to nicotine. It helped me quit. I had a very hard time quitting in that I kept thinking about it for months. Reading and educating myself and participating in the group helped.
After a year or so I finally got comfortable in my quit. Hopefully, it won't take you so long but if it does, it's worth it, for sure. Read, read, and read. The things Joel and John and others wrote are just as true today as then. Remember that those who NTAP will never, ever, relapse.
Steve Gold x 17 (formally ZZRSteve)
Wanted to thank you for being apart of my quit WhyQuit.Com - a cold turkey quitting forum. For real, the site and Turkeyville really helped. Joel is the man! Keep strong and fighting on .. lots of love .. 2 years nicotine-free yesterday!
Michael Mandel
I tried to quit so many times and ways. I used all the same justifications over and over. It was never the right time....45 YEARS of excuses later I finally quit cold turkey with help from Turkeyville. Now I am 2 weeks from my 2 year nicotine free anniversary. You can do this. Please don't wait-- just do it. I will not smoke with you today 
Lynda Esquivel
Today marks me 7 years nicotine free, I owe a lot to Turkeyville and Joel Spitzer's videos, thanks a lot NTAP
Richard Philip
I can hardly believe it. Two years today no cigarettes! 44 years of smoking and I finally did. Thank you for this group and the whyquit.com website. What a great feeling!
Melissa
Yay! 2 years free today. Quitting is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.
Jill Johnson
Woohoo! Today I am celebrating ONE year of NOT smoking.
Five months after my quit, I started another healthy journey...weight loss and movement. I am now down 54 pounds and walk, on average, 15,000 steps per day and do a 30 minute beginner aerobics video 4-5 x per week. My heart, lungs and even my arthritic knees and back are so grateful 
Charlene Powell
4 years quit today after 44 years of smoking. It is possible for us all! You have to start.
Bob Pugliese
7 years today I gave up for good, and Turkeyville helped enormously. In the early days I used to enjoy reading people's posts about their successful quits and it gave me hope. Since then I have been completely nicotine free. Thank you to all involved in this page. X
Steve Broomhall
Six years without a puff thanx to you guys here at Turkeyville I wouldnt take a puff for all the world and any and all of you can feel the same way
Leon Janson
I can smell the flowers now!
3 years smoke free today
Jennifer Carter-Smith
6 years and 1 day nicotine free! All you have to do is Never Take Another Puff. When you really really want to, just remember why you quit and then Never Take Another Puff...repeat! You will never regret it
Cindy Wall
Wow. Like others my anniversary came and went without me realizing it. 3 days ago it was 6 years and going strong.
No flicking a lighter over 55,000 times to inhale 30 ounces of tar. What was I ever thinking?
Mark Yundt
I almost forgot to post, yesterday was my 5 year quit-iversary. That's how it is after this much time, you almost forget what it was like to smoke. I certainly don't ever want to smoke again. For you guys at the beginning of your quit, just know it gets easier and is so worth it. NTAP
Crystal Myers Cooper
I am celebrating my 3 year quit today! At this point I never think about smoking only about the benefits. I feel bad when I see a smoker & I always tell people about this site. I’m a fricken born again and so proud of myself. I smoked for 31 years, you can totally do this! I will not smoke with you today.
Ralena Buhler
I had my last cigarette (and dose of nicotine) on 4/8/13 — exactly 8 years ago today! I was a pretty heavy smoker for 15 years, and in my early 30s could really feel the physical impacts smoking had on my health. Gum/patches only resulted in relapse. Then I stumbled upon this group (Turkeyville).
I was able to finally prevail on my cold turkey quest thanks to what I learned here. I’m now in the best physical shape that I’ve ever been in, and I’m grateful I did it. If you are just beginning your quit journey, just remember that it does get incrementally easier every single day that you invest into it (and yourself). Keep it on the outside, and it can’t harm you anymore. Cheers!
Mike Korso
Oh my gosh. My five year anniversary came and went. April 1 was five years of no smoking. (No fooling.) that’s just how much cigarettes have taken a back seat in my life. In the way back. No, actually, I think they’ve been kicked off the bus.
When I first quit for my health I thought I’d never be able to find happiness without smoking. I was so wrong. Life is a great deal better now. Just NTAP. That’s all there is to it.
Katie Schleife
Hi, all at WhyQuit, I remembered this evening that 10th March is the anniversary of my quitting day and finding Whyquit.com. Since I remembered the date this year I want to share with you again how happy I am to be an Ex smoker. I truly believe I wouldn't be here without the help and support you all gave me.
If you are considering quitting nicotine, trust these people they know what they are talking about. Many thanks to Joel, John, Joy and the rest of the team. Maggie, NTAP
Maggie Walker
17 years free today. Best decision I ever made. None of my grandchildren have ever known me as a smoker.
Marion Fitt
Celebrating 5 years today! I actually shot for a quit date of 3-7 as those are my favorite numbers but the insidiousness of nicotine won for just one more day.
Quitting smoking has been a catalyst for me into recreating myself and my life in many ways. So many positive changes!
Thank you to WhyQuit for helping me stay informed and supported to NTAP! Forever grateful.
Cassandra Tenkyō Noble
Took a while to write :) Just wanted to let you know that I quit smoking cigarettes 17 years ago at age 30 having smoked since I was 15 non-stop two packs-a-day thanks to your website. I was ready and you gave me the final push. I will be forever be grateful to you and to this tool that I think saved my life.
Thank you infinitely and I wish you many blessings on such important work.
Carlos Villamil
I am 5 years free today! I tried several "schticks" to quit, but cold turkey was the only way for me.
If you haven’t broke free from sickarettes/nicotine yet, what’s stopping you? Dive right in! Freedom is a wonderful thing. Thanks everyone for your love and support these past years.
Katie Bowcutt Neslund
One year - not one puff, thank you to all for your support ! (Smoked for 50 years .. if I can anyone can , some issues for years I did smoke wished I quit sooner, is my only regret)
Linda Taylor
Teenaged turkey reporting for duty!
THIRTEEN YEARS FREE (1/19/08)
Big thanks to all my fellow turkeys, especially the WhyQuit angels, for all the support over the years. I have the nicest, happiest life right now and it is truly all thanks to one decision I made so very long ago - to NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF. And I haven’t! So don’t you, either. It is so very very worth it. Cheers!
Wendy Ann Guest
Well I can't quite believe it after such a terrible year, the loss of both my grandparents and my beloved aunt within 4 months of each other and with many failed attempts but I can proudly say I have officially been smoke free for a whole year. I wouldn't be where I am today if it were not for this group and Joels library and the one simple mantra "never take another puff." Today celebrate for I will not smoke with you today.
Nadeana
Good morning, turkeys! Just popping in to celebrate my quit turning Sweet Sixteen. On this day in 2005, I decided not to buy a pack of Marlboro Lights on my way to work. I found WhyQuit when I was in the throes of withdrawal, and Joel's writings told me that yes, what I was feeling was totally normal, and yes, it will pass if you give it time.
And what do you know, he was right!
I've been quit now longer than I smoked. I'm not proud that I ever smoked, but I am proud that I quit and stayed quit. The comfort has been with me for so long that I have nearly forgotten how bad I felt at the beginning. Stick with it, newbies, and you will get there too. One day being nicotine free will feel as natural as, well, breathing. Thanks, WhyQuit and the folks that keep it all running. Your work is valuable, and I appreciate you all so much.
Amy Austin
I just wanted to thank everyone in [Turkeyville] who has supported me! As of 2 minutes ago I am exactly one year nicotine free! I will never take another puff and am so proud to say that I am an official gold turkey member.
Taylor
Today marks my 7th Anniversary of being smoke free. I am so grateful to [Turkeyville] for getting me through the most challenging time of my life. 50 years of smoking 1 1/2 packs a day. Never thought I could do this. For all those just attempting their quit, I say, “Persevere!” It is the most rewarding and most cleansing thing you can do for your body. Happy New Year, hoping this will be Your year.
Marilyn
It’s hard to believe that it has already been 7 years...
(I’ve been waiting for this one)
“Nobody likes a quitter.” Well, I do!
Quitting addiction is something to be proud of.
For those that are on day one... we have all been there.
Day 1 is where the journey begins.
NTAP... Just one day at a time.
Scott Baley
7X GOLD as of 12.31.2020
I am so grateful to you and Joel for your videos and inspiring messages that made me a successful non smoker.....
I continue to aspire to our motto.....NTAP.....never take another puff.....
Best wishes to all in 2021
Bud Laramore
Over a year without smoking. About 10,000 cigarettes not smoked. Don’t relapse, I made that mistake a few years ago, I promise that you’ll regret it. I love being nicotine free. NTAP.
Brian
Six years ago today with a horrible cough and a New Years Eve party swirling all around me, I decided I had to quit smoking. I skipped the party, went to bed early and woke up with a strong resolve to stay nicotine free. With the help of Whyquit.com and the support of loved ones, (especially my daughter, Mom and girlfriend) I did it! That turned out to be the best decision I have ever made. I feel amazing and have saved thousands of dollars! It wasn’t easy but nothing worth having is! One day at a time! NTAP! ODAAT!
Kim
1 year 1 month I listened to Joel for 2 years!! OMG but I got here . THANK GOD. I recommend his videos to anyone struggling to quit. It does not have to take that long to quit but that’s my story. Truthfully I first started trying over 20 years ago but using useless methods cold turkey was it!! Merry Xmas all!!
Jeannie
Today marks 1 year since I quit smoking! It did get easier day by day! I feel so free now and it is even better than I could ever imagined! Never take another puff 💚
Delia
After a 35-year smoking habit I successfully quit 11 years ago. Wanted to share my story to help others.
Background:
- Tried five times to quit about once-a-year. Four were cold-turkey attempts; the longest lasted 10 days. The fifth was a gradual reduction plan over one week, which was pure H.
- Made the decision to quit before really researching how.
- Three factors fueled the decision: 1) Came down with the flu, 2) a clogged A/C filter was spewing dust throughout the home, and 3) ate food that had been contaminated with microwaved plastic. So, that night had absolutely no interest in smoking. Decided then and there I was done.
Things that helped along the way:
- Wrote down a) the reasons I wanted to quit, b) a list of daily mantras, and c) a journal of my thoughts.
- Studied everything I could get my hands on: Joel Spitzer's videos, The American Cancer Society's web site, Allen Carr's book reviews, and CDC surveys.
Key takeaways:
- Nicotine only stays in the body for three days. After that what seem like physical "urges" are simply "thought cues."
- Thought cues don't last long and are easily overcome with either a daily mantra or a calm conversation with yourself like sitting down with a friend and telling them you disagree with their point-of-view.
Love looking back at my journal and seeing entries like: "Don't know why I keep making journal entries anymore; I don't even think about smoking anymore."
Jim Geeting
One year ago today I quit nicotine forever! Can’t believe I made it and now that I know the secret of keeping nicotine on the outside - I know I will maintain my freedom status. Thanks for this group and all the amazing encouragement. Feels like just yesterday I was immersing myself in comments and the literature / videos on this site. Great work everyone! NTAP. ODAAT!
Amy
One year and 11 days Smoke Free
NTAP!
Thank You for everyone who gave me the example those here and those who have passed. Former 35 year chain smoker...if I can quit anyone can. Seriously.
Kaarisa
3 years and I am grateful of the support from this group and Joel’s video and wisdom
xx
StKilda Jan
One year ago today, my husband and I made a life changing decision to quit smoking together after 25+ years of doing so together. It has been a wild ride but it stuck and we are STILL alive and happily married! I am super grateful for [Turkeyville] and all the support provided through the year! You all rock!!!
Jo Ann
Today I'm celebrating my 1 year Quit anniversary! It feels great to be able to say that. The best advice I can give anyone is, if you are struggling, speak up. Ask this group for help. Don't reach for the nicotine.
If I had taken that advice I would have been 1 yr and 8 1/2 months quit but I didn't reach out for help and blew a 8 1/2 month quit 1 year ago. Had to start my quit all over. It was much harder.
The last 3 months have been really hard too as I lost my son to cancer on April 25th, but even that is no excuse to use nicotine folks, and I'm pleased to say I haven't . I'm grieving but I know that smoking won't help ease my pain, it will only increase the progression of my lung disease and make it harder to breathe, and it wont bring back my son.
I'm so thankful for this group and I'm so proud of all of you for keeping your commitment with me not to smoke with me today and to never take another puff, NTAP.
Lori
I just wanted to reach out and say thanks for helping me quit the right way and for good. It has been a little over 15 years since I stumbled on to your website with a patch on my arm desperate to quit. My last smoke has still been the butt I picked up from the gutter and put in my mouth 15 years ago the morning after I took the patch off.
I’m thankful for your efforts and the truths on your website. I can say I have no cravings and zero temptation to start again, in fact the mere smell of it is repulsive to me.
Thanks again, your making a difference.
Steve Hassel
Today is my One Year No Smoking Anniversary!!! I’m thrilled I did it COLD TURKEY!! Something I never thought I could do. Thanks to this group and my family’s support.
Veronique
Last week was my one year mark being nicotine free.
After 25 years with numerous stop/starts over the latter years seeing others progress through this group certainly was a major contributing factor in my success.
I haven't had a craving in a long long time now. I know in my heart I'm 'over it'.
So thanks to all those in this group who've helped me once again return to normality. I no longer fear eating out in restaurants because of knowing that when I do my mind will be repeatedly wondering when I can break away to fill my lungs with poison.
I no longer fear getting too close to my son because I know my breath and clothes will reek. I enjoy going out, exercise is fun, and I know in my heart I'm doing my best to always be around as long as I can for my family when they need me.
Thanks all. Be strong and NTAP.
David Brown
I quit on 31May2017 after 44 years of daily smoking. Until I 'quit different', I never understood the nature of my chemical dependency on nicotine. I will try to explain.
First. Withdrawal is TEMPORARY.
That means it ENDS!
You will not feel cravings FOREVER!
Peak withdrawal is in 72 hours or less. Then it slowly, steadily get better daily just a little bit.
Each individual craving lasts 3 minutes or less. It seems longer because its uncomfortable. Its distracting. Once it starts it consumes your thoughts. Time distortion is real because we lose track of time. Nicotine abuses our brain chemicals to enslave us. It manipulates dopamine to cause a feeling of discomfort, distraction and dread.
Craves do not hurt and they have brief lives. Craves irritate, distract and are uncomfortable but they're not pain. If you have ever had a bad burn or a deep cut with stitches, or had blunt force trauma or surgery... that's pain. Cravings are like hunger pangs or I imagine like a toddler who is cutting in his first teeth.
Put a stopwatch and ALL YOUR ATTENTION on the next craving. Pay attention. It won't bite. Really feel it without any added anxiety, fear or loathing. You will feel it, feel it build a little, then it will fade away and DIE! Even when you were a smoker, every craving you ever felt (or will ever feel) will fade away and die on its own whether you smoke or not.
So now you DON'T SMOKE and you feel cravings DIE without fear, dread or anxiety. Craves are uncomfortable, irritating and distracting and they still die on their own every time. Because that's what they have always done. After that first 72 hours each day brings cravings less frequently, each one is weaker in its intensity and those craves are not lasting as long until they fade away and DIE! (Can you tell my favorite part is feeling it DIE?)
Do battle against craves. Nicotine is making a power play when you get into a situation when you feel a hard craving. Winner takes all. Each time you are in a crave situation like this, speak to it in your mind. Say to yourself clearly and firmly, "I do not smoke... after I eat... or while I drive... or walking the dog. I don't use nicotine ever! I am a non smoker now and I am never going to have any more."
Each craving that you consciously confront is one more puzzle piece you put under your own control. Nicotine is losing more control with each play it makes. By being smarter than nicotine you win each time nicotine challenges you with a crave.
I think of it as I used to have alarm clocks. Twenty time-to-smoke alarm clocks. When I face down a crave and take control I have shut off that alarm clock. After day fourteen I was down to 1 or 2 craves per WEEK.
After day twenty-four I noticed one day I was down to one craving per MONTH ! My smoking had withered and faded to 3 minutes per Month. My last hard craving was at about 3-1/2 months. I am over 2 years and not even one more crave. This is what you are working for. You can have your freedom but you must take it from nicotine. You must seize your freedom and hold onto it.
The final stage of quitting is the same for all of us. Remember that once you are FREE you never get immunity from stupidity! Addiction does not give Free passes, Immunity, Mulligan's or Second chances. There is no such thing as "just one" puff. I'm being deadly serious here.
We are always one puff away from two packs per day. There is no such thing as "just one" and your inner Junkie will never be satisfied.
And that Junkie just took control away from you. But being free means I have the choice. I choose to not smoke and I am glad to. I only get to stay free so long as I make the Right choice. If I make only one mistake ever, I will go back to smoking as much... or even more ...than I smoked when I quit.
If you do not learn from your own experiences, you're dumb.
If you do learn from your own experiences, you're smart.
If you learn from other people's experiences, you're wise.
Be wise.
Never Take Another Puff.
I will not smoke with you today.
Have a good one.
It's great to be free.
Tark414
25th May was 5 years quit for me 😊. After many years of smoking this seemed like an unachievable dream. I have also faced the toughest 5 years of my life when there were many excuses to just smoke again but I realised that the difficult times were still there as a smoker or non smoker and I just needed new ways to cope.
If you're starting your quit journey then keep going, the freedom really is amazing and smoking doesn't cross my mind now. ODAAT worked for me...1 hour turns into 1 day then 1 week, 1 month, 1 year, 5 years. Good luck fellow turkeys.
Julia
Today it's been 1 year since I quit smoking!! I am going to go out and breath all day to celebrate!!
Lynda
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