Dear Joel,

I am 35 years old, smoking 18 years. I have never quit smoking before now. So far, so good, I just got off the patch two days ago and I am using the wellbutrin now which I think will help me with anxiety. I think that is probably the reason I started smoking in the first place. I would like to know is it normal for me to feel like my life is not going to be fun anymore? Why do you think cold turkey is the only way to quit? It seems to me that cold turkey is next to mental suicide. Cruelty would describe cold turkey to me. I felt like I needed the patches initially to help me not go completely crazy. I love your website and it has been very inspirational to me the last few weeks. Tomorrow will be two weeks. I am determine�?Please write back.

Cami

Here Carmi:

Each of the following links will address different issues you have raised. It is a lot of materials but you actually asked quite a few questions and raised quit a few concerns. I hope they help you to see that quitting cold turkey is likely to be the least painful way to quit--not to mention the most successful. More importantly, many of these articles will hopefully help you to see that there is life after quitting. It will likely be a happier, cleaner, healthier, simpler, and richer life that you will be able to keep longer by sticking to a new personal commitment to never take another puff.

"Why did I ever start smoking?"
I have to smoke because of all my stress (Make sure to read post 148 and 159 in that string)
"Quitting Smoking": A Fate Worse than Death?
Is cold turkey the only way to quit?
So how did most successful ex-smokers actually quit?
Quitting by gradual withdrawal
Quit Cold Turkey
Hooked on the Cure 
General Comments About the Use of Zyban
"Will I always get the craving?" 
NRT and Quit Meters
 A Journey Beyond Comfort
I Am Still Me, Just Better!
Call Me A Quitter
Probably the most important articles considering you seem to be working with the impression life is more fun as a smoker:
The Isolation of a Widowed Smoker
He Wanted You to Know.
Noni Glykos - age 33
Kim's missing lung - age 44
I smoke because I like the flavor
I Smoke Because I Like Smoking!