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I quit after 15 years of smoking. I've been clean since '01. I did it low and slow. First, I stopped smoking in my house, then no smoking in the car/restaraunts. Then no more than X/Day (i suggest half of your current daily to start) and then cut that down by half every 4 days to a week. Till you're down to like 1 or 2 per day, and to get those in, it's Awefull inconvenient. Soon you'll be craving less, and less and hacking like a crazy old man. After about 2 weeks or so the hacking stops and you can breathe. After about 2 months, everything tastes and smells amazing. It's totally worth it, and I wish you the best in quitting.
UncleChet on
I'm sometimes grumpy and random, feel free to overlook the strange man in the corner.
For me, I had to draw a line in the sand. I told myself that I would stop smoking by the end of August. You can bet that I smoked about half the filter on my last cig on the 31st of August. But I made sure i did not have any more around after that.
Also, I told everyone that I was quitting, so they could help me, as well as I would feel guilty if I tried to smoke around any of them.
Finally, you just have to suffer through the next couple of weeks, and it does suck. Its an addictive substance, and you are going to want it. But once you get through the physical addiction it gets better. Things smell better, especially you. Also, food is better and you don't get sick anymore.
I still dream about it every now and again, and I get mad at myself in the dream for breaking down. But its been like 15 years now and its definitely done with.
Also, when you do get past it.. Please don't become a reformed smoker. They are so annoying.
I think cold turkey _is_ effective. It's gotta be the worst option for the first few weeks, but probably the best after that, since 'weening' makes me want to keep smoking, and other methods involve continuing to get nicotine in your system.
Is there a more specific reason why you wouldn't want to use Chantix/Champix beyond "messing up your brain"? It's stupidly easier to quit while taking it. Instead of the "habit" of wanting to have a smoke when you get in your car, or after dinner, or with a few beers, the craving just disappears.
If you don't want to go that route, do your best to stay away from friends who smoke and don't drink for a while. Good luck!
I think that the internet has been for years on the path to creating what is essentially an electronic Necronomicon: A collection of blasphemous unrealities so perverse that to even glimpse at its contents, if but for a moment, is to irrevocably forfeit a portion of your sanity.
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If you ever need to talk to someone, feel free to message me. Yes, that includes you.
I'm not sure what the forum's opinions of e-cigs are, but if you still need something for the 'oral fixation' aspect of it, you could always pick up a nicotine-free e-cig and try it out. The "Classic Tobacco" flavored Blu was a solid substitute for me when my smoking crept from "occasionally while drinking" to "every day". They don't seem to be a good choice if you're looking to chief on it like a real cig, however.
I smoked from the age of ~19 to 26, when I quit, I quit cold turkey, with a side of chewing on ink pens.
Now that you can't really smoke in restraunts or bars, it's likely quite a bit easier to go cold turkey. My main problem back then was always wanting a smoke while I was out drinking or eating.
One of the tricks I used though, where I work tons of people smoke constantly, after my first 5 days off, I'd make it a habit of talking to my friends within minutes of them coming inside. The fact that you can clearly smell the totally unpleasant smell of cigarette smoke like a non-smoker will ruin the desire a bit.
It is certainly worth quitting though. I feel much better now that I'm not waking up in the morning and reaching for a pack of newports every day.
I'm not sure what the forum's opinions of e-cigs are, but if you still need something for the 'oral fixation' aspect of it, you could always pick up a nicotine-free e-cig and try it out. The "Classic Tobacco" flavored Blu was a solid substitute for me when my smoking crept from "occasionally while drinking" to "every day". They don't seem to be a good choice if you're looking to chief on it like a real cig, however.
It is still nicotine and all the harmful effects of nicotine are still present. It is not designed as a cessation tool.
I've quit a few times over the course of about 3 or 4 years, and the only time it actually stuck was when I went about it without setting a huge goal. I set a date when I was going to quit smoking, two weeks ahead of time. I smoked regularly for the first week, then for the last week I started having a cup of coffee, or a stick of gum instead of a cigarette, pretty much reducing my consumption by half. Then I stopped smoking all together, and used a variety of methods, occasionally going for a walk when I felt I needed one, or finding something to keep me busy.
The key to it? I took it one day at a time. I would wake up in the morning and say "I'm not going to have a cigarette today", and then cope with each situation as it arose.
Another helpful tool is to remove yourself from situations where you smoke frequently. If at your work, and there is a smoking area, don't go there, go somewhere else to take your break. If you smoke when you drink with friends, avoid the bar for the first few weeks (or months). If you are going to the gas station, try paying at the pump with a credit card instead of going inside, where you will see the cigarettes and be tempted to buy them.
Oh man, the don't go to the gas station advice there is priceless. Thats one of the biggest things and I didn't even realize it, but I rarely go inside my gas station now, and that probably helped me quit quite a bit.
reddeath on
0
jefe414"My Other Drill Hole is a Teleporter"Mechagodzilla is Best GodzillaRegistered Userregular
edited December 2010
This book:
"The Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers Using Allen Carr's Easyway Method"
I read through it twice and quit. The book basically changed my entire mindset.
I tried chantix and it did not work with me. Well I stopped taking it since it was messing with my moods horribly. The thing about that stuff is it seems to effect different people different ways. I was consumed with rage (normally a really laid back person). Meanwhile a friend of mine used it to quit relatively easily.
This is a free book I read that helped with quiting cold turkey.
It can be tough to get through (very self helpy) but has good information in there. Such as treating it like alcoholism (one day at a time like Forbe! mentioned).
I (against the book's recommendation) set a date and took off a few days from work to quit.
something that helped me and a couple friends:
start exercising lots/more. As you cut down on packs, and start running lots or playing sports you'll notice how much healthier and stronger your lungs are getting, and it really helps motivate you, and provides a noticeable reward in the long run!
This book:
"The Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers Using Allen Carr's Easyway Method"
I read through it twice and quit. The book basically changed my entire mindset.
I used this book too. Quit cold turkey after 12 years, haven't looked back.
Yeah my friend used that book and he swears by it.
The biggest thing about quitting smoking is you HAVE to want it. If youre wishy washy about it or still love smoking, theres no way you will quit. You need to tell yourself "I hate smoking. I will quit by this date. I will NOT smoke anymore". If youre quitting because your wife wants you to, or because you feel like you should or you have to, you will most likely not be successful, especially going cold turkey. Its a willpower thing, and everyones willpower is weak when they dont see any value in the end result.
If you can cut down on the areas in which you smoke daily, it will have a cascading effect. If you smoke in the car on the way to work, try to cut out the smoke to work, or on the way home.
Then try to cut out one of your smoke breaks a day. Instead of 2 smokes on breaks and 2 on lunch, try to cut out a smoke break and just walk instead.
If you like a smoke after the morning coffee, try knocking that one out. If you smoke after every meal, cut out one smoke at a particluar meal.
If you smoke just before bed, try to cut out one smoke before bed every other day. If you drink and find it particularly awesome to smoke when buzzed, drink less quantity and less often.
I personally found breaking the habitual aspect of smoking to be incredibly beneficial in my path to smokelessness.
Finishing comment, if you are a smoker and suffer from depression it could be harder to quit than a mentally healthy smoker. If you are depressed and currently seeking help, consult your shrink.
Patience and perseverance play a large part in breaking the habit. You want to stop, that's awesome, keep at it no matter how often you slip up, and eventually you will kick it.
I'm trying to quit smoking as well. It's not easy. It's not so much the nicotine addiction as it is the oral fixation. I've switched to lights recently (I smoked Newport 100's prior) and they're helping me smoke less. I get less enjoyment out of a light cigarette, but never do I want to stand there and smoke 2. So I'm smoking less.
I did some math and ended up with a pretty simple formula to help me stop. I want to make my first goal a single pack per week. My normal routine is about 2.5 packs per week. The math brought it out to a single smoke every 5.2 hours that I'm awake. Which usually means 3 smokes per day. Once in the morning after breakfast, once after lunch, once after dinner. That'll keep me on the 1-pack-per-week routine. After 2 weeks of that, I'm going to try the next step of a pack per 2 weeks. Then just smoke only when I drink, then eventually quit.
I attempted cold turkey a year ago and gave in less than 2 weeks after quitting. I know, I was close to breaking it, but I love me some menthol.
I have stopped and started smoking with some serious gaps in between (shortest six months, longest two and a bit years. I'm a non-smoker now).
Each time I quit I did it cold turkey. I think a lot of the reason people try this and don't manage it is that they get it into their head that if they break down and have a cigarette then they've "failed" and might as well lapse back into their old habits. It doesn't mean you failed, you just had a lapse.
If you break down and buy a pack, once you have your head on straight (which I found was generally immediately after having a cigarette out of it) bin the pack. Preferably in a public bin out on the street so you can't rake through it later and dig it back out. Or hand it to someone you don't know who smokes.
In terms of dealing with the cravings, the important thing is to do something else at the times when you would normally smoke. It doesn't really matter what, as long as it isn't whatever you did while smoking. Otherwise you'll sit and stew thinking about how you could be smoking right now, which is just making life difficult for yourself.
Each time I quit I did it cold turkey. I think a lot of the reason people try this and don't manage it is that they get it into their head that if they break down and have a cigarette then they've "failed" and might as well lapse back into their old habits. It doesn't mean you failed, you just had a lapse.
If you break down and buy a pack, once you have your head on straight (which I found was generally immediately after having a cigarette out of it) bin the pack. Preferably in a public bin out on the street so you can't rake through it later and dig it back out. Or hand it to someone you don't know who smokes.
This. Except when I get a pack, I smoke the whole thing like old times, and just keep reminding myself--don't buy that next pack.
So I don't and have never smoked, but my mom does. I don't think quitting is an option for her anymore (we have tried to guide her through it on several occasions but it never works out), but I still think she wants to be healthy.
Has anyone who smoked tried the e-cigs? Would this be a decent alternative? I know it is still nicotine but without the tobacco it must be healthier.
The E-Cigarettes are unregulated, just like normal cigarettes.
There are studies saying that e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative because there are no additives or any of the pesticides or herbicides that are normally found in cigarettes. Though there are also studies saying that certain other harmful chemicals are still in the cartridges.
Again, because it is unregulated, you may have no idea what is entering your body, nicotine is still a harmful substance.
I didn't like them because I didn't feel the burn associated with inhaling from a conventional cigarette.
However, some people enjoy them. There was a d&d thread about it.
Posts
Also, I told everyone that I was quitting, so they could help me, as well as I would feel guilty if I tried to smoke around any of them.
Finally, you just have to suffer through the next couple of weeks, and it does suck. Its an addictive substance, and you are going to want it. But once you get through the physical addiction it gets better. Things smell better, especially you. Also, food is better and you don't get sick anymore.
I still dream about it every now and again, and I get mad at myself in the dream for breaking down. But its been like 15 years now and its definitely done with.
Also, when you do get past it.. Please don't become a reformed smoker. They are so annoying.
If you don't want to go that route, do your best to stay away from friends who smoke and don't drink for a while. Good luck!
If you ever need to talk to someone, feel free to message me. Yes, that includes you.
Now that you can't really smoke in restraunts or bars, it's likely quite a bit easier to go cold turkey. My main problem back then was always wanting a smoke while I was out drinking or eating.
One of the tricks I used though, where I work tons of people smoke constantly, after my first 5 days off, I'd make it a habit of talking to my friends within minutes of them coming inside. The fact that you can clearly smell the totally unpleasant smell of cigarette smoke like a non-smoker will ruin the desire a bit.
It is certainly worth quitting though. I feel much better now that I'm not waking up in the morning and reaching for a pack of newports every day.
It is still nicotine and all the harmful effects of nicotine are still present. It is not designed as a cessation tool.
I've quit a few times over the course of about 3 or 4 years, and the only time it actually stuck was when I went about it without setting a huge goal. I set a date when I was going to quit smoking, two weeks ahead of time. I smoked regularly for the first week, then for the last week I started having a cup of coffee, or a stick of gum instead of a cigarette, pretty much reducing my consumption by half. Then I stopped smoking all together, and used a variety of methods, occasionally going for a walk when I felt I needed one, or finding something to keep me busy.
The key to it? I took it one day at a time. I would wake up in the morning and say "I'm not going to have a cigarette today", and then cope with each situation as it arose.
Another helpful tool is to remove yourself from situations where you smoke frequently. If at your work, and there is a smoking area, don't go there, go somewhere else to take your break. If you smoke when you drink with friends, avoid the bar for the first few weeks (or months). If you are going to the gas station, try paying at the pump with a credit card instead of going inside, where you will see the cigarettes and be tempted to buy them.
Good luck.
"The Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers Using Allen Carr's Easyway Method"
I read through it twice and quit. The book basically changed my entire mindset.
This is a free book I read that helped with quiting cold turkey.
http://whyquit.com/ffn.pdf
It can be tough to get through (very self helpy) but has good information in there. Such as treating it like alcoholism (one day at a time like Forbe! mentioned).
I (against the book's recommendation) set a date and took off a few days from work to quit.
I used this book too. Quit cold turkey after 12 years, haven't looked back.
start exercising lots/more. As you cut down on packs, and start running lots or playing sports you'll notice how much healthier and stronger your lungs are getting, and it really helps motivate you, and provides a noticeable reward in the long run!
Yeah my friend used that book and he swears by it.
The biggest thing about quitting smoking is you HAVE to want it. If youre wishy washy about it or still love smoking, theres no way you will quit. You need to tell yourself "I hate smoking. I will quit by this date. I will NOT smoke anymore". If youre quitting because your wife wants you to, or because you feel like you should or you have to, you will most likely not be successful, especially going cold turkey. Its a willpower thing, and everyones willpower is weak when they dont see any value in the end result.
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If you can cut down on the areas in which you smoke daily, it will have a cascading effect. If you smoke in the car on the way to work, try to cut out the smoke to work, or on the way home.
Then try to cut out one of your smoke breaks a day. Instead of 2 smokes on breaks and 2 on lunch, try to cut out a smoke break and just walk instead.
If you like a smoke after the morning coffee, try knocking that one out. If you smoke after every meal, cut out one smoke at a particluar meal.
If you smoke just before bed, try to cut out one smoke before bed every other day. If you drink and find it particularly awesome to smoke when buzzed, drink less quantity and less often.
I personally found breaking the habitual aspect of smoking to be incredibly beneficial in my path to smokelessness.
Finishing comment, if you are a smoker and suffer from depression it could be harder to quit than a mentally healthy smoker. If you are depressed and currently seeking help, consult your shrink.
Patience and perseverance play a large part in breaking the habit. You want to stop, that's awesome, keep at it no matter how often you slip up, and eventually you will kick it.
Good luck
I did some math and ended up with a pretty simple formula to help me stop. I want to make my first goal a single pack per week. My normal routine is about 2.5 packs per week. The math brought it out to a single smoke every 5.2 hours that I'm awake. Which usually means 3 smokes per day. Once in the morning after breakfast, once after lunch, once after dinner. That'll keep me on the 1-pack-per-week routine. After 2 weeks of that, I'm going to try the next step of a pack per 2 weeks. Then just smoke only when I drink, then eventually quit.
I attempted cold turkey a year ago and gave in less than 2 weeks after quitting. I know, I was close to breaking it, but I love me some menthol.
Each time I quit I did it cold turkey. I think a lot of the reason people try this and don't manage it is that they get it into their head that if they break down and have a cigarette then they've "failed" and might as well lapse back into their old habits. It doesn't mean you failed, you just had a lapse.
If you break down and buy a pack, once you have your head on straight (which I found was generally immediately after having a cigarette out of it) bin the pack. Preferably in a public bin out on the street so you can't rake through it later and dig it back out. Or hand it to someone you don't know who smokes.
In terms of dealing with the cravings, the important thing is to do something else at the times when you would normally smoke. It doesn't really matter what, as long as it isn't whatever you did while smoking. Otherwise you'll sit and stew thinking about how you could be smoking right now, which is just making life difficult for yourself.
This. Except when I get a pack, I smoke the whole thing like old times, and just keep reminding myself--don't buy that next pack.
Has anyone who smoked tried the e-cigs? Would this be a decent alternative? I know it is still nicotine but without the tobacco it must be healthier.
There are studies saying that e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative because there are no additives or any of the pesticides or herbicides that are normally found in cigarettes. Though there are also studies saying that certain other harmful chemicals are still in the cartridges.
Again, because it is unregulated, you may have no idea what is entering your body, nicotine is still a harmful substance.
I didn't like them because I didn't feel the burn associated with inhaling from a conventional cigarette.
However, some people enjoy them. There was a d&d thread about it.