DUer's... got any tips for quitting smoking?

[neoteric lefty]

I've been a light social smoker for a few years (maybe a pack every 2-4 weeks), but in the last year, its increased to a pack ever other day. I know its not nearly as big of a hurdle as many of you have overcome, but I've come to the decision recently to quit. I've tried to just stop cold turkey a few times, but I found myself buying a pack in stressful times without even thinking about it.

What would you guys suggest with regards to methods and/or alternatives to make this transition easier. Any help would be great. Wish me luck.

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

1. Physical effects aren't very bad (some insomnia however)

Note though that when they say "Irritability" they mean murderous rage. Don't really have much advice except to try to keep busy.

[SteppingRazor]

2. I did it because my girlfriend and I did it at the same time.

Without her, there's no way.

Hell, I still get weak and have one if I'm out at a bar or something. But other than that, I've kicked a pack-a-day habit.

[mtnester]

3. Set a date, get with the Quit Now folks, and maybe check out Chantix if

necessary. (supposedly erases the memory of Nicotine from thine head)

You should only need the 14mg Nicotine patch (which I bought but never used) if you chose to use them. I quit cold turkey two weeks ago today with planning (set a goal date with your support network).

My biggest issue was then oral fixation, I actually had no problems with the nicotine as I was a half a pack a day smoker that only hit each cigarette a couple times then butted them (consistent 1/2 a cig butts). I stayed away from situations I would want them (the garage with coffee in the AM, in my car driving) and cut straws to length and stuffed then ends in case I wanted that "taking a drag" feeling. I got pretty bored with that fairly quickly.

I would be MORE than willing to send you my nicotine patches - the box was opened but I did not use a single patch, and if need be, they should go to a deserving home!

[neoteric lefty]

21. thanks for the idea

I'm kind of the same way... its more of a "light it up, take a few drags and put it out" kind of thing for me. I think I'm going to try that straw idea. Let's see where it gets me.

[Road Scholar]

4. Mine's a long boring story. Not very encouraging, but somehow I

finally quit. Must have tried quitting a thousand times.I finally figured it out.
Best of luck to you.:toast:

[The Straight Story]

5. Why do you hate our children?

The taxes from smoking pay for health care for kids and other things, and you want to rob them by budget cutting for personal gain - you must be a repub!

:rofl:

Seriously, I quit once for a long time. Did it by switching to cigars for a spell. Didn't inhale them and helped the urge to have something to do with my hands other than playing with myself.

Stress got me smoking again though :)

[MissMillie]

6. Helpful website

www.quitnet.com

[Alexander]

7. Try Chantix - worked for my dad.

[Omphaloskepsis]

8. It isn't all or nothing..

Having a smoke when you are stressed is not a reason to stop trying. You didn't fail the task. Keep trying to smoke less until you find that you don't smoke anymore. Having five smokes a day instead of ten is a huge step in the right direction.

[Bennyboy]

9. I have done hypnotism....

and it works. twice. I will go again soon. Keep in mind that I have quit for years (10 years, 8 years) and then relapsed. I smoke now but I cannot afford the fee 9around 100 bucks for private session).

[Roon]

10. This helped me

101 things to do instead of smoking.
http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/cravingsandurges/a/101thingstodo.htm

[JVS]

11. chew

[CTyankee]

12. I wanted to be a non smoker and I changed some of my habits,

such as coffee at my desk and a cigarette in the morning (before the days of nonsmoking office space). But basically I really, really wanted to be a nonsmoker. I thought of it as the "thing to do." Also, I had a relationship with an SO (who became my spouse) and he was absolute in his aversion to nicotine. So I had big emotional reasons to quit.

You have to go further than wanting to quit. You have to see yourself as a nonsmoker. Once you do that it is a short distance to go. I smoked my last cigarette in late January, 1981.

[lost-in-nj]

13. I went to my dr.

and got Wellbutrin...

Quit in Feb!!!!!!



lost

[NMDemDist2]

14. orange juice

have it handy when the cravings hit

it helps !!

[China_cat]

15. Use whatever helps you stop.

I don't care how many people tell you about quitting cold turkey and 'just do it'. If you feel you need the patch or the gum or the lozenge, use them. Yes, they're a crutch...but like the majority of crutches, they're just for a short time and you get rid of them after a while.

Also be very wary of some of the so-called 'support' groups. I had trouble with a couple that gave me all kinds of shit for DREAMING about smoking...said it just showed I wasn't willing to 'work the program'. (Well, dreaming about smoking a cigarette did a hell of a lot for subduing the cravings and it was certainly a lot safer than actually smoking one.) A group that wants to tear you down because you admit to still having cravings isn't what you need.

Good luck. I quit 10 years ago.

[Taverner]

16. The patch helped me

The gum helps too - you have to figure out how orally fixated you are. If you use the patch, and find yourself pining for something to chew on - switch to the gum.

Likewise, if you feel you have chewed the gum long enough to where you can separate the physical compulsive behavior with the mental compulsive behavior - switch to the patch. You can step down with the patch.

Why suffer if you don't have to?

[bettyellen]

17. the book "the Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Allan Carr, Wellbutrin... worked for me!

good luck!

[NashVegas]

18. Almost 9 Weeks w/Out a Smoke Here

I bought a box of low-dose Nicorettes before going on vacation.

The vacation part was important, I think, because I was already getting away from daily routines.

I still have a small chew every now & then.

One other, crucial, thing: I was finally willing to let go of my "crutch." Without that ....

[LynneSin]

19. A hypnotist worked really well for my friend

and Wellbutrin won't hurt either

[Nikia]

20. My husband got tonsilitis

He was rather sick. I never let him smoke in the house nor would I buy him cigarettes. By the time he got better, he had been away from smoking long enough to continue to abstain from it.

[RushIsRot]

22. Acupressure helped me. I have now been smoke-free for

almost 21 years.