I really really want to quit smoking. Any advice?

[twistedliberal]

I am 26 and started when I was about 13. I have tried many times to quit. A few years ago, I switched to chewing tobacco (yuck), and after a while got so grossed out by it that I quit nicotine altogether for all of 2 months. About a year ago, I fell off the wagon and have been smoking at least a pack a day since.


I'm sure many here have quit successfully. If so, how did you do it (ie. the patch, nicotine gum, cold turkey, etc.)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Dookus]

1. did it once with Wellbutrin

it wasn't too bad. Of course, I started again years later so I need to try it again :(

[BiggJawn]

17. I did it once with Wellbutrin, too.

Thatw as almost a year ago. I think I'm cured. I opened up a carrying case with one of my radios in it and the smoke smell was so strong in the foam padding I actually said "Yuck! this thing stinks!"

And I had smoked for 33 years.

[HEyHEY]

2. I'm 24 quit a couple months ago

I'd been smokng since 13 too.

I quit the only sure fire way...you're not gonna like it. I Finnished a smoke and said, "That's it, I quit." And I have, just be strong....all these gimmicks are just a crutch. WIll power is the cheapest, most sure fire way.

-HEyHEY

Smoke Free Since November.

[ironflange]

13. You know why smoking a cigarette is like masturbating?

When you're finished, you wonder why the hell you did it.

[fishnfla]

3. 16.257 days cold turkey

Thats all it takes, on average. Just do it. The first 2 weeks are the roughest, after that its easy.

[MercutioATC]

4. The gum worked for me...

...gave me a feeling of control about my nicotene intake. I tried 4 or 5 times to quit, but that time finally worked. Over 4 years now with NO smokes.

Don't believe the people who insist that after 20 years you'll still want a smake every day. I don't. The thought of a cigarette actually repels me. (I smoked 1-2 packs a day for 16 years).

[Dennis Quaranta]

5. Get Help

The American Cancer Society has a listing of places where you can get help in quitting smoking. Smoking is really bad for you!

Where Can I Go for Help?

It is hard to give up tobacco. But if you are a tobacco user you can quit! Many organizations offer information, counseling, and other services on how to quit as well as information on where to go for help. Other good resources where help can be found include your doctor, dentist, local hospital, or employer.

If you want to quit and need help, contact one of the following organizations . . .

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Guide_for_Quitting_Smoking.asp?sitearea=PED

[patricia92243]

6. Hypnotism - and you will not gain weight

[never cry wolf]

7. I quit in '97

after maybe 20 years of a pack+ a day. The day my wife came home from the hospital after a month and a half battle with streptoccal pneumonia. I used a patch, but I also kept a half a pack in my pocket and just told myself I am just waiting for the next one, not quitting.

Good news 1, it lasted 5 years. Bad news 1, it was the end of Feb., approaching easter and I gained 20 lbs. on jelly beans.

Bad news 2, I started up again for some stupid reason due to pressure at work and home. Goods news 2, I lost 95 lbs. and have kept it off for 2 years now.

It's a constant battle for some of us, I tell ya!!

:shrug:

[mccormack98]

8. Take up running and ...

... smoke as much as you like. Then sign up for a fun run. Watch what happens.

[MercutioATC]

10. Walk, don't run. Running's hell on your knees...

[Ramsey]

9. The best success

Is with both drug therapy, like Zyban, and joining a smoking cessation program. Many hospitals offer these, often at a minimal fee. Some insurance companies will pay for these programs as well, so it's worth checking it out with yours.

Good luck!

[junker]

11. i am old fart. off the death sticks for over 20 years now. here is secret.

any and all addictions are a body vs mind thing. As long as the body has control, the mind succumbs to the reaction of the desire and the pain of withdrawl. I stopped smoking when there were no aids, had to do it the hard way. Now note that all the things offered help with the body cravings, but not the mental component.

So here is what you do. Make a deal with yourself. You will not hassle the quiting impulse at this point. Instead you are to raise the addiction from the dark recesses of the mind and bring it to consciousness where your mind has control.

What you do is to get some 3x5 cards. Lined. ANd a small pencil and a rubber band. Then every time you have a cigarrete, you note the date, time, AND the trigger that brought on the smoking behavior and its relative strength and any other thing of note. So you would write, date: time: and something like "just got up first coffee. Throat tight, desire strong. "

So the idea is that within a year, you will have noticed that you are way reduced on smoking cause NONE of it is subconscious anymore. AND you will start to understand what it is that triggers the urge and how/when to deal with it.

Also, one other thing to have is a watch with a second hand. Then you should know that no craving for any addictive substance lasts longer than 3 minutes. Try it. After 3 minutes of not succumbing to the urge to smoke, you will find the urge is very much reduced and not so compelling.

Surely you can control youself for 3 minutes....and that is all it takes is to face the next year in 3 minute increments. And if you smoke. ok. Just write it down to bring it up to consciousness and control.

Good luck to you. My brother at 48 is now dying of lung cancer and pulmanary fibrosis. All from smoking. They are death sticks. Killed my dad. Also lung cancer after all the 'free' cigarettes they used to hand out to the troops in Korea/VietNam.

[BiggJawn]

18. Converstaion with a lawmaker gave me the mental edge...

The fellow pretty much told me that they laugh their asses off at smokers down at the statehouse. "Jack the taxes and listen to 'em bitch, but they're gonna keep buying the things anyway..."

I showed them.

[Kamika]

12. Stop buying cigarettes

topic

[ironflange]

14. Here's the easiest sure fire way to quit

Don't start.

[kevinam]

15. Best of luck, some advice...

Okay first a website:
http://whyquit.com/

They are advocates of quiting cold turkey, and I happen to agree with them. Much of what I say is taken from that site, so I suggest you visit it. First, the best way is cold turkey. When you take the patches or gums, you are putting nicotine, the stuff you are trying to get off, into your system. That only means that the withdrawl symptoms last longer. According to that website, the worst of the side effects occurs at 72 hours, from there, the physical ones are all down hill. So really, if you make it that long, the hardest part is over with. The typical craving for a smoke lasts about 3 minutes. So when you are quiting, and you get the urge, just think about ONLY three minutes, and the urge will be gone. I do believe it is mind over matter. Just stay positive with yourself. Know that every second that you are not smoking, how much better you are. Also, if possible, try joggin, and stuff like that, you will notice the difference. They also say, after a week (or two), use the money you used to buy cigs with, and treat yourself to something. Like I said, that website is just a wealth of information. Much of it can be very inspiring, and helpful. If you were off nicotine for two months, no doubt you can do it for good. Best of luck, and let us know when you are going to smoke your last cigarette forever...Kevin.

[BiggJawn]

19. I buy bicycle clothes and "bike presents" with my cig money.

Shoes, new tyres, handlebar tape, cyclometers, spandex shorts....you can buy a LOT of that stuff with an extra $120 a month...

[twistedliberal]

16. Thanks to all of you!

Thanks for the great advice from you all. Some ideas I've heard before, some are new to me. I definitely feel like I have a lot of options, and a lot of support here!

Thanks again for all of your input! I'm gonna kick this habit!
(and the thread)

:kick: