Who has ever given up smoking?

[MÿTicklingStudios]

I really need to. I've been on all the quit smoking websites, and its planned for sunday... a day of rest and my quit day where I am determined not to smoke again for the rest of my life.

Does anybody have any helpful tips to stop, I smoke 20 per day and I could use all the help I can get.

 

[aun_existe_amor]

I didn't know there were any quit smoking websites. I'm a smoker too and I want to stop. I enjoy smoking but I want another baby so I've decided to stop before I get pregnant. It's not as easy as it sounds. Good luck 🙂

 

[Traveler]

First of all way to go great decision,you not only will feel better,but your wallet will get alittle heavier.I quit some time back,I smoked two packs a day.It was expensive then.But,at the prices now,if I was still smoking it would cost me,246.00 a month.Man,I am glad I quit.It was one of the hardest things I ever did.I won't delude you it was tough and a struggle.But,now I am healthier and alittle more money in my pocket,so well worth the effort.All,I can say is good luck.And,remember anything worth having is worth and effort to achieve.............

 

[Pokey]

Quitting smoking is second only to quitting eating, in my opinion. I smoked for 18 years, ending at over 3 packs a day, smoking probably 3/4's of them. I think 2 things helped me quite May 5, 1974. One, I really, really wanted to stop, and two I made a very stiff bet with someone who thought they wanted to quit as well. The bet only lasted about two weeks, but it did get me thru 2 weeks without a cigarette. After that, its one day at a time but it worked for me. I hope you can find something that works for you. It honestly did help me feel better and unfortunately my food eventually started tasting better, which leads me to the most difficult task ahead. Loosing weight while still eating everything I like. Good luck.

 

[nowayjose]

I really need to. I've been on all the quit smoking websites, and its planned for sunday... a day of rest and my quit day where I am determined not to smoke again for the rest of my life.
Does anybody have any helpful tips to stop, I smoke 20 per day and I could use all the help I can get.

Stop cold turkey. Works for me for two years now.
Although you should realize that it's going to be hard, and most likely you'll never completely eliminate the craving (although it becomes far less frequent after a couple weeks).
After two years "clean" I have no desire to smoke in my day-to-day routine but dream about cigarettes 1-2x per month still

If you get serious withdrawal effects, you could try those nicotine strips, chewing gum etc. But imho they're just a way of making money off your addiction and prolong it..

 

[isabeau]

what website? tell tell.. i need to quit also but just cant..notice i said need not want.. i dont want to quit but need to if i want to live a long life. but why do i like smoking so much? thats the mystery to me...

isabeau

 

[MÿTicklingStudios]

what website? tell tell.. i need to quit also but just cant..notice i said need not want.. i dont want to quit but need to if i want to live a long life. but why do i like smoking so much? thats the mystery to me...

isabeau

This is the best and most practical I've found. It's made by the health authority of the UK.

http://www.givingupsmoking.co.uk/

 

[DonnieBrasco]

This method worked for me!!!

Awesome for all you that want to quit, its tough but possible. I came up with this method on my own and I havent had a cigarette in over 5 yrs!! I was a 1/2 pack a day smoker for over 13 years and Sob was concerning me. Here it is I will say that my Unlce a smoker for over 35 years gave this a try and he has been smoke free for over 18 months.

I set my maximium cigarette usage at 10 a day and no more. I did that for Two weeks and then I lowered that number to 9 for another 10 days.This continued until I hit my "First wall" at 7,when I had a very tough time staying at that number for 4 or 5 days. I extended this period to three weeks I would have the last cigarette a couple of puffs at a time!!lol I continued this pattern until I hit the next wall at the number 4,stayed there for three weeks and went all the way to one which was another three weeks.

This is the hardest phase which was fighting those intense urges(eg The aroma from other smokers,the first one in the a.m.,meal cigarette,and the infamous drink/cig combo) I decided to punish myself if I asked someone for a smoke.Punishment was I would pay that person who I asked for a cigarette and received cigarette $10 for the one. This number was in tune with what I was earning,so that the cigarette a very costly one. In the end I paid 20 dollars for two cigarettes! THe first one I smoked about a 1/4 of the way the taste was not pleasant and the Second one I tried to inhale but the smoke was too much. During this time I started running and was coughing up my lungs,lol Iwas out of breath after a measley 1/4 mile run.

This method as I look back requires two things from a smoker: One the desire to truly give up this deadly habit and #2 Honesty to yourself. Honest about those limits that you set and and not breaking those max numbers NOT EVEN ONCE.

Finally, Set your # of weeks to what you find comfortable and the dollar amount should really sting you in the wallet. My uncle has paid 50 dollars for a cigarette three times!! His income a little higher than mine. I Wish you all luck whether you use this method or any method at all. I pray for all that are sincere in their quest to kick the habit. I will forever remember visiting a close friend who had one of her lungs removed because of her 30 yr habit....I walked in her Hosp room the day after surgery and caught her smoking....She died 17 days later---God Bless you all

DB

 

[nowayjose]

but why do i like smoking so much? thats the mystery to me...

Nicotine molecules bind to certain receptors in the brain, stimulating the production of adrenaline, plus it inhibits an enzyme that breaks down dopamine, leading to increased dopamine levels, causing mild euphoria.
Therefore in mode of operation and effect it's simular to other drugs which fiddle with the dopamine transport, such as cocaine and amphetamines, although each works a bit differently, and the effects from typical nicotine doses are not as pronounced (but it's very addictive).

 

[new2sceenbob]

I've quit

I quit cold turkey almost 30 years ago. Before that, I smoked about 2 packs a day for about 7 years. I did it by reminding myself that if I couldn't quit today, then it would be even harder tomorrow, and then it would be the rest of my life with the habit until it killed me horribly. Also, whenever I had a craving, I noticed that in a short while the craving would pass. So when the next craving hit, I just went about my business and sure enough I would eventually realize that that craving was now gone as well. Eventually the cravings become less and less frequent and intense, and they stop altogether. I wish you the best of luck, you can do it...

Sincerely,
Bob

 

[MÿTicklingStudios]

Nicotine molecules bind to certain receptors in the brain, stimulating the production of adrenaline, plus it inhibits an enzyme that breaks down dopamine, leading to increased dopamine levels, causing mild euphoria.
Therefore in mode of operation and effect it's simular to other drugs which fiddle with the dopamine transports, such as cocaine and amphetamines, although each works a bit differently, and the effects from typical nicotine doses are not as pronounced (but it's very addictive).

Excellent way of explaining. Thanks Jose.

I think it's going to important to harm myself with as much information as possible, so then when I'm in the middle of a small battle (cravings) I can quickly see them for what they are. They're side affects, background noise - and my reasons for stopping remain the same.

I will be getting some nicotine patches to start mainly because I think my major battle will be the mental addiction the and habit of smoking. Once I've broken that, I think the nicotine withdrawels will be a matter of weening off, and time.

Sunday 9th April! ...I feel like I am enjoying smoking a bit more right now. I guess I know that the days are numbered and soon... I'm going to be a non smoker. ...I've got to be.

I regard giving up smoking as the next MAJOR challenge in my life.

 

[nowayjose]

I regard giving up smoking as the next MAJOR challenge in my life.

Good luck.. it may be hard but, unlike other things in life which are much harder to achieve, it can be done by doing nothing. In hindsight, it isn't that hard after all, you just have to stay firm in your self control in those moments when your fingers reach for a cigarette automatically (and you have none, and you mildly panic and wonder where the next vending machine might be.. )

 

[tkrexx]

Who has ever given up smoking?

Which time?

I've given it up a total of 5 times now, once for nearly a year. Set to do it again, given certain medical problems encountered recently. Didn't start 'til I was 20 and away from home...Didn't realize that I was addicted to the smoke in the air from my Mother's life of smoking. Every time someone would spark up, my teeth would itch!

Rxx

 

[MÿTicklingStudios]

I quit cold turkey almost 30 years ago. Before that, I smoked about 2 packs a day for about 7 years. I did it by reminding myself that if I couldn't quit today, then it would be even harder tomorrow, and then it would be the rest of my life with the habit until it killed me horribly. Also, whenever I had a craving, I noticed that in a short while the craving would pass. So when the next craving hit, I just went about my business and sure enough I would eventually realize that that craving was now gone as well. Eventually the cravings become less and less frequent and intense, and they stop altogether. I wish you the best of luck, you can do it...

Sincerely,
Bob

Sound advice that Bob, thanks. Definately helps.

 

[lk70]

Also, whenever I had a craving, I noticed that in a short while the craving would pass. So when the next craving hit, I just went about my business and sure enough I would eventually realize that that craving was now gone as well. Eventually the cravings become less and less frequent and intense, and they stop altogether.

I found this to be more or less true as well. I think the most difficult thing that can happen is if you have some major emotional upheaval during that early period while you're trying to quit. Or really, even an emotional upheaval later on. Those have always been my vulnerable times. A recent difficult time had me chain smoking for about two days. Stopping again wasn't really hard though.

 

[new2sceenbob]

you're welcome

You're very welcome. I'm so glad to hear that I could help! Again, I want to wish you the very best of luck...

Sincerely,
Bob

 

[drew70]

I was smoking a pack a day and wanted to quit. After three unsuccessful attempts, I realized what I was doing wrong. Each of those times I tried to quit I reserved a provision that if things got really bad, I would allow myself one cigarette, and then continue the quitting process. Well of course, I always ended up taking that one. Then things would get bad, and I'd take another, and another. Also, when I was trying to quit, my mind would play tricks on me, and would actually convince me that it was really in my best interests to go ahead and light up.

I finally realized that I wasn't serious enough about quitting. I had to vow never to smoke another cigarette in my life even if it would kill me not to do so. Sounds melodramatic, I know, but that's what it took for me. The first month was really tough, but it got easier after that. Ultimately the cravings go away. I've not had a cigarette in eight years. But hears the catch. Even now, the desire to smoke a cigarette takes me by surprise every once in a while. Not a craving, but more like a fond remembrance. But a promise is a promise. Knowing what a stupid thing starting smoking would be for me helps me to dismiss such notions.

 

[steph]

good for you!

a brave and tough decision but one you'll eventually be glad about no matter how hard the struggle. I don't smoke but I have many patients who do~even though they're dying of lung cancer, COPD, emphysema, etc., they can't stop. We always recommend 1-800-NO-BUTTS~they're very helpful. Tapering down slowly is another way to consider, as opposed to going cold turkey.
The hardest part will be the first year, but it should get a lot easier after that. Keep your hands, your mouth and brain BUSY so you don't go nuts, and don't worry about the usual weight gain~that goes away too. Best of luck.

XOXO

 

[Strider]

I've been quitting next week for about 3 years now.

 

[MÿTicklingStudios]

Thanks for the insights and advice everybody!

I will be posting in this thread again to have a rant should the need arrise as my quit continues. 🙂

Thanks again!

 

[daddy]

Go get a lung x-ray. That should help ya quit. I was a three pack a day man for many years...and when I drank I could easily overflow the ashtray. But now, no more. I unfortuantley have had to pay a small price for fullfilling my cravings. I hope none of you have too.

peace out,
daddy

 

[He-Man]

First of all way to go great decision,you not only will feel better,but your wallet will get alittle heavier.

Yeah your wallet will be heavier..until you gotta spend money on gas. 😀

 

[Mimi]

I quit almost 22 months ago after smoking 2 packs a day for 17-18 years. I have to admit I would NOT have been able to do it without the aid of my Nicotrol Inhaler. It helped me through that phase where I wanted to hold and puff something out of habit. I had tried hypnosis previously, and it failed miserably.

The first day is the hardest. Then the first week. Then the first month. After that it's pretty much smooth sailing, though you will still get cravings once in a while. I still do 22 months after the fact, but humorously I can NOT stomach the smell of cigarette smoke now, so that keeps me from giving in.

Good luck, MTS!

Mimi 🙂

 

[Feathery]

I quit 13 years ago, just before my first child was born. I was a 2 pack a day smoker. In my teens, Camel Non-filter (more macho). I still enjoy an occasional good cigar!! Hehe