trying to quit smoking..

It's not easy. I quit in my mid 20's. Smoked 5 years or so. Cold turkey.

Remember this is a huge physical addiction as well as a psychological one. You don't know what you will do with yourself or that time, if you don't have a cigarette. I do this still with food.

I don't know if the patches really do help, or the gums. But it can be done and you can do it. To this day when I see people at work smoking, I'm so grateful I did quit.
 

uriaty said:
greetings all..im in the process of quitting smoking..anyone have any advice..helpful ways and tips..any thoughts ate welcome..
Click to expand...
Good for you!!
I used Nicorette gum to quit. For me, it was the best. I could still have a little nicotine after I quit the cigarettes. Eventually, I stopped the gum. Drinking lots of water and exercising (esp when you want to smoke) was important for me. I would play my favorite oldies but goodies 60s songs and dance in place or around the room :D

I wish you all the best!! ...so many of us have had this battle..lol if only I had known when I started smoking that I was fooling myself when I said..
oh I am not addicted..I can quit any time...:rolleyes:

We are all hoping for success for you!🙂
 

uriaty said:
greetings all..im in the process of quitting smoking..anyone have any advice..helpful ways and tips..any thoughts ate welcome..
Click to expand...
my friend now deceased used to tell me to dip the end that was going into my mouth in dog poop....and I would stop pretty soon- I used Zyban- kept me from pulling peoples faces off but I still wanted a smoke -drink lots of water suger cakes etc..takes 4 days lots of water to flush it out but then your cells are really agitated- so valium etc walk gum red hots and back to the dog sh*t if your a particular die hard-your lungs begin to heal immediately and in months are as good as they are going to get deep breathing running etc all helpful or you can keep smoking guaranteeing you to die of a slow painful agonising expensive death.....the dog pile wont look that bad then-it can be done I did it
 
Don't bother trying to quit unless you're up for a real fight.
38 years ago, I tried to quit three times when I didn't realize how difficult it would be. I was up all night the first 2 nights with all kinds of symptoms. I succeeded on the 3rd try, but it took all the stubbornness I have, & I have a lot.
 
win231 said:
Don't bother trying to quit unless you're up for a real fight.
38 years ago, I tried to quit three times when I didn't realize how difficult it would be. I was up all night the first 2 nights with all kinds of symptoms. I succeeded on the 3rd try, but it took all the stubbornness I have, & I have a lot.
Click to expand...
Having been such a light smoker for so many years is helping me stay on track this time around (at least that's my way of thinking). I'm now just shy of 5 weeks into this and still going strong, and I am hoping so bad that I can see this through this time around.

So glad to hear you triumphed over the habit, Win.
 
Hi everyone:)

I'm new on this forum; this is my first post.

I'm trying to quit smoking too.
I have tried several times over the past 30 years of my smoking habit.

I've tried..
#Cold turkey
#tried zyban (20+ years ago)
#Started to take walks (15 years ago) but end up buying a pack after my first walk. (My walking habit stays until now, so is my smoking)
#Took up a Taichi class (10 years ago) the same pattern happened as my walking routine.
#Now I'm learning to play the recorder (2 months ago) cos I thought the blowing might help but I haven't given up smoking.

I do averagely 16 a day. I have nightmares just thinking and planning on quitting; like running from shop to shop to buy cigarettes only to be told they have run of of stock, and like smoking in the rain... My withdrawal symptoms are strong; disorientation is the worst, among the rest.

I started my first stick when I was crying and I was stuck. Cigarettes became my best friend. Over the years, I relabelled its relationship with me, now they are my enemy. Still it didn't work.

I read through all the posts of this thread and I am thankful for your sharing. I shall go to bed now and re-read all the posts again tomorrow morning.

Thanks for listening <3
 
Zone said:
Hi everyone:)

I'm new on this forum; this is my first post.

I'm trying to quit smoking too.
I have tried several times over the past 30 years of my smoking habit.

I've tried..
#Cold turkey
#tried zyban (20+ years ago)
#Started to take walks (15 years ago) but end up buying a pack after my first walk. (My walking habit stays until now, so is my smoking)
#Took up a Taichi class (10 years ago) the same pattern happened as my walking routine.
#Now I'm learning to play the recorder (2 months ago) cos I thought the blowing might help but I haven't given up smoking.

I do averagely 16 a day. I have nightmares just thinking and planning on quitting; like running from shop to shop to buy cigarettes only to be told they have run of of stock, and like smoking in the rain... My withdrawal symptoms are strong; disorientation is the worst, among the rest.

I started my first stick when I was crying and I was stuck. Cigarettes became my best friend. Over the years, I relabelled its relationship with me, now they are my enemy. Still it didn't work.

I read through all the posts of this thread and I am thankful for your sharing. I shall go to bed now and re-read all the posts again tomorrow morning.

Thanks for listening <3
Click to expand...
I've tried nicotine patch and lozenges too. Didn't take the urge away ?!

Zzz
 
Zone said:
Hi everyone:)

I'm new on this forum; this is my first post.

I'm trying to quit smoking too.
I have tried several times over the past 30 years of my smoking habit.

I've tried..
#Cold turkey
#tried zyban (20+ years ago)
#Started to take walks (15 years ago) but end up buying a pack after my first walk. (My walking habit stays until now, so is my smoking)
#Took up a Taichi class (10 years ago) the same pattern happened as my walking routine.
#Now I'm learning to play the recorder (2 months ago) cos I thought the blowing might help but I haven't given up smoking.

I do averagely 16 a day. I have nightmares just thinking and planning on quitting; like running from shop to shop to buy cigarettes only to be told they have run of of stock, and like smoking in the rain... My withdrawal symptoms are strong; disorientation is the worst, among the rest.

I started my first stick when I was crying and I was stuck. Cigarettes became my best friend. Over the years, I relabelled its relationship with me, now they are my enemy. Still it didn't work.

I read through all the posts of this thread and I am thankful for your sharing. I shall go to bed now and re-read all the posts again tomorrow morning.

Thanks for listening <3
Click to expand...
Good luck and welcome to the forum!
 
Zone said:
I've tried nicotine patch and lozenges too. Didn't take the urge away ?!

Zzz
Click to expand...
I used the gum and though it didn't take the urge away I was able to gradually wean myself off nicotine so it helped me gradually cut down and quit. That was the 2nd time I quit. :D A year later I started smoking again after a really difficult situation emerged. Then the 3rd and final time I quit I went cold turkey and it has stuck..
Zone, everyone is rooting for you..it's a struggle but oh so worth it when you finally succeed...all the best to you!! Never give up...
 
The NRT products & Chantix, Zyban will help relieve the anxiety of the physical withdrawal over a period of time but they also keep nicotine in your system longer which you eventually have to flush out so there's pros and cons to whatever method you choose to use. There's no right way or wrong way to quit. It's whatever you feel would work best for you.

Here's some things I found in my journey to be free from nicotine slavery:
- There's only 1 rule once you quit: N.O.P.E. (Not One Puff Ever) There's no such thing as 'just 1'! One is too many and 1,000 cartons is not enough.
- Attitude toward quitting makes a huge difference. If you get it in your head that quitting is all doom and gloom and the hardest thing ever then you're gonna have a tough time. Focus on the benefits you start to see in your life after quitting and forget about the challenges; they're temporary. The benefits last a lifetime.
- Mind control! Your mind that is. Remember always that you are the one in control, not your addiction. A cigarette can't jump into your mouth and light itself. It's a conscious decision that you make. Once you have made that commitment to quit, stay with it no matter what. It will get easier with time and before you know it you'll wonder why you smoked all those years. Focusing your mind of the positives you are seeing and realizing that smoking never did one good thing for you are key. Continuing to 'romance the cigarette' will almost surly lead you back to smoking at some point in a weak moment. You can control your thoughts.
- Patience. Quitting is a marathon, not a sprint so be patient! Time heals all things. As a smoker, you have tied smoking to everything you do in your daily life - everything! You have repeated these habitual actions day in and day out for years .... decades even. You then suddenly stop and you are lost for awhile in terms of filling those holes in your life. It takes time to build new habits and fill that smoking time with other activities but it will happen and the activities you fill that time with are positive ones, not destructive ones.

Anyone can stop smoking although it does take an absolute commitment on your part but the transformation is so well worth it!

I'm 4 years, 2 1/2 months quit. I've not smoked roughly 45,000 cigarettes and saved roughly $24,000.00 and today, I can't for the life of me think of why I smoked all those years - crazy!!
 
Serenity4321 said:
Aunt Marg..How is the 'battle' going for you?? I remember you mentioned wanting to quit too? Hope you are making progress.. 🌹
Click to expand...
Hi, Serenity.

Thank you so kindly for asking!

It's going... I've had some challenging days, and that's putting it mildly, especially in the morning when all is quiet in the house and I'm sipping on my morning coffee, but I haven't cheated, and with a few extra things going on over the next few days, it will help keep my mind off giving in.

I'm sitting at approx. the 6 week mark right now, a time when it really starts gnawing at me, though this is (by far) one of the longest stretches I have enjoyed as far as being cigarette-free, and I'm so hoping I have the strength to keep going and make this happen this time around.

So happy for you that you were able to say no more. :)
 
MrPants said:
The NRT products & Chantix, Zyban will help relieve the anxiety of the physical withdrawal over a period of time but they also keep nicotine in your system longer which you eventually have to flush out so there's pros and cons to whatever method you choose to use. There's no right way or wrong way to quit. It's whatever you feel would work best for you.

Here's some things I found in my journey to be free from nicotine slavery:
- There's only 1 rule once you quit: N.O.P.E. (Not One Puff Ever) There's no such thing as 'just 1'! One is too many and 1,000 cartons is not enough.
- Attitude toward quitting makes a huge difference. If you get it in your head that quitting is all doom and gloom and the hardest thing ever then you're gonna have a tough time. Focus on the benefits you start to see in your life after quitting and forget about the challenges; they're temporary. The benefits last a lifetime.
- Mind control! Your mind that is. Remember always that you are the one in control, not your addiction. A cigarette can't jump into your mouth and light itself. It's a conscious decision that you make. Once you have made that commitment to quit, stay with it no matter what. It will get easier with time and before you know it you'll wonder why you smoked all those years. Focusing your mind of the positives you are seeing and realizing that smoking never did one good thing for you are key. Continuing to 'romance the cigarette' will almost surly lead you back to smoking at some point in a weak moment. You can control your thoughts.
- Patience. Quitting is a marathon, not a sprint so be patient! Time heals all things. As a smoker, you have tied smoking to everything you do in your daily life - everything! You have repeated these habitual actions day in and day out for years .... decades even. You then suddenly stop and you are lost for awhile in terms of filling those holes in your life. It takes time to build new habits and fill that smoking time with other activities but it will happen and the activities you fill that time with are positive ones, not destructive ones.

Anyone can stop smoking although it does take an absolute commitment on your part but the transformation is so well worth it!

I'm 4 years, 2 1/2 months quit. I've not smoked roughly 45,000 cigarettes and saved roughly $24,000.00 and today, I can't for the life of me think of why I smoked all those years - crazy!!
Click to expand...
As a former 10-year smoker who quit 38 years ago, I figured out why I smoked. My explanation made sense to non-smokers who asked me why I smoked:
Like any drug addiction, once smokers are addicted, they will suffer withdrawal symptoms when they're not smoking. These can be severe. The only way to relieve these unpleasant symptoms is to have another cigarette. Smokers who claim they "Enjoy" smoking aren't really enjoying smoking; what happens is they start to feel sick, & they have another cigarette to feel better. Tobacco companies are well aware of this; that's why they have offered free cigarettes in other countries.
 
MrPants said:
The NRT products & Chantix, Zyban will help relieve the anxiety of the physical withdrawal over a period of time but they also keep nicotine in your system longer which you eventually have to flush out so there's pros and cons to whatever method you choose to use. There's no right way or wrong way to quit. It's whatever you feel would work best for you.

Here's some things I found in my journey to be free from nicotine slavery:
- There's only 1 rule once you quit: N.O.P.E. (Not One Puff Ever) There's no such thing as 'just 1'! One is too many and 1,000 cartons is not enough.
- Attitude toward quitting makes a huge difference. If you get it in your head that quitting is all doom and gloom and the hardest thing ever then you're gonna have a tough time. Focus on the benefits you start to see in your life after quitting and forget about the challenges; they're temporary. The benefits last a lifetime.
- Mind control! Your mind that is. Remember always that you are the one in control, not your addiction. A cigarette can't jump into your mouth and light itself. It's a conscious decision that you make. Once you have made that commitment to quit, stay with it no matter what. It will get easier with time and before you know it you'll wonder why you smoked all those years. Focusing your mind of the positives you are seeing and realizing that smoking never did one good thing for you are key. Continuing to 'romance the cigarette' will almost surly lead you back to smoking at some point in a weak moment. You can control your thoughts.
- Patience. Quitting is a marathon, not a sprint so be patient! Time heals all things. As a smoker, you have tied smoking to everything you do in your daily life - everything! You have repeated these habitual actions day in and day out for years .... decades even. You then suddenly stop and you are lost for awhile in terms of filling those holes in your life. It takes time to build new habits and fill that smoking time with other activities but it will happen and the activities you fill that time with are positive ones, not destructive ones.

Anyone can stop smoking although it does take an absolute commitment on your part but the transformation is so well worth it!

I'm 4 years, 2 1/2 months quit. I've not smoked roughly 45,000 cigarettes and saved roughly $24,000.00 and today, I can't for the life of me think of why I smoked all those years - crazy!!
Click to expand...
Great tips MrPants....It's been more than 13 years for me but I still remember why I smoked. :cautious::D

Way back when I started it was the 'cool' thing to do. Then drinks and cigarettes both alcohol and coffee were 'just fun'..then it was to keep my weight down...

When I started there was no stigma about smoking...it was accepted...Toward the end of my smoking time I started to feel like a slave..lol it was as if the cigarette was controlling me (it was) and I had no choice but to follow its' command...Even so it was not easy to quit...but totally doable...s long as one never gives up
 
Aunt Marg said:
Hi, Serenity.

Thank you so kindly for asking!

It's going... I've had some challenging days, and that's putting it mildly, especially in the morning when all is quiet in the house and I'm sipping on my morning coffee, but I haven't cheated, and with a few extra things going on over the next few days, it will help keep my mind off giving in.

I'm sitting at approx. the 6 week mark right now, a time when it really starts gnawing at me, though this is (by far) one of the longest stretches I have enjoyed as far as being cigarette-free, and I'm so hoping I have the strength to keep going and make this happen this time around.

So happy for you that you were able to say no more. :)
Click to expand...
I am delighted to hear you are making progress!! I forget when they say the nicotine is totally out of your system but I am pretty sure you are at that point at 6 weeks. Good for you!!!!!🌹 When I quit there would be good days and bad...easier and more difficult times depending a lot on what was happening in my life. Part of my motivation was the fact my cardiologist said I needed a mitral valve replacement. Facing open heart meant I better get serious and knock off the smoking...The necessity for the surgery was not from smoking but smoking was not helpful.I had the surgery and am fine so that is part of my incentive to never go back.
Wishing you all the best..you too have many here supporting your success!!🌹
 
win231 said:
As a former 10-year smoker who quit 38 years ago, I figured out why I smoked. My explanation made sense to non-smokers who asked me why I smoked:
Like any drug addiction, once smokers are addicted, they will suffer withdrawal symptoms when they're not smoking. These can be severe. The only way to relieve these unpleasant symptoms is to have another cigarette. Smokers who claim they "Enjoy" smoking aren't really enjoying smoking; what happens is they start to feel sick, & they have another cigarette to feel better. Tobacco companies are well aware of this; that's why they have offered free cigarettes in other countries.
Click to expand...
That's right win231! It's the viscous cycle of addiction. Many feel smoking relieved stress. Yes it did, the stress of constant withdrawal one goes through as a smoker. That process gets transferred in a smokers brain to ... Ahhh, I feel better about my problem now that I've relieved my withdrawal stress.
I believe the armed forces pretty much everywhere gave their troops free cigarettes during war times. No wonder smoking was so much more popular during the 40's & 50's.
There a series of 3 You Tube documentary films about Big Tobacco and how they grew their empires at any cost, even when they knew they were killing their customer base. They're called 'Tobacco Wars' if any one is interested. 3 episodes I think about 1 hour long each. Pretty sad stuff when you see what's going on even after it was clear smoking was an extreme health hazard.
 
Serenity4321 said:
I am delighted to hear you are making progress!! I forget when they say the nicotine is totally out of your system but I am pretty sure you are at that point at 6 weeks. Good for you!!!!!🌹 When I quit there would be good days and bad...easier and more difficult times depending a lot on what was happening in my life. Part of my motivation was the fact my cardiologist said I needed a mitral valve replacement. Facing open heart meant I better get serious and knock off the smoking...The necessity for the surgery was not from smoking but smoking was not helpful.I had the surgery and am fine so that is part of my incentive to never go back.
Wishing you all the best..you too have many here supporting your success!!🌹
Click to expand...
Love your words, Serenity!

So happy to hear you had the surgery and are doing good! :)

One saving grace for me related to the timing of me quitting, is with the spring weather fast upon us, I'll be able to escape outside and busy myself with gardening, etc, and that IMO may just be the magic bullet I need to be able to whip this thing once and for all.
 
Zone said:
Hi everyone:)

I'm new on this forum; this is my first post.

I'm trying to quit smoking too.
I have tried several times over the past 30 years of my smoking habit.

I've tried..
#Cold turkey
#tried zyban (20+ years ago)
#Started to take walks (15 years ago) but end up buying a pack after my first walk. (My walking habit stays until now, so is my smoking)
#Took up a Taichi class (10 years ago) the same pattern happened as my walking routine.
#Now I'm learning to play the recorder (2 months ago) cos I thought the blowing might help but I haven't given up smoking.

I do averagely 16 a day. I have nightmares just thinking and planning on quitting; like running from shop to shop to buy cigarettes only to be told they have run of of stock, and like smoking in the rain... My withdrawal symptoms are strong; disorientation is the worst, among the rest.

I started my first stick when I was crying and I was stuck. Cigarettes became my best friend. Over the years, I relabelled its relationship with me, now they are my enemy. Still it didn't work.

I read through all the posts of this thread and I am thankful for your sharing. I shall go to bed now and re-read all the posts again tomorrow morning.

Thanks for listening <3
Click to expand...
it can be done I did it....zyban only kept me for ripping people faces off in a rege ...did very little to stop craving....craving huff and puff push up running etc hard suck on ciggie if your trying breatrh.....read up on your subconcious habits repetition and so on -red hots ...peppermints you have got to get three or four days and lots of water to get it out of your cells not the creaving but the nicotine.
 
Thank you, all my friends here, for sharing your experiences and knowledge.
@boliverchadsworth
Thanks! I now have a big jug of water in front of me. And many packets of Fisherman’s Friend.
@MrPants
Thanks! I watched half of episode 1 Tobacco Wars, I believe it will help me.. audio visual reminder that bring addicted to smoking is BAD in every way. Will continue from where I stopped after this post. You were so on point about the attitude and mind control. This is what I need to work on!
@win231
Thanks! Yup, my withdrawal symptoms are severe. I am experiencing all in the list from google. With disorientation on the top. It’s easy to light one to feel “better” but @MrPants one is too many... it’s going to be one hell of a marathon.

Thanks again, my friends <3
 
Aunt Marg said:
Love your words, Serenity!

So happy to hear you had the surgery and are doing good! :)

One saving grace for me related to the timing of me quitting, is with the spring weather fast upon us, I'll be able to escape outside and busy myself with gardening, etc, and that IMO may just be the magic bullet I need to be able to whip this thing once and for all.
Click to expand...
Keep us informed...I want to know your progress and wish you only the best..Being outside is certainly a plus. :)
 
It took me probably 8 tries to actually quit. The first time was a "forced" quitting when I entered basic training. I immediately bought a pack on my way home after graduating basic.


I will claim to have successfully quit since it has been over 27 years since I smoked. I had been waking up and spitting up solid little balls of phlem. And I was YOUNG!. I found I wasn't really enjoying it any more. I used to love opening a fresh pack and smelling the tobacco. I didn't even get out of bed before lighting up. I would smoke before going to the gym to work out and as soon as I left. I would stop while backpacking for a smoke break. etc. But I finally decided I didn't want ANYTHING controlling me and my daily routine. (of course this was pre children LOL)
I quit. And 3 days later I almost caved. I was working and a fellow contractor came in to a very small space to talk with me about his project. He was a HEAVY smoker and he just STUNK!!! That ended the urge for the moment. When I asked my coworkers if I had smelled like that they said yes. It was all I could do to not vomit while we were talking (the smoker and I). That didn't end all my urges but it took for that day. 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years.... I kept reminding myself of this. 3 days to detox, 3 weeks to end the addiction, 3 months to end the habit, 3 years to create a new lifestyle.

IT DOES GET BETTER.

Here's a funny. Every night for at least 6 months I had the same dream/nightmare.

I was in a room. No lights. No furniture. No windows. Just a door with a little light splashing in from the hallway. I'm standing there in the room. Just me and a dead body at my feet. Person had obviously been stabbed many times. I look up and can see blood splatter on the walls from the hall lights. I look back down. I see myself - blood all over me. A knife in one hand. A cigarette in the other. And I hear someone coming down the hall and know they will see me. Standing there......

With a cigarette in my hand, smoking.
 

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