Anyone else a smoker going to quit, or a former smoker? I'm toying with the idea of quitting. I know I should, I've always known I should, but I always put it off. Seems that smoking is only really enjoyable to me when I'm quitting. When I'm smoking I don't even notice it, but during the (many) times I've decided to quit...I go crazy before I even hit day #2. It's like how, when I run out of cigarettes, I go crazy until I go buy another pack, but then when I've got the pack I might not even feel like having a cig that second. All mental I suppose. So, any other smokers contemplating quitting and have any advice/tips to make it stick?
I quit cold turkey over ten years ago and it was the best thing I ever did.
IMO, anyone who smokes is an idiot. I'm not saying smokers are idiots per se, just that they are idiots for smoking. My husband smokes and I call him an idiot all the time because of it. LOL.
Smoking is an addiction and as such, is difficult to give up and everyone reacts differently. For me, quitting wasn't that difficult and now, after over ten years, cigarette smoke makes me want to vomit. I can't believe I used to smoke.
It sounds like you have a serious addiction so you might require professional help. Have you seen your doctor? I've heard hypnosis works quite well too but you have to WANT to quit. The patch or gum might be an option as well.
Good luck! I hope you can quit.
Jo might have some advice as well. She was a smoker.
Yeah, smoking is definitely bad for you. When I'm in the mood to quit, I know that. When I'm not, I tend to go with "well, I'm gonna die anyway and I enjoy smoking" yada yada. Right now I'm getting sick of it, the cost alone is enough to make a person want to quit. I have quit cold turkey a few times before, the longest was for about six months. I'm not big on gums or patches, since I find the addiction for me is more mental than physical (the withdrawal only takes a few days for me, but mentally it takes awhile) I find that things that supply nicotine but don't have the mental association and familiarity of a cigarette just don't work. Hypnosis is a good idea though, I never even thought of that one.
I know what you mean about finding cig smoke disgusting when you quit. I didn't mind the smell of smoke before I started smoking, and I don't mind it when I am smoking, but those times that I quit for longer intervals...at some point something would switch in me and when I'd be around a lot of smoke I'd find it kind of gross. And then at some point I'd just go "what the hell" and start smoking again. I have no idea how I go from not liking the smell anymore to back to doing it, I guess it's a comfort thing. Seems whenever I'm stressed is when I start smoking again. Like a security blanket. Right now I'm doing the typical smoker thing, contemplating quitting but being reluctant on picking a day.
I smoked my last sickarette on August 3rd 2000. Quitting was the hardest thing I ever did. I am VERY glad I did, but it was not easy. After a lifetime of smoking, it was so hard to get into NEW habits, but the hardest part was getting used to the fact that other people COULD smoke, whilst I could NOT. I am not one of those people who can have just one puff... I'm pack a day all day long, so I don't get to be an 'occasional' smoker.
Unlike NKB, I don't think smokers are idiots. I think it's an addiction like any other and some people are able to quit while others are not. I myself used the patch and the 12 steps to quit... I joined quitnet.org and that was immensely helpful... Also installing the quitmeter on my computer. That thing was insanely helpful. As you hit milestones (one week quit, one month, one year...) you are less likely to want to revert to square one, so you "keep the quit" as they say, and hold out one more day. Next thing you know, it's been nearly ten years.
Good luck with your quit.
Thanks, Jo. Yeah, it's hard to stand others smoking when you no longer are. I'll check out quitnet, never heard of it before.
Everyone is different, eh.
I found quitting smoking very easy. Mind you, prior to my finally quitting I had tried once before and failed. I don't think I was ready.
A friend and I discussed this a while back. She said quitting was very easy for her as well. We surmised that perhaps we were not addicted to the nicotine but rather, we were addicted to the act of smoking. The habitual aspect of it. Smoking while on the phone or after a meal or at that certain stoplight right before you arrive at work.
I decided that I wasn't going to take my smokes to work with me. I had one in the car in the morning (at that stoplight I mentioned earlier) and then one after dinner. After I did that for a few days, I just quit smoking all together. Don't get me wrong, I did crave them but I don't think I went through the withdrawals that others talk about. I just...stopped.
I slipped a few times but I regretted it the next day. My lungs felt like they were on fire and I could not stand the taste it left in my mouth and on my hair and clothes.
BTW, I did gain about ten pounds and never lost it but I'd rather be ten pounds heavier than be a smoker.
Now, I can't even hang my clothes in the same closet as my husband because his clothes smell like smoke (even after washing) and that smell transfers onto my nice clean clothes.
There' a medication doctors came prescribe. I think it's called Chantix; that might help(it's not nicotine).
^Thanks for the suggestion noelle, but medication is something I think is too out there for getting over quitting smoking. I don't even like to take cold medicine, so I tend to avoid medications in most ways.
@NK: Well, when I've quit in the past the actual withdrawals only last 2-4 days for me, easily bearable. Which is why I've quit so many times. It's the mental addiction that is so difficult for me to surpass. After my body stops craving nicotine, my mind doesn't stop craving that cigarette perched between my fingers. When I am not smoking I idealize cigarettes in my head, but then when I fold I realize that it's really not that good. But that doesn't keep me from continuing to idealize it if I stay quit. Cigarettes start to stink to me if I haven't had a cigarette in a few weeks, but then that first smoke after...um...quitting quitting...is just awesome. Meh, I don't know if I'm ready right now. I have so much stress in my life at the moment. Wow, perfect cliche smoker's excuse.
How about just holding an unlit cig? I used to do that and I would puff on it as if it were lit. One thing I can say is I did and still do like the smell of tobacco when it's not lit.
That could work, I'll try that, thanks for the tip. Though a big part of my enjoyment is actually flicking the cig...I have no idea why, it's just a satisfying motion I guess. Weird how little retarded things like that are comforting.
This June will be 15 years without a smoke. And I am telling you its the best thing I ever did for myself.
I too quit "cold turkey" It was a choice I made that helped me breath better and not to be constantly sick with chest colds and URI's
I will say to talk to your Dr before you start anything like Chantex.
I heard a lot of bad things about that drug. You can get easily depressed and have thoughts of suicide. And that is the last thing you need to do when trying to quit smoking.
For me I used a toothpick.
I know that is not very lady like. But I did not care.. I was married & happy and I don't care what people think of me. It helped me, and I was able to satisfy the oral desire without over eating, which I already did. But, I could have been a blimp, if it was not for my tooth picks, lol
Good Luck Lulu, if you decide to quit, its the best move you will ever make in your lifetime
Smoking tobacco is hazard for health. Smoking kills. Quitting smoking is awesome step for having healthy life and smoke free heart. Smoking not only effect the smoker but also affect who are around smoker. From investigation we can say passive smoker have more risk of having heart problems then in active smoker. So avoiding smoking is saving the life next to us.
So quite smoking sooner.
Yeah...possibly I shouldn't have started this thread. I've found that when people try to convince me not to smoke, I end up playing devil's advocate and wanting to smoke more. I mean...no offense, melina, but pretty much everyone on the face of the planet (or at least the western world) knows that nicotine has serious health risks and that secondhand smoke can cause these health risks too. I've never been one to respond well to preaching. You sound like a pamphlet more than a person.
Thanks for the suggestion, eslbee, I'll check it out the next time I hit the bookstore. I've actually cut back pretty well the last few weeks. I'm normally a pack a day smoker, but lately it's been more like 1-4 cigarettes a day. So...at least some progress.
*edit: I feel like I should probably say, I do appreciate the tips and advice I've received in this thread. I guess I get sensitive to straight up preaching though, even if it is meant with good intentions. I think one of the biggest impediments that I have to quitting smoking is that I'm never going to be an anti-smoker even if I do quit...and anti-smokers kind of piss me off. Not that there's anything wrong with not smoking or finding smoking unattractive or avoiding smokers...just the attitude of trying to lecture or change people I guess bothers me. I mean...in this world there are always going to be health risks, most of us drive cars and very few of us drive hybrids (I don't, that's for sure) but there isn't the same fist-pumping against exhaust fumes because as modern people we view our cars as necessary (some bicycle enthusiasts and hardcore environmentalists would disagree with this). Sure cigarettes are never actually necessary, but some of us enjoy them. And even if I were to quit, which I probably eventually will if for no other reason than the cost, I don't think I'd ever be able to lecture someone about smoking like they're an idiot or that by not smoking I'm somehow morally superior to smokers. I mean...come on. Smoking or not smoking is a personal choice, it's one thing to give advice when it's asked for or commiserate about how hard it is to quit or share tips, but I just hate it when people turn it into a social cause and start announcing really obvious bumpersticker type catchphrases like "Smoking kills!" Well, no shit...
Can I make a suggestion? If you have cut back on smoking - take the money that you saved on the difference (having only smoked a few cigs a day rather than a pack) and put it aside. If the cost benefit is important to you, then take advantage of its psychology. Maybe put it in a jar, where you can see the money accumulate, or at the very least tuck it away separately.
As you see that pile grow, you'll be more likely to want to add to it every day. You may not necessarily quit, but at least you'll try to smoke less than a pack!
My Grandfather did that Ziggy. He had so much cash piled up that he and Grandma went on a cruise! He showed us all the money and it was quite impressive.
PS: He was over 60 when he quit cold turkey.
Thanks for all the great tips guys! That saving the money I woulda spent on cigs in a jar idea is excellent. The money factor is such a big part of me wanting to quit that it'd be a great motivation. I have cut back a lot recently, and I'm going to try quitting completely soon, I'm picking a date for it because I don't want to chicken out. Picking a date has helped me with past quitting attempts because it makes it feel more real, a deadline to kick my procrastinating ass in gear.
I would never be preachy about it. Ever. No one loved smoking more than me. I quit for a myriad of reasons, but I guess mainly because I didn't want to be an addict anymore. That is why the 12 steps helped me. I have been surrounded my whole life by addicts and addiction, and one day I looked in the mirror and realized I was 'slave to the nicodemon' LOL and I was an addict too.
It's REALLY hard to quit. No one can make that choice for you but you. I didn't buy ANY of the health reasons, body image reasons... none of the preaching. I just didn't want to be addicted to an expensive habit anymore.
Yep no preaching from me neither lulu. And I would never become an anti smoker advocate. That is just not in me.
I know I was a hard core smoker and smoked 2 packs a day for
over 25 years. I chose to quit cause I was sick and tired of waking up every single morning coughing my guts out.
But if your not at that point yet lulu then, hey feel free to smoke away, its your life.
But I loved Ziggy's idea with the money & the jar.
I bet that would work.
I tell you after not having a ciggy for over 14 years just talking about it makes me what to light up again.
But TG there is none in the house. My hubby does smoke little cigars.
But I hate those things, lol
He loves them And every morning I have to listen to him cough his guts up.
But better him then me. His choice, not mine.
My addiction is food, plain & simple.
And that is addiction I will never be able to beat.
But I would never think to preach to anyone.
But keep in mind Lulu, you did start this thread, lol. So others do have their rights to say their peace, lol.
Hang in there Lulu! When you want to quit, you will do it.
Its all up to you.
Thanks, truckerswife. I was directing my frustration solely at melina, in case anyone was confused and thought I was just angry in general to everyone posting in the thread. I find those bumpersticker type anti-smoking PSA phrases really annoying. I did start the thread and I agree that people can post whatever they like in it...but then again when someone says something as obvious and facepalm worthy as what melina said I think I also have every right to...well...facepalm.