When I finally quit smoking for good (and I do mean "Good!"), I did it by using behavior modification. I wore a rubber band on my left wrist and, when I started craving a cigarette, I would pop that rubber band with my other hand. Believe it or not, it worked! Good luck and God bless you!
I quit after 27 years, 16 years ago. When I quit, I was smoking 3 packs a day...on a GOOD day. I was greatly motivated because my very favorite aunt was dying of lung cancer and I had the very worst case of bronchitis I ever had.
I used the patch but nobody else in the house smoked. I had such support from my family too. I used nice, dry bread sticks and coffee for a while. It gave the same feeling as cigarettes. I remember the first day I quit...REALLY difficult, and the next several days got worse and worse. But after that it was getting easier, and I did it! I cannot tell you the thrill of the first breath of fresh, clean, wonderful lungful of Ohio spring air.
Go onlne and check out 'Electronic Cigarettes'. It gives you 'hand to mouth habit relief' and also a little burst of nicotine. Then just try really hard to cut down even putting one (electronic ciggie) in your mouth at all as quickly as possible so you don't end up having to pay for the nicotine cartridges forever and a day. Not only because of the cost but also because you need to get the nicotine out of your system. You might want to Google what nicotine is and does :-o
My advice also is to think about what's going to happen if you don't quit :-( I was hospitalized for COPD at the beginning of this month :-( Although in my case the primary cause for COPD was because of working with or being around chemicals for most of my life, I would not have gotten this sick at only 55 years old had I never smoked :-( I'll tell you that it's a pretty darn scary thing to not remember even getting to the emergency room and can't breathe and then find out when reading the hospital reports later that your blood pressure was 180/118 and oxygen saturation 84 when admitted to hospital. And I have to go through six months to a year of rehabilitation minimum and re-train for a new career and can never even be exposed to cleaning chemicals like Windex again :-o Google about blood pressure, oxygen concentration and COPD if you don't already know about them, too!
All the Googling might be incentive enough to quit immediately without a nicotine aid ;-) Best of luck to you and please let us know how you do!
When I decided to stop smoking, my oldest daughter didn't believe I could do it. I had smoked 2 packs a day for 36 years. I told her that if I ever smoked a cigarette I would pay her one thousand dollars. I made rules for myself, like I could only smoke outside, no matter what the weather. The cigarettes were ones I did not like. It has been 9 years since I had a cigarette. I will not pay her that thousand dollars for something I don't need to be doing. I hope you find what works for you. Cravings only last a short time, find something to do. Good luck
I quit smoking by using positive thoughts, ideas and one affirmation. What I had done was went to google pictures and downloaded all the positive non smoking pictures I could fine. I put them on my bulletin board by my desk and looked at it every day. I also had some of these posts on my bathroom mirror, bedroom door and the fridge. I also had one word that I would repeat to myself daily all day long. NOPE. This means "Not One Puff Ever". I also had it posted on my computer to see every day too. And of course online support is the best too. Best of luck to you.
I used to run a weekend retreat for people to quit smoking, and I took the best of what I learned from them and made a free course that's online. Google "SmokeFree Star", then it takes a few clicks to get to it but you don't have to give any information.
Congratulations on taking this step. You get to leave fear and embarrassment in the past along with the cigarettes. I've never met anyone who regretted quitting. My email address is there too and I'm happy to answer any questions you have. I've been helping people quit for about 25 years and it is the most important thing I do or ever could do.
Hi, I smoked for over 30 years. A friend told me about someone quitting with smokeaway. I tried it and quit for good, haven't smoked for over 3 yrs. with very minimal cravings. Believe me this really does work. The website is http://smokeaway.net Good luck, Audrie
Go online and find how much tar is in the various cigarettes, and find out where your brand is on the list. Start smoking a brand that is lower in tar than yours. At first they will be too mild, but before long they will taste normal to you. Keep going down and down in tar this way until you are smoking the ones with the lowest tar.
At the same time you are cutting down on tar and nicotine, make it difficult to smoke by making some rules for yourself that (in your own mind) you MUST follow. Use a piece of typing paper to wrap a pack of cigs. (gift wrap style) but don't use any tape. Instead, put a rubber band going up and down and one going crosswise. Place the pack of cigs in a rarely-used room in an inconvenient place, and place the only ash tray you are allowed to use in a different room in an inconvenient place. Place a cigarette lighter in a different room in an inconvenient place. Next, only allow yourself to smoke in a certain room, a room where the wrapped cigs, ash tray and lighter are not. It should be a room where there is no TV, radio, computer, phone, etc. and no one to talk to. Only allow yourself to smoke standing up.
Each time you want to smoke, the rule is you must go get one cigarette, you can only use the smokes that are in the wrapped pack. You must remove the rubber bands, take off the typing paper, get out your smoke, then re-wrap and put the rubber bands back on. If it is the last cig in the pack, before you can smoke it, you must get a fresh pack (from a different room), wrap it and put on the rubber bands. Next, you get your ash tray from the inconvenient place, then get the lighter, then you smoke the cig in your boring room. When you are finished smoking, you must replace the ash tray and lighter before you do anything else.
This routine makes smoking such a pain in the rear and so boring that lots of times when you want a cig, you'll just say heck on it, it's too much work, and that craving will pass. If you stick with it, this will work. Make your own rules for when you are at work, when you are at someone's house, when you are in the car, etc.
My brother-in-law quit smoking by poking a hole with a safety pin in each smoke, right under but not in the filter. When he got use to that, he poked 2 holes, etc. No fair covering the holes with your finger.
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Request: Advice for Quitting Smoking (04/23/2009)
OK everyone, the end of January I'm quitting smoking. I start taking classes where they provide nicotine patches, but I could use some input. Has anyone out there used the patches?
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Request: Advice for Quitting Smoking
Archived on 04/23/2009
OK everyone, the end of January I'm quitting smoking. I start taking classes where they provide nicotine patches, but I could use some input. Has anyone out there used the patches? Did they work, not work? How did you keep from gaining weight? Did you quit permanently or start up again?
I am actually scared to quit. I am already feeling a little apprehensive about not having cigarettes but am determined to do this.
Could any of you advise me? Thanks
By imaqt1962 from St Joseph, Illinois
Feedback:
RE: Advice for Quitting Smoking
I don't blame you for being scared, it's tough losing a security blanket! Patches work depending on how much you smoke. I weighed 110 lbs and have a high metabolism, and smoked 1 pack a day. When I got the lowest dosage (this was in 1999) it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was dizzy and had weird dreams, and got nauseous. After two days I quit those. Some people who smoke over 2 packs can smoke with those on, and not feel anything. I think they absorb the nicotine into your system based on your metabolic rate, check the company website or ask your pharmacist. Nicotine, on average, stays in your system for about 2 hours.
After the patch, I cut down my cigarettes first to every 2 hours for one week, then added on 1/2 hour per day. Failed that! And always when money becomes a stress factor (ironic). So I went to my doc, and he prescribed Zyban, which is well-butrin the anti-depressant. It helped me because I already had a history of depression, and the nicotine helps that feeling like extra serotonin. That's why you crave chocolate and stuff. I still smoked once in awhile, but once I thought about my health, wanting a baby, and all the money spent on smokes, I picked a day and quit. I drank orange juice and ate A LOT of baby carrots to get over the fits, and daily vitamins. That was in Nov 1999. Exactly one year later I became pregnant with my first boy, and had beautiful fingernails too, they weren't yellow!
After I weaned him at 6 months, I started smoking one or two cigarettes a day, or when I felt I was going to explode. I refuse to buy cigarettes, but when I get edgy, I steal one from my husband. He still hasn't figured out how to quit yet. When he's not around, I still survive, but I keep dark chocolate or semisweet chips in the house. Little sugar and full of anti-oxidants, it is my happy hang-up. I pop 5-10 chips, and go on with life. I also keep myself busy with any housework, chasing little boys and dog (goes hand in hand), and typing on chats like these. I don't sit still for long, and if I do sit, I rub my DH's feet or fold laundry, scratch the dog. One big rule...no smoking in the house. Originally for the kids and smell, now it just cuts down on the amount.
Eat healthy and exercise, and take one day or hour at a time! If you need anyone to vent to, or have questions, e-mail me at camo_angels AT yahoo.com (remove spaces). Good Luck and God Bless! (01/29/2006)
My sister quit a month ago, and she said the thing she had to do was find something else to do when she would usually be smoking. For instance, instead of a smoke break at work, she goes on a walk break. Good luck! (01/29/2006)
RE: Advice for Quitting Smoking
I smoked over two packs a day. I tried the gum, hypnotism, hand-held computer, cutting back, and almost anything you can think of. Nothing helped until I got the book "How Women Can Finally Stop Smoking". It's for women only. I also heard that most cigarettes are sugar-cured so you are also trying to give up the sugar habit when you quit. I switched to Carlton cigarettes so I could kick one habit at a time. I read the book and decided I could give it a try. I had to think of it as a game. I could smoke anytime I wanted to, I just chose not to smoke that day. I also bought a sports water bottle, the kind with a sippy top that you have to suck. That helps with the oral part. If you want more info on how I did it, email me at mckaysatt AT yahoo.com with spaces removed and I'll tell you the whole story. You can do it but you have to be ready in your heart.
(01/30/2006)
I was a pack and a half a day smoker. I gave up smoking when I was pregnant for my son. At first it was very difficult. Tried the cutback slowly thing, but at five months pregnant I was still smoking up to half a pack a day. Then my husband found a cigarette butt outside when he came home from work. He had a fit and threw them away. I have not smoked since and my son is a happy healthy 14 month old. It seems that cold turkey actually can work. (01/30/2006)
It can be good to have someone that isn't afraid to put you in your place when you need it ;) My DH has had to do that one or two times, and we never regretted it! (02/04/2006)
Learn to knit and try it when you're watching TV or sitting (not at work) wanting a cigarette. It keeps your hands busy and you can make something useful. Relaxing too! Also walk breaks will help at work to keep your mind and body from craving cigarettes. Try to eat sensibly but don't worry about weight gain until you have the habit kicked. Then you can shed the pounds with the increased exercise you are able to do because you won't be gasping for breath as a smoker would. They say the few pounds you may gain after quitting cigs is not nearly as dangerous to your health as smoking. Best of luck to you! I did it 22 years ago and I know how really hard it is (no patches or nicotine gum back then)! You CAN do it! (02/16/2006)
By Mary
RE: Advice for Quitting Smoking
Well everyone it's day 3 with the nicotine patches and I am doing okay. Better than I thought I would. The one thing I find that I miss more than anything is the taste of the cigarette. Haven't experienced any problems with the patch. I don't wear it at night. Figure I don't need the nicotine going into my system. When I smoked cigarettes, I didn't do it in my sleep! And I have heard bad stories about having nightmares and bad dreams if you wear them at night. I keep a few suckers with me at all times. (02/17/2006)
By IMAQT1962
RE: Advice for Quitting Smoking
I tried the patches and they work great. Only thing is DO NOT smoke while on the patch. At all (I mean, don't cheat at all), I heard it's very bad for your heart. Also, the patches gave me CRAZY dreams. If you need a good night's sleep, I would take it off several hours before bed.
I have an oral fixation so have taken to drinking green tea. Also, I find I used to smoke a lot in order to have time to "just think", you know? Sit down and think, smoking gave me a good reason to sit and do nothing while not seeming to be doing nothing. Oddly, for me, I've discovered I can also relax and think while washing the dishes.
With the help of the patch, it shouldn't be hard to give up the chemical side of smoking. Sometimes (for me) it's hard to give up the habit. I find myself a situational smoker. Lol. It's not even about being social. Just certain times and events make me want to smoke. I think if you identify those times, you can learn when you're most vulnerable. Good luck! (03/01/2006)
By lol
RE: Advice for Quitting Smoking
Okay, it's now been 2 weeks smoke free. I have to admit it's been tough even with the patches, but I am determined to succeed. I now have a better sense of smell to realize how much it stinks. I look at it this way. I am an addict. I am addicted to nicotine. I will take 1 day at a time like any other recovering addict would. I will succeed. (03/02/2006)
By IMAQT1962
RE: Advice for Quitting Smoking
Congratulations! You're almost over the worst hump! Working in an office sitting, you'll get to smell others after they have one...what a big wake up! Wait a few more weeks and see how beautiful your nails are, WHITE! It is a nice reward ;) If you are interested, American Lung Association should have a link telling you how your body is restored so many hours & days after smoking. They used to have handouts of it, so I am sure they'd have it. (03/11/2006)
