I'm going to give up smoking. Any helpful hints?

Question

I've been smoking for about 20 years and enough's enough. The cigarettes I'll miss the most are: the 1st of the morning, and after a heavy meal.

How did other people cope?

Thanks, nocigarette, but I don't have a penis to worry about!!!

Answer 1

Congratulations on your decision to quit! I smoked for 30 years and I quit over two years ago. I had tried to quit a number of times but was never successful for more than a month or two. I have been successful this time because I discovered that that the most important key to quitting smoking is to never take a puff off a cigarette again. I know that sounds pretty juvenile but it's actually the key to success. You may tell yourself that you can just smoke one cigararette or take one puff and that would be OK but it really doesn't work that way. If you take one puff, you are on the road to becoming a full time smoker again. In order to quit smoking you have to quit smoking. Period.

The patch helped me with the cravings and the mood swings. When a serious craving occurred (like after dinner or first thing in the morning) I used to rub the patch on my arm as a reminder of my committment to quiting.

Putting myself in situations where I never smoked helped me. I went to the movies and the library a lot when I was quitting. Making a list of my reasons for wanting to quit was helpful. I could refer to it when I needed extra support. I also made sure I let people know that I was quitting. Telling people around me that I was qutting made it harder and more embarassing to try to cheat as I didn't want to look like a failure to my neighbors, co-workers, bosses and my doctor. Also letting people know that I was quitting allowed them to give me a little space for my moods or for the spaciness that sometimes occurs.

Good luck and I wish you nothing but success.

Answer 2

First of all Congrats! YOU DID IT! Now just don't go back. I quit a little over 2 months ago, and I promise you it does get easier! Just hang on! So helpful tips- Bring an extra large bottle of water in the car with you- make sure it is ice cold. Second tip (because I was one of the people who like the smell of cigarettes) I would light incense when I was missing the smell. Third, Nicorette (just really portion out the doses, and if you were heavy like a pack a day get the 4 mg. It helps with the headaches a lot. Fourth, when it gets really bad, get in the shower and stay there until you are okay. You can't smoke in the shower, it will turn off. Fifth, remember it is in your mind. It is as easy as YOU choose for it to be. Just say no. You are not being deprived, nor are you a victim. You CHOSE this, to be a hero for all of those who care about you. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I know people who decided to give up and they found it helpful to put all the "smoking money" (money saved by not smoking) in a pot so that they could see how much better off they were financially as a result of not smoking. Also, it is partly habit, so you need to start new habits - when you crave a cigarette try to do something else instead (whether its housework, walking the dog, going for a run, checking your emails, just whatever you like doing).

It is important to keep going to the stop smoking nurse to get CO readings so that you can see how much your health is improving. And also be honest with folks about how you are really coping without cigarettes so that if you need a bit of encouragement or support they can help you through.

Good for you!

Answer 4

Look into Zyban. It's a prescription you get from your doctor and helped me quit after 10 years of smoking. It was originally prescribed for depression, but then doctors were realizing that people were quitting smoking as well. So they remarketed it for smokers and there you go. I had no relapses when I quit and it was remarkably easy. I realize that everyone is different and what works well for one may not work well for another, especially because I had a severe allergic reaction to it about 2 weeks after starting it. But even if I knew I was going to have a reaction to it, I still would have taken it to get the results I got. Good Luck. I'm rooting for you!!

Answer 5

Different people cope in different ways. There are no sure fired answers. Realize you are human, and while I say hurrah to you for trying to quit realize you are probably going to fail your first couple times out.

You have realized that you must break the habit and the narcotic. The narcotic will exit your system and you'll have with drawls. It is best you have these away from people. I suggest quitting on a late Thursday. By the time the nicotine leaves your system it'll be the weekend. You won't have to deal with work, and can keep yourself busy, and away from people. By Monday the worst will be over.

As for the habit. You have identified when you'll miss them most. i suggest you find something else to do during these times. There is and old movie from the 1970's called "Cold Turkey". It was very funny. I suggest watching it for a good laugh and ideas on how to help yourself cope. One thing they use in the movie is sex.

Wish you the best of luck, and if you fail, keep trying and you'll make it.

Answer 6

I smoked for 23 years and quit 22 years ago. I did it by picking a date (January 1st) and started cutting back to the two most important smokes (morning sit down routine and after dinner). I gave myself two months to reach this point on New Years eve and quit at midnight. Went six months the first thru the fourth attempts. On New years eve of the fifth try, I crushed my cigarettes at 8pm instead of making a ceremony out of the last 5 minute smoke before midnight and made it all the way too today. Just remember that the first three days have to be powered through and the next nine days will be bad too, but not as bad. After 12 days, you are no longer physically addicted, but it will take two to three years to get over the psychological urge. GOOD LUCK

Answer 7

I gave up smoking in 1998. After several failed attempts, some that even included trying to "de-escalate" to chewing tobacco--to nicorrette--to regular chewing gum. Any way, finally I decided to totally change my lifestyle. I began doing things like running and playing basketball. I developed a very active daily routine and eventually not only my cravings, but also my desires to smoke went away.

By the way, I'm still running, but I've traded basketball for soccer. Good luck.

Answer 8

Having been a 20 a day man for 40 years (with 7 years off it in between) I stopped the day of smoking ban in Scotland, Nicotine patches are the best way to wheen yourself of it, 3 weeks at high strength 3 weeks medium and finally if needed 3 weeks at weakest. This worked for me, downside was sleep pattern all ascue and mouth ulcers but worth it in the end.

Good luck you will notice the difference in a matter of days.

Answer 9

Just try to make it through the first 3 weeks or so and the physical craving will go away, at least it did for me. The problem is when you find yourself in a situation that you would normally light up, like after dinner, you'll find yourself craving a cigarette even if your physical addiction is over.
Just tough it out, it is worth it!

Answer 10

Mind has to be set that this is it! Time to do it 100%! Must be commintted. I gave up 5 months ago and the first 3 days were hard and then it was easy. Put the cash i used for cigs in a tin and saved £500! Off to thailand now with money saved. First 3 days - trust me - lock yourself away!