Does any non-smoker Understand a smoker?

Question

Is it just me or does it seem like people are really not understanding of a smoker. They say.. Just quit, its all mental!! They don't understand the panic and anxiety that a smoker has to suffer through for days just to quit. (cold turkey) They say I am weak!! And sorry but addiction to Chocolate doesn't even come close!!!!!!!! I am trying to quit, been doing that for years.. How do I get past the anxiety that is the withdraw from nicotine?

Answer 1

It was hrad but I was able to quit gradually, off for over a year now, hopefully will stay off forever. Failed one attempt in the past which was cold turkey. I would suggest replacing every other cigarette with a lozenge and once you have cut the number of cigarettes in half then to smoke and suck a lozenge 30 minutes later than the designated time. Increase the intervals gradually. Quit smoking in toilet or indoors, this will also help you cut down gradually. Talk to a doctor, they can repscribe some stuff, think about zyban or chantex (a new drug). Nonn-smokers quite often do not understand your anxiety and it is frustrating but quitting can be done and you can do it too, all the best. Feel free to email me any questions

Answer 2

I am an EX-Smoker.

I hope i can be of help.

The ONLY way that works , that i have seen from myself
and many of my friends is to quit cold turkey. No patches
no weaning down...you have to just stop.

There are some supplements out there that can help
if you are into that-i personally used every nutritional
adjunct i could to help me detox from all
the crap id been breathing.

Nicotinic acid helps with the addiction i have
heard if you take it long term, if fairly moderate
amounts ( probably much more than what
the RDA says )

Vitamin C is also good as well.

I would also get on some grape seed extract/w/ green
tea extract concoction. The chemicals in cigarettes
are highly oxidative of your body and that is one
reason they are so carcinogenic. Antioxidants
help!

I am also fond of saying " Weak" because before
i really quit i was being pretty weak. Everyone
has the capacity to quit-after the first week
it gets ALOT better!

Something that might help during your panic
attacks is something called Bachs Rescue Remedy.
It helps to relax you. Also chamomile tea as well
( As long as you are not allergic to ragweed )

Focus on nutrition! Go to a health food store
and treat yourself for taking such a healthy
step in your life. You can do it but you
must be strong and determined not
to lose. That is how i did it, it wasnt
all that hard now that i look back at it.


I wish you luck! Let me know how it goes
and if i can be of any further assistance to you.



Bris

Answer 3

I do. Both of my parents smoked for years, and I work in the health/fitness/nutrition industry doing research. One of the things I learned is that nicotine is a highly addictive substance, but sometime back in the 60's or 70's, cigarette companies found a way to manipulate the chemistry of tobacco to make it even more addictive, perhaps in an effort to secure residual sales. I've spoken to people who smoked many years ago and quit, and said it wasn't as difficult as it seems now. There are many reasons why quitting smoking is difficult, but if you need some reinforcement, visit a hospice where people are dying from lung cancer. When you are young, you think you are invinceable, but cancer is patient and eventually kicks your ***. Do whatever you can - Zyban, the patch, gum, etc. to get off of cigarettes. One thing that helped my brother quit was seeing my dad on his death bed, and a trach stitched into his neck to help him breathe. My brother is a police officer and has seen some horrible things, but when he saw my dad, that was the last time he smoked. Maybe he didn't want his children see him like that someday, but at least it got him to stop. So, yes, there are people who understand. By the way, the reason people crave chocolate is primarily because of it's PEA (phenylethlylamine) content. This chemical influences 'love' feelings in the brain. But it is much less addicting than cigarettes, and a hell of a lot healthier. Good luck.

Answer 4

I quit janruary 22,2006 after 40 years of smoking, I planned a big reward by going to vegas and using my money I saved on not buying cigarettes for my expenses. It only took 6 months to save 900 dollars because I was a 2 pack a day man. I would put the price of a carton of cigarettes in a jar every 5 days. It adds up quick.Hell ,I figured that I ain't getting any younger and my health would be going down hill and I didn't need smoking to make it go down quicker,If I say quit and live into my eighties I will have saved close to 50,000 dollars just on smokes not to mention health care related stuff. Your smell sense will improve and so will taste,you will get more done by not having to stop and have a smoke,your teeth and gums will benefit and yes the cravings do fade over time.

Answer 5

I disagree, I quit smoking cold turkey and it was very easy for me. I understand that it might be hard to quit for some people but it truly is all mental. When I go to a bar or restaurant now and someone sitting behind me is smoking it makes me sick. For example my BF and I went out for a drink the other night and there was a group of people sitting next to us and the prettiest girl out of the bunch started smoking and suddenly she wasn't pretty any more. Then while I am having a conversation a large cloud of smoke would linger in my direction and seriously got on my nerves. You do not realize these things until you quit. If you tell yourself how gross it truly is to smoke then I think it is much easier to quit. I feel much better now that I quit. It is very easy to to do, just try and stay occupied and hang out with your friends who don't smoke.

Answer 6

I was a smoker for about 8 yrs...two packs Marlboro Reds a day...I quit cold turkey...no problem...a little withdraw but not too bad...every time I wanted a to smoke I thought of my son and my health. I wanted to quit...really wanted to quit...I wasn't just doing it because other people told me to. You have to really want it...REALLY want it, for you.

Have you tried the inhaler for smokers? Don't know if it's still on the market or not, but it helped a friend...had another friend try hypnosis..it worked too...make sure the hypnotist helps with stress too!

Good Luck!

Blessed Be!

Answer 7

No, they will never understand. Quitting smoking is the hardest thing anyone will ever do. All you have to do is ask someone who did quit and they'll tell you.
I know it sounds cheesy, but you really need to start taking notes on when you find yourself lighting up. Is it because of boredom? After eating? Watching tv? Once you understand the hows and whys, you can start to change your behavior. For instance, if you light up after you eat, instead of sitting there idly after you eat, get up and immediately do the dishes.
Your friends are right, in a way. It IS a mental thing. But you are NOT weak. You just need to reprogram your brain...and that's not an easy thing.
Drinking water will help also, because it will help get the toxins out of your body faster.

I wish you all the luck in quitting, because I know firsthand how difficult it will be. There are some resources to help you, different ways to quit and support hotlines, on the Philip Morris website.

Cheers!

Answer 8

As a former smoker, yes, I understand. I also understand that it really is a mind thing. So I agree. Just quit.

Answer 9

It is the same with an over eater. They have to have it for the same reasons. Oddly enough smokers hate fat people and smoke to keep from it. So i guess thats an answer in a question. I know you can't help it but you do stink when you smoke and we can smell it on you like a prize when you are in your office. Sometimes I wonder why people invest in cologne and perfume when all you smell is thier butt. LOL

Answer 10

yes as long as non smoker can understand that some pople are too stupid or to weak to quit. as to quit person gotta have stron character:) for example my Godfather used to smoke for like 25 years, when he decided to quit , the next day he was nonsmoker, and no he did not have goodbye last cigarette, you say goodbye to good friends :P