2006-09-17 20:59:44 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
I am on a similar path to you. I stopped about 3 weeks ago (when my bro had a heart attack), and was as sanctimonious as i liked!! Then went out for a drink, and the slippery slope started. Now stopped as of midnight last night.
Tips www.silkquit.org download a fantastic counter to your computer.
Some of the bulletin boards are excellent. Remind yourself that you no longer smell like an ashtray, that you are £x better off, or whatever helps.
Stay away from the people who you enjoyed having a cigarette with.
Change your habits - if you smoked in the car, then maybe listen to a different type of music. Don't go near alcohol for a while!!
Write down your reasons for wanting to stop and keep them near you to re-read when you are having a difficult moment.
Feel free to argue with as many people as you like - make the most of the opportunity of I WANT A CIGARETTE!!!!
Use the Nicotine Replacement Therapy - I use patches. Don't let yourself run out - it is far easier to pick up cigarettes, than it is to find a chemist!!!
Good luck!
2006-09-17 21:24:00 · answer #1 · answered by Smiler 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think everyone has different ways of sticking to it...
i gave up smoking successfully in january,after countless attempts.
i found that i couldn't gradually cut down. it was all or nothing for me! i smoked 20 fags the day before i gave up.i smoked for 16 years.
It is definately more to do with willpower--you have to REALLY want to do ii in order to succeed. Each craving only lasts about a minute max, so everytime i had the urge i drank a glass of water or told myself to ignore it as it would pass.
It was very difficult as i found i was thinking about smoking all day everyday for a while (a bit like when you are getting over someone you loved)!
eventually the cravings got few and far between. Now i don't have any. And i have more money!
Just try to eat healthfully while you give up as i have put on a stone and a half, eating junk... Now i need the willpower to lose weight!!!!!!
GOOD LUCK!!
2006-09-18 04:05:03 · answer #2 · answered by ♥new baby born xmas eve 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations on thinking of giving up smoking you will not regret it if you decide to do it.
As an e smoker I am not going to patranize you for one min as trust me it is not that easy.
First of all you need to want to give up not just for others but more important for yourself.If you truly want to give up you are half way there.
Second go to your doctor most have a smoking support clinic now and they will be very helpfull. They ask you questions about your smoking how many etc and be truthful for two reasons one so they know which treatment will suit you. Two they will get you to blow into a tube and it will come out your carbon levels and they can tell from that how much you smoke.
Third tell all your family and friends what you are doing so they can offer you support and discourage you when tempted to have a cigarrette.
Four join one of the internet sites for nicatine as extra support I found them really good. I filled out a questionaire that was all private and secure. After twenty four hours they sent me back a really good structured support plan tailored to suit my needs. (I was worried about gaining weight etc).
Fifth some people can go cold turkey I could not so I tried all the options. A patch made me vomit it was to much as it was on 24/7 and I never smoked during the night so I think it was over load. Gum found this discuting so instead turned to lozengers which I found really good and I did feel that is replaced the old ciggy.Your doctors can give you all these on perscription so it will be cheaper.
Six never feel you have failed if you end up having a cigarrette smoke it and then try again.
Seven remember it is a drug and addiction is hard to overcome but if you truly want to stop you will.
Eight finally I wish you every success in giving up and as an added bonus I put the money I used to spend on my ciggies in a jar every day and at the end of the month went out and brought myself something with it. I saved on average £!20 per month if you saved it for a year you could have a holiday frightning to think how much I smoked really. GOOD LUCK
2006-09-17 21:26:11 · answer #3 · answered by momof3 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone's got their own way really. I succeeded by using patches and by attending sessions every 2 months with the nurse at my GP where there was an analyser that showed exactely how much poisin was in your breath. (The same type of technique they do for Weightwatchers)
The first time they did it I was shocked at the result. That gave me the willpower to beat it. The NHS supplied the patches. There was a little calendar thing - a motivational tool too - the sort of thing I'd normally laugh at - but it did help.
Result of these helpful things plus my willpower - I stopped smoking completely in 3 months and have not smoked a cigarette or cigar for 2.5 years. It wasn't easy - I'd seriously tried maybe 10 times previously over the years - but this time it all came together.
Get the family on your side too. Get them to be tolerant when you feel snappy, irritable etc. Explain why you are. If they get behind your successes too it all helps.
It is tough - but if I can manage it.. well....................
2006-09-17 21:25:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay away from your other friends that smoke. Avoid munching on sugary snacks to take the edge off the urge. Try muching something healthy. Depending on your drive, you might not want to quit cold turkey. Try smoking less and less each day. Learn do do something with your hands when youre not busy, like knitting or crocheting. Concentration on a task such as that makes you forget the urge. Or if all else fails, a friend of mine suggested that you try to quit smoking by rolling your own cigarettes. By the time you remember to roll on you might not even want it. It worked for him. Hope this helps!
2006-09-17 21:06:55 · answer #5 · answered by girlsaiyan1979 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Smoking is a very bad habit, now I smoked for 38 years ( roll ups) and when I was younger people used to say to me your silly to smoke it could damage your health when you get older. But I used to say p--s off under my breath, nothing will happen to me! but things do happen and it will happen to you, I can guarantee that. Now 8years ago I tried every thing you name it I did to try and pack up. I mean every thing! one of those things was the patches and what do think happened I had nicotine poisoning because I smoked while using the patches. After that I was getting breathing problems I had tests and landed up having a triple bypass operation. That is when I stopped. So stop now. because it's going to happen to you, if you do stop you will find out how good it feels after about 4-6 weeks and you will be surprised when you smell some body else smoking it is a horrible smell, And I feel grate now. So stop now, if you smoked one a day that's no good you got to stop all together. good luck.
2006-09-17 21:59:25 · answer #6 · answered by LJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An MD says it is easy to stop while fasting. See this webpage.
http://phifoundation.org/fast.html
If not, switch to American Spirit. It has more tobacco thån other cigarettes, but no additives which make it much more addictive. Then when these are not giving you what you need, you will know that you are addicted to additives also. Then after smoking these awhile you get over the additives, and then you can stop smoking much easier.
2006-09-17 21:10:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I gave up 2 years ago, and feel so good for it, I decided a particular date, then whatever was left in packet I put in top cupboard to remind me later on. I bought some extra strong chewing gum and chewed that for good month or so, also do some breathing exercises takes that feeling away, get some fresh air inhale fresh air in, and also try swimming too... good luck... remember its all in the mind,,,be strong then you can do it... oh p.s I went onto NHS smoking website and they sent me and email every day for first 2 weeks and one a month after that for encouragement and also how you should feel and what inside of your body would be like after you gave up after certain days etc...
2006-09-17 21:10:58 · answer #8 · answered by chromosone4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you get the itch, just tell yourself: "I DON'T want to smoke." Convince yourself within. Put off lighting. Throw away any and all butane lighters. Ironic that butane and the first heat off of tobacco are the most carcenigous. Just tell yourself the same phrase: I DON'T want to smoke and keep, keep convincing yourself stretching the smoke-free interval longer each time.
And, just remember, just ONE cig means it all over for all the hard work you did.
2006-09-17 21:14:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Congrats! I am also taking this life reclaiming step.
I have found that 'cold turkey' is working the best. I avoided social gatherings for about two weeks and am considering buying stock in Wrigley's (chewing gum DOES help).
Just be persistent, get mentally tough, stubborn, and remember you aren't in this fight alone -- I and others are with you.
Good luck, m'lady!!
I just went through and read the answers before mine. Great stuff, folks!! Even encouraged me, and it wasn't my question!
Thank you all!
2006-09-17 21:12:17 · answer #10 · answered by Lonnie P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋