How the heck do I quit smoking....?

Question

I smoke about 10-15 cigarettes a day, I am sick of needing this s*hit, most of the time I don't even enjoy it. Any ideas for quitting, other that actually going and getting treatment with a professional (I'm a DIY kinda guy)? I am sure that would work, I guess it wouldn't even be a question of affording it or not, the prospect of spending the thousands I would spend on cigarettes if I did not quit kind of makes quitting a pretty logical decision financially as well.
Also, not much will power here, I have tried the whole 'as of tomorrow morning, I am a non-smoker' bussiness. Last time I tried that , it lasted me till lunchtime.

Answer 1

You can try to quit cold-turkey..... but that will only happen when you actually want to. People who want to quit smoking try an average of 7 times before they actually succeed. It took me 5 times over 5 years trying to quit. I went to a smoking cessation class, and I had to do it twice because I relapsed the first time, which lasted 4 months.

I know you said you'd like to do it yourself, but the info from the classes really helped- like learning that you will ALWAYS have cravings- for the rest of your life. They will just become less frequent and less intense as time passes. And about how much money it will actually cost you, like raising your life insurance rates, and future doctors visits, etc. The Zyban didn't help me- but the patches did. I started off with the 28's, and then went down to the 14's, and I didn't even need the 7's. Check with your local hospital. They should have the classes, and some offer them free to county residents. Your insurance may even cover the patches.

Sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet and get help. I was outside on the porch smoking, and my 1.5 year old had followed me out there a little later. I had left my lighter on the ledge (stupidly) and when I turned around, he had put it up to his lips "pretending" he was smoking. That was the moment I knew I had to quit for real this time. Wait till you get your moment.

Answer 2

I LOVED smoking and I did it very well! I smoked a full pack or more a day for over 20 years. :( I decided that there was no "good" time to quit and I would quit no matter what. I put on one of those patches before I went to sleep that night. The next morning I didn't physically NEED a cigarette but wanted one pretty bad. I changed up my routine and kept busy. I sucked on mints and I made a list of why I wanted to quit smoking - you know, like smell, wanting to have clean lungs, wanted to live a quality of life when I got old etc.... I think I was surprised myself when day after day I got thru without smoking. It wasn't a choice. It wasn't going to beat me. I know it's crazy but I carried a pack of cigarettes and matches with me every day. I decided if the world came to an end and I had a few minutes before it blew - I'd smoke. :) It worked. I never opened them and two years later I threw them out. I haven't smoked in nearly 12 years and am as pleased as can be that I got that off my back.
I wish you well - you CAN do it!! Good luck!!

Answer 3

I quit smoking with SmokeEnders. I don't think they are around any more, but it's not just a matter of reducing your need for nicotine. Smoking is also a behavioral problem. For example: we were forbidden to smoke until 30 min. after eating. No smoking in the car; No smoking when on the phone, no smoking 30min before bedtime.The minutes kept getting longer. We started by keeping a diary of when we smoked and how important that cigarette was. Then little by little, cut out one trigger. For every pack of cigs we bought we put the equivalent $$ in a jar. We also had to put all our cig butts in a jar, add water and smell it every day. Quitting requires a mind change--look at people who are smoking and pity them. Think of yourself as a non-smoker, not a smoker who has to use self control every day. I back slid a couple of times, but eventually became a no-smoking advocate.

Answer 4

Quitting smoking is a great opportunity to learn about ourselves, as you have already observed.
Congratulations on completing the first week - you are over the worst, but still need to maintain your resolve. It's just so easy to start thinking that just one won't hurt, but it does. Just one achieves nothing except feeling the need for another. Whatever you do, don't have just one.
Here's a few home-brewed tips that might be useful.
It's not just nicotine addiction - there are 50+ chemicals in cigarettes. Also the main problem is habit.
We have been used to having body sensations which we translate as 'my body needs something', which we have attempted to satisfy by having a cigarette.
When we try to stop smoking, we still get these 'my body needs something' sensations, and we still feel that we want a cigarette. We have to train our body to be more selective. When we feel we need something, we have to work out what it is that we actually need.
A glass of water is an excellent substitute if nothing else comes to mind, as it helps with the clearance of the toxic substances in our body. Another good substitute is a bag of salted peanuts, used in combination with the water.
Another thing to do is to find an activity which occupies the mind or body. Go swimming - nobody wants to smoke while they are swimming. Slowly, as our body adjusts and translates the 'want something' feelings into something other than cigarettes, then the feelings begin to go away. We know its not a cigarette that the body really needs, because as soon as we've had one we still have the feeling, and want another!
We will have a few bouts of feeling or even being short tempered. We must try to bite our lip, and control; ourselves. Recognise the short temper as being the removal of toxins which are trying to find a way out. They went in through the mouth, and they try to get out that way to. We must learn to keep our mouth closed, and force the toxins out the other way.

Answer 5

Someone had borough up chantix. I have been using it and it has helped. You pick a date to quit. One week before that date you take the pills and smoke at the same time. than after you stop smoking you keep taking the pills. i am on my second week and i swear it really works. I know that when i tried to quit before i became a major bi*ch because i got real moody and had major headaches. I take Tylenol and that helps alot. I also think about my future family. Do i want to have to tell my kids i am dying because i chose to smoke? NO. Try going for a walk, doing something you like that that does not involve smoking, stay away from smokers and tell your family and friends that you are trying to quit. that way they can support you and will understand if you might snap at them. Wish you luck.

Answer 6

If you smoke 10-15 then it shouldn't be too hard for you. Some people smoke 60-80 a day.

There's a good website called http://smoking.hammocksurvivalguide.com/
It contains lots of articles about smoking.

Answer 7

I quit after smoking 2 pkg/day for over 25 years by taking Welbutrin along with the patches. Smoke free for 21 months! Talk to your doctor.

I used the generic Welbutrin and patches. Good luck

Answer 8

I have quit smoking four months back, after reading a book that really helped me . I quit it without any aids (other than this book), and am confident that I will NEVER go back to smoking.

The book basically talks about the mechanism of how every smoker, though wanting to quit smoking, keeps trying and failing, going back to smoking once again. It advises on how to break this chain, and believe me, it worked for me.
I have this ebook with me, and if you want I can mail it to you. mail me at the same ID (at yahoo.com) and I will mail the ebook to you.
All the best in your endeavour - together we can do it!!!!

Answer 9

Some say that the only way to quit smoking is to stop entirely.
My father did it. And so did his brothers.
But I don't really know. I smoke a pack a day.
I tried to stop myself but it didn't work. The longest I had been "smoke-free" was a week.

Answer 10

I hear ya I am on and off a year here a month there quitting but it does really help to use the patch and find something to do on your lunch break that will make you loose with a different routine it really helps. I have to do this again soon too! Good luck!