2006-10-27 14:40:01 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
Quitting smoking is a great opportunity to learn about ourselves, as you have already observed.
Congratulate yourself on having the desire to stop - then 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. Beware - alcohol will weaken your resolve.
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.
After we have stopped for a while we will begin to feel that just one wont to any harm.
All that leads to is a desire for just another one. We must guard very strongly against the desire to have just one.
2006-10-30 18:28:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my experience, hypnosis is most effective. Next most effective is NicAnon.
Patches and gums tend to be only temporary relief for most smokers. They often go back to smoking when they go off the patch or gum.
There has been some promising research with Ibogaine, but I don't know if it's generally available in the USA. Zyban is some times prescribed by doctors, and it can decrease the desire to smoke, but for some heavy smokers, that's not enough.
For the psychological part of the cigarette addiction, it is important to have social support (like Weight Watchers for losing weight), which is why NicAnon is good, but it can just be friends and family who know you're quitting and are willing to check in with you regularly or be available for emergency contacts.
2006-10-27 21:53:01 · answer #2 · answered by Mark S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Really want to. Don't just say you want to, mean it. Hypnosis seems to work well according so some. In my case I cut down over 4 days and then had every one around me try to protect me. I avoided bars for a while(before non-smoking was around). It took about one year for the cravings to stop. Don't eat to compensate because a) you'll gain wait but more important you need to break the hand to mouth habit as much as the nicotine habit. Good luck!
2006-10-28 00:46:33 · answer #3 · answered by janina storm 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there are many ways it's up to you how u want to do it
make sure if your on the patches you don't lite a cigerete, you could over doces and mostlikely end in the hospital....
1) using the patches
2) the gum
3) when u have a craving u would eat a mint or something you like.
4) ask your doctor.. what's best for you...
you will only stop smoking when your ready to.... when you could fight the tempations.....Good Luck!!!
2006-10-27 21:51:41 · answer #4 · answered by lovargirl158 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cut a straw the same length as a cigarette and suck on that instead. It you are used to menthol, try the same approach with a minth in your mouth. Of course, I can't help you with breaking the straw habit! Good Luck!
p.s.
The first 3 weeks are the worst---it takes that long for the nicotine to get out of your system
2006-10-27 22:12:22 · answer #5 · answered by 2exite 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get your doctor to prescribe CHANTIX..new stop smoking pill..it cost about 170.00 per month..insurance usually will pay for it..I know people who smoked 1 to 2 packs a day are on have been on it for 30 days. and they swear by it..Go on chantix.com check it out...Pfizer drug company makes it...Good Luck
2006-10-28 18:50:25 · answer #6 · answered by flashrtp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just do something to distract you and the desire to smoke will pass shortly!!
2006-10-27 21:48:19 · answer #7 · answered by xxl0v3f00lxx 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have some chewing gums with u n take it whenever u feel like smoking.
and of cos,you have to be strong in terms of will power(:
2006-10-27 21:47:50 · answer #8 · answered by fab_piyo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cancer cures smoking....
2006-10-28 07:38:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
eat lot of bananas
2006-10-27 21:48:13 · answer #10 · answered by kclynn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋