I have been awake for 2 hours and today is the first day of quitting "cold turkey". I usually smoke a pack a day and I've been smoking since I was 19 (now 22). Does chewing gum really help? What else can I do?
2006-12-15 00:23:57 · 23 answers · asked by PlasticTrees 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Keep your mouth occupied. Chew gum, suck on a lollipop. After the first couple of weeks, it is a psychological dependency only.
Congratulations on deciding to quit!
2006-12-15 00:25:59 · answer #1 · answered by duritzgirl4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my father quit, he was 50 and had been smoking since his early teens. He would eat a cough drop whenever he got the urge to smoke. He said it reminded him of how badly he coughed while he was smoking, which killed the desire. And the physical cravings will go away soon--it takes about three days. Then what you'll need to fight are the psychological cravings. If there is a certain place, or there are certain circumstances under which you smoked, try to avoid them if you can or substitute something else. Take up some kind of hobby that keeps your hands busy, so you don't always feel like you need to have a cigarette between your fingers. My husband said he had the greatest motivator of all--he had a heart attack at age 46, and quit on the spot.
2006-12-15 08:47:08 · answer #2 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are my oldest sons age.....oh to be young again.... I'm knocking on Bday door #44. Ive been smoking for......A LONG TIME and the older I get, the more I wish I'd never started. Personally, I've quit many times and started up again.
Remember these 'MOST CRAVED CIGARETTE SITUATIONS'
1. SMOKING WHEN DRIVING/RIDING IN A MOTOR VEHICLE
2. LIGHTING UP IN A BAR
3. HAVING A CIG BEFORE MEAL
4. HAVING A CIG AFTER MEAL
5. (after sex)
6. THE 'GO BACK TO SLEEP' SMOKE
7. THE 'I NEED A F--in' CIG NOW BREAK
Last but not least.....
8. THE 'GET OUT OF MY FACE' CIGARETTE
Just quit now, when its easier. Every time I try to quit , these are the 8 different times I do my best to avoid lighting up... .and...... I'M STILL A SMOKER!!!!
I am thinking about trying again... soon.....but I have to be ready... to commit to it.
THE CRAVINGS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE, no avoiding it.... OCCUPY YOURSELF whatever it takes to not grab that cigarette.
2006-12-15 09:32:39 · answer #3 · answered by momzilla 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chew gum. Listen to calming music. Gently breathe in and out for a few minutes concentrating on the fresh air. Go for a walk or do some other exercise. Good luck! I quit years ago. It can be done. The withdrawls don't last long. Within 72 hours it is over. Then it is all just psychological.
2006-12-15 08:30:07 · answer #4 · answered by YahooGuru2u 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chewing gum for me only made me hungry. First, be sure you change your other "smoking habits", too. Like don't sit in the same place you normally would have a cigarette, like after a meal or when you get stressed. When I got stressed about it, I'd go for a walk, or drink a big glass of water. Just change up your routine. Good luck!!
2006-12-15 08:36:39 · answer #5 · answered by Tweet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To avoid craving for cigarette, you should try not to have lighters or matches.
Chewing gum?, it can really help you avoid smoking. I suggest you eat first class chewing gums. Gums that are very expensive, i mean EXPENSIVE. Think about it, its a big waste if you will spit them out.
I also suggest that "smoking = bad breath, makes you a bad singer"
having bad breath = no friends, no lovers ^^
just think positive things if you dont smoke.
2006-12-15 08:31:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dad smoked for 40 yrs. and quit cold turkey. He tried gum, candy, eating peanuts and snack stuff in small to moderate amounts. He finally resorted to sucking on a toothpick. The sucking made him feel like he had a cigarette, but he didn't light up. October 6th was 20 yrs. off of them for him. It'll get better, I'm told. Don't give up! Make that your Christmas / New Year gift to you. Happy Holidays to ya!
2006-12-15 08:30:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have received some really stupid responses here so I hope you read mine. Buy a bag of "peppermints", the white,hard ones. and keep a bunch in a baggie with you at all time. It is a well proven fact, that peppermint has some adverse effect on the craving. Go get yourself some now, and stop suffering. Good Luck and Merry Christmas and by the way, I am So,So, Very Proud Of YOU!
2006-12-15 08:50:51 · answer #8 · answered by peaches 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a deep breath. Maby a few times till the strong urges pass. Keep telling yourself that you hate smoking. You will convince yourself they're no good and you will lose alot of the urge. And tell yourself you will not have a cig today but you will have one tomorrow. And just keep doing that. Don't replace it with candy or whatever cause then you will gain weight. Just buckle up and keep saying no. That is what I did when I quit. Be strong, you can do it. Wish you the best of luck,and health.
2006-12-15 08:28:40 · answer #9 · answered by btyboo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
drink lots of water and chew gum. Keep yourself busy and off the computer. I find that people who sit at the computer tend to have more of a tendency to smoke
2006-12-15 08:25:44 · answer #10 · answered by Ruth Less RN 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋