What are your best tips on quiting smoking?

Question

I know I am going to quit smoking. It seems like just when I think I am going to be able to quit, something changes in my life and I fall right back into the usual routine of smoking. What are some ways that some of you have successfully used to quit smoking?

Answer 1

This worked for me, tough it out for three days without smoking then start smoking again but don't light the cigarette and just puff on it anyways. You lose the nicotine in three days, smoking is the number 1 psychological addiction. If you puff on a non-lighted cigarette it just seems like you are smoking ultra lights.

Answer 2

As many have already stated; be supportive and patient. He is not only quitting cigarettes, but the nicotine the body now craves. Keep plenty of celery, carrots and other snacks around and don't be suprised if you see him holding a celery stick like a cig. There are all the physical habits that are associated with smoking that will need time to disappear (the lighting of the smoke, the disposal of ashes, the ashtray routine, and of course the purchasing of cigs to say the least). Generally, it takes over three weeks for a new habit to begin to replace an old one. No matter what you are dealing with; cigs, alcohol, and any other addictions. Be aware of the times when he would normally smoke (as soon as he gets in the cars, right after a meal, when stressed, etc.), and help find a replacement activity that will ease the lack of those activities. There will also be a grieving process that will take place. The 'loss' of an old friend. Increasing physical activity will get the brain and body working to combat the stress and side-effects of the body beginning to detoxify from nicotine. Remind him of the many rewards he will obtain: better health, less smelly clothes and breath, and of course all the money spent on cigs. Maybe suggest you take the money and place it in a 'non-smoking party fund' and find a way to celebrate when he feels he has truly kicked the habit. Best of luck to your husband. Be his strength and understanding and he will never forget your actions.

Answer 3

Just realise that it is an addictive drug just as bad as say heroin. Everyone knows someone that is tore up from being a long time smoker. Let that person be your inspiration. Think of how it has effected them when you want to light up.Tell everyone you know you are quitting that way you will look like a failure if you don't. Set a date a month from now and think of it no more until that day comes. Don't taper off, cut down, or use gum or patches just go cold turkey. That's exactly what drug addicts have to do and rember this too is a drug. You can do it.

Answer 4

I smoked for 15 years and quit about 19 years ago.

First thing I did was go to the Seventh Day Adventists church and joined their "5 day plan to quit smoking" I don't know if they still have it, but it was awesome. I'm not a member of that church, but they were really terrific. Its group-therapy oriented and that was a big help to me. The best part was watching all of these confirmed smokers nearly dying by the third day. I decided then and there that I never wanted anything to rule my life the way smokes ruled theirs.

Here are a few of the things they taught me:

First. Do it cold turkey. It will be horrible. Read through the pain and remember how hard it is to quit. Never-ever forget that. Don't rely on patches or other crap. They just prolong the cravings. Within two weeks they really do start to wane. But you really have to give yourself that two weeks of pain

Two. You can never, NEVER have so much as a puff of a cigarette again. You are one cigarette away from being a smoker. Remember how much you enjoyed it (I still miss it), but know that you can never enjoy that again. Its now in your past. I actually dream sometimes that I started smoking again and I wake up so angry with myself. What a great feeling to know it was just a dream.

Three. No alcohol or caffeine for two weeks after you quit. Avoid acidic drinks, colas, tea. Lots of plain water. Nearly drown yourself. No spicy foods for two weeks, minimize salt.

Four. Avoid going to bars for a while. At least several months. Take long walks. Lots of exercise too.

That's all I remember. I stopped going the third day - after I saw the lady who's face is forever imprinted in my mind. We were being asked how we were doing after three days. I said I was doing ok (I wasn't really). This lady looked at me with a hatred that I could never imagine and snarled: "well YOU didn't smoke for twenty five years"

Do it. You won't regret it.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I quit using a combination of nicotine replacement (patches) and drug therapy using Zyban. The Zyban was amazing - it really did greatly reduce my urge to smoke.

Check with your local hospitals; many of them have smoking cessation programs, or they can refer you to them. Also you can check with the American Lung Association.

http://www.lungusa.org

Good Luck!! As you know it's very hard but you can do it!! Don't give up - if you fail keep trying! If I can stop, anybody can.

Answer 6

If you REALY WANT to quit you will. That is part of what it takes. For me, I told myself extremely strongly internaly, how absolutely bad the cigarettes were for me. I told myself that all the time. . anyway before long i just couldnt smoke anymore nomatter how much I wanted to cause they would make me sick. Just make sure you realy want to quit, you have to be REALISTIC with yourself and not beat your self up for the individual cigarette, but smoking at all, while not letting that be an excuse to smoke "just one". Its all choices. Now I have to warn you If you tell yourself they are bad for you they will be. If you tell yourself they are Super bad for you, they will be much worse. So set a course to nocotine freedom, unleash you inner repulsion towards smoking, and enjoy your new sense of smell and taste and lack of need for somthing thats gross and expensive and degenerate.

ps once you have quit dont be high and mighty to others who have not quit, you have to let them smoke unless they ask for help like you have here. dont judge them or yourself for not interfering with their smoking. Your already there, and in 21 days your cravings will be significantly reduced.

Answer 7

i just quit , so i know exactly how u feel. i just try to calm myself down when things r gettin hard. at night time i find myself snackin on sweets. i let myself eat the sweets but i walk when the weather is nice. i have smoked only 1 cig and that was cuz i was soooo incredibly stressed out. i just wouldnt let myself buy more though. all this started right b4 halloween and it is still hard but i really try to beat the temptations. email me if u wanna be a ex-smokin buddy of mine. :)

Answer 8

i smoked for 5 years and when my husband i decided to have kids we decided to quit and we went cold turkey but that only worked for about 5 days then we wanted to kill each other. so we decided to keep a pack in the freezer and only smoke when something bad happened. in the mean time we kept suckers in the house. we found that when you really want one you suck on a sucker because it always keeps your hands moving and you can hold it like a cig. after a while it worked for us and now i am smoke free and my husband only smokes cigars on special days, but when something happens that;s really bad, sickness in the family( great grandma reciently went into hospital and we thought she was going to die), car accident (don't ask) or the like. for us it worked wonders!! hope it helps you!!

Answer 9

If you don't buy them, you don't have them to smoke...........resist the urge to but them.......that's the first step.

cg

Answer 10

GOOD QUESTION. IF YOU FIND SOMETHING THAT WORKS LET ME KNOW WOULD YA?