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My resolution for the new year is to quit smoking. I have been doing well all day but I do have my cravings. Any advice to help the cravings?
Please note I do realize that I will have cravings and withdrawels from quitting, I am just looking to make this a little easier.

2007-01-01 09:25:38 · 11 answers · asked by Stephanie D 3 in Health Mental Health

11 answers

Nicotine is the least of your worries and definitely not the only addictive substance in cigarettes. Carbon monoxide makes you high and it is one of the most addictive components. There are many others. Science has chosen to focus on one.

The trouble with this mindset of avoiding cravings, avoiding nicotine, etc. is that it induces an 'away from' motivation, which is much less effective in real life than a 'towards' motivation. Think of the following: if you focus on 'quitting smoking' what are you thinking of all the time? What word is in that very phrase? That's right. Smoking. And the very thought, perseverated upon like that over and over and over, will of course induce what you perceive to be cravings.

Focus on the positive. Focus on what you are doing FOR yourself. Focus on breathing fresh air, on becoming healthier, on tasting your food better, on having more energy, saving money and actually putting it away to do something very special with for yourself, on how much better sex is (if this is appropriate to your situation). You see, become a breather of fresh air has many many positives that far outweigh any challenges you may have along the way.

Breathe deeply. This is something positive that previous habit actually helped you to do. Breathe through a straw for a time if it helps you to have something to do with your hands. Better yet, get youself a 'salt pipe' (you can order it from the u.k. or get it off ebay) and use it. This is a simple device that you breathe through (though called a pipe you do not light anything) for 15 minutes a day. It contains salt that was formed centuries ago within the earth and the minerals in this salt help to heal the serious damage that your former behaviour caused in your system. The cost is around $50 U.S. but the contraption lasts for 5 years if you continue to use it.

You can do this. I know you can. I used two packages a day of that substance you used to use and I have been free of it for over 5 years now by becoming a seeker of the good things in life.

2007-01-01 09:45:42 · answer #1 · answered by Samslou 3 · 0 0

First of all, I want to congratulate you on this decision. I too have made this my New Year's resolution. My husband and I actually decided to do this together because we thought both of us quitting would be more effective rather than having the constant temptation around. We are using the patch which comes in different strengths depending on how heavy a smoker you are. It is working very well to control the physical withdrawal. I have heard behavior health experts state that it takes 28 days to break the mechanics of a habit. That is probably why the patch and other nicotine replacement products work so that you are not dealing with the physical addiction at the same time as the psychological addiction. There is no shame in using something to help the process. Getting support from others who are kicking the habit and understand where you are coming from is probably also a good idea. Good luck and keep on keeping on.

2007-01-01 10:03:12 · answer #2 · answered by Jennifer C 4 · 0 0

Smoking is one of the most difficult habits to give up. I quit 4 years ago and I'm not sorry. I quit with the patch and my husband quit with the chewing gum. You may find you need neither some people can pick up a pen and doodle their way thru their cravings. Everyone is different you need to find your crutch and use it thru those first few weeks. It is very hard but keep up the good work it really is worth it honest!! If you fall off the wagon please don't distress just get yourself motivated again and go back at it. Whatever you do.....DON'T QUIT QUITTING!! Good Luck!!

2007-01-01 09:37:16 · answer #3 · answered by MsCatie 3 · 0 0

What worked for me - was to see how sad/pathetic it is to smoke. It's a mental image on the street to see a large person helplessly sucking on a little small white stick. Being controlled by the little stick. And that image helped me quit, because we are stronger than a little white stick. At least I think so.

The reward is so worth it. Clean lungs, no more coughs, don't smell, perfume works better, no more dry skin and yellow nails, no more mints every 2 seconds, save money, no more emergency run for cigs.... think of all the good stuff. It helps too.

The weight gain and withdrawals are given. Pat yourself on the back for acknowledging it.

2007-01-01 09:58:54 · answer #4 · answered by Cappuccino 3 · 0 0

try contacting tobacco control they helped me quit also here is a site that has tons of info and other ppl that quit and a chatroom which is great to keep hands and mind busy best to quit cold turkey 3 days out of your system and then you just have too keep mind occupied try chewing gum and squeezing toys to keeps hands busy also PLESE do quit i had no choice ended up with asthma which you dont want Good Luck & Happy New Year!

2007-01-01 09:33:59 · answer #5 · answered by Leveler 6 · 1 0

I suggest the patch. It worked for me. I am clean from cigs for 9 months now and not looking back. I used the 2nd step patch full strength for one week,leaving them on for two days instead of one day , then cut the patches in half for two weeks, then cut them in half again for another two weeks, by the time I was finished I was a nonsmoker. Good luck. its nice to be able to breathe again.

2007-01-01 09:29:04 · answer #6 · answered by ye old basher 1 · 0 0

Try Nicotine gum or a nicotine patch... it's extremely difficult to quit cold-turkey. Seriously, get on one of those fast.

Best of luck to you.

2007-01-01 09:27:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

pray to god everyday for support to fight off this temptation,do something else like a new hoobie or a job so it will help you to get your mind off to smoke anymore,you can may also excerise to get the cravings off of your mind also, and do it with someone that you trust with so that person can help you too.

2007-01-01 10:55:45 · answer #8 · answered by Ugly George Bush 3 · 0 0

its not difficult , and duhhhhhhhhhhhhh, nicotine NICOTINE GUM , KEY WORD NICOTINE, as george lopez would say "its tha same sh.." wut you want to do is actually quit cold turkey ,dont listen to tha looser's who are still coughing up a lung ,because you may get to that point to if dont quit ,chew regular gum its way cheaper and everytime you crave a deathstick chew gum ,and keep your mind on other things like wut are you going to wear ,clean or cook while chewing gum ,trust me it's all about keeping the mind occupied with other things

2007-01-01 10:38:21 · answer #9 · answered by luvsgateway 2 · 1 0

quit smoking

2007-01-01 09:26:56 · answer #10 · answered by Smiddy 5 · 0 1

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