Any ex-smokers out there?

Question

I have made up my mind to quit smoking, however I don't think the "cold turkey" method is for me. I am wondering what worked best for you? Patch? Losenges? Other? Please be specific if possible. THANKS!!

Answer 1

i smoked 2 pks/day x 21 yrs and when i decided to quit ( my daughter was developing sleep apnea due to second hand smoke great motivator ) I think motivation is the best for success also I took a stop smoking class prior to quitting set a target date to quit learned methods to help with cravings and lifestyle changes ex: after dinner I would get up go for a small walk or do something busy so as not to fall into old habits of coffee and a smoke. good luck and remember even if it doesn't work the first time keep trying they say sometimes it takes a few try's..

Answer 2

I was a smoker for about 8-9 years and I quit cold turkey. I quit on January 1, 2001. I was preganant with my 2nd child and that was reason enough for me. I felt guilty about not comletely quitting with my first child and I was more determined to place a better effort with my second chance.
There are all kind of patches, gums, lozenges and other methods of quitting but I couldn't tell you what would work best for you. I think the strong will and determination you have also play a great part in quitting while on the other methods but the choice to go cold turkey is best rather than spend your money on gums and patches that will turn out to be just as expensive as smoking and may not even work. Why you want to quit, such as your health, finances or whomever for, you have to be the one to make it work. If you read the labels on the boxes they do say that it works best with will power.
I wish you every success and make sure you tell someone that you plan on quitting because then you will feel more obligated to reach your goal. Take tiny steps.
Cut out your usual first smoke of the day and replace it with gum or water and keep that up for a week-10 days. When you no longer need that morning cigarette cut out your 10 a.m break smoke and have a healthy snack instead again for 7-10 days or until the urge subsides. Continue the gradual process until the urges are gone and you no longer wish to smoke.
All the best in 2007!

Answer 3

I smoked a pack and a half to two packs of Marlboro Red for twenty years or so. I was definitely hooked.

I tried nicorette gum once and chewed so much my jaw hurt. I was able to kick the cigarettes for a year and half or so. A while later i tried patches, and those worked too. I think I quit for a year or so with those. Neither was easy and I struggled mightily a lot of the time.

What finally did it was the pill. I'm not sure what the "real" drug is called, (Zyban?) but my doctor explained that it's just an anti-depressant so he prescribed me Welbutrin, and that really helped do the trick on what is hopefully a permanant basis. I took the Webutrin for a couple of months before I quit, then, I set a date (The great american smoke-out, though i actually screwed up and quit a day early) and then on the appointed date I started wearing patches AND taking the Welbutrin. (I was able to wean myself off the patches much easier than the previous times). After a while I gave up the Welbutrin and I'm happy to say I haven't smoked in something like four years. In fact, it's been so long now it's hard to believe I ever smoked.

Take it slow, use the technology at hand (patch, pill or gum) and you too will one day find it hard to believe you ever had interest in cigarettes!

Good Luck!

Answer 4

To be honest with you I tried many methods before mine prevailed. I tried the patch, the gum, hypnosis even and nothing worked until I quit "cold turkey." The only reason it worked for me is because of self discipline....if I tried to "cut down" on smoking by limiting myself to a few a day but always had cigarettes within access I would just smoke as many as I want, Ihad no control over it.
With the patch I was always thinking about it because it was always on my arm...that didnt work at all.
The gum didn't taste very good (no matter what anyone says) and it made me want a cigarette even more (don't ask me why, it just did)
So in my opinion the only way to really quit is to do it cold turkey. Suck it up and just QUIT!
It's not as bad as you expect, just think about your health and the health of those around you. You will benefit from it on a huge factor, financially too.

Good luck, and just remember....YOU CAN DO IT.

Answer 5

I am a ex smoker who has been quit for almost a year. I have tried everything. You need to choose the method best for you but here are my expeiriences:
Patch: Works great to take the edge off but be prepared even with the patch on i still thought about smoking. Once i had my mind set and kept busy this is the method that eventually helped me quit.
Gum: I hated the chew, chew, hold technique you have to use. When i tried this i was so on edge all i wanted to do was chew chew chew ....... Plus it wasn't great in the mornings.
Pill: I tried the this but couldn't sleep at all.

The best thing is your mind set. I had to constantly remind myself that even one drag or smoke and i would start again. Then after a while (and no drinking because i am weak when i drink) i felt better and that was reminder enough.

Answer 6

congratulations on the decision to quit smoking. i quit smoking almost 3 years ago, and what worked for me was the patch. i went through all the steps (there's 3 of them) and was able to quit. i put on my patch first thing in the morning. you can wear it all day. it was the best thing that i ever did for myself. good luck!!

Answer 7

I used nicorrette gum and I haven't had a single drag off of a cigarette for over 6 months! If you have your mind made up, then you should be able to quit. It's usually the people who don't really want to quit that can't seem to do it.

Answer 8

I tried the patch and gum. Gum worked best for me because you could get nicotine whenever you craved it. The patch just gives you a steady stream that is not enough at times.

Answer 9

i smoked 4 10 years and quit cold turkey on sept 11, 2002. i can't believe i actually was a smoker. . my hubby smokes and it doesn't bother me being around it. i NEVER have cravings or anything... good luck it can happen... i tried about 3x before actually quitting

Answer 10

I've spoken to many a smoker and ex-smoker in my lifetime, and I used to be an occasional smoker. The ONLY way to do it is cold turkey. I'm not kidding, cold turkey is the most effective way with the lowest chance of relapse.