Any advice for smoking cessation for a guy who's tried everything?

Question

It looks like I'm going to have to try to quit smoking again. I'm 24 and I've smoked since I was 18. I smoke about 10-15 cigarettes a day and cigarettes have caused me to lie to my wife, who I love very much, about quitting -- multiple times.

Every time I've intended to quit and every time I've failed in a matter of weeks. I'm not a very strong person. I don't have a lot of willpower, and I can really only blame myself for this, I know. But that doesn't make it any easier.

I've tried gum, patches and cold turkey. All I can think about when I'm not smoking is going to a store and buying a pack. I'm a nervous person and all my co-workers smoke, which makes it worse.

Things I'm not willing to try are "alternative" methods such as hypnosis and herbal treatments. I also don't have time or money for therapy or support groups. More than likely, I'm going to try cold turkey again, so how can I make it stick this time?

Don't ask how many times I've tried to quit, because I really don't know. I've lost count.

I don't really want to quit because I like to smoke, but I know I should. My wife wants me to and I'm tired of lying to her about quitting.

I just wanted to add something about consequences and motivation. The bad effects of smoking and the health risks don't mean jack when you're addicted to something.

My dad has cancer. My wife's dad died of cancer. My grandma died of cancer. It doesn't matter to me. I'm addicted to a substance and I'll do anything and risk anything to feed the addiction.

My question is, how do I break the addiction?

Answer 1

OK...you know the statistics. First of all you have to WANT to quit. If you don't, you're wasting you time. I wish my hubby would quit, but he won't/can't until he's ready. I can tell you you're in a prime position to quit now before you really do damage to your body. Maybe you should visit a few cancer wards to get an idea of what you'll be in for later on in life, or heart units. I tell you, Dude...try ANYTHING. That is one of the most addictive substances (nicotine) around. Put a rubber band on your wrist and when you want a cigarette, snap it. Substitute the habit (and it is a habit also) with something else non-destructive. Get yourself some flavored toothpicks and chew on those. And STOP BUYING THE DAMNED THINGS! If you don't have them, you can't smoke. Imagine they quit making cigarettes. Put your $$ in a jar and have a huge party next year! You can do this if you really want to. Godloveya.

Answer 2

Had same problem when quit smoking. Also vegetarian for 20 years now. 2 QTs. water a day will help, (the kidneys will level out in about 2 weeks). Hawaiian spirolina will curb appetite. Like 5 caps or more a day. one salad a day helps. Biffodopholis at night just before sleeping. This is a big change in the body, give it a chance, be patient. It took ten years to get over the addiction. Cleansing the blood helps to get nicotin out of blood. Such as Pau d aucho teas, & robios teas. Stay away from night shades , such as egg plants, beef steak tomatoes, peppers.

Answer 3

Your problem is stated very explicitly, "YOU DON'T WANT TO QUIT." I don't think that this is going to happen any other way than when you decide that you've had enough of the negative consequences. When the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change, the change becomes much more likely. I would recommend that you start asking yourself, "how much will it take for me to get willing to quit, will I have to lose my wife? will I have to develop cancer?" What, exactly will it take for you. Or maybe you should start telling yourself that the consequences have already gotten severe enough, and it's time to get honest in what you do, instead of just offering lip-service to that wonderful principle of honesty. How's that?? I have managed to quit and I smoked two packs + daily. It is possible.

Answer 4

As far as quitting cold turkey, good luck!!
One thing you can try is to have something to chew on, or something to keeps your hands busy to help the habit part of smoking.
Myself, I also enjoyed smoking and did not want to give it up...but they have a new drug out there called Chantix. What it does it actually stop your brain from liking the nicotine. So that part was easy, the hard part again was the actual habit of smoking...hense, something to chew on and something to keeps your hands busy.
Most insurance companies will cover Chantix, if not you still buy it online, or straight out. It's around 130-150. Which seems pricey, but it's much cheaper than smoking. :)
Good luck

Answer 5

try nicorette chewing gum. and u might feel the need to smoke cuz ur mouth gets bored. so suck on sun flower seeds or something and also just tell urself its worth it. i know its probably hard but u can do it u might not have faith in urself but i'm sure your friends and wife does. and if it helps ne i do 2. also remember that you have a lot to lose from those cigarettes. plus i'm sure ur wife would love to smell something other than smoke on you when u get close to her.

-good luck ^-^

Answer 6

I have a friend who quit, by eating sunflower seeds. HONESTLY! That way instead of having a cigarrette he just had some sunflower seeds..in all different flavors. Its worth trying.

Answer 7

#1 Stop buying them!! #2 Find something else to put in your mouth #3 Find something else to do with your hand #4REALIZE HOW GOOD IT'S GOING TO FEEL WHEN YOU ARE FREE OF THEM!! DO IT FOR YOURSELF NOT YOUR WIFE OR ANYONE ELSE!!! THINK OF THE MONEY YOU WILL SAVE AND SAFEGUARDING YOUR HEALTH!!!!

Answer 8

Go to the hospital and look at lung cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, and emphysema patients - and imagine yourself having a hole in your neck trying to speak and breathe through that hole..

Or look at this cancerous lung..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Cancerous_lung.jpg