How did you do it??

Question

I have given up smoking 2 weeks ago after 23 years smoking, is there any ex smokers on here who can give me any tips/advice on
how to stay a non smoker, how long it took you to "GET OVER IT" and stop the craving and what did you do to take your mind off smoking when you really wanted one??

Oh and forgot to ask how long was it before you could have a drink of alcohol without wanting to smoke 20 cigarettes with it!!!

Thanks

Did anyone else feel upset??

I know it sounds stupid but i do actully go through periods where i feel upset about it!!

Answer 1

Hi

Well done !
I too gave up in December 1996. Here's how I still am, and always will be, a non-smoker : BE STRONG ! Grit your teeth !
Every minute of the day is difficult, as you have to live it without the cig that used to go with it - the cig on the way to work, the 10:00 am cig, etc.
BUT YOU CAN DO IT. You are now a non-smoker. You must have that first drink down the pub without a ciggie - it ain't half hard the first time. So do it again the next evening. And the next. And the next. It won't be easy.
It took me about 3 months to get to the point where it was easy; now, 10 years down the line, I support the anti-smoke ban !!!

Come on friend, get out there and DO IT !

Answer 2

Well done you! My father is on my case all the time about giving up smoking - he's an ex smoker himself - and one of the ways he did it was break the routine. Like if you usually have a smoke after dinner, go for a walk around the block and everytime he wanted a smoke he drank a glass of water instead. Its just breaking the cycle and trying to keep busy. You've come this far, keep going - the first few days are the worst and you are over that so don't give up giving up!!
I'll give up soon too!!!!!!

Answer 3

i only smoked for 7 years, but i gave up on the 1st January 2007, and what helped me was the little book for Allen Carr's easy way to stop smoking. its blo*dy brilliant, it makes you feel sorry for other smokers as they are still controlled by cigarettes and it makes you remember all the reasons as to why you quit.

There is no deadline as to when you wont crave one. but a fact is that nicotine only stays in your body for 21 days, no matter how long you have smoked for. so physical withdrawals only last 21 days, after that its all in your head and the habit. so you just have to tell yourself that its your brain and its a trick, try chewing on normal gum and the craving goes, cravings only last on average for 3 minutes. thats another fact. DO NOT use those patches as you only have to withdraw from them and it will take longer.I used patches for the first 3 days then i just stopped. if you read that book by allen carr you will reailse you can do it and you are doing it and you will never want to smoke again.

oh and well done. x

Answer 4

I smoked and when I wokeup in intensive care after 10 days to find my throat slit ear-to-ear to remove my larynx due to cancer I never smoked again. There really wasn't any desire to after that and I never used a patch then or any tranquilizers.

I used to drink coffee everyday and there was nothing better than to have a cup of coffee and a cigarette. Without the cigarettes, there didn't seem to be any point in drinking coffee anymore so I quit that too. And you are right - to drink a cup of coffee made me THINK of smoking so it was better not to have the coffee.

It's been a few years now and I drink coffee now and then like at a restaurant or when I am visiting somewhere and I'm fine. There is no desire to smoke.

Answer 5

I'm planning on giving up before June when the ban kicks in. At the moment, if I'm going out with friends that don't smoke, I find that I don't even think about it. I've also noticed that there are a few bars that have already ban smoking. Maybe you should meet you friends there from now on. If you don't see people smoking the chances are you won't feel like one.

Well done - hope you keep it up.

Answer 6

Its natural to feel upset cos you are grieving for your habit which you did for a long time! I don't think you ever really get over it. My husband talked to his father on his deathbed and the old guy said he really fancied a ciggie even though he was dying of a smoking related illness and had given up years ago. Read Alan Carr's book - not sure of title 'How to give up smoking' or something, its really good. Easy way to give up smoking, thats what its called.

Good luck,

Faith

Answer 7

I quit smoking cold turkey. Just don't ever think about smoking worked for me. As for alcohol, I drink it maybe 4-8 times a year max.

Answer 8

both me and my partner kicked the habit new years eve and I've missed it so bad.
i found keeping myself busy(which isn't hard with 4 kids lol )helped and drinking a glass of water every time i wanted a cig was a great idea as a cuppa tea makes me want to light up.
we now save around £70 a week not smoking and are saving up for a holiday woo hoo
so with the money your saving get out there a treat yourself
well done your doing great

Answer 9

Cold Turkey in September 2004.

Didn't have a drink for about 5 months.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 10

I gave up in a similar way.

I read a book called Quiteasy by Jamey Ambersold and always remembered one line from it:

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS JUST ONE CIGARETTE

Have just one you will start again, justifying each one and soon becoming just as hooked as before.

Good luck - Keep it up!