Have you given up smoking or thinking about it?

Question

I'm giving up smoking for lent but I hope to quit for good. Are you a former smoker who has quit? If so, how did you cope with quitting. Are you thinking about quitting? If so, have you failed before and what made you start up again?

Answer 1

I smoked for most of my life. I started at 11 and quit for good at 29. It wasn't easy. I changed all of my habits and kept myself distracted doing other things. I cut back first by not smoking in the house or in the car. Those were the 2 places I smoked the most. Then after a few weeks I quit all together. I quit probably 6-7 times before it stuck. I had to avoid drinking and going to bars too for a while, since that was another place I smoked a lot and I had a hard time saying no in the bar too, so I just didn't go. Not that I went to bars a lot anyway, but I knew if I went there it would be over for me. For whatever reason alcohol and smoking just seem to go hand in hand. Even people that don't smoke seem to smoke when they drink.
I was told that a craving for a cigarette last about 5 minutes. So I figured if I had a craving, if I could occupy myself for 6 minutes I would be OK. My last cigarette was July 27, 2005.
If you quit and end up smoking again, don't beat yourself up. Just take note of what made you start again and avoid it the next time you quit. Every time you quit gives you more info on why you start and makes you better prepared to avoid them the next time. People stop and start for all kinds of reasons. It is a very powerful addiction. It's not just physical, it's psychological too. A lot of people turn to smoking when they are stressed. Before you quit, make a plan. Decide now, before you are stressed, what you will do to cope. Call a friend, or play a game or write in a journal, or whatever helps, but find an alternative to smoking and you've won half the battle.
Good Luck to you!☼

Answer 2

I gave up 3 and a half months ago, and still going strong despite my friends' disbelief, shock and teasing.

Sometimes, when I pass the shop I used to buy from ( Quite near my college) and when I am not doin anything, Or when weather is especially nice, I sometimes feel that twinge,if you can call it, but I am better at blocking it away now.

My time with my family ( No one else smokes (or drinks, for that matter)) and jaundice helpedme stay away, and now I think I am free. Strange thing is that the very guys who asked me to quit still smoke ( once or twice a month, ) and that's when I really feel like smoking, but I don't want to go back to a packet a day, and that's where I will go, if I smoke even a puff. So I stay clean now.

The fact is, I can't smoke moderately, I did it quite a lot during my exams last sem, and my friends got really afraid for me , and started feeling guilty for what " they had turned me into ". While they didn't feel the urge, Smoking 3-4 cigarettes a month, I was buying packets every day.

So I had to quit, and I did. Surgeon's knife is the best I think, No weaning off slowly for me . ALthough I did chew up quite a few of my pencils in despair. and ate a lot just to keep my mouth otherwise occupied. But I won't smoke again, cos If i do I'll be walking into the same trap thrice. And that's not done, is it? Its now become more of a matter of honour, now.

Answer 3

I gave up 12 weeks ago - I was a 30 a day smoker and I feel a lot better for giving up.

I started wearing the patches, but in that end I kept forgetting to change it so I gave up with them.

The thing that I find that helps is reminding myself that cravings are just that - cravings. And they do pass, quicker than you think. I hardly have any cravings now. Although the cravings can be awful, they go and when they do go, you'll feel brilliant for not giving in.

Well done on giving up for lent, thats a great idea. Remember to keep a note of how much money you've saved, I've saved over £650 so far! Good luck :)

Answer 4

For me, smoking really started as a social thing and then it became a habit--hop in the car, light up or go out to a club, light up. You may also notice that some employers will allow a smoker to have a quick cigarette, but where does that leave NONsmokers? Granted, I was only a light smoker (maybe a pack a week if that), but it's easier to kick the habit if you aren't around others who smoke. Some people start smoking when they are younger to look cool or tough, but look around at all the older people who smoke like chimneys--all dried out and wrinkled, raspy voices, stained teeth and fingers--not attractive or cool. Now I really dislike getting someone else's smoke in my face. I feel healthier and realize that quitting was a pretty small sacrifice in the scheme of things. Good luck.

Answer 5

I gave up in August last year, no patches, just willpower. For the first week or so it was rough but I gritted my teeth and focused on how good I would feel by overcoming the addiction. Two weeks later it was like I'd never smoked! I had exactly 8 cravings, and I can remember each one! :-) The hardest part was going out with my mates (who all smoke) and saying no. When my mates, who knew I was trying to give up, offered me a cigarette (trying to be funny) I accepted it and snapped it in front of them! They soon stopped and it made me feel better! lol!
The first thing I noticed was the extra money I had. Saving about £60 a week really shows on your statements! Also, I felt better, not just about the sense of achievement but I wasn't out of breath after climbing stairs etc.
Whats weird is that even though I don't get cravings and am really pleased I quit, I do sometimes miss it!
Anyway, best of luck with your quitting, I'd highly recommend it. Just focus on what it will be like when you finally have quit and take it one day at a time!

Answer 6

I did, cold turkey and its the best thing I ever did. As well as smoking I smoked about 10 joints a day too, so I had double the effort, but I'm so glad I did. I wake up in the morning, I don't have that horrible feeling in my mouth, My clothes don't stink, my hair smells good, my friends and family are happy, I have an amazingly large amount of money available now, I don't panic in the small hours that I'm heading towards cancer, I feel healthy.

It seriously is the best thing you can do and pretty soon you stop thinking about them. Lent should be long enough never to go back to them again.

Answer 7

I quited years ago. After many unsuccessful attempts, I finally did it. The method cold turkey!

It was the pitts for the first few days, probably the first week. The second one was easier, and after a month it was even easier, and I just keep on my effort till it got very easy not to smoke.
(I do crave for a smoke sometimes, but every time is less and less and easier and easier).

I felt sick, dizzy, like vomiting, had nightmares, insomnia, was chemically unbalanced at first, but after a few days I began to regain control of mi body.

I am so happy I got ride of the ciggies now! I feel much better ,a m healthier than ever and because of improved health, could exercise more and enjoyed it, so I actually lost weight, he, he.

Make your best effort. Try whatever you need, it will be hard at first, but you will gain so much soon that it is worth your while.

(if you fail, no problem, do not be to hard on yourself, it is not easy. You can try again anytime)

All the best in your effort!

Answer 8

I think the ones that go cold turkey have the best results because it shows you really wants to quite smoking, That's the key! Wanting to. I quite 2 years ago and I smoked 2 packs a day. Never fault better in my life. Good luck.

Answer 9

Gave up last June, cold turkey. Hubby gave up 14 months ago, he tried patches but ditched them and went cold turkey.

Best thing we ever did, money-wise. Now we're spending it all on gym memberships trying to lose all the weight we've gained.

Seriously though, it was the best thing we did from every aspect. Assuming you are in the UK, you might as well do it before July. And if you can do 40 days, you can do it forever. Good luck x

Answer 10

I gave up at new year. cold turkey, have had one cigarette since (was very drunk), had a drag last week and nearly threw up! It was so horible and i never want a cigarette again!!! i don't know hy but it seems relatively easy, i have givn up before and was smoking 20 a day once upon a tim but this time i really think its going to work. i guess its because i actually don't want to smoke now, none of my friends do, smelly, bad 4 health etc. the reasons i failed to give up before was because i didn't actually want to give up and just did because it was bad for me etc. now i actually want to. that's the difference.

this answer seems 2 b a little long winded- sorry.

good luck with giving up