Former Smokers: What is the best way to quit smoking?

Question

I've been smoking for about ten years. I feel like I'm way too irritable when going cold turkey, and the patches give me severe vertigo. What worked the best for you?

Answer 1

You started smoking because you wanted to, right? So now you stop smoking because you want to. When you started you most likely had to overcome some unpleasant experiences such as coughing, dizzyness, smarting eyes, nausea, numbness in fingers, not to mention spending money!... but it was exciting because it was new and it ultimately made you feel good/cool/belong to group/rebellious/grown-up.
Now, you want to stop, you will have to overcome some unpleasant experiences also, all quite tolerable to get to your desired destination of a non-smoker, and until it becomes a habit not to smoke. You've just got to go and do it.
Don't forget to have healthy snacks on hand and lots of fruit juice and water for the first week or so. Exercise and occupying your time with a new hobby or skill should replace your old smoking time.
Your success is sure if you get some powerful help, have a look here: http://www.quitguide.com

Answer 2

Taper off over a period of time. The amount of time will vary from person to person due to physical dependancy, habits and routines and your desire to quit. I found for me it was easier to keep cutting back, and when I was down to a couple cigs a day I was able stop completely. This took about 2 months.

Your concern shows the first step. Think of your health, the money you spend, the influence on younger people who are impressionable..........the list goes on. As far as withdrawl, this should be minimal with tapering off. You may need the help of nicotine gum, patches, ect., but should consult your doctor!!

The habit part is also tough to break. Minimize being in situations where you are exposed to smokers (bars, social situations, ect.). When the desire sneaks up, try a candy, snack, or whatever.

It's not as hard as you think. Sometimes thinking IS the hardest part. I smoked nearly16 years and quit before any consequences. You can do it too! After a few months, the desire should leave. Watch out for for social situations with smokers and drinking alcohol. Wish you the best!

Answer 3

First of all educate yourself about the effects of smoking. Yes. It seems trivial we all know how bad smoking is for anyone. Secondly, set a date for yourself to be a non-smoker and allow yourself to smoke as much as you want during the time until then. Thirdly, envision yourself as a non-smoker. Imagine how you will act. What you will do with your time. How you will spend the money you save. How will your life be different?? Picture it. Picture yourself happy being a non-smoker. Relax while thinking these thoughts. Then on the date you set. Throw out all tobacco and tobacco products. Also enlist other friends to help. Tell them of what date you will quit. Hopefully, your friends will be enthusiastic about the benefits to your health as well and support you. One other side note is there is a new drug on the market through your physician which will assist if you definitely need it. I would recommend that as a last resort. It is not wellbutrin it is another new one. Just whatever you do don't pick up that first cigarette. Do not allow yourself within an arms reach of a smoke. Good luck. I do wish you the best with your wonderful plan of change for your life.

Answer 4

I smoked for over fifty years. I smoked Camel regulars. The strongest cigarette on the market. I was hospitalized for a fever of unknown origin for a month and a half.around the fall of 1980. The Doctors kept asking me and my wife if we were sure that I smoked. Of course when I was sick I didn't feel like smoking. I stopped smoking about 10 or 11 years ago because I could no longer afford to by them. I just stopped smoking. I carried a full pack of them in my pocket so that I new I could have one if I wanted one. I carried them for about a month. I haven't had one since. I don't feel any better or worse since I quit. Sometimes I miss smoking and I can't stand all of this bull about what smoking does to your health.
My mother lived in an all smokers house all of her life she contracted Alzheimer's and died after chocking on some food at 90 yrs. old. I'm 72 now and the first time I've been to the doctor was last year I had an ear infection and suffered from vertigo. My wife of over 40 years still smokes. There hasn't been any cancer in our families. Now they (Texas Politicians) have put a dollar tax on a pack to help support our schools. When I started smoking cigarettes cost about 15 cents a pack. Now they cost almost 4 dollars a pack. I wish the doctors would admit that they don't know what causes cancer until they actually know.

Answer 5

If the nicotine patch gives you vertigo I would suspect that you're getting too strong a dose. Patches come in different strengths. You might experiment with a less potent patch if available or wear it for a shorter peroid of time or cut it in half.

Answer 6

just stop. Tell me why it is important to stop.