How do people, who have smoked for years, get up one day, and quit? Doesn't even seem to bother them.?

Question

then I try it, and try it, and try it again, and again. I fail. I've seen others do it, and act like it was just another day. Just wondering if maybe some people have more addictive tendencies, than others? I've heard psychologists mention it. But then I've also seen some people who quit for years, pick it right back up again. I guess it's kindof like an alcoholic, you can't have one drink, or you'll pick up where you left off. All it takes is one cigarette. Trouble is, I get my habit down to that one cigarette. and can't seem to let go. I've had people who never smoked tell me "so just don't smoke". SURE. Why didn't I think of that---like about 25 years ago!! When you smoke, it's connected to everything you do. I'm in a wheelchair, from MS, so I'm kinda stuck indoors, using the computer, or watching tv. I'm kinda limited to the physical things I can do, or used to do. So I smoke more than if I were busy doing something. How do you get past the cravings?? I just need some ideas..

Answer 1

You have to be mentally ready to quit. You have to do it for yourself, not for anyone else. I quit cold turkey 8 years ago. I just didn't want it anymore. For the people that have never smoked in their lives, they have no idea how hard it is not to smoke. Drink plenty of water, that flushes the nicotine out of your system faster, try hard candies, holding onto a pencil, the pencil acts like the cigarette, the habit may be more of "I don't know what to do with my hands" than the actual cigarette itself. Try to keep busy to keep your mind off of smoking. Good Luck! =]

Answer 2

You said that you can get down to that one cigarette but just can't seem to let go. You probably can sleep all night without waking up for that cigarette too. H-m-m, doesn't that sound a bit strange, if you can get by with just one why not none?

I smoked for 25 yrs. and desperately wanted to quit when cigarettes killed my dad. He was just 53, not overweight and had no symptoms whatsoever. Also, he was muscular and physically fit (on the outside). He didn't die from lung cancer, he had a major heart attack. The medical examiner called my mom and asked her, " was he a heavy cigarette smoker?" When she replied, "Yes" he said, "I thought so."
You see, he died from clogged arteries (arteriosclerosis) from smoking cigarettes for years.

I cut myself down to 1-2 cigarettes a day and one day I felt really bad after I smoked 2 cigarettes within 10 minutes time. I broke out in a cold sweat and felt like passing out. Even though I had smoked for 25 years, at least a pack a day for the last ten years, I suppose it was too much nicotine for my body in such a short time. I threw my cigarettes away and haven't smoked since, that was twenty-years ago. I don't even get the urge to smoke but I did once in a while shortly after quitting when I got angry about something.
Maybe someday they will make you feel so bad that you will cease enjoying them. That would be the time to quit and take up gum chewing instead.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

Get yourself a piece of paper and and pencil
Make a list of 25 things you dont like about smoking
Make a list of 25 things that you look forward to in a non-smoking life.
Look at those every hour or so.
Make a list of 25 things you fear will happen because you quit smoking - anxieties, etc
Make a list of 25 things you can do to counter those
(such as, recognize that this fear is irrational, and only an emotional response)
Make a list of 25 things that are triggers
Try to minimize those
Make a list of 25 things you can do when you have a trigger.
(such as, if reading the paper and having coffee are a trigger in the morning, go for a walk and listen to the news with headphones)
refer to these lists as often as necesary.
Keep the money you save to purchase small presents to yourself to honor yourself for doing well - something small, a nice dinner, a new magazine subsciption, etc.
Best of luck

Answer 4

the nicotine in cigarettes indeed have an addicting effect, to stop smoking after a prolonged use of cigarettes can lead to a withdrawal symptoms, and these could lead to a more severe cravings to smoke. it really depends on how strong your will is to stop smoking, plus you may compliment it with a nicotine gum to help taper the withdrawal symptoms. try the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire to determine your nicotine dependence. Visit also this website it might help you www.nicorette.com.ph

Answer 5

yes I envy people who can do that, its an addiction & the hardest one to concur, so I don,t have an answer for you, but if you find one, I.ll keep checking for answers to that one.