why is it so hard to give up smoking?

Question

Im ashamed to say ive smoked throughout two pregnancies (both children healthy and happy) but Im at the point now where I really want to stop, for health, social and financial reasons but I find the whole concept of not smoking really hard, and more so because I think I couldnt even do it for my children

I only want replies from people who understand the addiction, no anti smokers please

Answer 1

It's hard because it's not only physically addictive, but psychologically as well. That's why I really think (and no I don't smoke) people could come to a happy medium with smoking. We've put men on the moon. We CAN develop a safe cigarette. People who WANT to quit can overcome the physical addiction, but the psychological one is more difficult. People who smoke, LIKE to smoke. It's not all about the nicotine fix. From what I understand, it takes 48 hours for the nicotine to leave your system, and two weeks to break the PHYSICAL addiction. Still...smokers who have quit for longer than 2 weeks will take it up again. Why? Because after 20 years of having a cigarette in your hand while you drive...are on the phone...after dinner etc... you feel more comfortable going through the motions of smoking, including inhaling the smoke.

Answer 2

Well I am lucky, being a guy I can't get preagnant. I am glad your children are healthy!! Now that quiting smoking thing...I am trying. Actually doing pretty well. I haven't had a smoke in over 12 hours. I started Chantix about 6 weeks ago, after trying everyhting else to no avail. Unfortunately I had to stop taking it, two days ago, do to a side effect. I am hoping I can make it through the night without a smoke...I have downed a few beers...best time in the world to smoke. So far so good. Enough about me, just wanted to let you know I truely know what you are about to face. Try the Chantix if your insurance will pay for it. It has helped me more than the patch, gum, cold-turkey, or plain old will power. Good Luck and wish me the same!!!

Answer 3

I smoked during my first preganacy, ( she s ok). Then i saw how beautiful she was and how healthy, I diidnt want to press my luck the second time around so I actually quit with the second one, It was the hardest thing I have ever done, I seriously cried for 2 weeks everyday, i was a HUGE ***** and I got really depressed, had major anxiety attacks but after a month it went away and I was fine, Its the greatest feeling to not need a cigarrette. Stop saying you can't do it becasue you can, for yourself and for your kids, it just takes longer for some people, keep trying and never give up, just keep telling yourself you can do it and your sick of ciggarrettes having so much control over your life, i went to a website alot while i quit i think its called silkquit.net or org or soemthing but u can google it to find it, and theres other message boards for support, While your quitting always rememebr the feeling WILL PASS , they are only temporary, you will be sooooo happy when you do it and very proud of yourself. Plus you can always ask your doctor for help, so even if its just a thought right now keep thinking about quitting its the begining of actually doing it, I wish you lots of luck!!!! ohhh and i know this sounds weird, but i cant smoke when i have heart burn so i ate alot of spicey foods and orange juice, it helped sometimes

Answer 4

Some people are addicted to nicotine, some are addicted to habit, some are addicted to both. Did you know that the average smoker seriously tries to quit 7-9 times before they are actually successful? I know it took me 6 or 7 times. I smoked through my pregnancy as well, although not regularly or in quantity.

I found that I was not physically addicted to nicotine, but addicted to the habit. It didn't help that I was surrounded by smokers. The anti-smoking laws actually helped me to quit the final time because bars were the only place left as a meeting place outside of people's homes. I actually quit drinking beer for 2 years because I would crave a smoke when I drank one.

My method of quitting was first limiting where I smoked (I never smoked in the car when driving, so that wasn't a problem). Eventually, the only place left was my chair and I found something to occupy my hands after quitting (crocheting). Hey, it's tough, but it worked for me.

Answer 5

The tobacco companies have loaded cigarettes with fillers that are more addictive than the tobacco itself! It takes more than willpower to quit, however it CAN BE DONE! I have been told that the best way to quit is a three way approach:

1) nicotine gum and/or patch to help with cravings;
2) support group (in person or online to discuss strategies for what works and does not and gain important support;
3) create a goal that interferes with smoking habit, like beginning an exercise routine. It is not possible to smoke and swim at the same time.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Answer 6

I'm a smoker of 20 plus years. I did the NHS give up scheme at local docs (may not be available in your county) and it was good, I used patches and gave up for 5 months. The reason i started again was my partner still smoked and the temptation under my nose was too much (my own weakness).

You are an honest person - give it a go. When i did try it was not as bad as I originally thought (at least we dont go cold turkey!)

Try the patches and see if there is a scheme, where you do a weekly meet with others giving up. It helps.

Good luck - go for it.

Answer 7

Smoking is a hard addiction to give up. I'm sorry that you couldn't even give it up for your children. It's hard to give up because you hang around smokers that don't want to give it up. But I would suggest you get a good support system - people who are in the same situation as you are in. Someone that you can call when you are tempted to light up. I know it'll be hard, especially with 2 kids, but anyone can do it, you just have to accept the fact that it will be difficult. Just don't give up!!

Answer 8

Well, you answered your own question - smoking is an "addiction", and a hard one to break. Sorry, but I really am an Anti-smoker. I did smoke some in my youth, but was lucky to have kicked the habit before becoming very addicted. My dad however started smoking at about age ten, I believe, and he was hooked for life. He made several efforts to quit, but those little weeds were just so much stronger than him! :-(

Answer 9

Well, it is a powerful addiction, but I think that in some cases it goes deeper than the physical addiction but to a psychological need which drives us to things such as smoking. My cousin benefitted greatly from hypnosis. I do not understand how it works but I surmise that it addresses the underlying subconscious psychological need that drives you to smoking. All I can say is that I am glad that it helped him and if it works then you can't deny that.

Answer 10

The cirping is the result of either a bad detector or other problem. Try turning off the breaker that supplies power to the detectors for 10-15 seconds and turning it back on. If it was nothing serious then this should clear the chirping but if the noise returns you may need to replace the detector and if you need to do that i would suggest a hard wired unit with battery back up.