Has anyone here been successful at quitting smoking?

Question

Hi,
I am 24 y/o with 4 young sons. I started smoking off and on from age 14. I quit during all of my pregnancies b/c it made me sick. I also did not smoke during the time that I breastfed. Last December, I quit smoking again, only to start back up about 3 mos ago. This time, I am smoking about a pack and a half a day, and I am finding it VERY hard to stop. My husband smokes as well, so even if I go all day without a cigarrette, I smoke as soon as he gets home. We do not smoke around our kids, but the older boys see us outside, and it breaks my heart to know that they know what we are doing is bad for us. I stay home 6 days a weeks with my children, so stress is a big issue for me. Has anyone here had success in quitting smoking, and what are some tips?
Thanks all.

Answer 1

Just don't give up giving up!
That was me, it is all about method and what you know of your addiction.
The breakthrough for me is that I have learned that even if I lose a battle it doesn't mean that I am a no good, will lacking individual.
I got to the point that I toyed with the habit by starting again so I give it up another time, confront the monster and beat it again. And every time I stayed off it for longer, this year I am NOT going back to it but even if I do stay off 8 months every year it is still better than one cig after the other. You are doing it too. Keep on giving up.
It is a NASTY habit but it can be beaten. I have been off it since february this time but am still hooked on Nicotine and chew gums. In a month I'll give up on the gums and suffer another month (while swimming! it helps!) then I'll be free for the summer, same as the last 4 summers, then hopefully this winter I won't be an idiot again. Last winter was shorter though, I started chewing in february.
here is one excellent and free resource for giving up http://whyquit.com/ pass this link along if you can, these people won't even take donation so that's the least we can do.
Read it all and chew. Then give up the chewing, DO NOT think you can ever smoke just one. Be aware you will be addicted FOR LIFE, it just becomes dorment but one puff and you are back to square one. If that happens, next time you'll be BETTER equipped mentally to give it up, never think you are an idiot and no good at giving it up, just do not stop giving up and it gets easier to do. It's all in the mind.

Answer 2

Yes, I quit about 27 years ago. At least, that was the last time I quit, and I haven't smoked since. Most people have to try several times before they are successful. You already have the key ingredient: a strong desire to stop. Cut down as much as you can over the next week. Decide what day is your "No More Smokes" day, and do it. Drink lots of water, and begin a fitness routine for yourself that includes daily exercise. Walk, swim, bike, run, dance, etc. Do something every day for your own health benefit. And stay positive. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Think about your kids. Children WILL do what is modeled for them. Now go for it!

Answer 3

If you went thru the experience I have you would quit, altho I smoked twenty more years than you have..but I started getting a jolt pain from one arm thru my chest to the other arm,,so I cut back to a couple of cigs a day..went on for a month or so then went back to half pack a day..this cycle went on for maybe six months..then one morning in the bathroom..bam..a real hard pain hit me...I looked in the mirror and said, quit now or your pushing up daisy's....that was twelve years ago and I've not had one cig or desire since..I feel very fortunate to be here, the clean breaths I take are so great, a real good feeling not to be wheezing....plus everything smells so much better..some people don't get the second chance that Iam having..but I sure hope I've scared the pants off of you and you quit right NOW or your dead.. and that is permanent..

Answer 4

It's real hard.

If I were in your situation, I wouldn't be able to do it. Not with hubby smoking right there and cigarettes in plain view.

I tried to stop dozens of times, but there was always some kind of tobacco in the house. I'd even raid the ash trays for a long butt if nothing else.

The time I quit for good I took everything that pertained to smoking out to the dumpster and chucked it all in. Ash trays, loose tobacco, all my pipes, cigars . . . even the matches and lighters went.

I was desparate for three days, but got through it. The next 30 days were difficult, but after that it was smooth sailing.

Get hubs to stop with you. His support is a requirement. You won't be able to do it as long as he's tokin' away in the same room.
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Answer 5

i too quit smoking during my pregnancy. i didnt want my child to be around it at all after she was born either. you just have to think about what is best for your children. what will happen in 5, 10, 30 years when they see you with cancer or on a ventilator? this is only adding more un needed stress to your life. i know its hard, but you can do it... good luck!

Answer 6

Yes, many people have.

Thanks for asking!