Tell me how you, a long-time cigarette smoker, quit--please?

Question

I don't really need to hear from cold-turkey quitters--we are speaking of someone who has been smoking for over 40 years--'cold turkey' would definitely bring withdrawal. Thanks.

Answer 1

any time you quit, be for forty days or forty years, you are going to experience withdrawal, how severe that withdrawal is depends on what sort of aids you use to help you quit. There is nicotine replacement in many forms available. Personally, I used Commit nicotine lozenges, they do not completely get rid of the withdrawal symptoms, but they definitely make them bearable. The worst of the physical symptoms will pass after about three days, from then on it is all about the hand to mouth habit, so I keep alot of sugar free hard candies around to satisfy that habit without gaining weight.

Answer 2

I'm going through the same thing. I've "only" smoked for 10 years, but I can't do cold turkey - it lasts a few days and then boom, I'm back at it.

I've tried patches, gum, etc. but in my opinion, the way these people stay in business is because they don't work!!! So you keep buying mroe and more.

Have you heard of Chantix? It is a newer perscription my doctor gave me. I haven't filled it yet, so I can't speak personally on it, but it has a 70% success rate, which according to my doctor is like 3 times more affective than anything else out there. Insurance doesn't cover it, which sucks, but the price is equivalent to 1 pack a day and my pharmacy (CVS) is going to let me pick up half now and half later so that I can cut my cost.

Anyway, check it out. My doctor explained it to me, and I'll try to reiterate it here as accurately as possible :)

I guess this drug attaches to your nicotine receptor in your brain and basically tells your brain that you don't need any nicotine. You know when you smoke too many cigarettes one night and you start to get nauseous from smoking so much? Apparently, every time you smoke you're going to get that negative feedback and thus, not want to smoke any more. Withdrawl is supposed to be highly minimal with this since your brain thinks you have all the nicotine you need. The main thing you're goign to be fighting is that psychological urge to smoke, not the physical addiction.

God, I sound like a spokeswoman!! ha!

Anyway, good luck - keep me posted - I understand what you're going through and it sucks!!!

Answer 3

I quit after about 37 years. I had tried to quit for years but failed each time, but I've been smoke free for about 2 and a half years now. This, in a nutshell, is how I finally did it:

First, for me, there were no drugs, patches or the like. If you are going to quit you are going to have to do it yourself. Take control of it all yourself. No help from anyone else.

You have to find out how to deal with the emotions at the various stages after you stop. So, stop right now. How long can you go? What can you do to make it longer? Activities? Thoughts? Go even further. How does it feel? Force yourself. Really force yourself. When you feel as though you can't possibly go any further and you need a smoke or you will die, go ahead and have one. Smoke half a cigarette. That's it.
Now, keep trying to cut the number of cigarettes you smke in half. Go another day or two. Try it again. Go as long as you can, and find out what it feels like. What are you going to do about it? How are you going to fight it and get over it? What did you learn from the last time you tried and what did you do to go further this time?
I can tell you what I did, but that would be useless for you. It only worked for me and will change for each individual. Play with the feelings.
I did this for about 90 days (any longer than that and you're just playing with yourself), then quit for good. That's it. 4:30pm on March 24, 2005 was my last smoke. At that point it was pure will power and I was not going to let this thing kick my butt. I kept telling myself "there's no such thing as just one more". I must have told myself that a million times. Now, I still think about it and my doctor says I probably always will.
Believe me, you will feel so much better you won't believe it.
Do it.
Never quit trying. You'll get it!

Answer 4

Hi,
I have had success lately with my patients whom I have put on
Chantix the new drug. Have the person talk to the primary care as this seems to be an option that is working.
Tough for current smokers as the cigarettes now have up to 20% more nictotine in them than 20 years ago. Almost insures that they will stay addicted.