Question For Ex-Smokers?

Question

I have been wanting to quit smoking for along time now and I have tried and tried to but it is very hard!

I have notice in the morning it is very difficult.
Because I will light up not realizing it and then after lighting up I remember that I was going to quit that day!
My husband also smokes so they are always around!

I need some tips on how to quit.
I know what my triggers are:
~ First thing when I wake up
~ After every meal
~ Talking on the phone
~ Driving in the car (but not with my son ...The urge is still their though)
~ Before going into buildings (if I know I will be in there for awhile)
~ Anytime I see someone else smoking
~ Visiting family
~ getting stressed
~ getting excited
~ getting mad
ect...ect...ect...
The list goes on... But I WANT TO QUIT
One of the main reasons is for my son
I don't want him growing up thinking it's ok to smoke!
and it's taxing my health!

Answer 1

First of all - Good for you! The decision to quit smoking is a hard one. I quit cold turkey almost 5 years ago. Unfortunatly, cold turkey won't work for everyone. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a medication for you to help, or (this may sound strange) try a hypnotist. My boyfriend did it last year, and hasn't smoked since. You just need to find something that will work for you, but you've taken the first and most important step which is admiting that you want to quit, and that you want to do it for a good reason - your son. Your doctor or pharmicist may be able to give you literature or website links for support groups. Just remember, a smoke craving only lasts for 2 minutes. If you can take it 2 minutes at a time, you'll have it made. Good luck to you, and again congratulations.

Answer 2

It's hard to quit with another smoker in the house.

Fortunately my husband quit long before I did. When I did smoke I had only two places in the house that I allowed myself to smoke, the bathroom and the kitchen and I never smoked in the car so I really limited myself to begin with.

I used the patch, there was no other way for me. Knowing I couldn't smoke with the patch on helped a lot too. I started with the first patch which was way too strong...continued with the second, but never needed the third. By the third patch I had had it...I was finally finished with smoking.

You already have something going for you, you WANT to quit, that's a big plus right there. Some people would like to quit or HAVE to quit but they don't really want to quit and they never accomplish the task.

I can tell you that quitting was the best thing. I can breathe and laugh without coughing, I'm not chained to cigs...not needing to go buy a pack cuz I'm running out, my hair doesn't smell, my clohtes and house don't smell etc. It's great not needing to smoke!

BTW I quit over ten years ago.

Answer 3

I quit cold turkey after smoking for almost 12 years. I've been smoke free for almost 3 years now. It's an amazing feeling.

You really really REALLY have to want to quit. I used to crave and crave cigarettes all the time. Now, I look at smokers and I just shake my head. I can't believe I ever smoked. I can't believe people still do it. There's no point. It's gross. It's expensive. It's bad for your health, your family's health, and everyone around you. It's rude to people walking by, it's inconsiderate, and selfish. And, if you don't stop now, you could have SERIOUS problems that will hurt your family and your son.

Really, if you have that mind set, and you truly believe those things, and you REALLY want to stop. You can be strong enough to do it.

My husband and I quit together. We were there for each other. See if your husband can do it with you too.

Also, if you do light up that one in the morning and forget that today was your day to quit, just put it out and start from there. Don't think about wasting one or anything like that. Just put it out right away. And tear it up so you can't pick it back up and smoke it. Also, if you DO have one, don't give up and just say that day is shot and you will start tomorrow. Put it out and start now.

Another thing that helped me was getting active. I started signing up for 5k races and I started running and training for them. I'm not a runner, I'm not fast, I just do it to have a goal, something to work towards. I ran my first one in like 34 minutes. The second race I did, I shaved off a whopping 19 seconds. Each race I run in, I shave off a little more. Not smoking gives me the endurance to run farther, faster, and longer.

Also, remember that each day you go without smoking, your lungs are healing themselves. Each week, each month, each year you go without one, your lungs are getting closer to "normal" and healthy. Depending on your age, it may be possible to have completely healthy lungs again, but it takes A LOT of time.

You can do it! Just stay positive and don't give up!!! :)

E-mail me if you want to talk more, or if you want motivation. It sometimes helps if you have someone you "check in" with and tell them when you smoke, or when you don't smoke. Kinda like a sponsor. :)

Answer 4

Go see your Doctor and get a prescription for Chantix

I took it, I dont think it did a thing for me, and stopped taking Chantix after 2 weeks, but after paying to see my DR for the prescription and then paying $120 for the prescription, so about $200 total, I did not want to waste that money and put a lot of willpower together and have not smoked now for 3 months and 12 days.

Willpower is the key, and also telling your co-workers and family, "I will be a pain in the butt for the next week or 2, please understand and bear with me" .
Good Luck,

Answer 5

it is never easy to give up an addiction, especially nicotine. The bottom line is wanting to give it up enough. You make a plan....you get some nicotine replacement or you ask your doc for a prescription to help you with the craving. I wore a T shirt that I had made...it said "I am quitting ciggarettes, please don't give me one." People honored that request. So it was like I had an entire community helping me, even store clerks refused to sell me ciggarettes when they saw that Tshirt. It took me four months to get past the really hard cravings and habit, and now four years later, I still want the occasional smoke, but not bad enough to risk my life again.

Answer 6

i quit about 6 months ago and i used to smoke about a pac and a bit a day and how i quit was i started using this thing its bascily like a smoke it has nicotten in it and u inhale it but the hand motion is still there so its great if your a social smoker you can resuearch it more on the internet but i had to get a prescription for it but i really dose work GOOD LUCK

Answer 7

talk to doctor and get CHANTIX. i smoked for 19 years and got that and it worked. best drug out there. i can be around people smoking and it doesnt bother me a bit. i took the drug for 4 months. i stopped taking it about 5 months ago and still no cravings at all.

Answer 8

I found the easiest way was to restrict my access to cigarettes. I wouldn't go in to stores that sold them in the first place. It was a struggle and really took me about six months to finally quit. The biggest thing is to never stop trying to quit. Eventually you will succeed.

Answer 9

I quit by only smoking cigars or really cheap nasty cigs. You still get the nicotine but it is harder for you to smoke. Eventually you realize you do not want it.

Answer 10

The patch really helps. My friend has quit and its been over a month now and shes done great! She really doesnt have any cravings