quitting smoking?

Question

Have you ever tried to quit? and what worked for you? i smoked for 19yrs and put the patch on 9/13/07..does the urge ever go away? what are some things i can do to replace smoking..seriously, please? i'm doing pretty well so far, and i don't want to backslide.

wow..you guys are all great! thanks for the support, i mean it, thank you so much. when i asked this question i was wanting one pretty bad and reading your answers helped me get through it. these are all best answers..so im gonna have to put it to a vote. again, thank you all sooooo much!

btw, ima punk, i am only 34..lol, but you're right, best thing is never to start. it was the dumbest thing i ever did.

Answer 1

oh my friend decided to quit smoking
she just said "tomorrow I won't poison myself"
we thought she's joking.....
but she quit...just like that....

Answer 2

Honestly, I have never smoked in my life, unless you count second hand smoking. Anyhow, I've had several addictions before that I myself am working on, and the tips that I have been using are pretty helpful. Anytime you get an urge, you must automatically take your mind off of it and do something else. Anytime you see a cigarette laying around, you must totally get yourself away from it as soon as possible, or just destroy it as fast as you can. Also, what has helped me is to exclude and separate myself from other's who have my addiction ,or promote it (if you get what I mean). You must also hang out with other friends or peers who do not smoke, it will lessen the urge to do so. Remember the bad effects smoking have have on your body, and make it a routine to remind yourself of those bad effects. Know that you have a problem, accept that you have a problem, then deal with that problem. If deep down inside you feel what you've been doing is wrong, like how you have now, the next step to do is change. Keep yourself away from public places which allow smoking if possible, and if it's too much of a hassle get yourself some psychological help wouldn't hurt any neither, although I know I wouldn't want to do that no matter how much of a bad condition I'm in. Try the patches and just keep your mind off of it, but also make sure everything is alright by your doctor, because sometimes some of those methods may not be so healthy depending on your body type and several other minor factors. I know you can do well, just stay strong, positive, and control your mind. I will list several sites that you may have some use for, so here they are:
http://www.smokefree.gov/
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Guide_for_Quitting_Smoking.asp
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/smokingcessation.html

Answer 3

Good for you. I've never smoked, but my father did for 30 years. He lost his lifelong best friend to lung cancer in 1980 and threw his cigarettes out of the car window on the way home from the funeral. He hasn't picked up a pack since. He does say that the urge is still there, even after all this time. But he really wanted to quit as was dedicated to his decision and I think that is why he was successful. He did eat more and gained about 30 pounds (but honestly, he needed to).

There is a product you can buy called "Light Free", it is a smokeless - fake- cigarette which you hold in your hand and mouth and puff on. I always thought that would be a way to keep the habit, but not the harm of smoking. At least until you get a handle on things. I have a link to the website here for you:

Good luck, keep up the fight.

Answer 4

I am soooo happy to hear that you quit smoking. I've had tons of loved ones die from it. My dad's death has altered me 4ever..Lung Cancer. I quit with Nicorette Gum. It was something that I felt I could manipulate. When I'd normally grab a cig. I could grab the gum and I felt like i was still at least "dealing," that way because nicotine was my coping, "skill," at the time. Exercise TOTALLY works. If you're not the type to get too intimidated, the harder the cardio you do (meaning you should really be breathing heavilly) the more endorphins your brain will emit. Those natural , "Happy pills," are a far better substitute than smoking cigs.. We have just recently been able to pinpoint the endorphins from MRI technology so we finally have proof that exercise is an antidepressant and an anti-anxiety aid. Also try 2 notice in advance situations that may trigger the urge (as a friend would do for you) so the urge doesn't sneak up on you. For instance if you usually smoked when you did something prepare yourself. Remember that the first few times you do things w/out cigs may be difficult...first time at the beach,first time home from a 1st date, etc.This is when the urge may really blindside you. The urge absolutely goes away. Give yourself a couple more days before the urge calms down a lot.You can do anything for 2 days especially when it's something that will save your life.After about 3 weeks the urge was completely gone (or down to a fleeting thought once a week).Keeping yourself busy may help as well. If the craving comes back that badly, get on Wellbutrin which is an antidepressant often prescribed for cig withdrawl. It's side-effects are often a tiny bit of weight loss and a higher labido. Getting on a med is not fatal. Cigs are. I had a counselor suggest taking up another addiction/passion that's not fatal. E-mail me if U still have trouble because I have a handout somewhere I can e-mail you as well. You can do it. If my chain-smoking a_s did so can you...Oh and write down, "I don't want to smell like an ashtray. I don't want to make my family suffer from dying of lung cancer. I don't want to die of lung cancer bedridden and just waiting for my death. I don't want to have to hide it and be ashamed of myself anymore. I don't want to spend 50 bucks a month on cigs". etc. Rewrite the list whenever the cravings come.One third of smokers die from lung cancer. If you knew 1 of 3 guns in front of you were loaded would you risk it and pull the trigger? You can do it. I quit 10 yrs. ago..All my friends quit. You'll be fine...Oh and Nicotine Anonymous meetings are free (1 dollar recmmendation per meeting) and are a phenomenal resource. You'll be with people who are as focused and committed as you! Some will be new and scared like you and some will be veterans.

Answer 5

All of my uncles and dad quit smoking. They decided to go cold turkey. It's hard at first because you still get those urges, but after a while it slowly dwindles. Hang in there. You can do it. =]

Try chewing gum. I heard that works for some people. Or maybe giving yourself a reward for everyday you do not smoke. Those patches vary for different people. It might work for someone else, but not you.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Every day will get easier. I had a teacher who smoked for a really long time. He hadn't smoked in a cigarette in 15 years, but still found himself reaching in his pocket or holding the chalk like a cigarette. You may still have habits, but the craving will go away. You haven't been wearing the patch for very long, so it may still be hard for you, but you're doing a great thing for yourself. Good luck!

Answer 7

If you're serious, there is a new perscribed medication called "Chantix" that has a very high success rate in quitting. Talk to your doctor for a trial.

Answer 8

Wow ur old!Jee Wiz.I never smoked.The best thig is to never even start.Get into the habit of chewing gum them you wont smoke.

Answer 9

You need something to replace the addiction. Try working out or something else to relieve the stress.