friend trying to quit smoking...?

Question

first off, please don't give me any DUH answers: smoking is an addiction, so even though someone is aware of the the dangers caused by smoking, it's not that easy.

that being said, any suggestions to help a friend who's trying to quit? it's really important to her, so i want to help in any way i can. i believe she's looking into the patch or the two-step program, but i didn't know if anyone had helped a friend get through this before, successfully. thanks!

Answer 1

I found the patch to be really helpful. But after a few weeks, I had a reaction to the adhesive in the patch, and had to stop using it. I switched to the gum and used that for a short while. From there, I was able to just stop using the gum after a week or two.

It's helpful to remember that the urge of the moment will pass, whether or not she smokes a cigarette. And that your body starts recovering from smoking within a couple of hours of your last cigarette. After a while, she will not ever want one, especially when her sense of smell returns and she notices how bad (smoky) most cigarette smokers smell (you don't notice it yourself when you smoke).

Don't help her too much ... just as much as she needs. Don't keep bugging her, give her room to go through the process. She may smoke once or twice during the process ... it's ok, as long as the habit isn't reestablished.

Answer 2

I prefer natural remedies when it comes to quitting smoking. Using the patch or pills will treat the physical addiction, but the oral fixation and emotional ties to cigarettes are the most challenging to break.

Some suggestions are:
-chewing straws
-chewing gum
-exercising to relieve stress and avoid insomnia
-rewarding yourself for every successful day without a cigarette
-daily affirmations that she is succeeding in her goal and she is doing the right thing.

-putting money in a jar that would normally be spent on buying packs of cigarettes is also a good motivator.

Best of Luck!

Answer 3

I quit after a 27 year habit, COLD TURKEY. That's how I always recommend doing it--patches and pills are nothing but a crutch, and I believe they prolong the agony.

Tell your friend that she should wait out every craving--tell herself 5 more minutes, and then get busy--before she realizes it, THIRTY minutes have passed.
Drink lots of water, chew lots of gum, and cut straws into cigarette length and chew or inhale on them.
She has to be very determined if she wants to succeed.

Good luck to her, and you can help by distracting her when she craves a smoke--drag her out for a walk or something!

Answer 4

My dad used to wear a rubber band around his wrist and pop himself everytime he had an urge.:(

My parents found that hypnotism was fairly effective, and Welbutrin seemed to boost my self-control.

Make sure you have lollypops, hard candy, or something to chew on, because that's the habit she's trying to break, putting something in her mouth.

If you need me, e-mail me. I nursed my too-young mom while she died of lung cancer. The details would keep anyone from smoking, I think.

TX Mom

Answer 5

Tried everything, the only way is to stop completely without ever picking up a cig again is will power!! not wanting to start again, its hard but worth it for your health.

Answer 6

just stay with her for a while and make sure she doesnt smoke and if she tries to then just take it away from her and ya get the patch

i hope she stops :)