Quitting smoking!

[DriftingSand]

For those who are trying to quit smoking and for those who have quit but are finding it difficult, this thread could be a source of encouragement and support.

I smoked for over 40 years. On New Year's eve of 2009, I was watching t.v. and every time I had the urge to have a cigarette, I would sniff the cigarettes but not light up. I was determined to quit smoking the following morning, New Years Day.

The next morning, I went out for coffee at a coffee shop rather than having coffee at home. I did this every day for several weeks in order to break the habit of having a cigarette with coffee. I quit drinking beer altogether at home for approximately three months since beer and cigarettes go hand in hand. I did not substitute the cigarette with food or sweets and lost weight because I had so much more energy to do things.

I am now off the cigarettes for almost four and a half years.

Great news! I quit "cold turkey" after smoking a pack to two packs for about 10 years. I was a practicing alcoholic and drug user from my early teens until I was about 25. I smoked heavily during that time. I finally went to AA and quit drinking but I kept smoking for several years after that. One day, I just decided to quit and I did.

You're right. You have to change the habits that surround the smoking. You have to make a determined decision that the moment you think of smoking you go and do something else. Keep the mind occupied on some task. Next thing you know you've forgotten about the cigarette and realize that you didn't die or fall over due to not have that smoke.

After a week or two it starts to get easy. Now, the thought of a cigarette almost makes me sick.

 

[Katzndogz]

I quit for six years. After so long it wasn't that I wanted to have a cigarette. I just didn't like being a non smoker.

 

[Noomi]

For those who are trying to quit smoking and for those who have quit but are finding it difficult, this thread could be a source of encouragement and support.

I smoked for over 40 years. On New Year's eve of 2009, I was watching t.v. and every time I had the urge to have a cigarette, I would sniff the cigarettes but not light up. I was determined to quit smoking the following morning, New Years Day.

The next morning, I went out for coffee at a coffee shop rather than having coffee at home. I did this every day for several weeks in order to break the habit of having a cigarette with coffee. I quit drinking beer altogether at home for approximately three months since beer and cigarettes go hand in hand. I did not substitute the cigarette with food or sweets and lost weight because I had so much more energy to do things.

I am now off the cigarettes for almost four and a half years.

Well done!

 

[Noomi]

I quit for six years. After so long it wasn't that I wanted to have a cigarette. I just didn't like being a non smoker.

Why ever not?

 

[MHunterB]

I quit 27 years ago. I used the gum: the 'patch' hadn't been invented yet.

Some people have an easier time than others: it took me about six months to recover my emotional equilibrium. At some point, I just decided that anything I didn't like - sudden crying spells, confusion, snacking ad nauseam (literally!) - was 'fallout' from quitting and I was going to ignore it.

Every now & then, I find myself smoking in a dream - and wake up in a cold sweat. By now I've almost forgotten what I liked about smoking......

I can't imagine spending $6 or $7 a DAY on something that's making me sick...

 

[RosieS]

You know the liquid isn't really flavored right? When you vape it there's a taste but the liquid itself doesn't taste like candy or fruit. It's very bitter and makes you want to spit for 30 minutes or so. The bottles themselves are quite small with an eyedropper tip. That puts a real question on these reports that kids are drinking the stuff.

You know what?

Just for once, this is the one thing you can't make up excuses and lies about.

Just deal with the fact that smoking and ecigs are dangerous and harm people.

Just as soon as Ecigaretts harm someone I'll agree with you. After all its not like Ecigaretts killed anyone or put anyone in the hospital like marijuana does.

Really?

E-cigarette accidents prompt poison centers' warning

Poison is poison is poison.....

Regards from Rosie

 

[Noomi]

$6 or $7 a day is nothing - smokes are expensive over here and some people will spend $30 or more every day, and they are often the people on welfare, or the pension, and whinge because they can't afford food.

 

[asterism]

I smoked for about 25 years. I quit using Chantix and changed habits. I stopped having coffee in the morning a few weeks prior to my last cigarette on December 18, 2011. and didn't drink any alcohol for a month. I had quit before (8 months once) and had one cigarette when out with friends which got me back to a pack a day within a week so I made sure to avoid even one cigarette. I'd still have the occasional cigar (like maybe one a month) like I always had and it seemed like I was good.

I really missed the nicotine though. I was tired when I had a few beers at the casino, I'd fall asleep during football games (after tailgating), and wine at dinner was out of the question if I wanted to stay awake on the way home. So I gave up alcohol and I really missed that too.

At my wife's 20th reunion I ran into an old friend and just like that I was doing shots with him and having fun. He had an e-cig and I tried it. I LOVE my e-cigarettes now. It's all the stuff I liked about smoking with none (or very little) of the bad stuff. My doctor is quite happy with the situation because someone that really liked smoking was very likely to start back up according to him. So it's been almost 2 years and I don't even think about smoking a lit cigarette anymore. I can easily go days without vaping without any agitation or cravings. But it's there when I want it and if I go out to a concert or a poker game I'm glad to have the nicotine.

 

[Kooshdakhaa]

When I quit I set a quit date a couple of months out (the book I was reading said to set a quit date). So I thought about quitting for all those weeks. The night before my quit date I told my husband I didn't really believe I would quit. I was the kind of smoker who would light a cigarette before even getting out of bed in the morning. Had an ashtry on the nightstand. Smoking was the last thing I'd do before going to sleep, also.

But the next morning I woke up and remembered it was finally my quit day. I curled up in a fetal position. I couldn't get out of bed for a while because I wanted a cigarette so bad. But I made it. My husband continued to smoke, it was me who was quitting, not him. I made it clear to him that he didn't need to stop smoking around me. Each hour that went by made me more determined. I was amazed when I made it through the first day without smoking! And now it's 12 years and 3 months.

I remember a couple of years ago...my husband and I were working on something in the back yard and he was smoking. He needed his hands free and just on impulse he handed me his lit cigarette to hold for a moment. I stood there staring at the cigarette like it was an alien being or something. After he finished what he was doing, he took the cigarette back and said, "I probably shouldn't have done that, should I?"

But it didn't bother me a bit. It was pretty funny, actually. It was a real shock to find myself holding a lit cigarette after all those years. The last thing I wanted to do was take a puff of it! F R E E D O M!!!!!

 

[Katzndogz]

I quit for six years. After so long it wasn't that I wanted to have a cigarette. I just didn't like being a non smoker.

Why ever not?

Do I need a reason to meet with your approval? I didn't like it. I was not pleased by being a non smoker. After six years I said to hell with this noise.

 

[auditor0007]

I've quit smoking many many times......

The good thing about that is that eventually you will quit for good, even if it kills you.

 

[auditor0007]

For those who are trying to quit smoking and for those who have quit but are finding it difficult, this thread could be a source of encouragement and support.

I smoked for over 40 years. On New Year's eve of 2009, I was watching t.v. and every time I had the urge to have a cigarette, I would sniff the cigarettes but not light up. I was determined to quit smoking the following morning, New Years Day.

The next morning, I went out for coffee at a coffee shop rather than having coffee at home. I did this every day for several weeks in order to break the habit of having a cigarette with coffee. I quit drinking beer altogether at home for approximately three months since beer and cigarettes go hand in hand. I did not substitute the cigarette with food or sweets and lost weight because I had so much more energy to do things.

I am now off the cigarettes for almost four and a half years.

I am going on three years after having smoked for over 30 years. Last Thanksgiving I ran our local Thanksgiving Day 5K and came in fourth out of eighty in my age group. Now, I run 20 to 25 miles per week and lift weights every third day. I'm in the best shape of my life. Most importantly, I'm enjoying all the things that I can now do that I could not as a smoker. It's not just about living longer; it's about living better.

 

[auditor0007]

I quit cold turkey from a two pack a day habit back in 1977 when there were no patches, no gum, and no electronic cigarettes. It was not my first attempt, but I did it.

Just don't make excuses and do it. Just refuse to smoke another one.

I quit cold turkey, too, PredFan. No patches, no gum, etc. I tried quitting a good many times before I finally ran out of excuses.

I have never regretted it either. Occasionally I will have weird dreams that I started back up again, only to be depressed that I "couldn't do it" after all. Then I wake up, lol.

In truth, I've actually thought briefly about taking up smoking those electronic cigs. Only vapor, seems harmless.

I have those dreams too. I dream that I get caught sneaking a cigarette, then everyone is disappointed in me for seeing me smoke again.

As for those electronic smokes, why mess with them? Nobody knows what the long term consequences of smoking them will be, and you haven't smoked in years. While there is evidence that some people are using electronic cigarettes as a step toward quitting, there is also evidence that some people are staring out smoking electronic cigarettes and then moving up to the real thing. I see this as a big danger for ex-smokers.

 

[auditor0007]

In truth, I've actually thought briefly about taking up smoking those electronic cigs. Only vapor, seems harmless.

I have too thought about trying smoking the e-cigarettes but I think if I did, it would be too easy to start back smoking.

That is a huge danger. Once you get that nicotine back in your system, you will need to continue smoking again. Remember, nicotine increases dopamine levels. Once those dopamine levels become used to their heightened state, then they need more nicotine to stay there.

 

[auditor0007]

In truth, I've actually thought briefly about taking up smoking those electronic cigs. Only vapor, seems harmless.

I have too thought about trying smoking the e-cigarettes but I think if I did, it would be too easy to start back smoking.

I smoked since the age of 12, when I stole a smoke from a camp counselor. This was in the mid-50s, it was very easy to buy cigarettes (25¢) by saying "my Dad sent me to the store".

I quit several times and only once did it work - sort of. This was Schick Aversion Conditioning (puff/shock/puff/shock). I stopped for 12 years but I substituted with mountains of weed and other drugs that were smoked. Finally, I bought a pack and fr the first time in 12 years, my homicidal urges were quelled.

Exactly one year ago today, my friend and I went to a "Laser Therapy Smoking Cessation" plan. We lasted for 3 days and we then bought Ecigs and found they were more than adequate. We've never looked back, I can't even imagine smoking a real cigarette again.

I think to make this work, you must quit for 3 days until you start planning how to kill everyone you know. Then, start with a high nicotine content Ecig and work your way down in Ecig strength until you find your lowest level.

I had lost hope of ever quitting and the Ecig was the answer to my prayers for relief. I found where they are cheap and come in 4 different strengths. If anyone wants to PM me, I'll send you the link. I am NOT affiliated with the supplier.

Ecigs saved my life.

Not sure they saved your life, but they have to be better than real cigarettes. Maybe at some point you will be able to wean yourself off of these.

 

[auditor0007]

I have tried many times. It comes from within. You either really really want to...and can...or you really really don't wanna...so you lose the battle. I guess I really really don't wanna yet.

I started running and working out when I quit. Setting goals to achieve made quitting a necessity. Little by little I found I was enjoying working out more than I was missing smoking. It made quitting much easier. It still wasn't a cake walk, but it really was easier than I thought it would be, and I did quit cold turkey.

 

[auditor0007]

I never smoked cigarettes until I went to boot camp in July of 82, and because that was one of the few breaks we were allowed, I picked up the habit there.

Smoked anywhere from a half pack to a full pack everyday, but ended up quitting with the assistance of Nicorette gum when my OIC made me PRT coordinator, and stayed off of cigarettes for the next 3-4 years.

However............in '98 I had to go home for emergency leave due to the fact that my Grandmother was dying, and I had to go to her funeral. I was pretty upset over that (my Grandparents were the ones that raised me after my mother died when I was 8), and started smoking again, and went back up to a pack/day.

A few years back, I noticed that my teeth hurt everytime I smoked a cigarette, and I got tired of it one day and quit cold turkey.

Quitting using Nicorette gum is a good way to go, it eases you off the nicotine gently, but quitting cold turkey is the way to go, because the bad cravings only last for around 5 days, and afterwards can be fixed by eating a small bit of chocolate or sucking on a hard candy.

After you've gone for a month without cigs? You're gonna be wondering why you didn't do it earlier.

Good luck. I know it's a bitch to do.

I had tried and failed a couple of times before. I always tired quitting cold turkey. Day ten was my downfall. I would get to a point where I just needed one smoke to get me through. That always came right around day ten. Of course, I smoked one and then it was the whole pack and then I was right back to smoking again. When I finally quit, I hit that same brick wall right on day ten. This time I just did not allow myself that one cigarette, and within a couple of days after that things started getting much easier. Of course, what I found out is that it takes about two weeks for your dopamine levels to return to normal and for you to adjust to that. Once you have reached that point, the only urges you are fighting after that are psychological, because all the physical withdrawal is over. So, it's about two weeks you need to make it.

 

[auditor0007]

For those who are trying to quit smoking and for those who have quit but are finding it difficult, this thread could be a source of encouragement and support.

I smoked for over 40 years. On New Year's eve of 2009, I was watching t.v. and every time I had the urge to have a cigarette, I would sniff the cigarettes but not light up. I was determined to quit smoking the following morning, New Years Day.

The next morning, I went out for coffee at a coffee shop rather than having coffee at home. I did this every day for several weeks in order to break the habit of having a cigarette with coffee. I quit drinking beer altogether at home for approximately three months since beer and cigarettes go hand in hand. I did not substitute the cigarette with food or sweets and lost weight because I had so much more energy to do things.

I am now off the cigarettes for almost four and a half years.

Great news! I quit "cold turkey" after smoking a pack to two packs for about 10 years. I was a practicing alcoholic and drug user from my early teens until I was about 25. I smoked heavily during that time. I finally went to AA and quit drinking but I kept smoking for several years after that. One day, I just decided to quit and I did.

You're right. You have to change the habits that surround the smoking. You have to make a determined decision that the moment you think of smoking you go and do something else. Keep the mind occupied on some task. Next thing you know you've forgotten about the cigarette and realize that you didn't die or fall over due to not have that smoke.

After a week or two it starts to get easy. Now, the thought of a cigarette almost makes me sick.

It takes about two weeks for dopamine levels to return to normal. At that point, you are finished with the physical withdrawal.

 

[Noomi]

I quit for six years. After so long it wasn't that I wanted to have a cigarette. I just didn't like being a non smoker.

Why ever not?

Do I need a reason to meet with your approval? I didn't like it. I was not pleased by being a non smoker. After six years I said to hell with this noise.

I am not planning on condemning. I just cannot understand why someone would prefer to smoke and endanger their health, is all.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

I quit for six years. After so long it wasn't that I wanted to have a cigarette. I just didn't like being a non smoker.

Why ever not?

Do I need a reason to meet with your approval? I didn't like it. I was not pleased by being a non smoker. After six years I said to hell with this noise.

IOW, the cravings got the better of you.

I'm really not criticizing. I'm exactly the same way. If I were to smoke one now, I'd be right back to a couple packs a day in no time.

I remember reading where Judy Collins said that after many (don't remember exactly how many she said) years of not smoking, she still missed them. Day to day, I don't miss them but I still consider myself an addict.

OTOH, our cleaning woman smokes and I can't stand the way she smells. Luckily, that smell leaves with her so its not a problem. As much as I like her and the job she does, if that smell lingered, I'd fire her.

Years ago, at a business I owned in Denver. There was a woman who worked for me who would hang her coat or blazer outside the office because of the smell. Because I smoked at that time, I really didn't understand how bad it makes your clothes smell. Everyone was required to keep their desks clean and clean the ashtrays, coffee pot, etc and I always told everyone that she was not required to ever even touch an ashtray.