Giving up smoking

[TEAK36]

I have now been a non smoker for 5 days,and I am feeling completely shattered.My body aches,I am tired all of the time,and I am finding it difficult to concentrate for long periods.Is it normal to feel like this? I am tempted to go back to the ciggies just because I feel so naff,not because the cravings are overwhelming.I am using the Nicotine chewing gum at the moment,could this have anything to do with it?

[Jaybee]

Poor you. :( Kicking an addiction is hell, isn't it? I felt awful for a while when I quit smoking, (15 years ago now!) but it's worth it in the end. Keep strong!

[brawburd]

Completely normal and not to do with the gum - your poor body is just withdrawing ... stick with it! My friend is also trying to quit and is seeing a "nicotine cessation counsellor" through his GP, which he finds helpful.

[Cetti]

Well done Teak! I'm coming up to 4 years now without a ciggie and I echo Jaybee and brawburd - keep going, and when you feel as though it's all too difficult just stop and imagine the alternitive!!

I chose not to have any 'help' whatsoever except family support because for me it would have meant replacing one prop for another, however if the gum is working for you keep at it. Something that may be of help is when you come to an 'automatic ciggie' time - that is after a meal, with a coffee or any drink etc. try and change your routine or surroundings slightly so that the ciggie visualization is removed.

Good luck, you'll be fine - come back if you need any more encouragement :-))

[darth vader]

keep going keep going! i have done 16 months now and it was the best thing i ever did. the first 6 months are worse for health problems, it is true you feel that maybe it's better to start smoking again so my advice is live with the colds the coughs the wieght gains the cravings etc and just look forward to being sooooooo much healthier in 6 months time. I'm planning to run a half marathon in the summer - no chance a few years ago

[sft42]

You have just given up a drug which has a higher relapse rate than cocaine and heroine....it's not easy...I stopped cold turkey and never bothered with gum or anything like that, but I would urge caution on those as I did have a friend how became addicted to the nicotine subsitute in the gum!

[BenDToy]

Well done Teak36. Keep it up, it's worth it in the end. I stopped almost 3 years ago, and I can say I never once regretted it. I would say that after the first 3 weeks or so it actually got easier. The "urges" to smoke became less and less frequent after that, and lasted less time, and by about 6 months or so they virtually disappeared. BTW I still get an occasional pang, but not a problem. My tip for not going back is, like Cetti, just imagine how you would feel if you lapsed and had a cigarette. I reckoned I would still want another one, feel awful, and all the previous effort would have been wasted. I would also have to face all the people who knew I had given up. Good luck, and deal with one day at a time.

[TEAK36]

Thank you all very much for your responses and support,it is much appreciated.

[stuck]

keep at it - midway as i had given up my 40 a day habit came across a book by alan carr - reading it kept me on the staright and narrow just as my willpower was tested. That was almost 20 years ago - good luck to you

[gazzawazza]

Being a non-smoker I can't really imagine how hard it is to give up but I would like to add my words of encouragement to the others already posted. Don't give in, the feelings won't last forever and every day you're one day further away from being addicted. Good luck.

[Janetex]

Yes, it's normal. KEEP IT UP - i recently failed and shall have to start all over again :(

[abfandango]

I gave up years ago, it was only when Nicotine came onto the market that I had the crutch I needed to give up. If it's any help, the habit effect and the craving all start to go downhill til they're really next to nothing, every day you go through without one, the easier it gets. It's obvious fromt the tone of your question that you have set yourself up in the right frame of mind. I was very lucky when I was giving up to have as my Uni tutor one of the best health psychologists in the country! The research is very clear, but not common knowledge. You need intention (you must want to give up). But you have a 40% higher chance if you have PBC also (Perceived Behavioural Control). You must actually think that you CAN give up. You can manipulate this. Write yourself an essay on why you CAN give up and how well you have done so far. Avoid 'smoking' places like the plague. Drink actually increases the craving. Don't go pubbing/clubbing. Ditch all your smoker friends (temporarily). Throw out all paraphenalia.