Giving Up Smoking

[natalie_1982]

I am trying really hard to give up smoking, but am finding it so difficult.  I'm ok during the day it's between about 6 and 9pm that I have caved.  I'm not using patches or gum or anything as I only smoked about 5-6 a day anyway.  Anyone got any stories/ tips that will help me?  Many thanks.

[BenDToy]

When I first gave up I just concentrated on "now". Only 2 hours 'til bedtime etc. Also if I got a craving (which wwas almost constant initially) I imagined how I would feel if I had a quick one "just to ease the pang". I knew I would feel like sh*t, be disappointed with myself because I had caved in, and also would feel no better because I would just want another. That got me through the first few weeks, and then it was easy(er). The urges get further apart and less severe, until they virtually disappear. (I still get an occasional momentary craving but not often) That was nearly 4 years ago, and I haven't touched one since the day I gave up. In hindsight it was much easier than I expected, and also the best thing I ever did. Never once regretted it. I can now hardly believe that I used to do that, and I smoked upwards of a pack a day. Good luck and stick with it - it gets easier and easier I promise.

[BenDToy]

Sorry - something else I thought of. Change the routines that you associate with smoking eg if you had a coffee and a cig after eating, now drink tea, sit at a different place in the pub, go to a different pub, change your tipple, eat different food. This breaks the psychological link and should help.

[BigDogsWang]

I gave up on 2nd Jan after smoking 15 - 20 a day for the last 20 plus years. I want to kill someone! I tried it back in 2002 and managed for 18 months. God knows why I started again, but I did. The best thing is to think of all the horrible things about smoking first, then think 'do I really want one?'. Think of all the people whose life will be turned upside down if you die of Lung Cancer. My spur at the moment is my 6 year old boy. He often sees the adverts and then hugs me and says 'daddy, I don�t want you to die of cancer'. If that isn�t the best incitement, I don't know what is.

Good luck.

[Bangkok]

I gave up 15 months ago, using patches (20 a day for 20 years, and yes, I was underage when I started).  Even with patches, I had to constantly remind myself why I was doing it.  I pictured my wife's disappointment if I started again.  We agreed to try and start a family and smoking was not part of that!

Changing routines helps (I avoided the pub). It does get easier, a little at a time.  Even now, I have no physical cravings, but I do sometimes see someone smoking and thing, yup, I fancy doing that.  Then my wife's disappointment (and to be honest, my own) looms large and the craving goes but the desire not to smoke is still there.

 

Good luck, and imagine what it is like not to smell of smoke.  It was a revalation for me!

[klinedancer]

I gave up 11 weeks ago (30 a day for 30 years) am still finding it difficult, but find sipping flavoured water helps, apparently the times you most crave one is when your blood sugar level is low, I bought some glucose sweets and suck one of those when its really bad. I enjoy going to the pub and sometimes a passive whiff of someone elses cigarette assuages the craving, not the best idea but it works for me, The only downside at the minute is I've put on a stone in weight after struggling to keep my weight down for years and its quite depressing even though Im purposely trying not to overeat, and am exercising more, but even though you're not eating more your metabollism slows down and oyu gain weight anyway, ( any one got any tips for weight loss)

[El D]

you need to put things into perspective really. at the moment you consider yourself a smoker trying to quit -the result is you will always be fighting your self perception. Also, thinking of 'quitting' immediately puts the wrong spin on your efforts as the intimation is that you are making a sacrifice, which you will instinctively fight. Instead think of it as releasing yourself, freeing yourself from a dangerous and harmful addiciton. Imagine yourself drowning in smoke, then breaking the surface and gulping in fresh air. Associate negative feelings with smoking - think of something which disgusts you and bring it to mind whenever you feel like smoking. As for your self image, why do you want to be a smoker? Why do you smoke? Until you really confront these issues you will always be fighting urges. If the necessary motivation is there you can quit easily. No second goes, no lapses, no urges. Because you do not want to smoke. Try and bring out your personal motivation.

 

p.s. saying you are 'trying' to quit is also wrong. you have either quit or you have not. the only person who wants to carry on is you. deal with this to succeed.

[hugoboss]

Natalie - I totally agree with El D - this is the way I managed to stop last year. You really have to want to stop for a start, if you dont want to, you wont stop. Secondly, have your 'last cigarette'. This is very important that you have this last cigarette, and whilst smoking it, think very carefully about what you are gaining from smoking this fag, and how you felt before you had it, how you will feel afterwards, how you will feel in an hour etc, plus the damage it is doing to your body.

Smoking, and being 'addicted' to smoking is an illusion in your mind. I strongly believe that if you can 're-tune' your brain into thinking you dont have to/want to smoke, you will be able to stop properly. This is how i stopped. no patches, no cutting down etc. Just had my 'last fag', and never looked back. It's all about reconditioning.

Good luck, and if you are struggling, i can highly recommend Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking. Try the book, and if that doesnt work, try going to one of their smoking sessions.

trust me, it's worth stopping. One year on, and i feel great. you wont regret it!

[Ewood27]

The nicotine in cigarettes is a highly addictive drug, and to get it you also have to take in carcinogenic tar, carbon monoxide and all the other nasties.  It also makes your lungs less efficient and makes you, your breath, your clothes, your car and your home stink.  Nice, isn't it?

 

You have to beat the nicotine addiction and the habit.  Your addiction shouldn't be difficult with your smoking pattern, but in my experience the habit is the more difficult.  I quit after smoking for 50 years with patches which killed the nicotine addiction fine, and an inhalator (dummy cigarette) with menthol cartridges to give me something of the rasp down my throat.  A year down the line I still use the inhalator at times, but increasingly rarely.  I have to admit I could kill for a fag sometimes, but I know that just one would send me back down the smoking road.

 

I also think of all that lovely money I'm NOT paying in tax!

[Merlin]

natalie_1982

I've already replied to your later question on murderous rages.

El D has made the excellent point that you should now consider yourself to be a non-smoker. It helped me. It's the reason why you won't light up the next one you want - you don't smoke. You're not trying to give up, you're not a smoker who wants to stop - you are someone who does not smoke.

I think that cold turkey is the best way to go. No gum, no patches - well done and keep it up.

I've just passed 6 months now and it definitely gets easier.

[janoel]

Dear Natalie

I gave up smoking two years ago after smoking 25-30 a day for more years than I care to remember.   I had to have help ie group therapy plus patches.    The group therapy was great and I made some good friends there including a lady of 73 who had already had a lung removed.  At home it was more difficult, so I knitted a giant cigarette which kept my hands occupied - despite me not liking knitting at all.    I now use this as a draft excluder and of course it's a reminder of the difficult days.    I also got through many sugar free lollipops.    Giving up was not easy but well worthwhile and I feel so glad I have given it up and so do my family - I know they are really proud of me.    I wish you every success and remember the desire to smoke only lasts a few minutes each time.