I must quit smoking for New Year. Could someone please help with suggestions. I have tried everything. Thanks.
By LISA MCGARRY from MS
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Dear Lisa, all I can say is, throw them away, and decide what is more important, breathing, and life, or spending money to shorten your life. In 1997 my first husband died, after 39 1/2 years married. He had been a smoker for almost my whole life with him. At one point I decided (in frustration) "i must be missing something", and started smoking. That lasted several years.
When he died, I gave myself several months to "level out" emotionally, then my 2 1/2 pk a day habit stopped, cold! No patches, no "help", just got rid of them, and did not look back. Yes, I was smoking that much, and yes, I quit cold turkey. Life is much more valuable than the smell, staining, and lack of taste buds that come with smoking. I have now celebrated a few new milestones, a 71st birthday, 10th anniversary with a dear man I met on-line, and so much more. Life is good!
I smoked for 47 years and smoked 2 packs a day. I quit by using the patches. Started out with brand name and then tried the inexpensive ones from one of the drug stores in town.
The day you realize that all your smoking friends have died young is the day you know you have to quit.
I followed a program where you cut out more and more cigarettes over a month until you were down to one a day. Then you quit.
It is useful to know that if you crave a smoke, if you just live with the feeling for a few minutes, it fades away.
Once you have stopped smoking you can never touch a cigarette again or you will be back on a pack a day in no time.
I never thought I would be able to stop smoking but it has been 22 years now since I quit. But - I still want to smoke sometimes.
We are all with you - we want you to quit and be healthy.
Find something new. Each time you smoke you have to walk 1 mile each time you smoke.
Agree with lilly4ever, maybe you can give a dollar to a random child for every smoke. But you have to give the dollar first. :)
First ask yourself how long you want to live and what quality of physical health life do you want. I don't know how old you are but it's usually the case that the younger we are the more invincible we think we are. That aside, nicotine is definitely a nasty addiction just as bad as heroin and crack.
Start by reducing your smoking intake by a full half for three days (keep track by counting your ciggies each morning when you wake up) and then half them again after that for three more days and then half them by that for the next three days. After that, stop completely! I know you'll feel uncomfortable during this transition but you'll have at least reduced the nicotine addiction enough by the stop point to focus on other things like thinking, "Wow, I feel so much better, I can smell things more clearly, healthy food tastes better and the junk stuff tastes worse, I have so much more energy, my coat or car wreaks of smoke I need to clean them, I have extra money to buy a new outfit or treat myself to dinner at a nice restaurant, etc."
The biggest thing to do? Stay away from other smokers or ask them not to smoke around you even after you have successfully quit! If they love and care for you they will honor that request!
My own story: My parents each smoked three packs a day, I was a casual smoker for forty years, along with lifelong harsh hairstyling and cleaning chemicals, secondhand smoke and my smoking I now have the beginning of stage three Emphysema at the age of 55. Was emergency hospitalized this past April because I couldn't breathe. I used to work 60 to 80 hours a week and loved it. I can no longer work and that drives me crazy and I can't be around a lot of people without wearing a mask for fear of even catching a cold that would land me in the hospital for a week or more. Breathing medications cost $300.00 a month. I could go on and on but I hope I made a point. My pulmonologist said my Emphysema was most likely caused by the chemicals I've been subjected to but that the smoking, although light, brought it on more swiftly. I'll mention again that I am only 55.
I am saying prayers that you reach your goal to quit this month and please let us know how you do and if you need some emotional support please click on my contact button here! Good luck and you'll be so much happier and healthier without those nasty butts ;-)
My experience is that it takes a long time, but you can stop. I didn't seek any advice or take any medicine. First, I only smoked in the evening. Then I only smoked 1/2 pack in the evening, then I only smoked when I was out from the house, etc. Whatever works for you. It's been five years. I now keep a pack in the car with the date on the pack when I started it. I only smoke one and only when I start driving (sure, sometimes I take more than one, but I throw it out after a drag or two, usually).
I smoke about a pack a month and I can live with that, since if I have to go without for a day or four I can since it's more a psychological addiction than a physical one. Last year I was sick and went three weeks without smoking (sure, I should have never taken it up again, but I've smoked for 40 years and need maybe not the nicotine, but the act of smoking. Try to cut down whatever way is easiest for you first, then cut down more, telling yourself that, after all you can smoke a cigarette later (whenever you've given yourself permission to). This is not quick, but it's the only way that's worked for me.
Sorry, just looked again at what you wrote. You want to quit by New Year's Day. So amp it up...one day smoke only half a pack, the next day smoke only at night, then give yourself a time frame, what ever works. You can do it. Just don't substitute food for nicotine. I drink a whole lot of iced tea (maybe a gallon a day). I am hydrated/I pee a lot/I use it as a substitute for the nicotine and to help me lose weight. You don't want to get yourself in a bad way weight wise trying to get your health better by stopping smoking. Ask me how I know 80# down to about 40 but it's hard, better never put it on.
If she has medical insurance, most of them cover Chantex. If she doesn't the product can be purchased without. That is what my husband & son used to quit smoking. No with drawls and perfectly safe. You will be done smoking within 2 weeks.
When I quit, I was smoking 2 1/2 - 3 packs a day. Let me say that it was not the first time I had tried to quit, but it was the time I succeeded! I actually went cold turkey, but if you can't go that way, then I agree about cutting back daily. But the best trick I can give you is what helped me alot! I bought some cinnamon sticks and carried one around with me. Since alot of smoking is habit (of course there's the addictive part too), but it helped so much to have that cinnamon stick to play with! It is pretty much the same size as a cigarette. I would just hold it, move it around in my hand, and some times I even put it in my mouth when I needed to feel something in my mouth in place of the cigarette. You would be surprised how much it helped me! Just to have it in my hand and move it around...whatever. I remember the habit part of smoking coming out when I was watching tv, and found my hand reaching over to where the ash tray was! Good luck with quitting, and I pray it comes easy for you! Della
I haven't smoked in over 9 years and until recently kept cigs and a lighter in my desk drawer. The reason people can't quit is because they fear they can never smoke again. This is wrong thinking. You can smoke any time you want to. When you feel like smoking you tell yourself you just don't want one right now. I've told this to three people I know who have quit just by knowing they could smoke, but just don't want to. Hope this helps.
I've never been a smoker but my Brother quit "cold turkey" 20 years ago with no meds and he's never picked up one since. He says it's the only way. My Sister has tried quiting numerous times by just slowing cutting down to the number smokes in a day and it's never worked. Experts say "in order to quit a habit you have to replace it with another one (good one)" Good luck because I know how hard it must be because I'm fighting a sugar addiction and scared to death I'll become diabetic.
Make yourself smoke outside only. Allow only 2 drags or puffs and snuff it so you can pick it up later for another 2 puffs. Outside, you are alone, it's cold, not comfortable. Stick to the 2 puff method until you can forget it altogether. You will breathe easier in a very short while.
You've been given some excellent tips by people who obviously care. My advice is to quit "cold turkey" after a lot of prayer and contemplation. It helps to have a "buddy" who can give your support and encouragment. If you get discouraged, go back and read these tips. We care. God Bless.
There is some good advise here! I agree with Looklady.
"The reason people can't quit is because they fear they can never smoke again. .... You can smoke any time you want to. When you feel like smoking you tell yourself, you just don't want one right now. "
This mind set was helpful for me. You have to change your habit.
A hypnotherapist (Elvis's no less) had me down to 1 pack the 1st week; 1/2 pack the 2nd week; 2 cigs the 3rd week. I was a 2pk/day for 27 years; more if I were drinking [I never left the house at 10pm without 3 full packs]. Zero cigs in the past 29 years.
Here is a little parable he asked me to repeat to myself 3 times in succession when I craved a cig.
"I have a stronger feeling everyday that I am in complete control of losing the smoking habit and I keep my determination to succeed. I let no situation allow my enemy, the cigarette, to gain control. I continually picture myself as a non-smoker. Healthy, proud and confident with cleaner lungs, a steady heartbeat and better breathing ability. Being the boss, rather than a slave, is more important to me than seeking momentary pleasure, allowing long-range damage to my body. Every hour as a non-smoker is a victory. I am the boss!". I did have to give up coffee and all alcohol for about 18 months, but I kicked it :)
I couldn't go 'cold turkey'. I would have killed the first person with a pack of cigarettes LOLOL Seriously, it's not easy. You need to get through the first month, then keep it up. Do not keep a log of how long it's been since you last smoked. This is a subconscious reminder of your smoking habit. Forget about smoking as much as you can.
As for keeping a pack & lighter nearby to help quitting; this is like a junkie keeping crack in his pocket to help him/her stop using. Most people can resist everything but temptation.
Ok. There is a lot of advice here. just my two cents. I haven't stopped completely yet, but I've gone down from 2 packs a day to just 8 cigs a day. I couldn't do "cold turkey". So every week or so, I would lessen my daily cigarette quota by just one cigarette. Ok, its taking a while but I don't feel "deprived" or missing out on anything. I know that eventually, I will have my smoke but funnily enough, the craving isn't so crazy since my body is getting used to less nicotine. Just my way of doing things. Good luck to you whichever way you find the best!
That's what I am doing, now down to half pack a day instead of whole pack. And I like the idea of just saying you don't want one right now but you still know you can. Cold turkey wasn't for me, my nerves got so edgy nobody could live with me. For some of us a big slow down is the best. I wonder if anybody here has tried the electronic cigarettes? Seems to me lot of folks have quit with it.
I tried several times before I was able to quit for good. What I eventually did was allow myself only one cigarette a day. I had it with a piece of candy and a cup of coffee. Then, when I had been having only one cigarette per day for several days, I quit completely, but continued to have my piece of candy and coffee. The candy and coffee kind of substituted for the cigarette and if I had something like the candy and coffee after a meal, it made it easier.
Dont worry about it, you just need some time here are some tips:
Always carry a waterbottle or any type of drink, it will make you full.
Carry small snacks with you to keeep you occupied or distracted from the cigarettes.
Throw anythink away that involves smoking...lighter...cigarettes, and wash the clothes so you dont smell like smoke.
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