Quitting smoking.

[Sixpack]

I've been smoking for about 21 years and I will be quitting on Jan. 1. I smoke around 2 packs a day and I'm looking to see what has worked well for other people who have quit. There are so many ads for so many differant products that it's hard to decide. Personal experince is usually the best advice. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks

[oddjob]

I smoked for about 15 years, and I quit cold turkey. I just got sick of it and succeeded with sheer will power. I think your mind is more powerful than any drug or physical addiction to a drug.

I did it for myself, not for a New Year's resolution. Whatever your reasons, good luck to you. You deserve to overcome an unhealthy addiction, and live a long life.

*edit* I forgot to mention, I've been completely smoke free for over 3 years. No cigarettes or cigars, and no pot (or other drugs) for many more years than that.

[Panama Red]

My dad quit the "cold turkey" method many years ago after smoking for 25 years and a good friend did it the same way. My ex and her husband have both tried to quit many times but always with "tools". That just gives them an excuse cuz "the tool doesn't work". They both are smoking again. Oddjob is right, it's a mind thing - you gotta wanna!

[jamesrpm]

After 30 plus years I quit too. it's been 7 years now. I used the patch to help me, ran them twice as long as usual but it was a big help to me.I did develope a bad software habit for a few years though . Gave me something to spend my ciggie money on.

[Panama Red]

James, how can there be a "bad software" habit? I thought all software and hardware habits were good. (Not according to my wife tho!!)

[HAL9000]

Was never a smoker, but quit my addiction to Pepsi and caffine with the cold turkey method... and yes... after almost 2 years, I STILL have cravings. Other people I know that have quit smoking quit cold turkey as well.... its the only way to go... just fight it... keep telling yourself no... when you go to sneak that one smoke thinking nobody will know... remind yourself... ONE person does know.. the most important person of all... YOU!

[bailey]

1. pepsi is not a habit, I only drink 2 -2ltr a day.
2 been smoking cig's for 50 yrs or more and should quit, but the damage is already done. 2 pk a day
3 wish I had more money for computer junk
4 I got nothing better to do.
5 tryed quitting once, only made it to 30 days

[Confused]

I quit a little over 5 years ago after 40+ years as a smoker. I used Nicorette gum. It was a big help as it would give the nicotine boost and allowed me to taper off gradually. And like the adds say, when that craving would hit out of nowhere, I used another piece.

Like I said, I tapered off gradually. At begining I used 3 or 4 pieces a day, slowly over time getting down to 1 piece a day, then a half piece and finally a quarter piece a day till I finally quit using the gum 6 months later.

I would use the gum like cigs. I would pop a piece and after my craving subsided, I would remove the piece and put it back in the little plastic square package. I would take it out when I needed another fix. When it lost its effectivness i would use a fresh piece.

My wife was able to quit couple years later using same method.

Good luck.
Chas

[ZANEY123]

I smoked for about 6 years ,broke a rib quit for 2 months ,when I i tried to smoke again i puked, havent touched one in 4 years now. a little drastic if you wanna try that but it worked for me.

[MulderMan]

im 14 and i dont fink i would smoke . but they should teach kids more bout smokin. like on my school bus ppl smoke upstairs. and the headache you get off the 12 year old 1st years is unbeliveable. drama queens!! they fink they will drop dead if they breathe it in. does my head in.

[mbossman2]

Originally posted by bailey 2 been smoking cig's for 50 yrs or more and should quit, but the damage is already done. 2 pk a day 3 wish I had more money for computer junk 5 tryed quitting once, only made it to 30 days

On #2, while damage has been done a lot of it will begin to repair itself if you quit.

On #3, quit and imagine all the extra $$$ you will have. (2 packs a day @ $3/pack = $2000+ in the 1st year)

On #5, nicotine is flushed out of your system after 72 hours, the bulk of the harsh cravings are over by day 14 or so.

There have been great advances in assisting smokers to quit. ask your physician about welbutrin, this drug really crushes the cravings associated with quitting and levels out the mood swings. It also has a neat side effect: weight loss, their are some studies out the UK that show good solid weight loss by people who are taking the drug.

[TwoRails]

Originally posted by mbossman2 ....On #3, quit and imagine all the extra $$$ you will have. (2 packs a day @ $3/pack = $2000+ in the 1st year)...

When I saw the price you mentioned, I figured you're close to "tabacco country"... and, yep, you're in NC! Up here, price per pack is a "deal" at $5, over $6 in a machine. And I hear we're cheap compared to Canada...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I quit cold turkey, once, many years ago. It lasted a year, then I got stupid again. Tried the patches once (recently) but got over confident. I figured I'd just have a few smokes when I was having some beer (which is usually on Friday nights).... Found myself drinking beers *every* night... subconsciously just wanting to smoke. Put a stop to the every night beer drinking as soon as I figured it out...

Now I'm back up to smoking a lot... might have to check out that welbutrin stuff...

[Kubie]

Now I'm back up to smoking a lot... might have to check out that welbutrin stuff...

TwoRails,
I recommend Welbutryn wholeheartidly.
I smoked for 40 years and went last year to have a complete physical. The doc said I was in very good health and why did I want to gamble with continued smoking.
He gave me Welbutrin and I was done with smoking in 7 days. Best part of Welbutrin is NO urge to have a cigarette.

Bonus is all the pc stuff I've bought with the saved money



Carl

[Confused]

Yea, I didn't even mention the money savings. Even here in KY., where tobacco used to be king and is still pretty powerful, a carton is about $20.00 now. Our annual savings is well over $2500.00 combined with both of us quiting.
Chas

[bigpuma]

I never smoked but part of my current job is to run the quit smoking programs for a large HMO. I can tell you what works best in general but it really comes down to what will work best for you.

Our best success is with a multiple session class (1 X week for 7 weeks) which includes the use of both wellbutrin (a.k.a zyban or buproprion) and nicotine patches. If you use both it is important to be monitored by a health professional as it can cause spikes in Blood Pressure. If you look around you can probably find similar programs like ours. If you have health insurance they may help pay for patches, wellbutrin, and sometimes even quit programs.

Also the average person who quits smoking makes between 5 and 7 attempts before they are successful. Keep trying it will happen if you really want to quit and you don't give up.

good luck,

BP

[mbossman2]

one final "trick" to quitting: YOU (not your spouse, your kids, your parents, your dog etc) must WANT to quit. That is the key, once you have decided that it is time to stop, you must take it one day at a time (sound familiar? read the Big Book by Bill W). get some support around you - the best is some one who has quit and can guide you and help you.

[HAL9000]

Originally posted by TwoRails When I saw the price you mentioned, I figured you're close to "tabacco country"... and, yep, you're in NC! Up here, price per pack is a "deal" at $5, over $6 in a machine. And I hear we're cheap compared to Canada...

Yup.. about $9CDN per pack plus taxes.

Originally posted by mbossman2 one final "trick" to quitting: YOU (not your spouse, your kids, your parents, your dog etc) must WANT to quit.

Yup... it's that way with any bad habit... as I said above... it's all about the most important person... YOU.

[Dangermouse1]

My wife and I spend nearly £4000 a year on smoking ....what a waste.

[Carpedebass]

I've been smoking for about 16 years and have found that quitting is VERY easy! Heck, I've done it a million times! No problem! =) Really though, I tried again recently but I just dont think I want to quit badly enough yet. I was trying to quit for other people. Just won't work!

[Undead_Rider]

do it for your self. If you dont want to do it you cant do it. Just keep thinking to your self no no no but if the craving becomes so bad that you need some help go out and get a patch or gum.

[trebor]

I smoked for 11 years. when I finally did quit, It was because I finally really wanted to. I took a weekend away from everything and everybody and relaxed. I didn't let myself think about a cigerate. When I got back, while not completley rid of the cravings, I was alomst there. close enough that I was able to get through a day without giving into my cravings. Good luck.

[charlie1]

Gave up smoking three years ago on the 6 jan after 20 years, used patches and found they worked really well. But I think the most important thing for me was I was in the right frame of mind when I stopped.

[Joeberg]

$7.50 a pack here in NY. I'll never smoke. For one, there are no benefits to smoking, and number two, the prices are expensive. Hopefully thats disheartening others who want to start.

[JimmyDee]

Been off them since 1976. Was at 3 packs a day when I quit. Cold turkey is how I did it. You know you have kicked them when you only think about it every now and then instead of 24-7. I would have been dead long ago if I hadn't quit.
I knew it was time to quit when I coughed so hard in the morning that I would puke. (real pleasure?) I was hooked as bad as anyone and have a weak will. If I can quit, anyone can. The will to quit has to be there and if you fail, don't quit trying.
Jim

[Jester]

you have to wont to and you have to have the will. Also try and stay away form other smokers and find something else that will occupy your time. I unfortanutly just beat Halo so now i have to find something else to keep me form smoking i guess ill go buy COD

[Clover]

cold turkey. IMO is the only way to go.

[TwoRails]

Originally posted by Kubie TwoRails, I recommend Welbutryn wholeheartidly. I smoked for 40 years and went last year to have a complete physical. The doc said I was in very good health and why did I want to gamble with continued smoking. He gave me Welbutrin and I was done with smoking in 7 days. Best part of Welbutrin is NO urge to have a cigarette. Bonus is all the pc stuff I've bought with the saved money Carl

Thanks for the encouragement, Kubie !! I think I'll talk to my doctor after the First of the year...

TwoRails

[Trent Steel]

One suggestion that I have if you really want to quit smoking is to not be around other smokers. You will be too tempted to ask one of your buddies for a smoke and all your hardwork will go down the tubes, worse yet, some people who want to quit but won't make the leap will try to get you to have one "for old times sake". Also start today, there is no reason to start tommorrow and don't allow yourself to own, touch or be in the vicinity of any cigerettes. You can't smoke what you don't have. Good luck.

[PMich]

I've tried about all of the products out there unsuccessfully. I have given it about a half a dozen good hard tries now and have learned with each attempt. The first thing I learned is that it is a matter of willpower and you really do have to want to quit. The second thing I learned is everybody's cigarette addiction/habit is unique to that individual. I have talked to a lot of former smokers in my attempts and have heard almost every piece of advice imaginable. What worked for someone else may or may not work for you. You have to identify the type of smoker you are to identify what might be the most effective.

From talking to a lot of people, I have hypothesized that there are two kinds of smokers: nicotine addicts and habitualists and they benefit from different cessation techniques. I am almost purely an addict. I do not smoke for pleasure the vast majority of the time. I smoke for the stimulating effects of nicotine almost exclusively but also as an excuse to get out of my office or the library and away from my work for a few minutes. Other people are habitual smokers. They smoke in order to have something to do with their hands and/or mouth. Habitual smokers also tend to burn a lot more cigarettes than they actually smoke or often find an already burning cigarette next to the freshly lit one. Anyone who is or has been a habitual smoker knows what I am talking about. All smokers have a little bit of both of these components and an unfortunate few have a lot of both of these components. Nicotine replacement strategies (patches, gum, inhalers, etc.) are more likely to work for addicts and habit replacement strategies (toothpicks, non-nicotine gum, holding pens, etc.) should be more helpful for habitual smokers.

Sorry for the long post everybody but now its got me all fired up to quit again. Guess I will have to get my plan in order.

[bailey]

great post
you hit the nail on the head
for me its needing something to do , like when I am driving my car
other times it a excuse to do something differant.
given a big job to do I have gone all day without one, and not even notice it.

but a minor thing to do and I can,t waite to sop and have one

setting here in front of the computer its one after another