Smoking - Need advice, help me stop

excane · #1 12-27-2008, 11:44 AM

I know there have been numerous threads on this topic, but lately this has been really bothering me.

I've smoked cigarettes on and off for the past 8 years or so. I'm pushing 30 and this past year has been a rough one for me.

I know in my head that I want to stop because it's awful, but part of me doesn't want to (you smokers know what I mean) because of the mental and physical pleasures it gives you.

Of course I know of different patches, gum, etc..... but I'd like some advice or just general insight to how some people stopped smoking.
I'm interested in what did you have to do, both mentally and physically to kick the habit for good?

Many thanks.

scottice · #2 12-27-2008, 11:48 AM

Do you have a significant other that smokes? It is very hard to quit when the temptation is around.

I quit cold turkey last March and feel MUCH better. For me it was more of a social thing... so kicking it was not really difficult, luckily.

Just think of all the money you could be spending on gear if you quit. That is a major plus to quitting. Or, just put it on the bank. An extra $1k/year is kinda' nice!

excane · #3 12-27-2008, 12:02 PM

No, I do not have a significant other at the moment, I live alone.
That's the main reason I've had a rough year. Last January my girlfriend and I broke up (7 1/2 year relationship)

I have stopped on occassion, cold turkey. I know I have an addictive personality (however someone wants to interpret that) so physically I think I can do it.
It's always in times of stress and anxiety that I come back to it...I'm a pretty nervous and anxious guy in general.

LowBSix · #4 12-27-2008, 12:07 PM

Look for Lung Cancer You Tube videos and watch one every time you get the urge...

HollowBassman · #5 12-27-2008, 12:09 PM

I'm going to say two words to you right now, I want you to listen to them very, very carefully, then I want you to take them out of the office with you and incorporate them into your life. STOP IT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYLMTvxOaeE

excane · #6 12-27-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowBSix

Look for Lung Cancer You Tube videos and watch one every time you get the urge...

It's not that simple. If everyone watched a video like that and quit smoking immediately, there wouldn't be any smokers and the tobacco industry would be out of business.

LowBSix · #7 12-27-2008, 12:12 PM

NO EXCUSES....
Just do it!
Watch them ALL OF THE TIME.

ryco · #8 12-27-2008, 12:14 PM

I quit by accident.

Keep cutting down how many a day you smoke. I was thinking "I'm going through 2+ packs a day. Maybe just smoke one an hour, I'd be happy with that".

So was pretty much able to do that. Let myself smoke more when drinking 'cause they go together so well. And if I really wanted another cigarette, I'd have one. No big deal - wouldn't beat myself up over it. Just get back to the program.

After I met my goal of one an hour, I started wondering if I could cut back even more. Kept cutting 'em out 'til I was down to 2 or 3 a day. Did that for a long time. Smoking got to be a pain in the ass at that point because I'd spend so much time looking forward to those two smokes - it got to be ridiculous. Got tired if it and just quit - by then the physical addiction was nil.

To help support my decision I also stopped drinking and toking for a year because those were my fave times to light up. Ended up staying off everything for nearly two years.

After smoking 2+ packs a day for 38 years, I've been smoke free for 4 yrs.

Also didn't tell anyone. Didn't want to let anyone down or take a bunch of crap if I failed. My wife didn't even notice for months.

This may not work for you. It's just how I did it. Good luck!

excane · #9 12-27-2008, 12:17 PM

I've been to a Phd before for help. He suggested the following method, maybe someone has tried it:

Everytime I go to buy a pack, get a different brand and cut about 1/4" off the end of all the cigarettes in the pack.
Next time, buy a different brand and cut 1/2" off the end, etc, repeat, etc. until you stop.

Anyone every try something like that?

LowBSix · #10 12-27-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by excane

I've been to a Phd before for help. He suggested the following method, maybe someone has tried it:

Everytime I go to buy a pack, get a different brand and cut about 1/4" off the end of all the cigarettes in the pack.
Next time, buy a different brand and cut 1/2" off the end, etc, repeat, etc. until you stop.

Anyone every try something like that?

Why don't you try it? Opinions won't cure the addiction...
Action will...

excane · #11 12-27-2008, 12:31 PM

Very true...

kickstand22 · #12 12-27-2008, 12:37 PM

Have you tried the patches, Nicotine gum, etc? Chantix is very popular cessation option now. You have to want to quit before you will. As from the posts above, some of it is mind over matter, some is physical. Put your mind to it.

ElMon · #13 12-27-2008, 01:11 PM

I feel your pain sir. I've been struggling to quit for the last year or so, and although I've completely conquered the urge to smoke at home or at work, I have the hardest time keeping off the smokes while gigging. As soon as I walk into the venue it's like 'where's my cigarette?' That, and with all the second-hand smoke I get from playing at smoke-friendly venues, it's quite a struggle. The only thing that seems to work is if I literally scream 'DON"T SMOKE' inside my own head whenever I"m either offered one or am craving one. Doesn't work all the time, but it helps. Good luck sir!!

machine gewehr · #14 12-27-2008, 01:34 PM

My dad/mum were smokers for 30+ years.Mum struggled very hard,she dropped the numbers slowly then quit.She still talks of cigarette at least once a day and she had bad feelings after quitting.

OTOH,my dad who was a 2+pacs a day smoker,who was smoking during a football match (yes he was playing),who smoked while wearing a nicotine band (he passed out

) decides he had enough of it and throws the pack to the trash.He was having anger management problems in the beginning but now he says "how the heck could I smoke that crap for all those years

".

Believe in yourself,if you say I DO NOT WANT IT! you will stop smoking.It'll take time,it'll take a few tries maybe but human mind is much better then nicotine.

steve21 · #15 12-27-2008, 01:46 PM

When I thought I started quitting smoking I started holding a cig hit like I was smokin' herb. Held it in for a long time, really tasted the smoke, and it was so disgusting my body just kinda started rejecting the taste/idea of nicotine.

Eventually, I got to the point where if I'm drinkin' or after a great sesh I want a cig, I can have one, and then I'm a ****ing camel. Might not be like that for you, might not even work for you... but it's something.

99% of it is how much you personally just want to stop.

Dfinch · #16 12-27-2008, 01:54 PM

My wife was very successful using the gum. The psychological draw was huge, but the gum took the physical edge off.

I quit cold turkey. The psychological draw was huge, and temptation was everywhere. Every TV show, movie, or person walking down the street holding a cigarette made me want one.

It was easier to get the ball rolling by starting my "quit" when I had a cold. It was hard to smoke anyway because I had a sore throat, so that helped me resist.

For me, the "habit" and benefits of the "break" that smoking provided were far more powerful than the physical addiction. A smoke break is like a pause button. I *like* smoking. That's the problem.

I went 10 years without a smoke. I started again this last spring and quit again a month ago. Haven't had one in just over 30 days.

Just reading this thread makes me want one. Not gonna give in.

Atoz · #17 12-27-2008, 01:55 PM

When I quit, I decided to attack the habit of smoking rather than the nicotine, and to do that I changed my daily routine. I had discovered that I tied smoking to certain events throughout the day. So instead of taking a break at 10:00 to go outside and smoke, I took a break at 9:45 and went to the break room for a cup of yogurt and a sudoku. Instead of driving to and from work, where I would always smoke in the car, I took the bus. By doing things like that, I was actually breaking the routines that fueled the habit. I also found that going to the gym after work made me feel better about myself, as well as discouraging me from smoking upon discovering how out of shape I had become. I had a box of Nicorette ready, but it turned out I only used about three pieces the whole time. The first three days were rough, but I had more or less kicked the habit within a week or so. Haven't really wanted to smoke since. YMMV.

mike_v_s · #18 12-27-2008, 02:03 PM

I took the Chantix. So far, it has worked uncharacteristically well for me. I quit about 7-8 months ago. I want one every now and then, but the need to have one is gone.

I tried before to clear some time, but there was always something on the horizon. A party of some sort, predictable work-related stress, Mardi Gras, in-laws. There was never a good time. I finally just picked a week and started. It was far from the best time, but I stopped within the first week like I was supposed to and haven't really had any issue since.

Mike

RWP · #19 12-27-2008, 02:05 PM

I quit cold turkey 18 months ago after smoking for 20 years. You can do it!

Rocker949 · #20 12-27-2008, 02:36 PM

Imagine you are on a hospital bed dying of a smoking-related illness. The person you love the most is at your bedside crying uncontrollably and watching you die. Then you hear that person whisper "why couldn't you have quit?" This may sound over the top. But I was able to do it this way in spite of the fact that my imagination is usually not very vivid. However, that imaginary scenario actually did cause me to stop. I haven't smoked in about 13 years.