Hi pred! Good idea to stop smokin,that's what I'm doin too.For me,I'm doing the patch deal.I get them through the V.A. hosp. where I'm at.The patch method works well for me,makes the quittin part fairly easy in 3 stages.The hardest part is stayin quit!Avoiding the things that are most likely to cause you to smoke again might be good for you but not for me.I smoked before,during and after everything I do!So happy birthday and hang in there my friend!You REALLY gotta WANT this.We're on this ride together,stay in touch,maybe we can be a help to EACH OTHER.My birthday is comin up on April 1,57yrs old.See ya later! Jim
Need to quit Smoking, Need some help!
- Thread starter pred
- Start date
Zyban worked miraculously for me --- quit a decades-long two pack a day habit cold turkey, without adverse side affects. (If you don't count weight gain, graying hair, and the personality disorders manifested here...)
gregintenn
Member
Sir, At the risk of sounding like a smart ***, I will tell you that the most efficient and most sure way to quit is to NEVER LIGHT ONE AGAIN. I know that sounds simplistic and smart alec, but it is the method I've used.
(disclaimer) I didn't say it would be easy; just effective!
(disclaimer) I didn't say it would be easy; just effective!
gregintenn
Member
I'll let you in on another helpful hint. Price some life insurance. I quit shortly after buying some, as I learned the rates for tobacco users were roughly TWICE that of non tobacco users! I figured their actuaries knew something I didn't.
mjr
Member
The first time I quite successfully (six years smoke-free is successful, sort of), two things helped:
First, I gave up the idea that I was depriving myself by giving up cigarettes. Contrary to advice, I didn't get rid of all the cigarettes in the house and for the first couple of years kept an open pack of Camel sitting on the molding over the bedroom door. So they were always there if I really wanted them, but every time I thought I really wanted one, I'd go and stare at them and face them down. Pretty quickly I developed a genuine contempt for them.
The other thing that helped was learning to air smoke. Kind of like playing air guitar. Put that invisible cig up to your lips and inhale deeply. God, it's still satisfying.
The second time I quit (still successfully) was in December 2004. I used Wellbutrin XL (Zyban), a huge help.
First, I gave up the idea that I was depriving myself by giving up cigarettes. Contrary to advice, I didn't get rid of all the cigarettes in the house and for the first couple of years kept an open pack of Camel sitting on the molding over the bedroom door. So they were always there if I really wanted them, but every time I thought I really wanted one, I'd go and stare at them and face them down. Pretty quickly I developed a genuine contempt for them.
The other thing that helped was learning to air smoke. Kind of like playing air guitar. Put that invisible cig up to your lips and inhale deeply. God, it's still satisfying.
The second time I quit (still successfully) was in December 2004. I used Wellbutrin XL (Zyban), a huge help.
truckemup97
Member
Shouldn't there be a rabbit under that pancake?
Peter, I decided to quit when the guy at 7-11 suggested that I go ahead and buy a couple more packs instead of just one, that way I wouldn't have to come back to the store two more times that day. I didn't realize that I was smoking two (or more) packs a day until he said that. That was some time in July, and that day I cut back to one pack a day. That was the hard part.
I still want to smoke occasionally. I've even bummed one from someone, but it's not more than one or two a year. That's how I quit. I have no idea what will work for you, but I wish you success.
Mickey D
Member
Sound advice. How many times have you used it?
jackbnymble
Member
I think just about everyone's experience is a little different. I went cold turkey nearly 30 years ago. I've never looked back. I think my life is significantly better today than it would have been had I not quit.
The bottom line is don't quit trying to quit. It probably won't be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is.
Best of luck,
Jack
The bottom line is don't quit trying to quit. It probably won't be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is.
Best of luck,
Jack
Wheelgunner840
Member
I forgot. There is one more thing. I was told that the way to stay off them after successfully beating the addiction to nicotine was to remember this.
Whenever you get the strong urge to smoke a cigarette after you have quit for a while, and you come up with all kind of excuses like "I will only have one", remind yourself that one will not be enough to satisfy you, and two will have you hooked again.
Good luck, once again,
WG840
Whenever you get the strong urge to smoke a cigarette after you have quit for a while, and you come up with all kind of excuses like "I will only have one", remind yourself that one will not be enough to satisfy you, and two will have you hooked again.
Good luck, once again,
WG840
jjones33
Member
That is how I went from 3 packs a day to zero in 1986. Just don't ever smoke another one, period. Don't say your going to quit after the pack in your pocket or that carton on top of the refrigerator. Get up, get all the cigarettes you have in the house and THROW THEM AWAY. Now, that's right, now!
Hey Pred!!! Happy birthday to you and ME!! I will be the big 55 tomorrow. I quit about 8 years ago. I looked on the net and found what I thought might work for me. At the time the reports were that the patch and inhaler together work better than either one alone. The inhaler gave me a little extra kick whin i needed it and it was not that bad for me. I was up to 2 to 3 packs a day for many years. I still reach in my pocket sometimes but the thought only last 2 seconds and is gone....
Now for a little extra.... A little over a year ago I had a tumor growing in my windpipe and cutting off my air.. it was cancer in my right lung. I had 18 chemo and 37 radiation treatments and it worked well. Last Christmas I started another round of 20. We waited 5 weeks for me to quit glowing and had another Pet scan last Saturday.... So far so good. Recheck in 3 months- if that is ok go 3 more- if that is ok go 6 months.
You just don't ever know!!! You gota quit!!!
Peter Jennings only liver 4 WEEKS after they told him he had lung cancer.
JUST DOIT and good luck!!!!!
Now for a little extra.... A little over a year ago I had a tumor growing in my windpipe and cutting off my air.. it was cancer in my right lung. I had 18 chemo and 37 radiation treatments and it worked well. Last Christmas I started another round of 20. We waited 5 weeks for me to quit glowing and had another Pet scan last Saturday.... So far so good. Recheck in 3 months- if that is ok go 3 more- if that is ok go 6 months.
You just don't ever know!!! You gota quit!!!
Peter Jennings only liver 4 WEEKS after they told him he had lung cancer.
JUST DOIT and good luck!!!!!
It is always hard when you compete against yourself. Get a partner and make a bet, the first one to smoke pays the other. Keep the time limit open and check and encourage the other. Worked for me, smoke free for 37 years.
Smoking is mostly mental. That is why medications are very effective at first but many smokers go back to habit eventially. Get the proper attitude first, cigarettes are not your friend and go "cold tirkey".
Good luck I hope you succeed.
Smoking is mostly mental. That is why medications are very effective at first but many smokers go back to habit eventially. Get the proper attitude first, cigarettes are not your friend and go "cold tirkey".
Good luck I hope you succeed.
Wheelgunner840
Member
Dr Dan,
Happy birthday to you too. I hope all your tests come out for the best, and they have gotten rid of all that nasty stuff.
WG840
Happy birthday to you too. I hope all your tests come out for the best, and they have gotten rid of all that nasty stuff.
WG840
Jacksmyname
Member
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I also went through Smokenders back in '79. The program worked like a charm.
Unfortunately, after being smoke free for 18 months with absolutely no struggle, I picked one up just on a lark; no urge.
That was in 1980, and I'm still smoking.
And the thing is, I still remember what to do from Smokenders. I just need to get off my butt and do it.
One thing to remember: Once you quit, don't EVER take so much as one more puff, ever.
That puff will take you right back as if you never quit in the first place.
fas111
Member
Well happy birthday, tomorrow is my birthday also. I'll be 65. I quit smoking cold turkey in 1976. I was a three pack of Camel's addict. I can remember this like it was yesterday. I was out with the boys on a Fri night drinking and smoking my Camels. Got home late and went to bed, the dog woke me up early and I was standing outside with her enjoying my first smoke of the day. My mouth was full of cotton from the previous evening and I was a little hung - but I lite that smoke. And then it hit me, I need to quit. I stomped out the cig., went into the house grabbed my carton off the top of the refrig and proceeded to break each cig in half and dump them in the trash. I have never had a smoke since then. I announced to my dear wife that morning that I had quit smoking of course she did not believe me and she continued to smoke. I never smoked again and I had to problems quitting. I truly believe that when your time really comes you will stop on your own accord. As I mentioned my wife continued to smoke until 1979 when she became preg. with our daughter. She cold turkeyed also and had no problems. By the tone of your post it sounds like you are ready so pull the carton off the refrig and bust them up.
pred happy birthday and good luck.......we tried LOTS over the years , and the ONLY thing that worked back then, was to get 'hypnotised', it worked, quit May of 1982 and never looked back, saved a BUNDLE by now....
my wife quit last year, used the 'Chantix' took it for about a week, or so, started "seeing" things at night, scared the butts right outta her....nasty stuff really, but it worked for her, but I think she made herself quit for the sake of our Grandson, Colin, who is now two.....
Good luck......
my wife quit last year, used the 'Chantix' took it for about a week, or so, started "seeing" things at night, scared the butts right outta her....nasty stuff really, but it worked for her, but I think she made herself quit for the sake of our Grandson, Colin, who is now two.....
Good luck......
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Tobacco addiction is the tougest one to quit. I was a 2-3 pack a day smoker, I smoked pipes cigars and chewed. Loved the sh!t!! DOn't know how I would have made it trough law school without my cigarettes.
What worked for me was a that a contemporary dropped dead of a heart attack at about age 48. Quit cold turkey the smoking part, but instead of the patch, I chewed. Bad idea. Took me a year to wean off the chew. I am tobacco free since before Katrina but I got to tell ya, if I ever found myself terminal for whatever reason, I would take it up again just cause those little bastards taste so good. Nicotine is a viciously adictive drug. DOn't think that you can have just one after you quit. I had quit for about 3 years back in my 30's and accepted a cigar at the camp one night. Within a week I was back to a two pack a day habit. Good luck-I'm pulling for you.
What worked for me was a that a contemporary dropped dead of a heart attack at about age 48. Quit cold turkey the smoking part, but instead of the patch, I chewed. Bad idea. Took me a year to wean off the chew. I am tobacco free since before Katrina but I got to tell ya, if I ever found myself terminal for whatever reason, I would take it up again just cause those little bastards taste so good. Nicotine is a viciously adictive drug. DOn't think that you can have just one after you quit. I had quit for about 3 years back in my 30's and accepted a cigar at the camp one night. Within a week I was back to a two pack a day habit. Good luck-I'm pulling for you.
FrankD45
Absent Comrade
Peter:
Happy birthday and the very best of good luck in quitting. Monday the first was my 68th birthday. I have been addicted to cigarettes for about 50 years. I finally decided to do something about it and stopped cold turkey on January 15. I read somewhere that the actual chemical dependency lasts a matter of days but the habit goes on for a lot longer. When I decided to quit, I spent the next 10 days changing my habits routines. For example, instead of lighting up with my first cup of coffee, I would wait until I finished the cup and rinsed it before stepping out for a smoke. The point is you should try to break some of the habits before you actually stop smoking.
So far it is working for me. Fifty one days and counting.
By the way, if you need support, my email is in my profile.
Frank
Happy birthday and the very best of good luck in quitting. Monday the first was my 68th birthday. I have been addicted to cigarettes for about 50 years. I finally decided to do something about it and stopped cold turkey on January 15. I read somewhere that the actual chemical dependency lasts a matter of days but the habit goes on for a lot longer. When I decided to quit, I spent the next 10 days changing my habits routines. For example, instead of lighting up with my first cup of coffee, I would wait until I finished the cup and rinsed it before stepping out for a smoke. The point is you should try to break some of the habits before you actually stop smoking.
So far it is working for me. Fifty one days and counting.
By the way, if you need support, my email is in my profile.
Frank
gregintenn
Member
Once.
doublesharp
Member
Good luck. Don't be surprised at how hard it is. Most heavy smokers can't quit. I hope you're one of the lucky ones that is stubborn enough and tough enough to whip the addiction.
