Smoking, quitting, and cravings

[pawncop]

I quit in 1976 and had cravings for several years. The worst time was right after a meal or when sharing an adult tasty BEvERage. It does fade with time. Best of luck, stay the course, it is worth it.

 

[Point 357]

Thank you everybody for your encouragement!
I apologize for my profanity, I really didn't think there...
Hopefully the cravings will diminish soon.

 

[jkc]

I quit, cold turkey, a thirty year, two pack a day habit, using a drug marketed for the purpose as "Zyban" (sp?), AKA welbutrin (sp?), also used in other therapies. After quitting abruptly (overnight), I had no further desire to light another cigarette, and wouldn't do so now with a gun to my head (well, maybe, if it was a S&W, certainly not if a Taurus or KelTec or some other *** offering me a fighting chance...)

 

[.45goblue]

I quit smoking by taking up chewing. Now, I chew Grizzly and I can't quit that!

My advice: do not use another form of tobacco to quit tobacco! Find another way! Just my personal experience.

I enjoy chewing more than I ever enjoyed smoking...

 

[snubbyfan]

I smoked for 20 years and quit cold turkey. My Dad was my inspiration, he smoked 4 packs a day of unfiltered Pall Malls and quit cold turkey. If he could do that then I can quit smoking 1 pack of Marlboro Lights a day.
First thing I did was to tell everyone I knew that I quit, then I started exercising, mountain biking, rollerblading and backpacking. I ended up in the best shape of my life.
The cravings lasted for about 3 weeks. Since it felt so good to be able to breath again, I managed to ignore them.
I still smoke a cigar occasionally though.

 

[JayCeeNC]

I quit in the mid-1980's.
The only thing I craved was to immediately beat people senseless when they ticked me off.
I developed a lot of restraint during that period.
Hope your experience is more tranquil.

 

[Hudgehog]

I quit smoking by dipping, which made smoking easy to quit. Dipping was extremely hard to quit, which I did cold turkey after 2 cans a day for who knows how long. I still get a craving every now and then, but the constant urges will go away after a few weeks, hang in there.

 

[timn8er]

I agree with Shouldazagged & Hillbilly77, cold turkey is the only way to go! And definitely YES on the chewing gum(sugarless, if possible)& carrot sticks. You CAN do this thing!

 

[mjr]

I quit, cold turkey, a thirty year, two pack a day habit, using a drug marketed for the purpose as "Zyban" (sp?), AKA welbutrin (sp?), also used in other therapies.

I also quit with the aid of Wellbutrin. It definitely helped. I smoked for a total of 40 years. Smoke free for the last eight and a half years.

Try "air smoking" (kind of like "air guitar") when cravings come. Put your fingers up to your mouth the way you would if they were holding a cigarette and inhale forcefully and deeply several times. It'll help.

And remember, each craving lasts 15 to 20 minutes maximum. You can last that long, easily.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

I quit 16 years ago the end of last month- they day of my heart attack-- Camels for almost 40 years, quit cold turkey. Gained some weight, but never returned to smoking. The smell is a killer- I ask my wife, was it always that bad, or is it just because I quit. She reported it was always that bad, and when I ask why She never said anything, She said I would never have believed Her. Then again, She has never been a nagger. My sense of smell improved greatly, food taste better than I can ever remember. It is a mind thing. You either want to quit or you don't. On top of that, laws have changed, and the cost has gone through the roof. You will be better for it. I was lucky to the point, because I had a triple by-pass, my hospital stay was a bit longer than normal. By the time I had been released the withdrawal symptoms had passed. I wanted to at least see the Grandsons finish high school, little did I know a Grandaughter would come along and really light up my life. Hang in there. You can do it if you want to. The pills, patches etc. are all BS-- if you want to you will. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[kamloops67]

yes , i agree you guys .its just when the cravings got so that i was swearing angrily at a bumpy gravel road,so bad that my apprentice insisted that i take a pinch of his reviled copenhagen . he looked serious.he was my physical equal and rather than push it i tried the snoose. it worked . i was relaxed immediAtely then spit the trash out and picked my teeeth for a bit i used it periodically thereafter but tossed it after a couple weeks. it helped in my case ,but I WANTED TO QUIT.
in the end its you alone facing the lion .as someone said ,buy your self a revolver with your savings, if you can pull this off you deserve it
also , mr pa reb meant no disrespect the w ritten word comes off wrong sometimes for me

 

[Road Rat]

I started smoking at age 11. Hey, everyone smoked in the '40's.

I started trying to quit at 16........nothing worked and at age 56 I finally made it!!!

It took a triple by-pass surgery to keep me in the hospital long enough for the cravings to stop!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH....I was free.

Then in order to help me my darling wife quit (took her 3 months to finally have the last smoke).

Then she started putting our cigarette money into the stock market........Grandson is not going to college on our smoke fund!

What ever you do...............DON'T TAKE THE FIRST SMOKE.

As you can see from above everyone is different but we all did quit.....

Congrats and good luck.

 

[cddanjr]

I quit on 7-7-07

I used Chantix, it was a NIGHTMARE, but I survived. and no one had to die.

If you just do not smoke, you wont have a cigarette.

it is that simple, not easy, but simple.

Just dont smoke anymore, sometimes its a moment by moment life, other times its easier.

Just dont smoke.. no matter what, just dont smoke.

Chuck

 

[Class III]

Coming up on 24 years for me. I quit in 1989 after smoking for 15 years, started at 12 and quit at 28. I was a 5 pack a day burner/2 pack a day smoker when I quit. I told myself they would have to ban smoking in the office AND the price per pack would have to hit $1.00 per pack, then I would quit. That day was July 25, 1989.

During my thirty days of detox there where a few times that my tongue got me in trouble. I could have (Did) ripped someones head off, **** in their neck and rubbed their face in **** rather than say "Good Morning".

Picking up that first pack of smokes, the SECOND biggest mistake I ever made in my life.

BTW, same age as you and there are STILL days that I would LOVE to have a smoke, but better judgment interjects.

I'll be the first to admit that I still have a craving for a smoke, about once a year. What satisfies that urge is a good Cohiba with whatever I'm drinking. Last Cohiba I had (12/31/2011) was a GENUINE 2007 made Cubano Cohiba. I brought back a "Few" in my shirt pockets while vacationing in the islands.

Class III

 

[Onomea]

I will be two years smoke free if I make it to October. I think I will.

Smoked about a pack a day, Marlboro reds, sometimes more, for over 40 years. Quit several times. Maybe about five.... for a few months, and then I'd tell myself, "Wail hail, I got it beat. I can have just one," and I'd fire one up. Pretty soon, week or two, I'd be right back where I started.

I think the key is just don't have that "one cigarette." But, hey, who knows? I am less than two years.

Yeah, I often think I'd like a smoke. And unlike many folks here, I like the smell of tobacco. Brings back all sorts of good memories for me.

As someone said above, it is a mind thing. Sure, take various stop smoking aids. Give 'em a try. I did. Several times. But I agree that what really counts is make up your mind. If you really, truly, decide to quit, you can do it. If you are wishy-washy and self doubting about it -- "woe is me" BS -- ain't gonna happen. Truly, it is up to you and no one else.

20 months and counting on a cold turkey stop after 42 years....

Good luck to you.

(Good luck to me, too!)

 

[Intheshop]

May be a little out of place here....but,

You can either pray they don't kill you,if you do smoke....or.....pray to help you stop.I chose the latter.

The very best of luck quitting.Think positive,one day at a time.

 

[blujax01]

In the beginning the cravings are constant. They are predictable, too. First coffee, after each meal, etc. These you can prepare for. Smell that coffee and buckle up, you know it's coming. Fight it back, enjoy the cup, and prepare for round two - after your breakfast. Those are easier to see coming. What about when you start the car? Did you realize that's another "automatic" time you fire one up? How about when you're measuring a board, or reading a blueprint? These are the ones giving you the most trouble, am I right?

Recognizing when they're coming is the key to fighting them. Nothing worse than being blindsided, because by that time, you're in the middle of a nicotine fit.

Having a difference of opinion with the boss, or your Lady, or your kid? Get ready to cut them some serious slack, otherwise they can become an easy target for your temper tantrums.

Oh yeah, if you're smart - you're done drinking for awhile. Get a few snorts under your belt, you can talk yourself into damn near anything. You see I quit once before in 1991. Made it over 5 years then had a few pops and smoked "just one". Bought a CARTON on the way home and chain smoked for days. I had some making up to do! It took 13 years to get the courage to try again.

There is an upside - I quit October 22, 2009. At 1-1/2 packs per day and $6 per pack, I have saved over 12,000 dollars! 12 GRAND!

I realized that there were plenty of things I have to do because someone else tells me to. Go to work, pay taxes, drive 55-(ish). Do this, don't do that. Things out of my control that are nonetheless expected.

Now why would I willingly allow myself to be controlled by cigarettes when I could change that?

It ain't easy. You invited that monkey onto your back and he has been your best bud for a long time. Have a talk with him. He needs to know in no uncertain terms that he is no longer welcome in your life. When those cravings hit - and they may for a long time - have a chat with your monkey. He's a bully and he is persistent but he can be run out of town.

Best of luck and God Speed!

~ Alan

 

[Brian41]

I started smoking as a teen and am 60 now. I've tried about everything except chewing to quit and have lasted for quite awhile before that first one they speak of. I quit again using the patch this time about 2 1/2 months ago and patch free a couple weeks now. My urges are getting fewer but still there.
I started many times because of work stress but now I'm retired may just be the answer to my staying quit, hope so.
Good luck to you sir and hope your urges lesson soon.

 

[PA Reb]

dont feel sorry , feel wrong . it worked for me. how did you quit?

Well sir, believe what you want to believe is all I can say. I'm glad your method helped you quit but my post was aimed at the OP who has just undergone open heart surgery. A quick blast of nicotine by way of snuff is indeed a direct route to the heart. The last thing the OP needs is an irritatant that could possibly cause his heart to go into an unwanted rhythm. If you care to read it, here is one of many thousands of studies that talk a little about this > TRDRP Grant: Nicotine and cardiac vulnerability to fibrillation .

How did I quit? If you must know, I haven't tried lately!

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Congrats! Two weeks is great, you're over the hard part.

PAreb is right, don't feed your cravings with dip. If you think quitting smoking is tough, dip is even worse. If you drink alcohol then cool that for a while because the urge to smoke while drinking can break you. Exercise and keeping yourself busy will help you through the cravings more than anything else. If you're sitting around home watching TV and craving a smoke, go for a walk... mow the lawn... wash the car... whatever.