Trying to quit smoking

O_DoGG · Nov 12, 2003

Well, after 10 years of intensive tobacco smoking, i've decided to stop it. For the moment, I've seriously reduced my consumption (3 cigarettes today, wow!) but I don't feel able to stop entirely fo the moment, although that is my goal. I'm pretty nervous, anxious and hungry right now, and find it hard to deal with the side effects :rant:

So i would like to know how you did to stop smoking, what were the physical effects, any trick to make it easier would be welcome.
Oh, and advice from people who have never smoked may very well be disregarded

-Snakebite- · Nov 12, 2003

Cover yourself in something flamable.

MetalMickey · Nov 12, 2003

I found it quite easy to quit smoking.

Heres my two-step plan:

1. Quit
2. Wait

The cravings are annoying, but no more annoying than a bad toothache. Give it a week and they will disapear. After a few weeks it was like I never smoked a cigarette in my life.

GNAT · Nov 12, 2003

Just get some gum, or eat more snacks

I quite twice both times cold turkey. First I quit for 6months then began to smoke casually here and there, just getting a smoke from a friend... and before you know it I was buying packs again.

Second time I quit I just did it cold turkey again and never looked back. Yeah its bothersome, but just quit. You have to be ready to do it yourself or you'll never do it. You have to make that decision. Set a date, and don't smoke from there on out. Don't pick up a smoke while your drinking or anything else like that either... just don't smoke anymore at all and you'll be fine. MM's right, after about 2 weeks you'll be fine.

Nightmare · Nov 12, 2003

Cold turkey here too. It seems to have worked, it's soon four years since I quit. The cravings are long gone, but I might still dream of smoking once in a while.

Freon · Nov 12, 2003

GNAT said:
Just get some gum, or eat more snacks

I would avoid snacks if I were you. or maybe something truely light, like an apple or something

Mr. Apocalypse · Nov 12, 2003

I heard that you stop getting craving (physicaly) after 7 days, and that chewing mint tooth picks helped some girl in my math class....what odd timing since we for some weird reason started talking about this

Chow Yun-Fat · Nov 12, 2003

i find the best way to quit is when you dont have to worry so much about it, like over the summer when things are less stressful. when you think and agonize over stopping something it only makes it harder. you just need a distraction is all. like start dating some hot chick that doesn't smoke and likes lots of sex.

Vega-don · Nov 12, 2003

i think the first thing is not to buy cigarrettes at all.

if you buy and try not to smoke , thats impossible..
but if you try not to BUY , you have a chance

M_O_DJerry · Nov 12, 2003

I got the best results (yeah, I admit, several !!!) after a bad flu.
You don't smoke in that time anyway, so quitting is easier.
And they lastet almost over a year or two. Best thing for me was to begin with some kind of exercise immediately after quitting (long distance running !). This was good to prevent me gaining some extra kilo's of weight.

Hardest thing is sitting in a pub after several pints of beer without starting again.

Grim_Reaper ~UFS~ · Nov 12, 2003

This is totally off-subject, but I watched this documentary on CNN about a heroin addict who quit heroin after he was put in a medication-induced coma by doctors where the heroin toxin was drained from his blood for 3 days. It was amazing how they did it and he said he didn't feel a craving at all when he woke up.

Saladin · Nov 12, 2003

lol my economics teacher was proud he quit smoking, hes and alcoholic instead now

.

The_Fur · Nov 12, 2003

well he DID quit smoking

kungpaosamuraiii · Nov 12, 2003

Well a health teacher at my school smoked about everything known to man when he was a youth. Something happened and the doctors had to chopped off a ball and he stopped.

spm1138 · Nov 13, 2003

For once, I agree with MetalMickey.

The nicotine cravings pass pretty quickly.

The worst bit is finding a way to fill up all those five minute gaps in your day. A good book? A Gameboy? Pornography?

I'm sure you'll think of something

C22-Mort · Nov 13, 2003

You only actually have to cut down a bit

Just don't have the first one of the day and hey presto you've quit.

Seriously I have stopped for about 1 year now, I have had the odd-relapse but still going okay, but I moved area and job so all the things I associated with smoking had been removed which made it easier.

I find that nights out with m8s that smoke are the hardest times, I think it's a by-law or ancient decree that you must have a pint of beer in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other when you are in a pub

Anyway...good luck m8...let us know how you are doing, support is here if needed for what it's worth

O_DoGG · Nov 13, 2003

Thank you for the support. I smoked only 6 cigarettes yesterday, and one today. I still see myself unable to stop entirely for the moment, although i fear that smoking even one cigarette a day will eventually drive me to start smoking without measure again. I know i should stop cold turkey, but i think my willpower is too weak to do that. I feel nervous of course, but no physical effects so far (surely because my body still receive a daily dose of nicotin). Anxiety rises fom time to time, but isnt permanent.
Edit: I fear the moment when i'll go to a party or in a bar where there will be alcohol. Drinking without smoking is unconceivable for me ATM.

spm1138 · Nov 13, 2003

Don't freak out too much about the nicotine.

If you're down to that few ciggies your body isn't getting that much anyway, is it?

I would say that the main thing with smoking is definitely force of habit rather than the physical addiction (which is quite mild imho).

GNAT · Nov 13, 2003

You have to make up your mind, you wont quit unless you choose to. Make up your mind and stick to it. You have to be serious about it. Not, "yea i know i need to quit", but "friday is the last day I smoke a cig".

EtherRex · Nov 13, 2003

Either commit to quit or commit to cutting down to a certain level.

Ive controlled my smoking twice,

first time I cut down by designating times when I would have a cig. i.e one at 11am with a cup of tea, one after lunch and one after my evening meal. I also limited myself to 1 cig per pint whilst in the pub. That way you are controling the urges without making them unbearable. I also kept a box of nuts in my desk and when I wanted a smoke ate a handfull of them instead. Waited several months at this level.

Then I quit (for four years until two months ago

) I just stopped dead. It was agony for a few weeks and then I didnt think anything would start me off again. It became a point of pride not to have a smoke even when tempted with them (bloody so-called mates!). God knows why ive started again. Im just about keeping it to a pack a day.....

Quiting smoking is bloody hard for most people. Its an achievement to be proud of if you manage it.

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