When I quit (half a pack a day avg), I wrote on my wrist how many days it had been. 1 all the way to 70 or so, and I had a lapse one bad day, then started counting from 1 again. It's probably been said here already you're only gonna quit if you truly want to quit. With that mentality, something small like tallying the days for a constant visual reminder can keep you on the wagon.
I don't smoke but I've been seeing a lot of threads on various forums where people claim they quit after using electronic cigarettes.
QTF re: having to want to quit. When I worked in psych and addictions, there were many smokers who applied the 12 Step method from Alcoholics Anon and Narcotics Anon to quit smoking, even going so far as to hold their own Smokers Anonymous groups on the unit. Smokers need to realize that they have an honest-to-god addiction, and treat it like one. Too many people want to poo-poo it as a lack of willpower, and that just adds to the stress and anxiety, which increases the likelihood of relapse. Stay strong, AB.
I wouldn't want to dismiss anything that might work for someone, but my experience has been quite the opposite. Nobody I know that's tried quitting with electronic cigarettes (maybe 3 or 4 people who tried it seriously) has had any luck with it at all.
Smoking is very stylish and at times fabulous. Remember, a man should be two things - classy and fabulous. But as a dead person it's hard to be either. So like all good things, it should be done in moderation.
it's been about 15 years since I quit and I'll still crave every once in a while. It's tough, but if you want it bad enough you'll be ok. You will start to feel better and it should get easier and easier. I had a mad toothpick habit for ever after I quit, helped me. You can do it, it's well worth quitting as I'm sure you know. Hang in there.
When the cravings get bad enough that you think that you love Phillip Morris, and you hear that there's a movie with a name like that, please understand that it's not what you think.
I smoked for ten years and one day said, I quit. It was pretty easy for me. I just stopped and had some cravings but not that much. When you want something bad enough, you can do it. Mind over matter.
Depression. I went through it several years ago but after I got off the meds the smoking habit remained..until last Sunday. All of your responses are really helpful. It's nice to have such support...thx again.
I don't smoke, but my friends who tried quitting usually relapse after drinking. I think it's natural to find a substitute vice when quitting one, but if it's drinking or some other drug, the lines get blurred. If I was a smoker trying to quit, I would write down the reasons why I like it so much: calms me down...gives me a little kick...chance to hang out, and find ways to substitute for it. The perception that cigs can calm you down is out of place because nicotine is a stimulant. Some research indicates it's the deep breathing that calms smokers down. If you used to run or want to start, the endorphin rush people get from it might be a good place to visit. You'll probably dread running, but if you discover liking it, that'll be a great measure of progress. The difficulty in that is that you're not gonna get all the little pleasures you think you used to get in one little cigarette. Initial time spent on meditation might calm you down, but isn't going to give you that little kick. Like any other drug, the cigarette was the shortcut. You might have to appeal to your personality to reinforce getting off of it. When my dad quit, he wrote down how much money he saved a week. I don't think "not wanting cancer" angle is the most effective incentive for the invincible types, but if you had kids, it would bring it closer to home. I'm sure other members had more compelling reasons. They might not apply to you, but you'll have better understanding why it worked for them. I have no idea what your body or Another Quitter's is going through right now, but this seemed to be advice no one has given. I'm thinking it's like a fat guy wanting to shed 100 pounds. It's the little goals and steps that'll help pick you up.
Read Allen Carr's The Easy Way to Quit Smoking. Look it up on Amazon. I quit after reading the book and it was the easiest thing that I have ever done. Look up the reviews...it's legit
I can't believe people get addicted to cigarettes. What's so great about them? I tried to get into smoking back when I was younger but I realized that it didn't give me a buzz or high or anything like that. It was just...a bunch of smoke that made me stink.
It's not about that. People get into it for other reasons; smoking has certain social connotations and mores associated with it. It's like many people and coffee/beer -- I'm the only person I know (aside from my grandmother) who loved coffee/beer the first time he had it (Guinness Draught). I've never smoked, but there were times where I feel it would've been easier/made sense to start.
