Tips for quitting smoking

[ribbitski]

Way to go!!!!!!

I am a smoker, and have "quit" (if you can call it that) several times. So I feel that I am an authority on what not to do.

The biggest thing for me, being a person who smokes for pshycological addiction rather than physical, was that I still hung around all of the same people that I did before trying to quit. When you see someone light up, it really makes you want to, also. (Ever notice that when you are watching a movie and one of the actors lights up, you suddenly have the urge to do so also?)
So try to stay from people who smoke, at least while they are smoking. This was probably the biggest factor in my starting to smoke again. (I "quit" once for 8 months, and started again because I started hanging out with one of my old buddies.)

Keep Busy!! The second that you are bored, you will want a cigarette. It was always really easy for me to not want to smoke if I kept myself (especially my hands) busy. The second that I wasn't doing anything, the impulse came on, and off I went!

You may want to look into a drug called Zyban. It's an anti-depressant that the Army prescibes to people who want to quit smoking. (The army is really big into anti-smoking.) I have had friends take Zyban for 5 days and then put down a pack of cigs, saying "I just don't feel like smoking anymore." It seems to have amazing results for people that are able to get it.

Good luck on your endeavor. If you succeed, you are a much better person than I.....well, that's not all that hard anyway...

Ribb

[Sohgin]

A lot of the people I know who've quit smoking had someone there helping them. Not really cheering them on but rather kicking their butt for cheating and such. If you have a significant other they could really help you out in that respect, just don't get too mad at them . That and ribbitski's suggestion to stay busy. These seem to be two of the biggest factors in a person's success. Good luck to you.

[jnas]

Good for you. I stopped smoking two and a half years ago. I used the patch for 1 week. After that anytime I got an urge I would stop and take a deep breath and ask myself If I could hold out a little longer. You have to take it one moment at a time and try to keep yourself busy doing something you enjoy. And stay away from alcohol for a while as alcohol makes the urge a lot worse.
Like PonzSpyder I to had very strange dreams while using the patch. They weren't bad just odd. Also an important part of stopping is that you have to want to and not from peer pressure. As good as it works to get you started, It doesn't work for getting you to quit.


Good luck

John

[CubKid]

Trying to quit smoking or going without a cigarette for awhile can be rough. Im just now smoking one because I hadnt had one since about 3pm yesterday. I didnt turn into mega b**ch x10, but I was pretty fidgety. Sometimes I wish I never started smoking, but if I ever do decide to quit I know it wont be easy.

[prttybean]

I knew a lady that cut straws into lengths appromiately as long as a cig. She then carried one around with her at all times. It was strange looking but apparently worked for her. If I get real desperate I may try this.

[korgul]

I still smoke but have started smoking less, leading to the day I quit. One way that has helped me was to change the times that I would normally have one. Instead of right after lunch I would wait 1 hour or more to have that one, Sometimes that one would be cut out altogether. The next day after lunch I might wait 30 min. then have one.

I keep changing the times I would normally have one. I went form a pack a day to about 1/2 pack a day.

Good luck and just remember that when you do quit it is not jsut for you but for the ones you love.

Hope this helps
korgul

[prttybean]

That's a good point Korgul. I smoke at pretty much the same times everyday. If I am late for my usual time I get an anxious feeling.

[Cruez]

I've tried a few times....no luck....but no patch or anything else either....I just have an urge to have something in my mouth to keep it occupied.........Shhh......I said shhhh....Don't even think about it.....yes you...you dirty minded freak....you people are sick....

[bigblue77]

I quit a while back using the patch. Being at work was hard because everyone smoked, thats why I used the patch. I wanted to quit before my daughter was born. In fact, it will be 3 years ago x-mas day that I had my last one.
One thing I noticed now that I have stopped is how bad the the smoke smells on everything. Before I had started, I kinda liked it. But now it just stinks.

Good Luck and stick to it, you'll be glad you did.

Jer

[ocit]

They now have a nicotrol inhaler.(if this has been said already dismiss what i just said)

I dont smoke. watching my sister smoke persuaded me never to start, she quit a while ago but there are after affects.