Quitting Smoking

[MindBomber]

I noticed in the 2012 New Years resolution thread that a number of us have quitting smoking as our resolution, so I wanted to create this thread for us to all share techniques that are working well. I quit once before with pure will power, but returned to the habit in a time of immense stress this year. I'd like to quit again, because realistically, it's an unattractive, unhealthy habit and expensive habit. Will power is definitely not an easy way to go, especially if you're surrounded by other smokers at work.

So, what has worked for the ex-smokers or is working for current smokers trying to quit?

[Soundy]

My wife quit about 5 years ago... just one day decided she'd had enough and cut it out. Had a helluva time with the withdrawals, but stuck it out. She still gets the cravings, but she says the thing that keeps her from going back is knowing that she'd have to go through quitting again.

[Excelsis]

What about going cold turkey or finding a new hobby?

Work out, ding ding, positive in either way..

instead of going for a smoke break you could get one of those grip trainers like this

and just do that anytime you want to smoke

That's only one way out of smoking, you could do so much more.. Write on something, draw, i don't know man, opportunities are endless it's your creativity, good luck

[NLY]

I haven't exactly quit but I've cut down A LOT. At first I did it for my girlfriend because she hated the smell of smoke and was concerned with my health. I had a bad habit of ending a long study session with a cig because it helped me relax. Instead of going through packs, I reserve an occasional smoke for after a big meal or compliment when i'm drinking.

One thing that I noticed to dramatically cut down is to not smoke while driving. I've also started to bring snacks to work so when I step out, it's to enjoy the weather and an apple/kiwi

[Nocardia]

The BC government has implemented multiple stategies to help the public with this fight, check out the website:

B.C. Smoking Cessation Program - Pharmacare - Ministry of Health


Research has continually shown that the long term quit rate is higher with healthcare intervention, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist about it to see if they can help

[dlo]

start slow, from smoking to e cigs, than ull slowly die out pretty much lol,

for me i just sub it from smokes, to e smokes, and smoke weed eerrrr day

[Excelsis]

Poor DLo..
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[TheNewGirl]

I quit with Zyban which worked great for me. I'd tried everything else until that point to no avail.

It's also to keep in mind it's an addiction, just like everything else. I quit 10 years ago, I still crave, I still look at smokers now and then and think 'just one' and have to decide not to. It doesn't ever magically go away but it does become managable with help.

[fliptuner]

It makes it a lot harder when you're surrounded by smokers at work all day, can still smoke while your hands are doing other things at work and 70% of the people you hang out with, smoke.

I think I'm going to search for what's new in Ecigs.

[!Nhan]

i one day decided to quit and stopped smoking. I don't get cravings anymore, and when I was quitting i didn't have any of the withdrawal symptoms or any of that. a few of my friends did the same thing too.

I think that when you're in the mental state that you want to quit, it will be easy to do so.

You don't make resolution to, or set a date to quit. You just do it.

[Drow]

its hard for me cuz a lot of my friends smoke, which just makes it THAT much harder to quit.

[Energy]

^ quit together. Easier I think when you have other people doing it at the same time.

[PornMaster]

Reason for me quitting now
1) Can't work because injury so need to save money
2) Sister crying in my arms because my health so bad (bad back, coughing blood)

BTW I am not old either I am only 21

started smoking when I was 15 and since around 17 smoked half pack a day.

[!Nhan]

Originally Posted by Drow

its hard for me cuz a lot of my friends smoke, which just makes it THAT much harder to quit.

two of my closest friends smoke and i see them pretty much all the time when i go out. almost half the people i work with smoke. don't mean to be mean or harsh, but it's like i said earlier when you want to quit you will quit. won't be hard or anything at all.

this is coming from a guy who smoked for almost 10 years and smoked almost a pack a day for the last 5 of those years

[gdoh]

i quit with will power, i started to cut down getting to a smoke every 2nd day then just quitting all together. i would suggest you take some time from drinking once you quit because you will want to smoke, also get into a cardio demanding activity i chose kick boxing and moved onto jiu jitsu now im addicted to training

[TMT]

my advice would be

- cutting down doesn't really help but if you must i guess you could
- try and avoid smokers cause thats when you really fiend or try quitting with your friends
- get athletic & keep busy doing physical activities
- not recommended for all but weed helped me while i was quitting

good luck with quitting

[TheNewGirl]

I had very good success with Xyban, and three of my coworkers have quit with Champex in the last year.

Orange juice or something tangy cuts the craving some (I'm not sure why but it worked for me)

Find something to do with your hands. Knitting, embroidery & typing worked for me. Seriously, anything to keep my hands busy during the times I usually smoked.

Know your triggers. I found for example it was easier for me to quit drinking coffee (and have tea instead) cause I had a tight bond between that and smoking. Some alcohol had the same effect on me.

Recognize that addiction is for life. The cravings will get more manageable but know they will come back at times in the future. If you accept this it's easier to deal with them when they do.

You're lucky quitting now. I did it 12 years ago when bars and restaurants and malls even were smoky. Now it's a lot easier to avoid temptation and exposure.

[rageguy]

Don't forget about the free Thrive patches. All it take is 1 phone call and 1 visit to Safeway.

I quit cold turkey. I smoked since 2005. Started from 1-2 a day, then 7-8 a day, then all of a sudden 0 a day. I watched the movie 50/50. Seeing how chemo is like in a movie is enough to turn me away. I save so much money now. $11 for pack of Benson silver menthol is too much!

[PornMaster]

stopped smoking since mid dec?
I relapsed one or two a day in dec but in Jan not even one smoke.

Cold turkey but with a little help with some nicotine gum here an there

[pinn3r]

the 'cold turkey' method worked for me, but in my case i only had been smoking for 7-8 months so it wasn't difficult to quit
just throw away those cigarettes and stop hanging around people who smoke; you'll eventually forget about it. try counseling, medication, or other methods of support to further assist with quitting
good luck

[Excelsis]

wat you're in highschool and you're smoking regularly? shit..

[XplicitLuder]

Originally Posted by Alpha v2

wat you're in highschool and you're smoking regularly? shit..

how does this suprise you ? a lot of people do (now dont argue saying I DIDNT, thats why i didnt say EVERYONE lool)

but good on you pinn3r. I use to hack a dart here and tehre and still do, i did it everyday before when i was only like..17 for couple months but i decided screw this and quitted. Also i had moved back to Canada and i knew my uncle would murder me if he found out, so that kinda gave me a reason to stop. I think if you find a reason to stop you will, if you think you found a reason and still haven't..you haven't found a reason

ps : i currently haven't "quit" since i still smoke , but it's more of a social thing when im drinking lol so..twice a month MAX , but more like a smoke every month or two

[pinn3r]

Originally Posted by Alpha v2

wat you're in highschool and you're smoking regularly? shit..

^ i stopped though ... 'cause smoking is fucking retarded. i had an epiphany and realized how important life & health is. it's a temporary euphoria for the price of permanently blackening my lungs .. absolute shit

[Excelsis]

well first of all, i never got to it since the smell tastes like shit

[XplicitLuder]

you can taste the smell ? and like shit ? should i ask how you know how shit taste like