I'm going to smoke, and I'd like to see some answers upon my return!

I want to quit smoking. Sort of.
I've been smoking since I was 18 (I would have started sooner but I didn't want to do anything illegal. Seriously). Over the years I've quit several times. The first time was when I found out I was pregnant (13 years ago) and I went cold turkey. I didn't start again until my daughter was about a month old. In that case, I did it for her and I never looked at it as quitting. For 7.5 months, I was looking forward to being able to smoke again. That failure was purely psychological, I know.

Over the past five or six years, I've "quit" about once or twice a year. Sometimes I've made it a few days, usually a few weeks, once three months. The longest I've quit was with Chantix, and that's the only time I've tried something other than gum and suckers, which are not good substitutes for cigarettes until they start making them in Camel flavor :)

Chantix helped A LOT, but it also made me bat-crap crazy! I had these terrible nightmares, where ungodly things were happening to me and I'd wake up in a panic, terrified. I hated life. I hated EVERYONE. I was a horrible person, I'm not gonna lie! And it gave me these horrific stomach aches that felt like I'd swallowed gasoline with a Kentucky Gentleman chaser! It was bad news.

I think the problem for me is that I truly enjoy smoking. I know it stinks and it's expensive and it makes me look old and it's just bad, bad stuff. Nevertheless, I enjoy it.

So, has anyone had any luck with something other than Chantix? The patches, the nicotine gums?

I know the desire has to be there, and I do have some of that. But I need extra help. I have zero will power and I'm so damn rotten when I'm in a quitting cycle, I'm surprised I haven't had the crap kicked out of me.

Suggestions?

don't give up. i'm trying to quit as well. i told myself as soon as finals were over i was done.. it's been a week and a half and every day is "oh i'll just quit tomorrow." lol i've quit a few times before, once for 6 months. not even a puff. never tried chantix but with me the thing that worked the most was anger. after trying to quit for a while i would get so angry with myself for not being able to, i'd force myself, no matter how awful it was. anger isn't always a bad thing. lol

I have quit a few times a reward months at a time. Haha and the last time I quit I just felt like crazy, but the past year or so I haven't even felt like quitting I enjoy it also. I know it's horrible for me but I like it.

I quit bout three months ago I tried chantix but it was bad ha I wanted to quit for my fireman schooling. Butttt I did start chewing again, I chewed alot growing up an quit but now I chew again figured it was better then having problems breathing

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by creepin

don't give up. i'm trying to quit as well. i told myself as soon as finals were over i was done.. it's been a week and a half and every day is "oh i'll just quit tomorrow." lol i've quit a few times before, once for 6 months. not even a puff. never tried chantix but with me the thing that worked the most was anger. after trying to quit for a while i would get so angry with myself for not being able to, i'd force myself, no matter how awful it was. anger isn't always a bad thing. lol

---

I'm not that hard on myself, ha ha! I'm horrible about "I'll just do it tomorrow." And I'm also incredibly creative. It takes me about five seconds to create an excuse.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by carlson

I quit bout three months ago I tried chantix but it was bad ha I wanted to quit for my fireman schooling. Butttt I did start chewing again, I chewed alot growing up an quit but now I chew again figured it was better then having problems breathing

---

So, chew instead? That's your suggestion? No way! Well, not yet anyway.

Well, dunno about your reptile addiction, but take the smokes money and put it in an envelope for a few months. Then, when you see you can go out and buy like a pewterbee bp or a radar white and yellow leopard gecko, quitting will be easier because it's a means to another addiction. ;)

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kodieh

Well, dunno about your reptile addiction, but take the smokes money and put it in an envelope for a few months. Then, when you see you can go out and buy like a pewterbee bp or a radar white and yellow leopard gecko, quitting will be easier because it's a means to another addiction. ;)

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2

---

Ha Ha! I'm not nearly as hooked as most of you! One time, I gave ALL of my access to money to my boyfriend and told him that he is NOT to return it, no matter what I do, until I have gone a month without a cigarette. By the second day I was like a crack head tearing my car apart in search of quarters. By the second day, I was literally screaming at him that he's a controlling psycho who has NO right to withhold money from me, as I am an adult and I work full time! Ha Ha. It's funny now, but it wasn't at the time. He says he never made any phone calls to see about having me committed, but I'm not sure. He held out for as long as he could, but he finally caved and told me I'd have to try a different method. Preferably one that didn't involve screaming like a banshee and wild eyes :)

I do like the idea of the reward system. I'm spending an average of $8 a day on cigarettes. That could add up pretty quickly, if I could keep from trying to roll it into a dried-leaf-smoke! I don't think I'd buy a snake though. I'd probably try to smoke that too. I'll have to think of something 100% flame retardant.

Really, I'm thinking about trying the gum or the patch. Has anyone had any success with either of these?

This is what you need. Just trust me, I've seen these things work for a bunch of my friends, and I own one too, although I quit years ago. The E-liquids come in lots of tobacco flavors and strengths, so you can figure out what to start with and then slowly lower the nicotine strength you are using. No smoky smell on your breath or clothes, plus you can smoke it indoors (it's cold outside!!). Best money you'll ever spend if you are truly serious about quitting. :gj:

http://www.volcanoecigs.com/electron...ferno-kit.html

I say ecigs as well. I quite cold turkey because my fiance threatened to leave me...quite the incentive to stop.

I have had one since I got home on 8 December, and I quit this time because, even though I enjoy cigarettes, I know that they affect my ability to run. The whole time that I was in Afghanistan I told myself I would quit both for my running and for my climbing trip to mexico next month. I have a feeling that being a smoker wouldn't do me any favors while trying to reach 18,500'!

This is going to sound like captain obvious, but the bottom line is everyday you have a cigarette your a smoker, everyday you dont consecutively, you aren't. There is no magic cure. Just put them down and don't pick one up again. Do not make excuses why you should have one more or wait until... I quit smoking October 19, 1989. Why do I know that? Because that is how significant it is to me. Even now 23+ years later, I know if I have a cigarette today, I will be a smoker tomorrow. I still get that urge when someone lights up and I catch that first smell.

Forget all the health reasons as you know those already. The thing I discovered was everything taste better. I could smell better and let me tell you people that smoke, stink from cigarettes. I no longer burned clothes or furniture. I didn't have to go outside and freeze at someones house because they didn't allow it. I didn't have a bad day out duck hunting because my cigarettes got wet or I forgot a lighter.

If that isn't enough then consider that you say you spend $8 a day on cigarettes. In the time some BPs go off feed (100+ days), you could afford a new peid girl.

Quitting is hard. For most people it takes several tries. My husband and I quit over 10 years ago. But it took us several tries, I would be ready and he wouldn't or vice versa. I wanted a baby, and that was what finally did it. Quit cold turkey so I could get pregnant, and never looked back. Won't ever start again either, because my daughter and being healthy for her is very important to me, and I wouldn't ever want it around her. I chewed lots of gum (just regular gum), and drank lots of water.

Good luck!! This is the one time in life when you really do want to be a quitter!

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

I just quit smoking last week. I am not using any patches, gum, or ecigs. I just decided that it is time to quit. I am tired of stinking like an ash tray and also of wasting my money. I am also tired of hacking up a lung. Cigarettes are terrible and are just bad for you , period. If you really want to quit, you can do it.

my dad used the patches and gum when quitting. now 20 years later he still needs gum every once in a while....it will stick with you. good luck

I smoked for 30 something years. Yes I'm old:). I quit about 6 years ago. I had tried pills, gum, cold turkey. The thing was I just wasn't truly ready to quit. I had a little health scare 6 years ago. That is what finally did it for me. Cold turkey! One day at a time. I am so glad that I quit. You don't think so much about it when your young but smokers get higher rates on insurance. Health and Life. Plus the cost of a good Marlboro:) All are gonna keep going up in price I believe.

My clothes, home, car don't have that stinking smell anymore:banana: If I can do it anybody can. Tell yourself you can do it and think about the long term benefits. Good Luck!

I quit in 1988 - before the gum, patches and other stuff on the market today. I put them down one day and have not smoked cigarettes since. For me, flossing my teeth helped. It gave me a routine with my hands and mouth. I discovered that the ritual of smoking was as pleasing as smoking. The pulling out of the pack, the tamping it down, pulling one out, tapping it down, etc. So, if you want a substitute, try flossing. A side benefit is that your dental hygienist will love your new habit!

An alternative to Chantix would be Zyban (or Welbutrin - same exact drug marketed under two names). It is a medication that requires a prescription. Some doctors may prescribe Welbutrin (for depression) if your insurance company doesn't cover Zyban (for smoking cessation).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BrandiR

I think the problem for me is that I truly enjoy smoking. I know it stinks and it's expensive and it makes me look old and it's just bad, bad stuff. Nevertheless, I enjoy it

---

I started drafting my post in my head during the first few sentences, then I saw this.

You won't quit until you don't like it anymore. That's my belief.

I smoked for a number of years and finally decided that I didn't like it anymore. Everyone I've ever known that quit under any other pretense has been an on and off smoker since trying. If you're ready to not be a smoker anymore, it won't take a huge amount of effort. I smoked a pack of camel filters a day for 6 years before I quit, just in case someone will make the claim that I must not know how hard it is (boo hoo).

Good luck - find ways to stop liking it. Smoke your first butt the minute you wake up in the morning. Take HUGE drags and really feel the smoke all up in your system. Notice how you feel before and after the cigarette. It's going to make you groggy, fatigued, and weak. I started realizing that life was hard enough on its own and smoking was just making it harder to get up and face the day. Don't fool yourself into believing otherwise. Try taking breaks in the morning from smoking. Figure out if the urge to smoke is because of a physical addiction or if you actually think it will help you in your day. I guarantee if you focus on it enough you'll realize it's the first of those 2. At that point, why are you paying a bunch of money to enslave yourself to something unhealthy? It doesn't even do much. The act of taking a break and deep breathing is all the therapy you get out of it. Just do that without the cigarette.

I quit smoking with both pregnancies, but started up again afterward. Then in March of 2009 I quit again and haven't smoked since. That time I used Chantix, but only for a month because (as you mentioned) the side effects were vicious. Then after I weaned off the Chantix the nicotine cravings were, weirdly, back and awful. Fortunately at that point I hadn't smoked for a month and since this was right when all the cigarette taxes were going up, I was feeling EXTREMELY cheap and didn't cave.

I think you've just got to have the trigger to want to stop, to really want it, regardless of how much you want a cigarette. Because believe me, I'd love one right now. But my husband and I both quit at the same time so even when we're both muttering how good one would be, we don't. I'm not going through the misery of quitting ever again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BrandiR

I want to quit smoking. Sort of.

---

You have to really want to, then choose a nicotine replacement therapy. Obviously for you Chantix is out, which is too bad since nicotine itself is out of your system within 48 hours. I smoked for 20-25 years and spent many of those sort of wanting to quit. I say sort of because I always went back after a year of so, always when I was drunk. The problem there is I would smoke for 3 or 4 years then quit for a few months/year and a new pattern started.

This time I'm confident I got it right. I don't even want to smoke. It's about control or rather being controlled by a death stick. It's also about NOT buying a tobacco executive a BMW in the next 5 years. I know if I have just one, ever the pattern will start again and I am absolutely not willing to begin the roller coaster of shame again. Chantix was key and because I had experience in quitting I was able to take the 1st month starter and stretch it an extra week and a half, lowering the dose to taper not only my temper but the shock of discontinuation. Didn't have the dreams just the crabby attitude and a couple stomach issues.

I've used the patch in the past with pretty good results and really preferred the patch. It's a good idea to use a little cortisone cream underneath and have several different places to apply one, arms/shoulders, a different place every day. It's like: 20 mins after you put one on your brain feels like you're smoking and you stay calm all day long. Just don't sleep with a patch or the weird dreams find they're way back.

The gum is ok but gave me the hiccups.

Hope you muster up the strength to take that step.

E-cigs worked for me, it's not the same but it will at least help with the cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

I was the victim of smoking when I was young. My mom quit while she was pregnant with me. Started up again after I was born. I grew up with constant sinus infections, ear infections, allergies to everything! She quit when I was around 12. At 35 I still have adverse effects from it . I am allergic to everything still. Always have sinus infections. Just the smell of cigarettes gives me a sore throat, headache and bad attitude! I hear smokers talk about being sick or having a cold and I think "DUH!" all I have to do is smell that crap and it does that to me! I can't even imagine what it would feel like to suck it into my body! Paybacks a.....! In the back of my mind, no matter who it is, if I know you smoke, your IQ dropped by 50%!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BrandiR

I'm spending an average of $8 a day on cigarettes. That could add up pretty quickly, if I could keep from trying to roll it into a dried-leaf-smoke!

---

If you're spending that much on it, how is the financial motivation alone not enough to make you quit? $8/day is almost $3000/year. I wish I had a spare $3K/year to just dump - I'd have a GTP, I'd get some cool stuff for my wife, *and* my car would get some fun upgrades. Quit and you can instantly afford a car payment you couldn't previously justify, or you can buy 50 new full-price new release video games every year, or you can go out to dinner way more often, or you could put it all away in a college fund for your kid, or whatever trips your trigger, but that's a LOT of money to be spending on something that has no benefit and only serves to up your cancer risk and make you smell bad.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tfpets

In the back of my mind, no matter who it is, if I know you smoke, your IQ dropped by 50%!

---

Well I guess I'm fortunate my IQ is pretty high to begin with :)

Thank you all so much for your input. It helps to know that I'm not the only one who has such a hard time with this! My primary issue is that I don't want to be a slave to it anymore. After reading what some of you have said, I started thinking about it and I literally plan my life around smoking!

I've heard the e-cigarettes are helpful, but I have concerns that mimicking the habit like that could just prolong the quitting process. I think I'm going to shoot for cold turkey. If I find that it's just too tough, I'll throw in some Nicorette.

January 1, that's the day. With any luck, I'll be a nonsmoker before I turn 35 (later in January), and with even more luck I won't look like I'm 62 when I'm 35!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by olstyn

If you're spending that much on it, how is the financial motivation alone not enough to make you quit? $8/day is almost $3000/year. I wish I had a spare $3K/year to just dump - I'd have a GTP, I'd get some cool stuff for my wife, *and* my car would get some fun upgrades. Quit and you can instantly afford a car payment you couldn't previously justify, or you can buy 50 new full-price new release video games every year, or you can go out to dinner way more often, or you could put it all away in a college fund for your kid, or whatever trips your trigger, but that's a LOT of money to be spending on something that has no benefit and only serves to up your cancer risk and make you smell bad.

---

I agree completely! Sometimes I will see a $5000 pair of earrings I want and think, "Yeah, right!" But really, I get a pretty awesome discount and if I were to go to work every morning and hand my boss $8, I'd have them in six months (that was a guess, it's too early for math). It's funny how I don't even bother to justify giving 7-11 $8 a day, but when I see an expensive something that I want, I think, "You couldn't possibly spend that much money on yourself, you selfish woman!" Ha HA!

A big part of it is changing my perspective. Baby steps....

You have to focus on all of the negatives and weigh it against the positives (hint, there are literally none).

That's how your perspective changes.

Every year I celebrate (in my head) my yearly "smoke free" anniversary! I quit cold turkey July 3, 2008. It took me from February or March of that year to get the gumption to do it. Here's my advice: write down ALL of the benefits of quitting. Read them every day. Set a date (looks like you already have). Change up your routine; drive a different way to work, sit in a different chair, go out the back door instead of the front, etc. Try to avoid places where you usually smoke. This is easier if you don't smoke indoors. The hardest for me was after meals. I didn't know what to do with myself because I was so used to going outside after eating and smoking. I did EVERYTHING I could think of! Puzzles, watch tv, color, sew, bake, blah, blah, blah. For me the first 2 weeks were the hardest. Getting through the really BAD cravings SUCKS! I've been 100% smoke free for 4.5 years now. I even survived living with a friend of mine for the summer with smokers IN THE HOUSE and I STILL didn't smoke one! I don't tell you this to brag because believe me I was tempted. I tell you to encourage you to make that list, memorize it, and stick to your guns about why you're quitting! I liked smoking, too. That was my number 1 reason for NOT quitting. But I realized that if I wanted to better my health, smell better, and save money that I needed to DO something! You can do this! Finally, I leave you with my favorite quote of all time:

"Excuses are for losers, winners find a way."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BrandiR

Ha Ha! I'm not nearly as hooked as most of you! One time, I gave ALL of my access to money to my boyfriend and told him that he is NOT to return it, no matter what I do, until I have gone a month without a cigarette. By the second day I was like a crack head tearing my car apart in search of quarters. By the second day, I was literally screaming at him that he's a controlling psycho who has NO right to withhold money from me, as I am an adult and I work full time! Ha Ha. It's funny now, but it wasn't at the time. He says he never made any phone calls to see about having me committed, but I'm not sure. He held out for as long as he could, but he finally caved and told me I'd have to try a different method. Preferably one that didn't involve screaming like a banshee and wild eyes :)

I do like the idea of the reward system. I'm spending an average of $8 a day on cigarettes. That could add up pretty quickly, if I could keep from trying to roll it into a dried-leaf-smoke! I don't think I'd buy a snake though. I'd probably try to smoke that too. I'll have to think of something 100% flame retardant.

Really, I'm thinking about trying the gum or the patch. Has anyone had any success with either of these?

---

Well, since I like math. 8 x 30 = 240 a month, and in five months that's 1200. ;)

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tfpets

I was the victim of smoking when I was young. My mom quit while she was pregnant with me. Started up again after I was born. I grew up with constant sinus infections, ear infections, allergies to everything! She quit when I was around 12. At 35 I still have adverse effects from it . I am allergic to everything still. Always have sinus infections. Just the smell of cigarettes gives me a sore throat, headache and bad attitude! I hear smokers talk about being sick or having a cold and I think "DUH!" all I have to do is smell that crap and it does that to me! I can't even imagine what it would feel like to suck it into my body! Paybacks a.....! In the back of my mind, no matter who it is, if I know you smoke, your IQ dropped by 50%!

---

I am also allergic to everything and have frequent sinus infections but neither of my parents smoked. I smoke now but started loooong after the allergies and sinus trouble.

To the OP, you have to want it. That's the bottom line, if you aren't ready, you are just setting yourself up to fail.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2