Help Me! My Stop Smoking Thread

[bigwillq]

With the help and advice of a fellow DUer, I am starting this thread to see if any of you out there can try and help me kick my severe nicotine habit.
Some background about me:

I've been smoking since I was 18. I am 26 now. I quit when I was 19 for a year and a half then I turned 21 and started again after going to the bars/clubs, heck, I was finally legal (for the bar that is). Since then it's a daily habit. It's up to about a pack and a half a day.
I smoke the most during the day (since I don't work until second shift) since this is the time when I mainly "do nothing" except veg out on the couch.

At work, I have a few, about 4-5. At work, smoking is the only chance that I get to have a break.

Then when I go out to the bars/clubs, I'm like a chimney even though here in CT, there is no longer smoking in those places.

I am asking you to give me tips/hints on how to slow down and eventually stop. I don't think I can go cold turkey. Last week, I slowed down only having about 3-5 a day until the pack I bought last weekend ran out and I went and bought another pack. Since then I bought a pack a day.

Any help/advice/support is needed to get me on the right path.
Thanks
-Will

[Langis]

1. I just quit a couple months ago

I was in about the same situation as you. I am 24 and I had smoked since I was 16.

I went to my doctor and got a prescription for wellbutrin and I quit 2 weeks later with that help. It wasn't all that bad, the first 3 days were the worst but now I don't even think about it. I can even drink and go to bars without to much trouble.


I don't know if Wellbutrin is an option for you, but it worked for me and I thought it would be hell to quit.

[bigwillq]

5. Can you fill me in

about what Wellbutrin is all about? Is it specifically a non-smoking drug? Side effects?

Will a doctor just prescribe them to me or do I have to go though all these tests?

Let me know
Thanks
-WIll

[Langis]

17. Wellbutrin is the same as Zyban

It is an anti-depressant and a drug to stop smoking. I didn't have any side effects, other then it makes your cigs taste like crap for the two weeks before you quit. If you ask your doctor he should prescribe it for you, he probably won't have you do any tests.

[bigwillq]

31. Thanks for letting me know this info.

I'm going to call my doctor this week!

[I_like_chicken]

2. Quit?? Why quit smoking is awesome!!

Ok well it is bad for your health I guess. I think your main problem in quitting is gonna be the enviromental cues, ie bars/clubs, work. You've associated these places with smoking(which is pleaseurable) so when you're there, thats when you'll have the strongest cravings. Since its probably impossible for you to avoid these places, I suggest doing this: Buy a pack shitty non-filtered cigarettes. Hold out on smoking until you absolutely have to, and when you can't take it anymore, smoke one of the shitty cigarettes really fast. This should make you feel sick, and therefore you will begin to associate smoking with being sick and eventually not want to smoke anymore. You will still need strong will power, but any plan needs strong will power.

I made this plan up from all the crap I learned while being a psychology major. I don't know if it will work, but its worth trying if nothing else works.

[bigwillq]

3. Non-filter, shitty smokes WILL make me sick

The first time I smoked it was a non-filtered camel and I got all dizzy and vomited.

Then about a few months later someone gave me a Newport and I was in love.


You are right about me associating smoking and those above listed places with pleasurable feelings.

I will try your advice.
Thanks
-Will

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

8. I don't smoke but I would suggest seeing adoctor for advice because

I do believe there are some prescription products to help as in the 1st reply. I recently quit drinking and that was one of the main things people told me. Fortunately being in CT, as you said, there won't be smoke in those bars anymore, but I know from my fiance (and every other one of my friends who smoked) drinking is when most people like to smoke the most).

I wish you much luck and will be here for any support you might need. I have seen how hard this is for most people.

Be strong Brother, we got your back!!!

[bigwillq]

12. Thanks for your support Chavez....

I am going to look into the prescription idea and to see if I can get one.


I will be certain to check in and let you know of my progress. Hope things are going well for you and your own struggle.

I'm glad we have people like you and many others here at DU to turn to for support/advice/guidance,etc..etc...

Take care
-Will

[meti57b]

4. I too, smoked from 18 to 24.

I guess I was lucky and it wasn't that hard to quit. I remember I laid on the rug and watched the room spin around for about 24 hours and after that it was okay.

Naturally, the more time that has passed from when you quit, the less your risk for lung cancer.

[bigwillq]

6. Was that your only withdrawal symptom?

I heard some people go through a shitty withdrawal period.

[radwriter0555]

7. First, start smoking the way low tar & nicotine ciggies. Then each day,

take $5 and put it in a pile.

Over about 3 months, watch the pile of bills stack up.

Then, go buy a couple of boxes of the low nicotine patches, maybe some gum, and decide the night before that you're not going to smoke the next day. Just for the day. use the patches, but not at night. use the gum if you have to.

And try to quit one day at a time. the first 4 days are the hardest. and as your system gets used to not being nicotine addicted, your cravings will ease up.

One day at a time. Sometimes, 1 hour.

[bigwillq]

11. I can't wait to see that money pile add up

I am going to do that. Thanks for the tip.

I will also have to buy some patches and the gum. My aunt said neither of these things helped her but maybe I'll be different.

I heard that it takes 3 WEEKS for all the nicotine to leave your system so if you can get by those 3 weeks than you should be able to quit for good.

[Catfight]

9. I don't know any secrets, but I finally gave it up: Here's my story

I started when I was 17, I'm 39 and just quit for good this past Xmas. I also quit for a year and a half when I was 30. Then, just like you, I went to a bar and picked up the habit just like that when I bummed a cig from someone in the bar. I just went and decided what brand I wanted to smoke, and I was back up to a pack and a half a day until I pretty much quit. First off, my partner didn't like my smoking so I never smoked while at home. I also never smoked in my car, that helped because you are more conscious of when you do smoke.

How I quit this time and how I know it's for good is hard to explain. I got really sick over my Xmas break and I had 13 days off. I think it was a combination of things for me, being sick caused me to lose some weight and get a bit under weight. I didn't worry about gaining the 5 to 7lbs. back after quitting. Then the fact that my routine was disrupted helped while I sat on the couch so sick I didn't think about having a cigarette. So after the 3 days of the nicotine getting out of my system, I didn't care, I was to sick to have mood swings or cravings. Then I just said to myself, it's out of my system, I might as well just give it up anyway.

I was really tired of being a slave to something and it just was more of a burden than fun. I'd bing smoke like you, I'd get bored and just rip through a whole pack in half a day. Oh, and you know how your body is so dependent on the nicotine to go to the bathroom in the morning, etc? Well, being sick too, allowed my body to flush out all the nicotine so I didn't have that horrible adjustment to be able to go to the bathroom in the morning. People never talk about that, but it sucks! You just feel like crap for a month until your body adjust to some sort of normalcy.

So my advise, is this, figure out why you smoke, don't con yourself, be really honest. For me it was a few things, it helped control my weight, I'd smoke instead of snack, and it passed the boredom hours for me. Plus, I am rather anti-social, so it gave me an excuse to leave a party and go outside and smoke and of course, people hate smokers, so I was happy in my exile. BUT, I wasn't happy with the being a slave to time. So free yourself and honestly, quit.

I never had a craving since Xmas. I was really just over it. I still haven't had a craving. I dreamed I smoked, but I just don't want it anymore. I miss that it was fun and enjoyable, but I just don't miss the rest of it and my lungs feel better. I've put on those 5lbs but honestly, I'm not going to worry about it anymore. You really will know when you've quit, it's just different somehow, it's hard to explain, but you just get over it like an old lover.

Best of luck!

PS: if bush gets another 4 years, I'm moving to France and I already said, I'd start smoking again because I couldn't stand being there and not smoking!LOL So we'll see.

[bigwillq]

10. What a great story

Sorry it took an illness to get you to stop but it seemed like it worked.

I agree with your bathroom analysis. I have to have a smoke in the morning in order to go the bathroom, NO. 2 that is.

I know why I smoke, I have been honest with my self. I just can't stop doing it.

Thanks for sharing your experience.
-Will

[NMDemDist2]

13. after you actually stop

orange juice will help when the cravings are very bad

[bigwillq]

14. Orange juice? I didn't know that

I haven't drank OJ in awhile. The acid gets to my stomach.

Maybe this is a silly question but Why does OJ help control cravings?

[NMDemDist2]

15. something about the sugar and Vit C

hubby swears by it every time he quits (so far 11 times in 20 years)

the OJ gets him over the cravings and he does fine for a 8 months or a year or so then goes back :shrug:

[bigwillq]

16. Is hubby still smoking today?

Tell him about my thread. Maybe we can quit together.

Give hubby all the support you can.

What have hubby's past quitting experiences been like? If you want to share.

[NMDemDist2]

19. yes he is smoking now

what usually happens is he does well for months, but puts on weight in spite of daily workouts.

He will get frustrated with the weigh gain and start again.

don't think he's ready to quit again, our small business is very stressful since Bush has been elected.

Best luck to you on your quest, I'm sure you'll do great :D

[prolesunited]

40. I gained weight as well

in spite of diet and exercise. It took awhile for the metabolism to reset, but once it did, I lost it all back and then some. You just have to stick with the diet and exercise and forge ahead despite the weight gain.

[kevinam]

26. why OJ helps cravings...

I would guess it has something to do with blood sugar levels. When you quit smoking, it lowers your blood sugar, and maybe the OJ helps to boost it back up...Kevin.

[bigwillq]

32. Thanks for letting me know this(nt)

[Bluebear]

18. Commit lozenges helped me quit a year ago

It ain't easy but they took away the oral fixation and drug craving.

[Kipepeo]

20. Like other people here

I was in a similar situation. I quit in February, I'm 25, have been smoking since I was 18. Hope it sticks this time.

I had tried the patch, the gum before and none of it worked like exercise did. I know that might sound ridiculous, but if you are making your body run a mile or two in the morning the last thing it's going to want you to put in it is smoke. I still have cravings, mostly emotional/environmental cravings (the emotional addiction is so much worse than the physical...like learning that you don't *have* to smoke during *that* song or when you talk to *that* person or when you're in your car or when you're mad or happy or sad), but if I run a few laps it feeds the same demon...it just takes a bit longer and makes me sweaty.

What I did exactly: I used the patch for 3 weeks to help me get over the physical cravings. I started with step 2 (used it for 2 weeks) and then step 3 (used it for a week). I joined a gym during the first week and started jogging or using that thing called the elliptical (?) machine for maybe 20 minutes at a time, every other day. Nothing big, but it kicked my cigarette-addicted ass. I started feeling more energetic. I also don't drink as much because when I do I lose all judgment and would sell my soul for a smoke. The other big thing is: if you *do* fall off the wagon and have a smoke at a party or something, DON'T HAVE ANY the next day. That was always my downfall, every time I've tried to quit before.

Finally: I drink a LOT of water. I always have a bottle with me. I want it to fill the oral-fixation addiction, and the addiction to always having something to do, like when driving or when bored, etc. Now I just drink the shit out of some water. :headbang:

[bigwillq]

34. Thanks for the tips

Alot of the things you listed all make sense with me.

It seems like I *need* to smoke when I'm driving or when I'm mad, sad, etc... and I think it's getting over that habitual behavior that's going to be the hardest part. Sometimes I have a cigarette and I'l like "Why did I just have that?" My body didn't need the nicotine but my mind did.

I think I will try the patch and do some more exercise, which is always a good thing.

I'm not a big water fan but I see what you mean about the oral fixation and always having to do something.

In the past, I felt like lollipops helped, especially in the car because I was still doing "something" while I was driving.

Thanks again for the tips!

[Speck Tater]

21. I smoked from the time I was 16 till I was 58

Then one day a year or so ago I decided to BE a non-smoker. I haven't smoked since, and never will again. First rule is do NOT taper off, or try to reduce your somking over a long stretched out period of time. That's just a lame excuse for delaying the decision to BE a non-smoker.

The secret is not to TRY to BECOME an ex-smoker, but to BE a NON-SMOKER.

As long as you are "trying" you're not "doing". Are you a smoker or a non-smoker? Decide which one you are and just BE that.

Don't tell yourself or anyone else that your are "trying" to quit, or "trying" to cut down. When you no longer smoke don't tell youself or anyone else that you are an ex-smoker, or that you are "trying" to keep off cigarettes. Just tell youself and anyone who asks. "I don't smoke." That's all. Don't let the word "try" sneak into your vocabulary. BE a non-smoker.

It may sound like that advice is hard, or unrealistic, but just go ahead and do it and you'll soon see that your attitude and self-image is the ONLY thing that matters. Tell yourself you ARE a non-smoker. Tell yourself that you are content to be a non-smoker, and you will BE a non-smoker. Without struggle, and without even "trying".

It worked for me. It can work for you.

[givemebackmycountry]

25. That's 42 years!

42 years smoking and you just stop.
I believe it can be done.
I just have yet to do it.
And I know I can...
When I visit my sister for Christmas, there's no smoking there.
I've gone a week plus COLD but as soon as I get back home...well.

The longest I've given it up for was about 13 months. Again COLD.

It's hard when you live alone and your single.
You got no one to stay on your ass.

You are remarkable.
Congratulations.

[bigwillq]

35. Yes I guess I am delaying being a Non-Smoker

I have in the past month tried to "cut down" but then it always seems like I go ahead and buy another pack.

I guess cold turkey is the best route to take.

[bigwillq]

37. Please delete

I posted this in the wrong place. SEE below.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

22. Kick

My man has helped me with his support so I wan't to help him.

I know there's a ton of folks here who can help him

[bigwillq]

33. Thanks for kicking this Chavez...

I was busy all day yesterday and didn't have time to post.

I'll fill you in on my weekend in just a moment.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

39. Ain't know thing!

:)

[bigwillq]

41. Hey, if I really start to get crazy over this quitting smoking thing

I am not too far away in Connecticut so if I ever track you down with a crazed look on my face, hopefully you will know why!!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

42. I'll keep my eye out !!!

And look over my shoulder! :)

[hellbound-liberal]

23. "Becoming a non-smoker" is the best thing I ever did for myself

I agree that your own state of mind is your most powerful tool. Let me tell you what I did:

1)I set a date six months in the future when I would become a nonsmoker.
2)Every time I lit up or put out a cigarette for the next six months, I mentally repeated that date in my head.
3)I continued to visualize life without cigarettes even when I was smoking.
4) I got a book of daily meditations on surviving without cigaretees and read to make myself aware of all of the benefits that I would soon be getting.
5) When the time came to quit, I used other "crutches" to get me through the cravings(pretzel sticks to take the place of the cigarette that I would light up as soon as I left work in the afternoon, sugar-free gum on my way to work and, after every meal, CHOCOLATE!)
6) As each day passes remind yourself that you have already been through the worst part and every day gets easier from now on.

Just remember to phrase this new part of your life in a positive light
You are not giving something up, you are gaining something. Becoming a non smoker is the best thing you can do for yourself. I think I speak for us all when I wish you the best.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

24. I'm curious, is the general opinion that cold turkey is best or a gradual

decrease. Are there physical considerations in cold turkey?

[tigereye]

27. going cold turkey feels pretty weird at first

too much oxygen, maybe? I cut down gradually and then quit over a number of months. My husband used the patch and that worked for him. GOod luck!

Hi C

[dolo amber]

28. Don't believe the hype

Y'know how everyone says things like "Omg, nicotine is harder to kick that heroin"..."It's the hardest habit in the world to break" etc? Well, frankly speaking as one who has done both (only recently w/the smoking;)) I can tell you that's just crap. Sure it's hard, and it can severly suck; but don't set yourself up for failure by making it some big ominous boogie-man and psyching yourself into thinking it's impossible or something. I'm talking Wellbutrin, and I'm sure that's helped in ways I don't even know, but really, do yourself a favor and don't approach this as something that is stronger than you are. ;)

Best of luck! :hug:

[kevinam]

29. A website you should visit.

First of all, I would recommend you quit cold turkey. Quitting cold turkey means the withdrawl symptoms will last the shortest possible time. If you take any of the nicotine replacements you are still putting nicotine into your system, but at a lowered level. I look at it like this. Would you rather withdrawl symptoms to peak after 72 hours of your last cigarette, and decline through three weeks, or would you rather they last 12+ weeks, as most of the nicotine replacement systems suggest??? I would think you would want them to cease as quickly as possible. Plus, those systems are frickin expensive. I think a box of the lozenges costs like $50.00 and it doesn't last the entire 12 weeks, so a couple of those boxes and it adds up.

The website:

http://whyquit.com/

I would really really really urge you to spend some time at this site. This site does suggest quitting cold turkey, and it lists the reasons why.

If I can give you some suggestions. Make a day to quit, and stick to it. I think it is better to do it during the weekend (when you don't have to work) so you aren't a crab-ass to your fellow employees, or bosses. Don't doubt yourself. It is all a mind game, really. Spend about a week preparing to quit, and GET EXCITED ABOUT IT. Don't look at it like, it will suck, oh my god, how awful I will feel. Use the reasons you are quitting to look FOWARD to that day. Think to yourself, man I will be stoked, I won't stink anymore. I won't get winded walking up steps. My teeth won't discolor. No more smokers hack, or whatever your reasons. Here is a timeline of benefits of quitting.
*Within 20 minutes of your last cigarette, ... your blood pressure and pulse rate to return to normal. The temperature of your hands and feet will also have returned to normal.
*Within 8 hours... your blood oxygen levels to have increased to normal limits and carbon monoxide levels to have dropped to normal. *Within 24 hours...your risk of sudden heart attack to have substantially decreased.
*Within 48 hours... nerve endings to start regrowing and your sense of smell and taste to begin returning to normal.
*Within 72 hours... your entire body to test 100% nicotine-free with over 90% of all nicotine metabolites to have now passed through your urine. You can also expect the symptoms of chemical withdrawal to have peaked in intensity. Your bronchial tubes will begin relaxing and thus make breathing easier, and your lung capacity will also begin to increase.

I would suggest you buy lots of gum, mints, or things to bite/suck/chew on. It will help with the tension. One thing to keep in mind. A cigarette craving lasts 3 minutes. That is it. So when you do get cravings, just chew some gum, or something, because the craving will pass in 3 damn minutes. You aren't going to have a craving that lasts 30 minutes, or even 10 minutes. Again, it is all in your mind, you have to spend that week prior looking foward to quitting, and getting excited about it. Then when you do quit, you can think, yes, I no longer need those F#$king things. Again, I would suggest you spend some time at that website, I consider it an excellent resource for quitting. Best of luck...Kevin.

[Bundbuster]

30. If I could do this, anyone can

After smoking regularly for 37 years, I quit cold turkey in Jan. 2002. The main reason was just to see if I could, and to see what physical/mental effects would ensue. I'd heard all the stories of post-quitting insomnia, headaches, nervousness, anxiety, stomach aches, etc., but suspected they were all BS excuses to start smoking again. I simply stayed in my condo for 4 days, away from stores, bars, friends who smoked - cold turkey, no cutting down, no patch or drugs. Whenever the urge to smoke arose, I brought up very strong mental images of what 37 years of cigs had no doubt done to my body.

4 days later, nicotine gone from my system, the side effects were: no more hacking & sore chest, tasting & smelling again, clear head, home and clothes not stinking, circulation to my extremities (no more cold fingers), 4 extra dollars a day in my pocket, better sleeping. For me, at least, all those apocalyptic quitting side effect stories WERE bullshit. Stayed totally off them, without an urge, for 10 months until America declared its love of bu$hCorp policies in the November 2002 elections, at which time I became quasi-suicidal ("It doesn't matter any more"). I've made a vow that when the neocons are ousted THIS November, I'll be quitting again, and already know how easy it will be.

[denverbill]

36. Go to www.quitnet.com

Lots of tips to help you quit. Here are my recommendations:

Pick a date now, at least a couple weeks in advance. Start now to commit to that date, and start planning on how you are going to deal with quitting when the date arrives. Read up on quitting online.

Pick a plan to help you. I used patches to deal with the nicotine withdrawal. The psychological withdrawal was and still is, the hardest part for me. Removing nicotine withdrawal from the difficulties helped somewhat.

Use quitnet to talk to others in the same boat. It really truly helps to be able to talk with people who are dealing with the same stuff you are when quitting. Non-smokers just can't empathize, well intended as they may be.

Good luck on your quit. I'm a year into mine now.

[bigwillq]

38. First of all-Thanks-to everyone for their

Some sort of tip or hint.

I know I responded personally to some of you but to those I didn't repsond to personally don't think of it as a slight. Your help was greatly appreciated.

OK, my weekend was trying. I went out Friday-Saturday-Sunday and smoked quite often. I went to the bar all three nights and was drinking and of course, I had to smoke.

I figured this out though--I must stop going to the bar. I need to take myself away from some of the places that give me the most cravings to smoke. Along with trying to stop smoking, it's going to be just as difficult to stop going to the bar but I will save money and my lungs/liver if I do this.

Things I learned from my fellow DUers. I think I need to quit cold turkey. All this cutting down bullshit is just that-BULLSHIT.

I think I also need to do either the gum or patch at first. I am also seriously thinking about going to a doctor and getting a prescription like a fellow poster said above.

I will let you all know how my struggle is going. Thanks again for the support and tips.