How can I quit smoking?

[mantis]

OK, so I've been smoking a pack a day since I was 15. I'm now 25 and would like to quit. I've tried everything...plans, patches, gum, cold turkey etc. Nothing seems to work for me!

Peter Jennings lasted 4 short months....good God that scares me.

Any advice??

[mantis]

1. oops

Didn't even notice the post right below mine. Sorry.

[ugarte]

2. If you have anyone you love

paste their pic on your cigarette carton. Think of not seeing them again.

[AtomicKitten]

3. Just say no - to tobacco

Seriously.

I stopped smoking years ago cold turkey. It's the only way. It was tough being around my friends who smoked (at the time - they now all have quit), but its doable.

Just put out that butt and decide that's it. Just do it.

Your lungs will thank you.

Best of luck.

[Radio_Lady]

5. Do you have a medical doctor? You might try speaking to him/her.

Doctors can recommend cessation programs that might help you. Kaiser Permanente has groups for this purpose.

There are also pills, patches, doing it cold turkey, etc.

You have a choice. Take that first step. Try to last through the next hour -- the next day -- the next week, one minute at a time.

I had an addiction. It was not to cigarettes, but something just as addictive. Eventually, I landed in the hospital, where there were supportive people.

I'm glad you asked for help. I wish you the best of luck.

Radio Lady (I've never smoked, but my parents both did. Both are now dead in their 70s. I know they would have lived longer if they hadn't been smokers.)

[jonolover]

4. Just look at the people around you

who love you and that will give you the courage to quit whichever way you choose. You would and should still be quitting for your own sake, not theirs.

P.S. I am not a smoker.

[dhinojosa]

6. 21 days to stop a habit,

21 days to start one....

You invested the time to start it, time to finish it. That worked for me. It's not easy though, about day 15 you ready go through the withdrawls. I am not crying type a guy, but that day 15 broke me down pretty good.

Good luck.

[MissMarple]

7. Try to find something else to do that contravenes the smoking.

I did needlepoint, and anyone can do that, knitting is good, too. Also, when I quit, I had started to limit the places I smoked. Never smoke around children, never smoke while walking, never smoke in the car... And I always, even today almost 20 years later, consider myself a smoker, I can have a cigarette, ...but just not right now. And for two or three years on rare occasion, I did have a puff or two. But it was very yucky, nasty even. So I can honestly say, I don't smoke.

If you are really hooked on the nicotine and not everyone is because smoking is also a habit thing, a displacement activity, maybe patches could help.

And keep those hands busy. Puzzles even. :)

[potone]

8. I too would like to quit., and intend to try in a couple of weeks.

I have been smoking for far longer than you have, and twice I managed to quit for 10 months, but that was years ago. Both times when I started again I was having drinks with friends.

What I think is important is to choose a time when you are not under a lot of stress, try getting a prescription for Wellbutrin (it really does cut down on one's desire to smoke), reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke a day, and then use the patch. Getting exercise is important, as is cutting down on caffeine, not drinking alcohol, and eating properly.

I hope this doesn't sound preachy--I certainly don't mean to. The only people who are able to quit easily are those who were not addicted in the first place.

If you want to have a partner in your struggle, I will write you when (and if)I stop and we can encourage each other.

Good luck!
Potone

[proud patriot]

9. Google Tobacco Company political contributions

that helped me get pissed off enough to quit .

[Droopy]

10. Wellbutrin

You can get it from your family doctor. It costs me $17 for a month supply after insurance covers their part. I smoked 1.5 packs a day for 16 years and tried many times to quit, but I've never been successful until now. The drug makes the cravings manageable and less intense. After you are confident being a non-smoker you quit using the Wellbutrin.

[AmandaRuth]

11. I have struggled with smoking on and off my whole life

One thing that really motivates me to not smoke is to spend some time with older people who have smoked their whole lives. It is scary to see what 50 years of smoking will do to a 65 year old. I realize that I want quality and quantity of life.

[Robeson]

12. Sometimes, it just takes something to make you have an epiphany...

...when I first met my wife, I was smoking, and she had stopped smoking years earlier. Anyway, one day she came home with a pack of cigs, and said that she was going to start up again, because watching me smoke, really make her want to. I threw my pack, and hers away right then and there, and haven't touched one in 13 years. I may be responsible for my bad habits, but I just couldn't take being responsible for the bad habits of someone I loved.

So who knows, it may take some event or just an awakening for you to do it. But when that even happens, you'll probably drop them cold turkey.

[nookiemonster]

13. Stop. Drop. And Roll.

Sorry, I absolutely had to.

Honestly, I'm in the same boat. 36 now, pack a day since I was 17.

:dunce:

[MissMarple]

23. Naughty, naughty, naughty. Now view my advice above.

:hug: You can do it. Actually, yes you can.

[Floogeldy]

14. Sunflower seeds, salted in the shell.

:)

[Heidi]

15. I tried that once . . .

and then had to kick the spitting habit about three months later. If it's not one thing, it's another. :evilgrin:

[Floogeldy]

17. You gotta admit, though . . .

The seeds keep you occupied and cigarettes taste like crap after the seeds.

:)

[Heidi]

18. There's a toothpaste here

called "Micro-Granuli" that has exactly the same effect. I use another brand when I wake up in the morning, so as to not ruin my first cigarette and cup of coffee. :evilgrin:

[Floogeldy]

19. Just one question . . .

After your morning routine, how the heck do you hold that brush still?

B-)

[Heidi]

20. The nicotine and caffeine

allow my hand to perfectly simulate the vibrating action of an electric toothbrush. You see, Mr. Floogeldy, there _is_ a method to my madness. ;)

As for painting, it's no problem. My work is semi-abstract, anyway. ;)

[Floogeldy]

21. LOL

Would love to see some of your paintings one of these days.

:)

[Heidi]

22. . . .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3776325#3791703

(Edited for correct link)

[Benhurst]

16. I tried, off and on, to quit for ten years. Finally I read that you

should take some time off and spend it in a place where you never smoked. The ONLY place I never smoked was in bed, since I was afraid I'd fall asleep and burn myself to a crisp. SO ... I spent three days in bed. When I returned to the living, I still had a SLIGHT urge to smoke, but I had kicked the habit.

It's been over twenty years since I've had a cigarette, cigar, pipe, whatever.