When I quit, I gathered up every penny in the house, and went to local hobby store and bought beads. I had started smoking at the tender age of nine, and I thought that diving into a hobby that interested me would be a good substitute “addiction”. I made sure I’d have no money to cave in and but cigarettes with. I made jewelry for everyone I knew(whether they wanted it or not!).
The first few days, I just kind of hunkered over my work and snarled at my poor fiance. Then I started to feel better. I could see and hold in my hands the results of my not smoking. I could give a friend a gift, instead of giving them second-hand smoke!
As my hands grew steadier, I became more confident and began to design my own work, instead of copying from books. Within a year, thanks to the encouragement of my new husband and our friends, I had a home-based business. And for most of the last ten years, I have been totally self-employed.
I am lucky. I know how hard it is to quit, and cold turkey is very hard, indeed. Having something to occupy your time that you really love doing helps a lot. Best of luck to you.
I hate to say it, but quitting smoking was harder for me than quitting just about anything else, and I’ve quit a few things in my day.
I quit on a Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving in fact, after a visit to my OB/GYN who gently explained that I had a pre-cancerous growth on my cervix. Now, she pointed out that while there was no link between cervical cancer and smoking, wouldn’t it be nice not to have this kind of conversation ever again? Yeah, I guess so, pout…
So I resolve to smoke the rest of the cigarettes in my pack, than quit. That last one around 10:00 pm sucked, I was already so jonesed that I took a filter hit at the end, yuck. But that was it, eight years ago.
Was it hard? Hell yes, I hurt mentally & physically. Was it worth it? Yes, but you really have to want it. I was smoking at least 2 packs a day for most of my pre-adult & adult life, so it was quite a habit, both in the addiction sense and the habit sense.
It’s a bitch, but worth it. Good luck and stay out of Vegas for at least a year! 
Zyban put me in an emergency room.
Patches…bah, I want to be free of the addiction, not just transfer it. I smoked for 26 years, 2 packs a day average.
I feel great. Really, truly, amazingly miraculously great. I have virtually no cravings to speak of.
Here’s what I recommend:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140277633/o/qid=969992840/sr=2-1/026-9080155-1316406
It changed everything.
Best of luck!
H
When I get a craving I try to focus on all the negatives of smoking (take your pick). I think of my diseased lungs, what it must be like to carry around an oxygen bottle, the coughing, and if that doesn’t work, I try to think about the evil fucks in the tobacco industry and how smoking subsidizes their deviant existence.
Gets up on the soap box:
I quit 15 months ago. I will say that the only way you will succeed is if YOU really want to. That belief inside. I was only able to quit when I really wanted to. Nothing my wife, friends, or family ever said really moved me to succeed. It was an internal desire. I planned the date and on that date I stopped. Use whatever tools you can, but YOU must want this more than anything else right now.
Gets off of the box.
This motivational moment brought to you by WD-40. Regular applications will prevent squeaky wheels and tin men. Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely the posters and do not necessarily represent the views of the SDM board.
I smoked from age 13 til age 25. I quit when I got pregnant because they made me sick. Since this isn’t an option for most people (you know, just to quit smoking) I will give you advice on what I use now when I crave.
- I am very stubborn and proud so I refuse to be tethered to an object so much less important than me (Yes, it has a “Jack Handy” kind of feel to it, but it works)
- If you want Zyban you can get Wellbutrin, an anti-depressant, from your Dr. It is basically the same thing. You CANNOT drink when you take either, not even a little, because you will pass out and end up in the emergency room!
- I feel so much better waking up now. I don’t do the morning coughing routine and my mouth doesn’t feel like an ashtray.
- Cold Turkey is the only way to quit. My husband quit cold turkey and he is a big ol’ baby for some cigarettes. He had me there to nag him, though.
- I can send you some pictures of my grandfather, who cannot walk or sit up well in his hospital bed that replaces his reg. bed. He has emphysema and heart disease directly related to smoking Camel Unfiltereds for about 50 years.
Sorry this is so long, but I really want you to stop.
One last thing - I keep dirty ashtrays on top of my refrigerator. When I want a cig, I smell the ashtray. Yuck!!
I used cinnamon sticks. Really. Same size and shape as a cigarette, you chew off a small piece and fiddle with the stick. Helped me do something with my hands and it tasted good too.
My friend cut back by rolling his own. It takes a few minutes to roll one, they have less tobacco than a full cigarette, and if you buy ‘all natural’ tobacco its probably safer than the processed stuff. Sure, no filter (you can buy filters for roll your own though), but going from 30 a day to 5 small ones has got to help.
What about nicotine patches? Hypnosis?
I’ve also heard of the economical method. Anytime you want a cigarette you buy a full pack, smoke one, and throw the pack away. After awhile your brain gives up to your wallet.
Good luck-
-T
I found a reason beyond the desire to quit is necessary. For me it was impending marriage.
After that, I used the step down filters by Waterpik (haven’t seen’em out there for awhile).
Not only did they take out the tar & nicotine, but you had to clean them regularly, and seeing & smelling the black goo that formerly was entering my lungs was a deterrent in itself!
After the last filter was done, I finished out the carton and then was done. It still took will power, but by then it was easier. But be warned; it never goes away. 18 years later, I still get a shot of craving at weird moments.
Best of luck!
Back in 1979, I was taking a Psych 101 course, and each student had to do a self-help project which involved stopping a bad habit or starting a good one - quitting smoking, losing weight, saving money, quitting drinking, cleaning the house, etc. I had been a 2.5 pack-a-day smoker, and this seemed a daunting challenge.
I started out by making a list of all brands of cigarets, in descending order of their nicotine content. I had been smoking Newports at the time, which were pretty high on the list. First I switched to the next milder cigarette. I did not limit the amount I smoked whatsoever. At first the milder ones were like smoking nothing at all, but after a few days I got used to them, and they seemed as strong as the Newports had been. At this point I switched to the next milder brand on the list, and smoked them til they seemed normal. After several weeks, I was smoking Carltons, which at the time were the mildest available. I remember smoking them for several more weeks. Though I never limited the number I smoked a day, at some point I noticed that I was smoking less and less. One Saturday afternoon I noticed that I hadn’t had a cigarette all day, and didn’t really miss it.
That was on Memorial Day 1979. I’ve never smoked since then, and never missed it.
For a few years after quitting, I didn’t mind being around people who smoked, but gradually became very intolerant; now I can’t stand the smell of cigarets.
I don’t know if this would work for you, but it sure worked for me.
I’m giving it a shot - yet again. I’m down to one a day and hopefully none a starting tomorrow. I have to ask anyone who has quit - were any of you plagued by fatigue? I am so TIRED. I think stopping smoking last time tired me out. When do you get over it?
I lied to myself. Yep. I’d been a smoker for 16 years at that point. Loved it. BUT. I was pregnant, and knew it was bad for the kid to be. So. I said “I’m not going to smoke while I’m pregnant”.
Not “I’m quiting” just “I’m not smoking for this period of time” and for the fist long while, would comfort myself with the image of me puffing away on the delivery table. that was my plan.
By the time my son was born, I was over the worst of it and never went back (simply 'cause I knew some day I’d have to go through that hell again).
So, in essence. No, I’m not quitting. Just not going to smoke for this period of time. you do it all the time, now, right? you go 7, 8 hours at night when you sleep. You don’t smoke at work? several hours per day in certain situations. just elongate them.
I don’t know. it worked for me. maybe it might help for you. (I at least won’t charge you for it…)
I have been “smoke” free for about 2 years now, but not nicotine free. How? I stopped smoking and started chewing. Nicotine gum, that is. Now that nicotine gum is over the counter, I have used it daily since quitting smoking. Walgreens drug stores have a discount brand; $19 for 48 pieces of gum. With a pack of cigs going for $3-$5, the gum is cheaper for me than cigarettes. When I feel I’m ready, I will slowly cut back on the gum. I have also considered swithing to the patch when I am ready to quit compleatly. But, if I never stop using the gum, at least I’m not filling my lungs with all the other bad stuff in cigarettes.
For some people,(me)giving up nicotine is not the best or most realistic option, but now I am much healthier, work out daily, smell better, etc.
BTW, New research suggests that nicotine can help improve memory and is being prescribed to Alzhiemers patients.
Today is my 28th day since quitting. For the first two weeks, if my head got anywhere near anything that even looked like a pillow, i was gone. Absolutely exhausted. After 26 years of coffee and cigarettes (I gave up both at the same time, one was too much of a trigger for the other) my body had absolutely no idea how to function without constant chemical stimulants.
I feel great now. I am struggling with sleep issues, but only because my schedule is screwy, not because I am constantly tired. You will definitely get over it, but it’s tough at first.
I have also developed a sinus infection, which is a first in my 42 years on this earth, and I lay it completely at the feet of quitting. It’s more complicated than I feel like typing about right now, but new ex-smokers tend to get sick alot at first…I’ll explain why later if you really wanna know.
But basically I feel wonderful.
Do it. It’s the best thing you could ever do for yourself.
stoid
Seems like if you can quit for 4 months, you know the secret that eludes so many. Just take 4 months off every 5 months, and then you’ll soon realize you can stay off them full time.
What worked for me: Money
Specifically, I started smoking the most expensive cigarettes I could find; English Dunhills, which in the Canadian town I was working in retailed for eight bucks a pack when they were even in stock. It was easy not to just ‘pick up a pack’ when I was in the convenience store.
After a short while, it was easy to Not pronouce the phrase “And a pack of xxx” at the 7-11. I didn’t concentrate on not lighting up, I concentrated on the absurdness of having to beat something as simple as NOT opening my mouth and asking to purchase something. Kudos to the grocery stores in Washington State who lock up all the cigarettes and make you ask for them and make somebody unlock a case and get them out.
Lately I still want them, as they’re a great little stress medication. My revulsion now is that I stink after smoking.
The other kicker has been watching my girlfriend’s father die slowly of lung cancer. 30 years riveting together 7x7 airplanes and he got to enjoy exactly 14 months of his retirement.
Lots of reasons to quit, lots of ways to quit, and a big high-five from all of us Dopers who are proud of you.
I quit a few years ago after being a pretty heavy smoker. The patch worked great for me. It’s worth it just for the crazy dreams. The hardest part was finding a good day to start. There’s not much point in trying if you’re not likely to succeed. You’ll only frustrate yourself. If you know there’s going to be a big party or something in the next week or so wait until it’s over to try. The patch is cool because you constantly have the sense that you’ve just finished a cigarette… initially you intake more nicotine than you would if you were smoking. After a few weeks the psychological addiction subsides and the physical addiction melts away painlessly as you decrease the strength of the patch. It takes a while but it works. Did I mention the dreams?
It was my health that did it for me. I was diagnosed with chronic Bronchitis at the age of 18, at which time I had been smoking for almost six years. My doctor said it was probably due more to my exposure to second hand smoke than to my own smoking, but I still quit cold turkey that day. 18 months later a tumor was found on one of my lungs and I’ve had two bouts with cancer since then. Again, they told me that my own smoking probably was not a factor. I’m in remission now and have been smoke free since 1992.
Zyban
Quit on 13th day
That was yesterday: Friday, Oct. 6, 2000 (6:03 PM)
My skin is crawling.
I am shaking.
Oh, I smoked two packs a day.
I started at 13 or so, and I’m now… um… well, over 30. ;o)
This sucks.
This is also good.
No, it sucks.
::Sigh::
Oops! I forgot to include my sig. I think it’s very important right now. Thank you for your indulgence.
Boy, I’m tired. Depressed. Fat and going to get fatter. I can barely drag my ever expanding butt around and I hate everyone and everything. Other than that, I’m fine. The hardest part is psychological, I haven’t really had any cravings in the last week, but after meals, jumping into the car, going into the 7-11, talking on the phone - all these activities just cry out for a cigarette. It’s like a voice inside my head at certain times goes off: “IT’S 10 A.M., TIME FOR A SMOKE…YOU’RE IN THE CAR ALONE, TIME TO LIGHT UP…” What a bummer. I would be happy with two cigarettes a day. Morning to get that “get up and go” feeling. Night to relax before bedtime. Dr. Dean Edell said that’s OK, but he also said if you look forward to those two butts a day you are still addicted and it’s only a matter of time until you say screw this and just start smoking again until you’re right back where you started. Good luck, everyone. I’m thinking of the $4 and change per pack I’m saving.