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f13.net General Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: Mrbloodworth on February 29, 2008, 11:48:00 AM



Title: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Mrbloodworth on February 29, 2008, 11:48:00 AM
I'm wondering if anyone here has successfully quit smoking, and how.





I couldn't take it any more- I had to fix the spelling in the title.- WAP


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Sky on February 29, 2008, 11:58:18 AM
Willpower. There are a zillion ways to make it easier, but it ultimately comes down to willpower. Same as losing weight or any other difficult thing.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: voodoolily on February 29, 2008, 12:02:15 PM
Signe's been off 'em for a coupla years, she's a good one to ask.

Sky is right, you just gotta not smoke. I took up running and am much more actively brogging now, and that's helped. So has eating more candy and playing more Rock Band.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Mrbloodworth on February 29, 2008, 12:05:28 PM
Willpower. There are a zillion ways to make it easier, but it ultimately comes down to willpower. Same as losing weight or any other difficult thing.

Thing is, I'm not a light smoker (i'm not a pack + a day however...well....depends)..and i have been doing it for quite a while...

I am quite sure i am chemically addicted...So thats why i was asking. Quite sure ill need something to help with that. I have even tried to quit cold turkey, but the..Withdrawals were really bad...  :sad:


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: voodoolily on February 29, 2008, 12:06:34 PM
Sauced and I were both half pack-pack a day for almost 15 years.

It's not that bad if you can get through the first three days. Just get a lot of DVDs and candy bars. Seriously, you might need to hole up for a bit. We ran straight home after work and got on the couch and watched DVDs of Dexter. You can burn right through 5 or 6 hours and not blink an eye. Then just go to bed and survive the next day.

I will warn you that I was very constipated for a few weeks after quitting and the worst sewer farts as a result. Just thought I'd share.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Righ on February 29, 2008, 12:09:06 PM
You could read this:

http://forums.f13.net/index.php?topic=8522.0


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Yegolev on February 29, 2008, 12:10:42 PM
1. Don't hang out with smokers.
2. Don't go to places where people smoke.
3. Don't shop at places that sell tobacco.
4. Don't hang out with smokers.
5. Have your wife viciously berate you whenever she finds out you smoked again.

It's easier to stop eating than to stop smoking.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: voodoolily on February 29, 2008, 12:15:44 PM
If you're not a Republican, remind yourself that by being a smoker, you are essentially donating thousands of dollars a year to the Republican party. If that doesn't give you a cold chill, you're broken.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: stray on February 29, 2008, 12:20:26 PM
So far nothing has worked for me, other than literally being locked up.

It's terribly difficult to deny yourself what's so easily available. Something that will so easily fix your discomfort and make it all go away. *SNAP* just like that.

But like Sky said, willpower is all it comes down to. Your determination to kick something's ass. I seem to have no problem with willpower with other things (did and quit just about every drug under the sun), so I know I have it in me -- Hopefully one day I'll find the impetus that makes me want to lord over this addiction instead of the other way. For a few reasons, I have no problem with that right now. Basically, I've got too much shit on my mind right now to have to deal with further nuisances.

Anyways, good luck!
If you're not a Republican, remind yourself that by being a smoker, you are essentially donating thousands of dollars a year to the Republican party. If that doesn't give you a cold chill, you're broken.

Oh, I'm definitely broken.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: schild on February 29, 2008, 12:21:46 PM
I stopped eating. Smoking got me through it.

Of course, same goes the other way around.

Stop smoking, eating will get you through it.

Find something to replace the fidgetyness of it all. Stuffing your face is the popular solution. Games work, but load times fuck that up.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Mrbloodworth on February 29, 2008, 12:25:15 PM
1. Don't hang out with smokers.
2. Don't go to places where people smoke.
3. Don't shop at places that sell tobacco.
4. Don't hang out with smokers.
5. Have your wife viciously berate you whenever she finds out you smoked again.

It's easier to stop eating than to stop smoking.

1 and 4 are going to be really, REALLY hard to do. about 80% of my friends smoke. My girlfriend does not. I'm sure you can imagine the situations that makes.

I appreciate the link to the other thread, and all the comments.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Jain Zar on February 29, 2008, 12:26:22 PM
Just remind yourself it will kill you, and hurt everyone around you.

Smoking killed my father, leaving me without any parents at 31.

Use the patch, nicotine gum, whatever it takes.  Just get off the death sticks.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: schild on February 29, 2008, 12:28:44 PM
Yep, do anything but think of the cancer rates, normal lifespan, and cigarette consumption of Japan and Europe. Otherwise you'll rationalize your way to smoker's paradise.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Signe on February 29, 2008, 12:32:31 PM
Righ used the patch for a few weeks or so.  I can't use it so I started smoking those Quest #3 cigs.  Tasted nasty and took me about six months longer than Righ to stop completely.  When the doctor's tell me I'm going to die soon, the first thing I'll do is light up.  I can't wait!


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Moosehands on February 29, 2008, 12:33:11 PM
Just don't smoke.  I've never really been more than a half a pack a day smoker, but I alternate 2-3 years smoking and 2-3 years not smoking.  Been doing that for the past 15 years or so.  Whenever I quit, I just stop cold turkey.  Never really thought about it before now but I guess I just don't get cravings.

That doesn't help you, though.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: voodoolily on February 29, 2008, 12:34:41 PM
Another thing to do is pick a date. the first time I quit, I did it on a Sunday and just cleaned the fuck out my house all day (when I smoked indoors). This time we did it on a Monday, which was Sauced's preference. This worked well because I had already warned my coworkers to leave me alone and not ask me how it was going, and it's not like I smoke in the office anyway.

However, if you want a good laugh, take a look at the Achewood thread and see how level-headed I was the first two days.  :ye_gods:


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: IainC on February 29, 2008, 12:59:18 PM
I used to smoke ages ago. I'd smoke about 15 a day or so. I rolled my own with black cherry snuff mixed in with the tobacco and rolled in licorice rizlas. Then one day I figured out that I didn't actually like smoking and I was just doing it for the taste of the black cherry and licorice, so I stopped. No cutting down, no patches or chewwing gum  or bollocks like that. If you want to stop smoking then just stop smoking. There's no easier way to do it, anything less is not trying to give up frankly.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: stray on February 29, 2008, 01:02:25 PM
Ah, those rizlas are good... Not very licorice like to me though, just sweet. I use them with Three Castles (http://www.3castles.com/).

Also, I realize that this post isn't helping.  :drill:


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Grand Design on February 29, 2008, 02:02:55 PM
I still smoke, but this worked for me when I last quit, which lasted two blissful years.  I only started smoking again because, frankly, I wanted to.

First, smoke way too much and wake up the next day with a genuine desire to quit.  A pack is way too much to me, but you may need more.

Second, determine that your current pack is your last, and nurse that mother until your last one.  Enjoy that last one like it is your last one because that last one is your last one.  LAST ONE.

Third, realize that you are hopelessly addicted and instead of buying another pack, get a can of Skoal.  I prefer Kodiak, personally.

Once a day - and only once - have a bit of snuff.  Do it alone, because it is disgusting.  But the nicotine rush will be enough to let you sleep, which is why I put it off until about an hour before bed.  I don't recommend the patch, because it isn't disgusting, costs more than a carton of smokes, and is ideally meant to replace your smoking habit - not kick it.

I did the last step for about a week.  I reached a point where I was no longer yelling at other smokers and could sleep without the fix.  The snuff is so nasty that you will only enjoy it for the rush.  Once you don't need the rush, you will not have any desire to stick raw tobacco into your gum.


I wish you the best of luck, its not easy but it will buy you a few more years.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: OcellotJenkins on February 29, 2008, 04:32:54 PM
I smoked rather heavily (pack to two packs a day) for almost 15 years but finally quit.  It took me two serious attempts before I could do it for good though.  The second serious attempt was initially easy due to a bad case of bronchitis.  It hurt to smoke so I had few problems stopping.  That quit lasted almost 6 months then I stupidly took a few drags off someone's cigarette at a party and was hooked all over again.

For the final quit attempt I was mentally prepared and had planned it for months.  I was really dreading that initial chemical withdrawal hell so I read up on Chantix and decided to give it a try.  It worked VERY well for me but I didn't stay on it any where near the suggested duration, giving it up after about a month.  The Topix forum I read had people complaining of being hooked on the shit and suffering shear terror when trying to stop taking it. 

The way it works is you start taking it one week before your quit date and slowly increase your dose.  It supposedly releases dopamine in your brain in the same way cigarettes do.  I felt mildly high, a bit more energetic, but a little forgetful.  Cigarettes started tasting bad after 2 or 3 days.  By the time the quit date rolled around I wasn't getting any enjoyment from smoking at all.  I remained on the Chantix for about 3 more weeks before weaning myself off of it.  Haven't smoked a cigarette since and it hasn't been that hard at all.

I will say that when I hit the max dose of Chantix, I felt odd.  The unnatural energy was a little creepy and there was an odd feeling in my chest.  I was ready to get off the drug as soon as possible but it wasn't horrible or anything.  The side effects were totally worth it because I suffered ZERO withdrawal symptoms from smoking.  Oh there were some little mental cravings but they were manageable.  It was incredibly easy for me, but I think part of that was my mental preparation.  I still think about smokes a couple of times a day but the craving goes away within 15 seconds usually.  I'm with Signe though, when the doc tells me I'm gonna die soon I'll be chain smoking!  Or if a considerably safer cigarette is invented.

I sympathize with anyone trying to quit, nicotine is one evil drug.  In the past I tried just about every method out there for quitting.  The nicotine replacement products just don't work very good at all (although you get some awesome dreams when wearing the patch).  I'd recommend reading up on Chantix if you are serious about quitting.  Good luck!


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: JWIV on February 29, 2008, 04:43:33 PM
I smoked for close to 10 years.  I quit in January of 2007 (my wife had quit a year earlier) and quit cold turkey.  I was feeling increasingly guilty about my continuing to smoke and making things difficult for her to stay 'clean' as it were; plus shit was just getting too expensive.

 I started a daily exercise routine shortly after I quit and after ending a lot of sessions coughing off all sorts of nasty gunk from my lungs was quite fully motivated to never touch a cig again.



Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Cadaverine on February 29, 2008, 05:43:29 PM
I smoked for about 15 years, 1-2 packs a day.  More if I was partying/drinking.

When I finally quit, I just did it cold turkey.  No patches, chew, or anything.  I was probably an even bigger dick than usual for a week or so, but what the hell.  It didn't help that the girlfriend continued smoking when I quit.  As for the friends, just let them know you'll be gone for a bit while you get over the hump with quiting.  Biggest thing is to stay out of bars, and keep busy.  Shoot hoops, jerk off, whatever it takes.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Abagadro on February 29, 2008, 05:57:08 PM
I did it cold turkey as well and I think it is really the only way to go. You can only do it if you are totally committed though.  If you replace it with something, you are more likely to backslide IMO.  Just stop buying the things or being around people you can bum one from for at least a month. It sucks, but if you are anything like I was you will feel so much better in a relatively short period of time and the smell of cigarette smoke will actually start to make you slightly queasy.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: OcellotJenkins on February 29, 2008, 06:02:57 PM
What happens to your body if you stop smoking right now. (http://www.healthbolt.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/smoking_timeline_2070x1530.gif)


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: stray on February 29, 2008, 06:05:23 PM
Thanks for that.  :-)


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: schild on February 29, 2008, 06:07:11 PM
I've been smoking for 5 years and have yet to cough or wheeze.

I might be doing it wrong.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: stray on February 29, 2008, 06:11:02 PM
I don't cough or wheeze either, and I've been smoking for 15. Still though, seems to be a problem with others.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: SnakeCharmer on February 29, 2008, 06:17:15 PM
Get your wife/girlfriend pregnant.  I quit that day. 

Worked for me!

Edit:  It should also be noted that the redneck in me crept back out after I quit smoking and started using smokeless tobacco again for a few months....


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Selby on February 29, 2008, 08:38:11 PM
I don't cough or wheeze either, and I've been smoking for 15. Still though, seems to be a problem with others.
Just give it time.  Some people can go years without any real signs of breathing problems, others develop breathing problems within 6 months.  All it took was me watching people I loved die of emphysema to decide I wasn't going to smoke.  It's willpower regarding stopping, just like anything else.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Evil Elvis on February 29, 2008, 09:08:52 PM
I quit cold turkey 3 years ago.  I smoked like a fiend when I drank, so I stayed away from bars and didn't hang out with my friends much for a few months.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: lamaros on February 29, 2008, 09:21:57 PM
I don't cough or wheeze either, and I've been smoking for 15. Still though, seems to be a problem with others.
Just give it time.  Some people can go years without any real signs of breathing problems, others develop breathing problems within 6 months.  All it took was me watching people I loved die of emphysema to decide I wasn't going to smoke.  It's willpower regarding stopping, just like anything else.

All it took me was feeling like shit whenever I smoked (even just the one cigarette). But hey, if you don't wheeze then you're obviously immortal so go ahead!


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: stray on February 29, 2008, 09:46:51 PM
Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to defend and/or make excuses for my smoking, or act like I'm "immortal". I think I didn't explain myself well... I'll wheeze after some heavy cardio, of course. Hell, I know that I'm not even at my peak when it comes to exercise, so calling it "heavy" cardio would be a misnomer. It's definitely a roadblock in that respect.

I'm just talking about all of the hacking and shit that I see other smokers go through -- I've yet to have that problem, fortunately.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Musashi on February 29, 2008, 10:17:01 PM
In the miscellaneous dozen or more times I tried to quit smoking over the fifteen years I smoked, the culprit for my failing to quit was alcohol every single time.  Specifically, it was my loss of inhibition that made me decide that it would be okay for a smoke 'just for that night because I was gonna get plowed anyway.'  Every time I used that seriously flawed rationalization, I woke up with a hangover and a pack of Marlboro Lights in my pocket in the morning, and I was a smoker once again.

So I don't really find occasion to 'just get plowed' too much anymore.  I'm old now, and I know it's not cute anymore.  This past August I quit smoking for what I hope is the last time, and I haven't touched a cigarette since.  I chewed a lot of gum.  I'm a skinny fuck, so I ate everything I could fit through the hole.  I gained like twenty pounds, and now I am no longer affected by strong breezes.  I don't mean to discourage you by saying that, as I really had it to gain.  But I really think the key for me was bidding farewell to the youthful transgression of 'getting totally wasted.'  You may not want to hear that, but I think it's probably a more common cause of smoking relapse that it's given credit/blame.

As far as quitting.  This is the longest stretch of time that I've been without a cigarette since I was in Boot Camp for three months in '93.  I can't tell you how awesome it is.  I can breathe.  I have more energy.  My mood is way better.  Food tastes better.  Like others, I didn't really have any respiratory problems until this past year, which was my motivation for finally trying to quit again.  You may only feel slight effects now.  But they will catch up to you.  It's just that it happens very gradually, so it just doesn't feel that bad yet.  It will though.  It will suck too.  Bad as you want it too.  You know that already though.

If you smoke.  Quit.  It's worth it.  Quitting is different for everyone, I think.  But deep down inside you know what you have to do.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Dtrain on February 29, 2008, 10:29:20 PM
Willpower was the answer. I quit cold turkey and after a false start, never looked back.

I smoked for about 7 or 8 years, about 15 to 20 cigarettes a day at my worst. I still pine for it somewhat - after a good meal, with a good conversation, while drinking, to pass the time, of course after sex. It was essentially a very convincing if not shallow way of telling myself "Who's the man? You're the man."

My girlfriend was the primary motivator for me to quit. So I stopped entirely, finished my pack, told myself that was it. The first week or 2 afterwards was a total train wreck for me. My smoking friends all thought I was an asshole because I wouldn't go out on break with them anymore. I couldn't get any real work done because my thoughts would never get too far away from "Gee, wouldn't a cigarette be nice?" When I was out drinking I literally had to give a cigarette back to someone I had borrowed it from without thinking.

And then I was good for about 4 months. When I stated a night shift. And the only other person on the shift was a smoker. And it was late shift. And there wasn't much work to do. So I had a brief resurgance. It was after I started buying packs again that I kicked my ass back in line and stopped. Repeat of the first time essentially, except I was kicking myself for being stupid enough to start up smoking again.

So I've been off the cigarettes for 4 years now, and I have absolutely no intentions of going back. I'll go out with the smokers to continue a conversation and never really feel the urge for a cigarette, though that took a good year of not smoking to accomplish.

The one thing I would add to the list that was given previously is this:

6) Have a conversation with your friends, family, co-workers, your boss, etc. to let them know you're trying to quit smoking and you might sport a short fuse for the next couple weeks, you'll try not to be an asshole, but not to take anything you say too seriously.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Sir Fodder on March 01, 2008, 12:01:35 AM
What it takes to quit is definitely different for different people. I used to roll my own and also smoke all kinds of filterless cigarettes like Camels, Navy Cut, English Ovals, and those nice organic ones. I never decided to quit but just sort of got bored with it and gradually stopped.

There were a few things I saw though which may have gradually sunk in, I think that thinking about possible health effects may have played into it also; I had an anatomy class where a cadaver was from someone who died of likely smoking related lung cancer, I poked around the lungs were pretty nasty like a used up vaccum cleaner bag or grill hood filter caked with dirty grease. I also remember field stripping butts and sort of grinding it up in my nose which was surprisingly unpleasant. Another one was seeing a film of an Indian surgery ward where a bunch of guys had these white box thingies taped to their necks after getting their voice-boxes removed.

Nowadays I find second hand smoke to be extremely unpleasant (probably due to crappy adulterated tobacco), though cigar and pipe smoke is nice. Doubt I'll smoke again, done with that.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Llava on March 01, 2008, 12:57:01 AM
Quote
Topic: Quiting smoking.

(http://funkman.org/animal/mammal/longtailweasel2.jpg)


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: OcellotJenkins on March 01, 2008, 09:47:41 AM
Regarding the respiratory problems, throughout my twenties I was completely fine.  I even smoked when hiking mountains.  Then I turned 30 and my body got fed up with it.  Mild asthma set in followed by a lung infection that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.  Took several months to get over it and even then I wheezed off and on for a year afterwards.  Quitting has been wonderful in that regard, not to mention improved taste and smell. 


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Xanthippe on March 02, 2008, 11:36:03 AM
I've quit twice.  Well, 3 times, I guess.

The first time, I'd been smoking for about 12 years.  I stayed quit for 3 years but in a moment of weakness I smoked a cigarette while enjoying the sunset, because I thought it would somehow make the moment perfect.  I smoked for another 11 years.

Then I got pregnant and quit.  Then I had the baby and one cigarette a few months later and started again.  Quit when I became pregnant again, and have not had one since.

I loved smoking, even though it made me stink, cough, none of my friends smoked anymore, and I couldn't smoke when I went out to a restaurant or a bar.  I loved it even though it killed a friend of mine (emphyzema) too young (62) who still couldn't quit, even though her mother had died at roughly the same age from the same thing.  I loved it even though my grandmother got mouth cancer from it, and it contributed to my grandfather's demise before he was 70.

I dreamed about smoking during the first five years I quit.  I also fantasized that the first thing I'd do if someone told me I had a few months to live is to go out and buy cigarettes. 

Now, though, I'm just glad I don't smoke.  I'm not happy with the weight I've gained since smoking, but I'm not nearly as unhappy with being overweight than I was being a smoker.

Good luck to you.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: diivox on March 03, 2008, 12:35:24 AM
i quit for nearly a year and a half. it involved a ridiculous amount of sunflower seeds, a bonafide MMORPG addiction, and really being in love with the girl who said she was sick of making out with an ash tray. oh and the nicotine patch.

and every single day i wasnt smoking, i thought about it. i missed it. i dreamed about it. it's like that line in sin city. when the chips are down, a smoker is still a smoker. i broke up with said girl, bought "just one pack" and at this point i will be sitting at my pc, cough, and then curse at the fact i have to get up and grab a rag cuz i coughed a piece of lung onto the monitor again.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Signe on March 03, 2008, 06:48:07 AM
I'm secretly glad I stopped, too, even though I still crave them.  Badly, sometimes.  I'll take fat over nasty coughing and getting winded walking up steps any day. 

SMELL MY HAIR!


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Soukyan on March 03, 2008, 06:59:16 AM
Cold turkey.

It's the only way to fly. If you are committed to stopping, just stop. It does help to clean anything that reeks of smoke as a part of the process, but overall, just stop. The stench of stale smoke may not bother you now, but a few days after stopping, that scent on your clothes or hair is probably going to be repulsive to you. There were fleeting moments when I have thought of starting to smoke again, but it has usually been at a bar where smoking is still allowed. However, the awful stench that ends up stuck to me keeps me from wanting to touch the damn things again. These days, I try to go to places that do not allow smoking. I don't miss it in the slightest. And from a health perspective, I've never felt better.

Good luck. I hope you succeed in quitting.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Reg on March 03, 2008, 07:02:42 AM
You're lucky. Not a day goes by where I don't want a cigarette and I don't find the smell of them repulsive in the least. A doctor told me that the cravings do eventually go away after about 5 years.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: UD_Delt on March 03, 2008, 07:16:08 AM
I quit cold turkey... 4 times.

The latest time so far has stuck and is going on 4 years now. I used to be a 2+ pack per day smoker. Back in college the 15 minutes between classes was enough time to hotbox 3-4 cigarettes.

The first two failed attempts involved alcohol and the bumming of cigarettes from friends. The last failed attempt was due to work stress which killed almost a full year of not smoking.

The last time I quit my wife and I decided to quit immediately after our honeymoon. We (I) burned through two cartons of cigarettes in a little less than a two week trip to Jamaica. Quitting together wasn't exactly the best thing for a new marriage but we got through it mainly because my wife is awesome and was able to deal with me being a complete asshole for about 3 months. She was only ever a part time smoker anyway and would have half a dozen or so on nights when she was drinking so it wasn't that tough for her. I on the other hand was a complete fiend when it came to smoking.

The first time I tried to quit on my own after we were already living together but she was still doing her part-time smoking. As soon as I even smelled smoke on her I'd be rooting through her purse and ripping up the house trying to find where she stashed her cigarettes. It was sad and realizing how pathetically addicted I was is part of the reason the last time was successful.


The only advice I can offer is to first figure out why you want to quit smoking. Unless you have a real solid reason it won't happen. You might quit for a while on just general willpower but unless you have a solid reason for not starting back up you will fail.

For me it was financial. I had just gotten married, we just bought a house, had some of the wedding to still pay off, 2 student loans now instead of just mine, and we had all sorts of other expenses. When I started looking at things I could cut out of the budget cigarettes were one of the bigger leaks and something that could and should be cut out. And me being the cheap ass that I am was able to use that and quit for good.



Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Signe on March 03, 2008, 07:23:46 AM
You're lucky. Not a day goes by where I don't want a cigarette and I don't find the smell of them repulsive in the least. A doctor told me that the cravings do eventually go away after about 5 years.

This is me, too.  I always want a ciggie.  Even breathing in second hand smoke makes my lungs want to run away in horror so it would actually take some pain to start again, but I still want a ciggie.  I still smoke when I dream, too.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Moosehands on March 03, 2008, 09:34:11 AM
I still smoke when I dream, too.

I hate those dreams.  I don't get them for cigarettes but I do still get them for something I've been completely clean from for almost 6 years.  Every once in a while I'll wake up in the middle of the night and realize that what woke me up was that I was breathing like I was taking a hit.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: UD_Delt on March 03, 2008, 10:18:16 AM
I hate those dreams.  I don't get them for cigarettes but I do still get them for something I've been completely clean from for almost 6 years.  Every once in a while I'll wake up in the middle of the night and realize that what woke me up was that I was breathing like I was taking a hit.

I didn't know they called unprotected anal sex "taking a hit"...


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Moosehands on March 03, 2008, 10:25:09 AM
zing!  :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: naum on March 03, 2008, 10:35:42 AM
It's now 10 years since I quit smoking.

And I used to be a heavy smoker — a pack and a half to 2 packs per day… …and started at a young age ~12 years old…

Tried many different schemes, but the one that finally worked was just going cold turkey.

* It was very tough the first few days and weeks.

* It got easier thereafter but within a few months, though infrequent, incredibly strong urges would strike at certain moments — i.e., after meals, after leaving office, etc.…

* After a few years, not even an afterthought or desire though once in a while I still get a dream where I'm puffing away…

* Do smoke an occasional cigar…


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: WayAbvPar on March 03, 2008, 11:47:57 AM
Quote
and started at a young age ~12 years old…

Did you get your smokes here?

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/1/366938_58227f96d1.jpg)


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Dash on March 03, 2008, 11:56:06 AM
Quit cold, it's been over 7 years now.  Ran out of cigs one night and was too damn lazy to go out and get some more.  Next day the corner grocery store was closed and before I knew it I had gone about 24 hours without one. 

Tips that helped me:

- Your body starts repairing the damage from smoking after 4 days.  Read that somewhere, doesnt even matter if it's true it helped me stay off ;)

- Lots of gum.  Regular gum.  Helped me. 

- Keep in mind the longer you go off, the easier it gets.  Which from personal experience is true.  First few days can be rough, then it gets progressively easier.

- Dont fall into the trap of "having just one".  I did that and was back to a half pack a day in no time.  Had to quit again heh.

Good luck!


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Special J on March 03, 2008, 12:42:13 PM
1. Don't hang out with smokers.
2. Don't go to places where people smoke.
3. Don't shop at places that sell tobacco.
4. Don't hang out with smokers.
5. Have your wife viciously berate you whenever she finds out you smoked again.

It's easier to stop eating than to stop smoking.

1 and 4 are going to be really, REALLY hard to do. about 80% of my friends smoke. My girlfriend does not. I'm sure you can imagine the situations that makes.

I appreciate the link to the other thread, and all the comments.

If you can't past 1 and 4, you're really in for an uphill battle.  For month I pretty had to tell me buddies "sorry, too busy" when I quit.

Eventually, you'll have to go cold turkey.  There are a few things I did before stopping altogether.
1.  Stop smoking indoors. Ever. Espescially at home.  Your gilfriend will love you for it too.
2.  Break yourself of the 'habit smokes': like waking up, or after a meal.  Some cravings come just out of habit rather than an actual nicotine withdrawal.
3.  Stop smoking at work.  Skip your smoke breaks.  If that's too hard then try to hold out to lunch.

I didn't find any of these things too hard to do; and before I knew it, I had cut down by two thirds and wasn't having my first smoke of the day until after 6pm.  I found after the first week it gets easier.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: naum on March 03, 2008, 12:58:33 PM
Quote
and started at a young age ~12 years old…

Did you get your smokes here?

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/1/366938_58227f96d1.jpg)

Haha.

When I started smoking, it was the 1970s and cigarettes were $.55 a pack at the local gas station where my friends would work at soon (yes, even as teenagers). Nobody was ever carded for buying cigarettes back then and even if they were, cigarette vending machines were plentiful.

It seems eery now, but this was a time long before anti-smoking crusades and MADD and Nancy Reagan's "War on Drugs" was in its Nixonian infancy… …one could catch a buzz by just walking into a high school bathroom and concerts were filled the sweet scent of ganja… …even at my first post-graduate jobs in the work world, people smoked at their desks and conference rooms were filled with cigarette, cigar and pipe smokers. Today, it's nearly a crime to light up a cigarette and in Arizona you can't even smoke inside a bar…

…so I'd say it's easy to escape and elude other smokers now.

And this concludes this grandpa moment and I return you to your regular F13 content programming…



Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: ribuld on March 03, 2008, 03:40:42 PM
I was smoking 2+ packs a day for years and quit using Zyban and nicotine patches. I started taking the Zyban two weeks before I quit and then added the patches. 

It worked so well I didn't even think about cigarettes after about 5 weeks and quit taking the Zyban/ patches after about eight weeks.  Still frigging amazes me.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Nerf on March 03, 2008, 09:07:28 PM
Started taking chantix again on sunday, hopefully I stick with it this time.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: voodoolily on March 04, 2008, 08:22:42 AM
Started taking chantix again on sunday, hopefully I stick with it this time.

And by "it" you mean the suicidal lunacy, or the homocidal psychosis?  :awesome_for_real:

Good luck, man. It's been two months for us, and I don't think it was so bad, really.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Salamok on March 04, 2008, 08:44:29 AM
1. Don't hang out with smokers.
2. Don't go to places where people smoke.
3. Don't shop at places that sell tobacco.
4. Don't hang out with smokers.
5. Have your wife viciously berate you whenever she finds out you smoked again.

It's easier to stop eating than to stop smoking.
I quit 2 years ago:

1st day of nonsmoking I went to the bar with all my smoking friends, now I actually enjoy being around smokers, 2nd hand isn't really smoking is it?.  It was tough but it is also something you need to confront head on or you aren't really quitting.  It's more like you are avoiding smoking for awhile but you can't keep that up forever.  

I was a pack+ a day smoker (Marlboro red 100's (used to be gold)) for 15 years, here are my smoking revelations:

#1 - If you aren't ready to quit don't quit!  Every time you "quit" and fail it gets much harder to quit.  Don't fuck around with quitting if you aren't going to take it seriously don't bother trying.  I attempted to quit 3 times in my life.  Each time was exponentially harder than the previous attempt.

#2 - Use the god damn patch.  It helped me TREMENDEOUSLY to separate the addiction from the habit.  1st you kick the habit then months later you kick the addiction.  I read the instructions and warnings then threw that shit in the trash.  I didn't dangerously over do the patch like some people I know (wearing multiple doses at once) but I did extend the stages until I felt I was ready.  I think I went 6 weeks on stage 1 instead of 3 weeks and maybe 6 weeks on stage 2 instead of 2 weeks, when I got to stage 3 I went 2 days and experienced some withdrawal so said fuck it lets get this over with and went off the patch entirely.

#3 - Cool turkey doesn't work it's either cold turkey or no turkey.  When you quit you have to quit, no cheating no drag off another persons cigarette, if you are doing that then you didn't really quit.  This is what the patch should eliminate the need for.  The date and time you actually quit coincides with the date and time of your last drag off of a cigarette.

#4 - It does help to set a future date (the farther out the better actually) and continually tell yourself and anyone who will listen that on such and such a date you will quit.  This is almost like subliminal reinforcement plus after boasting of something for a year or two you will look like a tard if you don't follow through.  So by all means draw a line in the sand and leave the cigarettes behind when you cross it.

#5 - Don't be a pussy!  I suppose you could go to a support group and get a hug or something but this is a god awful process and like Dante it's your own little journey through hell and no one can do it for you.  So digging deep, getting mean and hating every moment of it is a great way to get the fucking job done.  Apologize profusely to everyone around you before and after you have completed your task but while you are in the process fuck them you have a job to do.

#6 - Smoking and finally quitting smoking has scarred me for life and it sucks.  I have lost the ability to focus for extremely long periods of time and my patience for relatively minor inconveniences has simply evaporated.  I suppose one day these scars will disappear but I don't see it happening soon.

#7 - Cheat if you have to, I know I did.  Forget the facts above they are meaningless, in the end the true reason I quit 2 years ago and know I will never start again is because I now have an 18 month old daughter.  So if having too many players on the field is cheating then I guess I cheated but after her cigarettes simply don't have a chance.

good luck.






Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Salamok on March 04, 2008, 08:51:51 AM
Just don't smoke.  I've never really been more than a half a pack a day smoker, but I alternate 2-3 years smoking and 2-3 years not smoking.  Been doing that for the past 15 years or so.  Whenever I quit, I just stop cold turkey.  Never really thought about it before now but I guess I just don't get cravings.

That doesn't help you, though.

I hate you.  I know a few people like this, their minds just don't acknowledge addiction.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Moosehands on March 04, 2008, 10:06:50 AM
I hate you.  I know a few people like this, their minds just don't acknowledge addiction.

Well, like I said on this page I do get cravings for stuff (okay, it was smoking meth not unprotected anal which probably would have been less unhealthy) just not cigarettes.  Don't hate me!   :cry:


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Salamok on March 04, 2008, 01:08:23 PM
Don't hate me!   :cry:

Okay, I'll just envy you instead ;P


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Sky on March 05, 2008, 07:17:36 AM
The only thing I occasionally crave is a nice tasty doobie of kind bud, lovingly tended over several months until it's a big gooey mass of THC. But I love my job.

Goddamned puritans.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Reg on March 05, 2008, 07:19:59 AM
Do they give you random drug tests at the library or something?


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: MrHat on March 05, 2008, 07:35:54 AM
Do they give you random drug tests at the library or something?

Thought all Gov'n jobs were subject to random testing.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Reg on March 05, 2008, 07:48:50 AM
Do they give you random drug tests at the library or something?

Thought all Gov'n jobs were subject to random testing.

Not in civilized countries. I've never understood why you Freedom Loving Americans are so willing to put up with that kind of crap.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Sky on March 05, 2008, 10:58:56 AM
No, I mentioned elsewhere here that every minor infraction is listed in our local paper. Jaywalk? You're in the paper, with all details. God forbid you are charged with an actual crime, you'll have multi-page full color spreads you will never live down, regardless of the verdict. Sucks.

So, we have a conservative board, so if I get popped for buying a half-ounce (which is just a violation and small fine, no biggie), I lose my job. Because it'll be in the paper and we can't have that.

Eh, I like the job. But seriously, legalize it already.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Teleku on March 05, 2008, 02:36:46 PM
Do they give you random drug tests at the library or something?

Thought all Gov'n jobs were subject to random testing.

Not in civilized countries. I've never understood why you Freedom Loving Americans are so willing to put up with that kind of crap.
Because 99.9% of the population doesn't have to?  Government jobs are suppose to be held in higher regard, thus more stringent checking on whether you've been breaking federal law or not (since, you know, government employees really shouldn't be doing that).


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Moosehands on March 05, 2008, 02:54:24 PM
Blockbuster video used to do hair testing.  Just saying.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Merusk on March 05, 2008, 03:22:46 PM
Blockbuster video used to do hair testing.  Just saying.

And those are some fine quality employees there.


That said, Americans don't like freedom. We just like spreading it around and saying we do.  There's too much danger and uncontrolled activity in freedom.   Plus there's little profit in it.

I've been hating over the last few days. Hush.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Reg on March 05, 2008, 04:40:56 PM
My brother had to prove that he didn't smoke before he was hired by an American company. And this was in Canada. They knew perfectly well that they had no right to ask him to do that but they let him know that if he refused he wouldn't be hired.

So don't tell me about how it's only government employees that have to put up with that kind of crap.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Llava on March 05, 2008, 07:52:23 PM
That said, Americans don't like freedom.

Of course we don't.  We're one of the most religious nations in the world.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Moosehands on March 06, 2008, 12:10:49 AM
That said, Americans don't like freedom.

Of course we don't.  We're one of the most religious nations in the world.

sssshhhhhhh

America is a schizo, yo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwDr8PxRrIo


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Sky on March 06, 2008, 06:05:48 AM
Problem with testing is that it's an invasion of privacy. I can't believe NORML & co can't get their shit together behind that defense. If I toke this weekend, in the safety and privacy of my own home, it'll be a good month before the traces are out of my system. Meanwhile, I could get blindingly drunk and be just ducky.

I'm all against any kind of intoxication in the workplace, when I was manager at wellymart, I sent home a coworker...then went over to his house after to toke up. You just don't do that shit before or during work hours, period.

But I'm robbed of all responsibility by these silly and frankly anti-american prohibition laws. Ah, well. I've given up all hope of sensibility or freedom based on personal responsibility, it no longer exists in american culture.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: SnakeCharmer on March 06, 2008, 07:07:28 AM
My brother had to prove that he didn't smoke before he was hired by an American company. And this was in Canada. They knew perfectly well that they had no right to ask him to do that but they let him know that if he refused he wouldn't be hired.

If I am putting someone on my payroll, I've got every right in the world to ask them if they smoke pot.  And drug test them if I have the tiniest suspicion.

I'm hiring them, not the other way around.

But yeah.  Pot.

Anything that gives you bitch titties, shrinks your testicles, makes you impotent, and paranoid, GIVE ME MORE OF THAT!!!

Edit:

I can't believe NORML & co can't get their shit together behind that defense.

Oh. The irony. 

A marijuana advocacy group lacking the motivation or ability to do something.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Tebonas on March 06, 2008, 07:19:47 AM
Prefix: I don't take any drugs whatsoever. I don't even smoke or drink alcohol.

With that out of the way. You hire them for their work. If it doesn't infringe on their work, you have no say at all what they do in their spare time. If you want to have a say, you'll have to pay them for their spare time as well.

Of course, if what they do in their spare time makes their work suffer you have every right to fire them guess. Its completely irrelevant what the reason is, though.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: OcellotJenkins on March 06, 2008, 07:31:10 AM
Anything that gives you bitch titties, shrinks your testicles, makes you impotent, and paranoid, GIVE ME MORE OF THAT!!!

(http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u59/wolfclown1/fail.jpg)


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Reg on March 06, 2008, 07:38:19 AM
My brother had to prove that he didn't smoke before he was hired by an American company. And this was in Canada. They knew perfectly well that they had no right to ask him to do that but they let him know that if he refused he wouldn't be hired.

If I am putting someone on my payroll, I've got every right in the world to ask them if they smoke pot.  And drug test them if I have the tiniest suspicion.

I'm hiring them, not the other way around.

But yeah.  Pot.

I was talking about cigarettes actually. It was a nicotine test. Apparently they got a discount on their health plan as long as they didn't hire smokers.

Of course my brother was in Canada so he wasn't going on their health plan anyway but still the company chose to violate Canadian law by forcing him to take a blood test.

But whatever. Gosh I sure wish us Canadians were as free as you guys.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Moosehands on March 06, 2008, 09:37:29 AM
If I am putting someone on my payroll, I've got every right in the world to ask them if they smoke pot.  And drug test them if I have the tiniest suspicion.

I'm hiring them, not the other way around.

But yeah.  Pot.

Anything that gives you bitch titties, shrinks your testicles, makes you impotent, and paranoid, GIVE ME MORE OF THAT!!!

My mother used to have a pretty significant methamphetamine habit (snorted, not smoked like me (such a happy family!)).  At the time, she had a job overseeing inmates at a federal prison and was subject to a drug test every 3 months.  Her and all her friends had the same opinion of pot that you do, and never touched the stuff.

Meth is undetectable in urine after about 3 days.  Drug testing is a ridiculous, ineffective activity that really only screens the least harmful way humans make themselves giggly other than spinning around in a circle with their eyes closed.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Mrbloodworth on March 06, 2008, 12:51:56 PM

Anything that gives you bitch titties, shrinks your testicles, makes you impotent, and paranoid, GIVE ME MORE OF THAT!!!


WTF were you smoking?  :ye_gods:


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Sky on March 06, 2008, 01:02:21 PM
WTF were you smoking?  :ye_gods:
A bong full of delusion.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: SnakeCharmer on March 06, 2008, 01:30:21 PM
Nah, that's for pot smokers that believe it's the magic cure all medicine and has no harmful side effects.

Denial is not a river in Egypt!

(edit: I hate remembering something semi-funny after the fact)


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: stray on March 06, 2008, 02:01:42 PM
That'd be a very tiny percentage of pot smokers, McGruff.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: slog on March 06, 2008, 02:20:30 PM
I quit on October 30th, 1998 and haven't smoked since.  I started a week cold turkey, then my wife made me use the patch for a few weeks.  I was driving her insane.

A lot of it truly is behaviour modification.  I stopped going to bars, since everyone reeked of cigarettes.  As a smoker, you don't realize how repulsive you smell until you quit.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Selby on March 06, 2008, 05:23:18 PM
Anything that gives you bitch titties, shrinks your testicles, makes you impotent, and paranoid, GIVE ME MORE OF THAT!!!
You know, the D.A.R.E. officer who lectured us in 6th grade used to say that this would all happen to you if you abused marijuana.  Of all the potheads I know, not a single one ever grew boobs or had their wangs fall off.  Are we sure it isn't just a side effect of eating junk food all the time and getting overweight?

The reason it makes people paranoid is because they are afraid of doing 5-10 for possessing a joint ;-)


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Llava on March 06, 2008, 11:30:46 PM
The one girl I know who smokes pot regularly does have pretty... ample boobs.  She's thin as hell, too.


.................


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: lamaros on March 07, 2008, 01:15:12 AM
Denial is not a river in Egypt!

LOL GOOD ONE!


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: NowhereMan on March 07, 2008, 02:44:17 AM
A lot of it truly is behaviour modification.  I stopped going to bars, since everyone reeked of cigarettes.  As a smoker, you don't realize how repulsive you smell until you quit.

On a more general note, I hadn't really noticed the extent to which the UK has become smoke free until I watched the Wire recently, hadn't seen it so I've started on the first season. It took me a while to notice why things seemed somehow odd until I realised it was not only were there lots of people smoking but that people were lighting up inside buildings. I've actually come to think of smoking as something you do outside and certainly not in public places, granted I've never been a smoker but it seems weird that I've had that level of mindset change in just under a year of it being kicked out of pubs.

Also the prevalence of overweight people made things seem mildly strange, not in a particularly noticeable way but....


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Sky on March 07, 2008, 06:02:02 AM
Nah, that's for pot smokers that believe it's the magic cure all medicine and has no harmful side effects.
Did you move to Dashland where everything is black and white?

You do have a valid point about NORML. I was an active member in the 80s, but left because of the apathy, but mostly because they were too pussified to admit they just wanted to smoke pot and kept going on about hemp fabric and seed oil and such nonsense.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: SnakeCharmer on March 07, 2008, 07:08:13 AM
Look.  I'll concede that some people can handle it (smoking pot responsibly, if there is a such a thing).  But from my experience, most people can't.   I've seen far too many friends (and family - most notably my brother) with way too much potential toss their lives away as a result of pot, or it leading into other drugs. 

I'm have a more militant outlook on it because I saw first hand what it did to my brother, and by extension how it affected my parents for the better part of 15-20 years.  Weed led to coke which led to my brother becoming a dealer which led to my brother being arrested multiple times for multiple offenses.  My ex-best friend, whilst baked out of his skull, 'forgot' about his 18 month old daughter (I was her godfather) who wandered out to the pool - you can guess the rest.

So, yeah, I do have a black/white outlook on "harmless" weed shaped on seeing nothing but bad from it.  The only people who don't see the harm in it are the people smoking it.  I've got an intense personal hatred towards it, and will never be convinced otherwise.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Tebonas on March 07, 2008, 07:13:11 AM
One of my fellow students in evening school went from being a somewhat good student to not finishing school thanks to not caring and showing up anymore. (from Pot, I saw, smelled and was offered it repeatedly).

But then I meet drunks all the time who do the same thing and get ME drunk when they breath at me as well.

Not the same as somebody drinking a good wine to some exquisite meal once in a while, though.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Sky on March 07, 2008, 08:45:51 AM
Ah. Pot absolves your brother and friend from personal responsibility. It's the drug's fault. Gotcha.

There is a such a thing as responsibility, just like you don't drink and drive. Your best friend was a loser, smoking pot while he was supposed to be watching over his kid. Your brother is a loser for dealing and not straightening up his act after getting busted the first time. The people I know who smoke only smoke responsibly, the same way someone would drink responsibly.

It's personal responsibility, not the drugs. That's hard for some people to face, it's easier to blame the drugs.

Geldoned: Moosehands can relate how a drug can fuck up your life. Meth is seriously awful stuff, I saw a lot of that when I was on the west coast.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Rasix on March 07, 2008, 08:55:32 AM
Blockbuster video used to do hair testing.  Just saying.

TipTop Nursery (plant store) tested urine.  I was the designated pisser for about half the place.   A plant store attracting stoners? Whaaaa?

As to SC's reefer madness tale: read what Sky wrote.  My uncle the heroin addict, my junkie cousin, and my twice in prison cousin have no one to blame but themselves. 

Edit: It was annoying to work with people who were baked on the job, but they did a good job watering plants.  No on the job accidents the entire time I was there.  Heh.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: CmdrSlack on March 07, 2008, 08:58:17 AM
See, personal responsibility only applies when it's something like being poor or homeless. Those people CHOOSE to be that way.

But people who smoke pot? Totally suckered in by the devil weed.  :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Llava on March 07, 2008, 09:54:31 AM
So, yeah, I do have a black/white outlook on "harmless" weed shaped on seeing nothing but bad from it.  The only people who don't see the harm in it are the people smoking it.

Just about all of my friends did or do smoke pot.  I've yet to see a single harmful result.  In fact, those same people have been more negatively affected by actions they've done while drinking alcohol.

My anecdotal evidence counters yours.

I don't, never have, and likely never will smoke pot.  I see no harm in it.  I see harm in irresponsible, stupid people abusing it, just like if they chose to abuse alcohol instead.  Or MMOGs.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Special J on March 07, 2008, 10:33:16 AM
I really don't consider weed any better or worse than alcohol.  They can both be abused and ruin lives; and they can both be fine when in moderation.

I do know if I see one person all liquored up and one high as a kite; that the former is more likely to do something colossally stupid.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Signe on March 07, 2008, 12:04:38 PM
Don't believe anything SnakeCharmer says.  He works on a boat.  Pot is an herbal remedy and can only do good things for you.  If you don't believe me, ask God.

Srsly, man.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Sky on March 07, 2008, 12:59:46 PM
Well, don't paint the rosy clouds with unicorns. There is the smoking hazard inherent in all smoked materials. But hey, it's my body, and it's waaaay less than cigarettes unless you smoke pot like a fiend. But if you drink in moderation, the health benefits outweigh the detriments, I feel the same about marijuana. Stress is fuckin' dangerous.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Signe on March 07, 2008, 01:12:23 PM
Shuddup, you!  I slightly wobble by my post.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Sky on March 07, 2008, 01:29:03 PM
I was just trying to spare you SC's tirade of the deadly consequences of ghastly marijuana :P


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Tebonas on March 07, 2008, 04:00:32 PM
(http://www.sciencepunk.com/v5/gallery/reefermadness.jpg)


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Selby on March 07, 2008, 05:30:54 PM
I can't believe this fucking thread turned into a cross between Reefer Madness and a bad episode of Dragnet (where Joe Friday lectures on the evils of LSD and marijuana with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other).

People who have addictive personalities and end up abusing drugs are going to abuse them regardless of the drug unless they control their addiction.  Low level "gateway" drugs are more symbolic of the personality rather than some inherent evil in the drug itself and often used as crutches and excuses to prevent personal responsibility.

People who toke up and live responsible lives are NOT something you can pick out, because they have their shit together unlike meth-heads or potheads living in mommy and daddy's basement forever.  Same as someone who drinks a beer or two after work.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: SnakeCharmer on March 07, 2008, 06:30:25 PM
Ah. Pot absolves your brother and friend from personal responsibility. It's the drug's fault. Gotcha.

There is a such a thing as responsibility, just like you don't drink and drive. Your best friend was a loser, smoking pot while he was supposed to be watching over his kid. Your brother is a loser for dealing and not straightening up his act after getting busted the first time. The people I know who smoke only smoke responsibly, the same way someone would drink responsibly.

It's personal responsibility, not the drugs. That's hard for some people to face, it's easier to blame the drugs.

Geldoned: Moosehands can relate how a drug can fuck up your life. Meth is seriously awful stuff, I saw a lot of that when I was on the west coast.

I never said a thing about lack of personal responsibility.  We're responsible for everything we do.

Including using an illegal substance with harmful direct and indirect side effects.

My anecdotal evidence counters yours.

It's not anecdotal evidence when you see it first hand.  Like I said in my earlier post, some people can handle it, most can't.

So, after all is said and done, I'm out of this thread since an argument or debate of pro-pot people and anti-pot people never goes anywhere.  And I'll do it without firing a single snarky shot across anyone's bow.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: stray on March 07, 2008, 06:40:07 PM
One side of the debate here isn't even that "pro pot" really. They just happen to find your "anti" sentiment unreasonable.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Abagadro on March 07, 2008, 08:30:34 PM
Quote
It's not anecdotal evidence when you see it first hand.

That's pretty much the definition of an anecdote.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: NowhereMan on March 08, 2008, 04:44:27 AM
I LOLed


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Sky on March 08, 2008, 07:08:50 AM
Like I said in my earlier post, some people can handle it, most can't.
Most people. Really. Should we tally up how many ways you lose this minidebate?

Addictive personalities and just straight up stupid people can't be helped by prohibition, only by counseling. Meanwhile, perfectly responsible adults can't grow a fucking PLANT in their backyard for personal and responsible enjoyment in the privacy of their own house.

You so utterly fail, it's time to learn a new debate angle on the subject. Because we don't legislate by the losers, otherwise alcohol would be illegal due to overdosage and secondary deaths (DUI and etc).


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Selby on March 08, 2008, 09:24:26 AM
One side of the debate here isn't even that "pro pot" really. They just happen to find your "anti" sentiment unreasonable.
Exactly.  I am one of the few who thinks it should be legal who doesn't like to smoke it at alll.  I don't like the smell and don't really like the idea of a potential carcinogen in my lungs (which may or may not be proven due to government reluctance to do an honest study).  Especially considering I don't get any benefit from it.  But that doesn't mean it should be illegal.

Quote from: Sky
Because we don't legislate by the losers, otherwise alcohol would be illegal due to overdosage and secondary deaths (DUI and etc).
And we all know how well that worked out the last time they tried it.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Mrbloodworth on March 10, 2008, 12:59:47 PM
Most "facts" about weed come from: Racism, Dupont, and the 20-30 and 50's. Most of them have been proven wrong. Not saying there isn't side affects (everything you take in has them, even a pork chop), but most is pure political BS created for personal, and stupid gains.

I think i would enjoy hanging with sky and friends more than SC's brother and crew.

As far as Alcohol VS's pot. Never heard of anyone smoking to much and beating the shit out of people (ETC..).


Back on topic: I have cut back a lot, that should help when the time comes. My plan is to go cold. But if it take to much, i will explore other options such as quitting aids and the like.



Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: voodoolily on March 11, 2008, 07:27:49 AM
I smoked the hell out of weed for a very long time, and it wasn't until I stopped that I realized stoners are some flaky, spaced-out people (some to the point of utter uselessness). I work with a guy in the summer who gets high on the job, and he is totally unfocused and retarded (relatively speaking) for an hour after. The threats and dangers of pot smoking are mostly false (smoking is bad for you, regardless), but a general lack of focus is not propaganda. This can be dangerous under certain circumstances.

My brother and dad are addicted to pot, which I never thought was possible until I saw how easily I gave it up and how they just can't/won't. My brother lost an important apprenticeship when he failed a UA that he knew was coming (instead of stop smoking, he used those herbal diuretics), and is a fix-it guy in an apartment complex (instead of a plumber). He's got two kids and is almost 30 but acts like he's 16, and I think it's because he started getting high when he was 13.  :uhrr:


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Mrbloodworth on March 11, 2008, 07:44:52 AM
I smoked the hell out of weed for a very long time, and it wasn't until I stopped that I realized stoners are some flaky, spaced-out people (some to the point of utter uselessness). I work with a guy in the summer who gets high on the job, and he is totally unfocused and retarded (relatively speaking) for an hour after. The threats and dangers of pot smoking are mostly false (smoking is bad for you, regardless), but a general lack of focus is not propaganda. This can be dangerous under certain circumstances.

My brother and dad are addicted to pot, which I never thought was possible until I saw how easily I gave it up and how they just can't/won't. My brother lost an important apprenticeship when he failed a UA that he knew was coming (instead of stop smoking, he used those herbal diuretics), and is a fix-it guy in an apartment complex (instead of a plumber). He's got two kids and is almost 30 but acts like he's 16, and I think it's because he started getting high when he was 13.  :uhrr:

i think a lot of that really comes down to , "Is it apart of your life, or IS it your life?", and personal responsibility. Again, Replace pot, with alcohol in in some of your example.

I honestly think, if it ever became legal, and not so taboo. Many people would be surprised who came out of the wood works as smokers.

I'm all about personal choice. There is no need for the government to regulate it (Work places are a completely different story, they can make up there own rules). The criminalization of it makes criminals (See: Prohibition), not the other way around.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Nerf on March 11, 2008, 08:05:38 AM
About 36 hours without a smoke now, I'm not sure if the Chantix is making me more or less stabby, but I sure as hell want to fucking stab something.   :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Mrbloodworth on March 11, 2008, 08:07:20 AM
About 36 hours without a smoke now, I'm not sure if the Chantix is making me more or less stabby, but I sure as hell want to fucking stab something.   :awesome_for_real:

Is that stuff pricey? keep the faith man, hang in there. :grin:

EDIT: Better question, i see its only available VIA doctor's prescription. Was it covered by your medical benefits if you have any?


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Nerf on March 11, 2008, 08:14:21 AM
It's about $114/mo, where smoking a pack/day in texas sets me back about $150, I'm not doing it for the money, though, waking up in the morning and spending 15 minutes hacking shit up just aint fun anymore.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: bhodi on March 11, 2008, 08:23:28 AM
It's about $114/mo, where smoking a pack/day in texas sets me back about $150, I'm not doing it for the money, though, waking up in the morning and spending 15 minutes hacking shit up just aint fun anymore.
OK, now it all starts to make sense in Eve! You are undergoing a ... how to put it politely ... personality modification :)

You're on the man rag.

But seriously, good luck. I hope you kick it, so you don't have to afk to smoke anymore :)


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: OcellotJenkins on March 11, 2008, 08:24:26 AM
About 36 hours without a smoke now, I'm not sure if the Chantix is making me more or less stabby, but I sure as hell want to fucking stab something.   :awesome_for_real:

Is that stuff pricey? keep the faith man, hang in there. :grin:

EDIT: Better question, i see its only available VIA doctor's prescription. Was it covered by your medical benefits if you have any?

It cost me $15 for what looked like a 3 month supply with my benefits (I was only on it a month).  My doctor also had a coupon for like $20 off, so it's worth asking about that.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Nerf on March 11, 2008, 08:26:26 AM
No insurance, and I'm not a fan of going to the doctor unless I think somthing important is going to fall off.  However, my brother is the head of IT for a large heart clinic, so he just got one of the doctors there to write him a scrip, and his insurance doesn't cover it, others may.
It seems like something insurance SHOULD cover, it's in their best interest to keep you healthy, and not smoking is a damn fine way to improve those odds.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Moaner on March 11, 2008, 08:41:21 AM
Chantix made me a mean, nauseated mother fucker.  Pissed off + puking = win!

I'm going cold turkey now.  I'm less pissed thanks to Xanax but god damnit I want a smoke!!


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Polysorbate80 on March 11, 2008, 10:26:35 AM
I realized stoners are some flaky, spaced-out people (some to the point of utter uselessness)

On the other hand, my sister-in-law's husband will clean house like a madman when he's stoned.  I don't know why.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: CmdrSlack on March 11, 2008, 12:04:55 PM
My health plan doesn't apparently cover Chantix, so I'm looking for a loophole. Either that or I'll pony up the $120 and just use it for a month instead of the whole 12 weeks.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: OcellotJenkins on March 11, 2008, 12:08:36 PM
This is the coupon card (http://www.internetdrugcoupons.com/chantix.html) my doc gave me.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Nerf on March 11, 2008, 06:26:27 PM
My health plan doesn't apparently cover Chantix, so I'm looking for a loophole. Either that or I'll pony up the $120 and just use it for a month instead of the whole 12 weeks.

Tried that, a month just isn't enough, the nice thing about Chantix is that if you DO slip up, the nicotine has no effect and you don't bother anymore.  I tried the whole "I'll just use it for a month" thing, and was smoking again about 2 weeks later.

Then again, I _Really_ love smoking.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: schild on March 11, 2008, 06:27:32 PM
My health plan doesn't apparently cover Chantix, so I'm looking for a loophole. Either that or I'll pony up the $120 and just use it for a month instead of the whole 12 weeks.

Tried that, a month just isn't enough, the nice thing about Chantix is that if you DO slip up, the nicotine has no effect and you don't bother anymore.  I tried the whole "I'll just use it for a month" thing, and was smoking again about 2 weeks later.

Then again, I _Really_ love smoking.

And it loves you. :grin:


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: voodoolily on March 12, 2008, 09:43:44 PM
Seriously, guys, cold turkey isn't that hard. It really isn't. omg, you will still think about smoking once in awhile. But it doesn't hurt as bad as slamming your finger in a door.  :uhrr:

IF TONY BOURDAIN CAN QUIT SO CAN YOU.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: schild on March 12, 2008, 09:46:07 PM
Are you saying we shouldn't quit til we're like 55, like Mr. Bourdain>?


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: slog on March 13, 2008, 07:42:09 AM
Total side note:

Many non-smokers I know (including me) downgrade smokers when they interview for jobs where non-smokers are also interviewing.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Mrbloodworth on March 13, 2008, 07:48:29 AM
Total side note:

Many non-smokers I know (including me) downgrade smokers when they interview for jobs where non-smokers are also interviewing.

Why should smoking even come up during an interview? Do you also ask people if they are diabetic, or lactose intolerant?


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: stray on March 13, 2008, 07:53:35 AM
That's insane.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Nebu on March 13, 2008, 07:58:41 AM
Why should smoking even come up during an interview? Do you also ask people if they are diabetic, or lactose intolerant?

You're not comparing diabetes and lactose intolerance to smoking... are you? 

People get judged for lots of reasons during interviews.  Age, race, sex, size, etc.  It's part of the whole "life is unfair" thing people keep mentioning. 


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: stray on March 13, 2008, 08:03:08 AM
race, sex

Huh. I thought that was illegal 99% of the time.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Nebu on March 13, 2008, 08:04:45 AM
Huh. I thought that was illegal 99% of the time.

Businessess get around this by making up other reasons.  You already know this. 


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Tebonas on March 13, 2008, 08:05:45 AM
I'd just tell them no smoking breaks during work. If they can manage that, they can smoke at home and during lunch break (outside my building) as much as they like.

Its not like anybody inflicted their vice on them or they were born that way, they did it on their own free will. And therefore show a lack of intelligence and/or willpower.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: stray on March 13, 2008, 08:15:20 AM
And therefore show a lack of intelligence and/or willpower.

You forget that some people simply like it. No one is stupid enough to not understand the harmful effects, so it isn't because they're "unintelligent". Hell, there are even MD's and Nurses that smoke.

And as for willpower, just step into a NA or AA meeting once. You'll find plenty of smokers, but it wouldn't be the correct thing to say that they lack "willpower" per se.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Tebonas on March 13, 2008, 08:54:25 AM
They can like it at home all they like. I like pastries. I don't eat them during worktime.

Edit: They can't here either. In effect they stand outside smoking while they are unreachable by us nonsmoking coworkers.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: stray on March 13, 2008, 08:56:19 AM
Oh, if that's all you meant, then I'm with you. People can't even smoke in buildings here, so it'd be meaningless to argue anyways.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: slog on March 13, 2008, 09:47:41 AM
Total side note:

Many non-smokers I know (including me) downgrade smokers when they interview for jobs where non-smokers are also interviewing.

Why should smoking even come up during an interview? Do you also ask people if they are diabetic, or lactose intolerant?

I've never asked anyone if they smoke during an interview.  It's more like "Eww this person smells like cigarette smoke.  Pass"  I didn't mean to imply it was a formal question.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Bunk on March 13, 2008, 10:14:42 AM
That's insane.

Not really. The smokers in my office take about 8 - 10 smoke breaks a day.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Sauced on March 13, 2008, 10:20:30 AM
Not really. The smokers in my office take about 8 - 10 smoke breaks a day.

While you just take your breaks on the internet.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Polysorbate80 on March 13, 2008, 10:24:42 AM
I've never asked anyone if they smoke during an interview.  It's more like "Eww this person smells like cigarette smoke.  Pass"  I didn't mean to imply it was a formal question.

They may still not be a smoker themselves.  I'm asthmatic, so I've never been a smoker (except for that one puff I took once just to mess with someone's head), but I stank like one for years because my wife smoked.  I also have friends that smoke; if I visit them, I come home reeking of cigarettes.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: schild on March 13, 2008, 10:26:55 AM
That's insane.

Not really. The smokers in my office take about 8 - 10 smoke breaks a day.

10 to 1 their productivity would turn to shit without those smoke breaks and you don't want a bunch of shaking assholes on your hands.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Sky on March 13, 2008, 10:39:40 AM
The Shaking Assholes would be a great band name.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Nebu on March 13, 2008, 10:40:10 AM
We had a department head that was an alcoholic.  He was the best boss I've ever had.  Since that time, I've decided to choose the person for the job based on their personality and ability.  If they have a few vices, so what.  As long as they do the job it's all good.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: slog on March 13, 2008, 10:44:25 AM
I've never asked anyone if they smoke during an interview.  It's more like "Eww this person smells like cigarette smoke.  Pass"  I didn't mean to imply it was a formal question.

They may still not be a smoker themselves.  I'm asthmatic, so I've never been a smoker (except for that one puff I took once just to mess with someone's head), but I stank like one for years because my wife smoked.  I also have friends that smoke; if I visit them, I come home reeking of cigarettes.

Sucks to be them. 


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Bunk on March 13, 2008, 10:54:44 AM
Not really. The smokers in my office take about 8 - 10 smoke breaks a day.

While you just take your breaks on the internet.

Touche.

However, I can still do work and listen to customers whine while I type this.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Bunk on March 13, 2008, 10:56:28 AM
That's insane.

Not really. The smokers in my office take about 8 - 10 smoke breaks a day.

10 to 1 their productivity would turn to shit without those smoke breaks and you don't want a bunch of shaking assholes on your hands.

I don't deny that. Ask any non-smoker though, and you'll find them resentful of the extra 1/2 hour + worth of break time that smokers tend to get away with.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Mrbloodworth on March 13, 2008, 11:00:02 AM
We had a department head that was an alcoholic.  He was the best boss I've ever had.  Since that time, I've decided to choose the person for the job based on their personality and ability.  If they have a few vices, so what.  As long as they do the job it's all good.

Thank you.

On the "They take smoke breaks" tip. Go out with them, fair is fair. I personally, don't take a lunch, because of my smoke breaks, i figure its fair.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: schild on March 13, 2008, 11:03:42 AM
That's insane.

Not really. The smokers in my office take about 8 - 10 smoke breaks a day.

10 to 1 their productivity would turn to shit without those smoke breaks and you don't want a bunch of shaking assholes on your hands.

I don't deny that. Ask any non-smoker though, and you'll find them resentful of the extra 1/2 hour + worth of break time that smokers tend to get away with.

There's only one set of responses to this:

Tell them to not be sissy whiny assholes.

Or to take up a habit.

Or just take a break.

I suggest all 3.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: stray on March 13, 2008, 11:06:26 AM
4: Fuck em


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: bhodi on March 13, 2008, 11:07:25 AM
Can we discriminate against smokers by refusing to hire them yet?

Those lazy fucks do half an hour's less work than the rest of the hard working populace!


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: schild on March 13, 2008, 11:10:53 AM
Those lazy fucks do half an hour's less work than the rest of the hard working populace!

No, we don't.



Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Mrbloodworth on March 13, 2008, 11:14:08 AM
Those lazy fucks do half an hour's less work than the rest of the hard working populace!

I personally, don't take a lunch, because of my smoke breaks, i figure its fair.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: stray on March 13, 2008, 11:23:45 AM
The last time I worked in a "team" environment, I fucking killed the 60 other people working with me on "efficency" and on how much work I was handling. They literally even posted "stats" every week. Then I became their manager in 2 months. Sure, I might have taken smoke breaks, but those other fat fucks were asleep at their desks apparently.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Llava on March 13, 2008, 11:53:11 AM
It's easy to fall asleep when everyone else is out taking a smoke break.  Hard to wake up by the time they're back.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Sauced on March 13, 2008, 12:44:27 PM
I had to remind a co-worker a few years ago that there was nothing stopping them from leaving their cube for a nice 10 minute walk around the office, whether they smoked while they did it or not.

In other news, 2 months in and I still basically feel like this everyday:

(http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6126/48ac1f4e7bbd3301da468bcak9.gif)


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: voodoolily on March 13, 2008, 05:41:21 PM
You feel like rocking out? I don't know what to say, honey - it was really easy for me and sucks to be you, I guess.  :uhrr:

I didn't mean to imply that pot smoking should be illegal, because I think the opposite. I also am in the group of people who turn into a crackhead when I smoke grass. 


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: schild on March 13, 2008, 05:42:25 PM
it was really easy for me

Bullshit. You might not have been niccing, but you turned it into aggression.

Easy means "without MASSIVE UNPREDICTABLE MOOD SWINGS."



Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: voodoolily on March 13, 2008, 06:16:13 PM
No, easy means not thinking about it that much, and not stressing out when I do. I'm always aggressive, that hasn't changed.


Title: Re: Quiting smoking.
Post by: Llava on March 13, 2008, 06:22:30 PM
However, if you want a good laugh, take a look at the Achewood thread and see how level-headed I was the first two days.  :ye_gods:


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: voodoolily on March 13, 2008, 08:04:02 PM
That was on the first day! I never said the first three days are easy. I just said it's not that hard.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Llava on March 13, 2008, 08:18:30 PM
it was really easy for me

 :headscratch:

Am I being too much of a smart ass?  I'll knock it off.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Signe on March 14, 2008, 07:52:47 AM
Stop judging what people mean by the words they say or you'll grow up to be a dirty pedant! 


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Reg on March 14, 2008, 08:31:41 AM
A pedant you say?

 :hello_thar:


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Signe on March 14, 2008, 10:21:41 AM
Yes.  A dirty one.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Llava on March 14, 2008, 11:17:11 AM
I might not be able to avoid being pedantic, but you can't ever take my ability to bathe from me.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: bhodi on March 14, 2008, 11:35:20 AM
No, we don't.
I personally, don't take a lunch, because of my smoke breaks, i figure its fair.
Did I *really* have to green it up for you guys? Come on now.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Mrbloodworth on March 14, 2008, 11:38:48 AM
Speaking for myself, yeah. I have a really bad Sarcasm detector.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: bhodi on March 14, 2008, 03:09:47 PM
I figured calling an entire class of people lazy fucks would be enough...


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Tige on August 28, 2008, 01:08:51 PM
Not sure this would be a true necro post given the subject matter.

It's been a couple of months for me after using the prescription Chantix.  The stuff worked for me really well.  I was on it for a couple of weeks when this thread started but I wound up on a sailboat at sea for about 2 weeks which totally scraped whatever progress I had made with or without drugs, on watch at 3 am having been without smoke for a couple of weeks was just too much.

Anyway, Chantix has a bad rap with some people but I can't say enough good things about it.  The only side effect that persists is the upset stomach if you don't eat when you take it.  A side effect I had for about 10 days while the stuff got in my systems was dreams.  Let me tell you, if you have the dream side effect your dreams will either be  :grin: or  :ye_gods: for at least a week or so.

The toughest part is getting through those times where muscle memory takes over.  Reaching for a cigarette when getting in the car.  Reaching in your pocket for a lighter at certain times or situations take some work.  It's not the fact you physically want or need a cigarette, it's pure habit of smoking after certain activities or times.  Even without alot of willpower or overwhelming desire to quit I feel I'm just about out of the woods. 




Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Wershlak on August 31, 2008, 11:14:09 PM
I recently started smoking again after quitting for 6 years. I can report that starting back up even after 6 years is alot easier than quitting was.  :ye_gods:


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: HAMMER FRENZY on September 01, 2008, 06:42:33 AM
I am such a casual smoker that none of this matters. I literally smoke once a week or not at all. I don't like to take smoke breaks at work cause it is too hot to hang out outside, and i typically only smoke when I drink. I like smoking but I think excessive smoking is lame.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Signe on September 01, 2008, 08:24:52 AM
This thread has reminded me of how much I enjoyed smoking now that I've stopped and how much I miss Llava now that he's gone missing.   :heartbreak:


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Hoax on September 01, 2008, 03:00:26 PM
I've been having problems with being quit lately, still haven't and dont think I will touch a cig but my resolve is wavering now after its been like 2 years come november (I think).  I blame Californication and a bunch of books I've read lately and the fact that all my friends smoke and it looks so nice sometimes.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Reg on September 01, 2008, 03:03:15 PM
It's been almost two years for me as well and not a day goes by where I don't want one.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: schild on September 01, 2008, 03:12:06 PM
Quitting is for quitters.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Signe on September 01, 2008, 03:12:42 PM
It was in the news that David Duchovny is in rehap for sex addiction.  I think he lives his tv show or something dumbass like that.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: JWIV on September 01, 2008, 04:12:08 PM
I'm mostly pissed off that for purposes of life insurance having quit smoking for 2 years isn't good enough - it has to be three or they still triple your rate.   Shit's as bad as car insurance and a speeding ticket.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: stray on September 02, 2008, 03:26:33 AM
I've been smoking like a madman. 2 packs yesterday.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Cyrrex on September 02, 2008, 06:48:47 AM
Not sure this would be a true necro post given the subject matter.

It's been a couple of months for me after using the prescription Chantix.  The stuff worked for me really well.  I was on it for a couple of weeks when this thread started but I wound up on a sailboat at sea for about 2 weeks which totally scraped whatever progress I had made with or without drugs, on watch at 3 am having been without smoke for a couple of weeks was just too much.

Anyway, Chantix has a bad rap with some people but I can't say enough good things about it.  The only side effect that persists is the upset stomach if you don't eat when you take it.  A side effect I had for about 10 days while the stuff got in my systems was dreams.  Let me tell you, if you have the dream side effect your dreams will either be  :grin: or  :ye_gods: for at least a week or so.

The toughest part is getting through those times where muscle memory takes over.  Reaching for a cigarette when getting in the car.  Reaching in your pocket for a lighter at certain times or situations take some work.  It's not the fact you physically want or need a cigarette, it's pure habit of smoking after certain activities or times.  Even without alot of willpower or overwhelming desire to quit I feel I'm just about out of the woods. 


I also used Chantix.  I didn't like the upset stomach and the general dreary outlook it gave me (though I did get the  :grin: dreams), so I stopped taking them after two weeks.   As mentioned in another thread, it also had the coincidental effect of breaking my coffee addiction.  Haven't had a smoke or a cup of coffee for six months or so.

Anyway, it's easily the best method I've ever tried for quitting.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Furiously on September 02, 2008, 07:07:14 AM
The best thing about quitting smoking is the starting again. Day three is alwasys the worst for me too.


Title: Re: Quitting smoking.
Post by: Signe on September 02, 2008, 07:15:53 AM
I didn't use any meds, I used those funny Quest cigarettes for awhile.  I only used the number 3s, the ones with no nicotine.  They tasted like crap, gave me a dry mouth, but they totally took the edge off when the urge got really bad.  At least I was smoking, I guess.  Eventually, I stopped using them and stopped smoking.  The thing I thought was amazing was I didn't cheat with real cigs at all.  I usually cheat at everything.