Quitting smoking.

[Mrbloodworth]

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

[Sky]

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.

[voodoolily]

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.

[Mrbloodworth]

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... 

[voodoolily]

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.

[Righ]

You could read this:

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

[Yegolev]

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.

[voodoolily]

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.

[stray]

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.

[schild]

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.

[Mrbloodworth]

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.

[Jain Zar]

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.

[schild]

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.

[Signe]

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!

[Moosehands]

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.

[voodoolily]

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. 

[IainC]

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.

[stray]

Ah, those rizlas are good... Not very licorice like to me though, just sweet. I use them with Three Castles.

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

[Grand Design]

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.

[OcellotJenkins]

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!

[JWIV]

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.

[Cadaverine]

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.

[Abagadro]

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.

[OcellotJenkins]

What happens to your body if you stop smoking right now.

[stray]

Thanks for that. 

[schild]

I've been smoking for 5 years and have yet to cough or wheeze.

I might be doing it wrong.

[stray]

I don't cough or wheeze either, and I've been smoking for 15. Still though, seems to be a problem with others.

[SnakeCharmer]

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....

[Selby]

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.

[Evil Elvis]

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.

[lamaros]

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!

[stray]

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.

[Musashi]

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.

[Dtrain]

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.

[Sir Fodder]

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.