quitting smoking

[Schiplt]

I decided to quit smoking cigs on monday. Im almost 20 and have smoke for 3 years now and have tried to quit like 5 times, and everytime im like fuck this. I want to make this the time tho. Anyone have any suggestions or anything that might help out. word.

[BankItDrew]

You won't stop smoking until you truly want to.

[Schiplt]

thats not true. no one wants to quit. you just have to do it

[will641]

thats not true. no one wants to quit. you just have to do it

actually bank it drew is right. you got it exactly opposite. the people that quite because they think they have to will always get sucked back in from the addiction. i speak from experience.

[boost]

yep, gotta wanna quit. Short term, sure no one wants to quit, however realizing the long term implications of your habit will make you want to quit. There was a (maybe more than one) thread about this with lots of good advice. Im approaching 2 years of being smoke free after smoking for 6 or 7 years.

Three things that helped me a lot when I got a craving were:

1) it really doesnt make you cool at all, no one cares if you smoke or not. Most people would deny this is a factor, however if youre honest with yourself this is most like a big reason you get cravings.

2) it makes your breath and your clothes smell really bad.

3) waking up after a night out and having that terrible feeling in your throat is just not worth it. Youre really punishing your body and getting nothing out of it.

4) if you calculate how much you spend on cigarettes a year, its really disturbing.

[bikes]

I found that munching on sour jelly bellies like 24/7 helped alot.

Though i really wasnt that addicted as some other people are.

[Schiplt]

hah. yeah ive tried some whacky shit quitting before. i dont wanna get on the patch or anything. the point about not wanting to quit was meant to be short term want. cause the thought of never smoking another cig again is like the worst thing ever. but the thought of smoking in 5 years is pretty fucking bad too. i think the main thing is not letting the friends of mine who do smoke effect my decision to quit.

[thizzSantaCruz]

Dude I am completely with you Schip, I have quit about 5 times and recently I didn't smoke for about 2 monthes and I thought I was really done. Over spring break I did a lot of partying and smoked a bunch of cigs thinking its just because its spring break and I am partying way harder than I normally do. After that I have been routinely smoking cigs when I go out drinking at night, which is how I got addicted in the first place. Your thread makes me realize I gotta cut that out or I am going to be in the same situation I was a couple monthes ago.

[tom]

my only advice comes from my roommate: don't stop smoking and start dipping to replace the craving.

[mrhappy333]

Dont ever start

[Numbr2intheWorld]

my only advice comes from my roommate: don't stop smoking and start dipping to replace the craving.

lol

[bode]

my only advice comes from my roommate: don't stop smoking and start dipping to replace the craving.

lol

yeah, thats such horrible advice

[mrhappy333]

If there is anything on this planet that should be Illegal, IMO its ciggerettes.

[Schiplt]

best population control device ever.

[boost]

my friend started dipping because he was writing for a newspaper and couldnt be bothered to go for smoke breaks all the time. That shit is by far and large way more disgusting than smoking.

[will641]

my friend started dipping because he was writing for a newspaper and couldnt be bothered to go for smoke breaks all the time. That shit is by far and large way more disgusting than smoking.

qft. the worst is when you are walk by someone dipping and they have a spit bottle just filled disgusting black saliva. makes me want to puke.

the thought of never smoking another cig again is like the best thing ever

fyp

[Numbr2intheWorld]

1) it really doesnt make you cool at all

i know this sounds ridiculous but i disagree

[mrhappy333]

smoking does NOT make you look cool, IMO.

[givememyleg]

1) it really doesnt make you cool at all

i know this sounds ridiculous but i disagree

wat why

[givememyleg]

my friend chews... he's only 23 and his bottom gums are disgusting, they have deteriorated a lot and just look horrible... that alone would make me want to quit. we're trying to get him to stop but he's an addict!

[will641]

1) it really doesnt make you cool at all

i know this sounds ridiculous but i disagree

i definitely see where you are coming from. its like look in every movie you see where someone is smoking, they make it look really cool and appealing. i think a better way of looking at it is it looks really relaxing. what really tilts me is 14 year olds who think they are important because they smoke.

[boost]

max, there is a "cool factor" to it, however it does not make you cool. Just like wearing only name brands does not give you style. Also any "cool points" you gain from smoking are really not that useful. I dont think its easier to make friends due to smoking, and it doesnt make it easier to get laid imo, so how exactly does it make you cooler?

[tom]

my roomie who went from smoking to dipping has now replaced the tobacco dip with some sort of mint, no-tobacco, dip. Still gross but wont give him cancer!

[Ash256]

Ugh, I contemplate giving up smoking every so often, it sucks to only be able to inhale like 75% of ones lung capacity.

Problem is, first in the morning is fucking gorgeous and it's nice to break-up the 9-5 bullshit with smoke breaks - non-smokers don't have an excuse to disappear for 5.

Plus wtf do non-smokers do at music festivals and stuff?

[Ash256]

Also, smoking is a fucking BRILLIANT barrier

[will641]

Plus wtf do non-smokers do at music festivals and stuff?

idk, maybe like, listen to music, ldo.

[Schiplt]

yeah. when i moved away to college, literally the only way i met people was by going out and smoking in the common areas. it sucks but its definitely got its perks.

[will641]

smoking weed is just as good if not better way to meet ppl imo.

[Numbr2intheWorld]

max, there is a "cool factor" to it, however it does not make you cool. Just like wearing only name brands does not give you style. Also any "cool points" you gain from smoking are really not that useful. I dont think its easier to make friends due to smoking, and it doesnt make it easier to get laid imo, so how exactly does it make you cooler?

Idk, i just think the act of smoking something is/looks cool. I don't smoke cigs but that's just how i feel about it. I also think that especially when you're younger it's appealing to girls, and although i think we're all old enough to the point where that doesn't matter anymore,many people have that memory met that girl outside, smoked a cig with her, and then railed the shit out of her. So in the back of your mind or subconsciously you're thinking that they do help you out in that aspect.

Anyways, I think Schip brings up a good point about the meeting people thing. Addiction to smoking cigarette is much more than just nicotine. People get addicted to just the act of blowing smoke and the social aspect of going outside and having a smoke. There's just so many things.

[will641]

everything about smoking is addicting. the act of buying a pack, smoking, lighting it up, it probably takes up a good 45 min to an hour of your time every day

[boost]

max, there is a "cool factor" to it, however it does not make you cool. Just like wearing only name brands does not give you style. Also any "cool points" you gain from smoking are really not that useful. I dont think its easier to make friends due to smoking, and it doesnt make it easier to get laid imo, so how exactly does it make you cooler?

Idk, i just think the act of smoking something is/looks cool. I don't smoke cigs but that's just how i feel about it. I also think that especially when you're younger it's appealing to girls, and although i think we're all old enough to the point where that doesn't matter anymore,many people have that memory met that girl outside, smoked a cig with her, and then railed the shit out of her. So in the back of your mind or subconsciously you're thinking that they do help you out in that aspect.

Anyways, I think Schip brings up a good point about the meeting people thing. Addiction to smoking cigarette is much more than just nicotine. People get addicted to just the act of blowing smoke and the social aspect of going outside and having a smoke. There's just so many things.

I definitely agree with you on the first part, young chicks are stupid and def go for the "bad boy" persona which normally includes smoking. But like you said, chicks for the most part dont stay (that) dumb once they grow up a bit. If anything I think once you start to get to your mid twenties being a non smoke is often better for you when it comes to girls. For the same reason that liked the smokes in highschool they realize that the "bad boy" is generally not the best boyfreind/more so they start looking for guys with, dare I say, personality!

Again on the second paragraph I agree that the addiction goes way beyond the nicotine. The physical addiction actually goes by pretty fast, something like 3 days I believe. And that is why I said you need to break these positive bonds you have associated with smoking. And even go a step further by making yourself pity people who still smoke. "look at that kid, he thinks hes being cool, he thinks people will accept him more readily because hes smoking with them, but hes just fucking over his health." Clearly you arent going to express these opinions outloud otherwise you wont have any friends anymore. It kind of becomes a game, you are the underdog and everyone knows its fun to root for the underdog. You against all the smokers. Thats what worked for me.

[Jack Sawyer]

what's dipping?

[will641]

what's dipping?

chewing tobacco. honestly is there anything more disgusting than dipping?

nastiest story this kid told me when we were playing in a golf match. he chews, and he had this pepsi bottle that he was using (i think you all know where im going with this) and he set it down on his counter. his unsuspecting mother, well, yeah....use your imagination.

[Ash256]

In my case, nicotine itself is only like 20% of the addiction.

[mrhappy333]

I read in the newspaper today, Cigs in New York City are almost $9 a pack? Ouch!

[Numbr2intheWorld]

what's dipping?

chewing tobacco. honestly is there anything more disgusting than dipping?

nastiest story this kid told me when we were playing in a golf match. he chews, and he had this pepsi bottle that he was using (i think you all know where im going with this) and he set it down on his counter. his unsuspecting mother, well, yeah....use your imagination.

Dude... thats really fucking gross

[boost]

I read in the newspaper today, Cigs in New York City are almost $9 a pack? Ouch!

I think theyre 8 here in chicago.

[pocketfours]

I quit about 6 years ago. Was steady smoker for 8 years. Hardest thing I ever did.

I used to go out just to suck on a cigarette without lighting it up. Closed my eyes and tried to imagine that I was smoking. Good for the very worst moments.

Thought about smoking every 15 minutes for the next 6 months. For the next 2 years I wanted a cigarette after every meal. Took about three years before I felt I wasn't drawn to smoking anymore.

[boost]

I quit about 6 years ago. Was steady smoker for 8 years. Hardest thing I ever did.

I used to go out just to suck on a cigarette without lighting it up. Closed my eyes and tried to imagine that I was smoking. Good for the very worst moments.

Thought about smoking every 15 minutes for the next 6 months. For the next 2 years I wanted a cigarette after every meal. Took about three years before I felt I wasn't drawn to smoking anymore.

yah I think I smoked a lot less than you, even though I smoked for about the same length of time. I def smoked a pack in a night easy when partying or with friends who smoked, but otherwise it was maybe 4 or 5 in a day. I didnt immediately light up after eating or smoke once I woke up or right before sleeping.

[pocketfours]

yah I think I smoked a lot less than you, even though I smoked for about the same length of time. I def smoked a pack in a night easy when partying or with friends who smoked, but otherwise it was maybe 4 or 5 in a day. I didnt immediately light up after eating or smoke once I woke up or right before sleeping.

I smoked about a pack a day, but never smoked right after I woke up or right before sleep. I think if you light up straight out of bed then the addiction can be too severe to ever shake off.

[boost]

I used to deliver pizza for this small pizza joint. The cook there used to smoke atleast 4 packs a day. He quit, and put on probably 30+lbs instantly. But as far as I know he kept away from them and he did it cold turkey.

[will641]

yah I think I smoked a lot less than you, even though I smoked for about the same length of time. I def smoked a pack in a night easy when partying or with friends who smoked, but otherwise it was maybe 4 or 5 in a day. I didnt immediately light up after eating or smoke once I woke up or right before sleeping.

I smoked about a pack a day, but never smoked right after I woke up or right before sleep. I think if you light up straight out of bed then the addiction can be too severe to ever shake off.

how does smoking before/after bed make your addiction worse.

[pocketfours]

how does smoking before/after bed make your addiction worse.

Those who need a fix the second they wake up have a pretty bad addiction I think. Anyone I know who does that hasn't been able to quit despite several attempts.

[SaulPaul]

im surprised noones mentioned allen carr, that book is redicously good .

the point you need to understand is that there is nothing u are missing out on, seriously. once you get past the few days, and stop thinking about cigarettes every second its pretty damn easy. like most / all smokers/ u have an irrational(?) fear of giving up. you know your life would be so much better choosing not to smoke. youre gonna be surprised by how much better you feel, how much more energy you have, stink less, save a lot of fucking money. if u want some motivation save the $10 w/e u spend on cigarettes put it aside, and u can afford a holiday in like a couple of months. u really arent missing out of anything, but gaining a new, much better standard of life. also listen to what boost said, he speaks the truth

also im drunk as hell, ask me when i sober, and ill give u some better advice

[boost]

you said "listen to.. .. boost.. .. he speaks the truth"

sober or not, cant see how your advice could get much better.

[will641]

how does smoking before/after bed make your addiction worse.

Those who need a fix the second they wake up have a pretty bad addiction I think. Anyone I know who does that hasn't been able to quit despite several attempts.

yeah idk, i just never smoked before bed cause i didnt like the taste in my mouth while i was trying to sleep.

[Lukie]

i give smokers dirty looks

[BankItDrew]

I think I'm a winter smoker.

I took the habit up again in November and I had my last cigarette of the season (hopefully) today. I will be playing hockey, basketball, riding my bike, all in the next bunch of months, so I don't have any room for smoke in my lungs.

I'll keep you posted on the progress.

BTW, this decision is because I want to, not because I have to. Other than eat breathe sleep, there's not a lot of things we have to do.

[thizzSantaCruz]

this thread is motivation for me to not smoke. i read it multiple times every day and keep the thought in my mind. FTR kick ass.

[SaulPaul]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Allen-Carrs-...8169462&sr=8-1
note that out of 496 reviews, 455 gave it 5 star

[kingnat]

I chewed sunflower seeds for oral fixation stuff, and found that taking REALLY long, deep breaths through a pen cap really helped me get that sensation of calm. I still do that pen cap thing to this day when I'm feeling edgy or antsy. It's the controlled breathing that helps relax you... the same "relaxation" that comes from smoking.

[Schiplt]

today's the day.....fuck you nicotine, ya done son!

[will641]

today's the day.....fuck you nicotine, ya done son!

wait, i thought you said you quit monday? or were you referring to this coming monday.

[Numbr2intheWorld]

today's the day.....fuck you nicotine, ya done son!

good luck

[Dooper]

I smoked for 15 years. Quit last August after I got waayyy too sick with a simple flu. Every day the first 2 weeks was misery; the first 2 months was hard. Then all the physically addictive stuff was OUT of my system. And it was somewhat easier.

I still want a ciggy every day, but do NOT want to go back there. I don't cough my lungs out every morning, and my clothes, car and house smell better, and I am not getting sick as easily. I am not standing outside in a snowstorm to smoke, nor rushing out of the house at 2am because I am having a nic fit and need to buy more, after I puffed every damn stub I could find with a bit of tobacco on it. I miss the mini-rush of a smoke (ok, the 20 mini-rushes a day), but that's it. (Turns out that the mini-rushes from the nicotine hitting the brain is what I liked. Go figure.)

I started with Chantix but it made me insanely nauseous; that was OK for about a week, but then, well, I really needed to be able to eat. Their check-in program helped. I quit by doing their check-in and learning about what was happening to me, and by going to stop-smoking bulletin boards and educating myself about what cigs do to me. Facts were helpful -- like the listing of how many poisons are in a cigarette, and that your oxygen level is back to normal in 24 hours after stopping. I imagine cilia regrowing in my lungs by now, gross as that thought is. Had to lecture myself constantly, still do. I try to rein it in when I am around smokers, but I have to keep it up internally. Fortunately, I am a natural nag. I miss smoking, but like breathing. I keep telling myself that.

Hey, you asked how to stop...

And as to the smoking break--- I take a strolling break instead. Even better-- gets me further away from the office .

[Dooper]

Two more things:
1)Nicotine hitting the brain==> dopamine.
Sex==> dopamine.

2) A craving for a cig lasts about 5 minutes. If you can distract yourself for that long, it's over for awhile. And the cravings get further and further apart. See #1 for a suggestion as to a good distraction.

[tom]

just a random question for all those that have quit smoking, or tried, or want to: do the "truth" commercials on t.v.(in the US) help at all? As a non-smoker I can't decide if they're more helpful than annoying, but they do present stuff in a pretty open your eyes kind of way.

[will641]

just a random question for all those that have quit smoking, or tried, or want to: do the "truth" commercials on t.v.(in the US) help at all? As a non-smoker I can't decide if they're more helpful than annoying, but they do present stuff in a pretty open your eyes kind of way.

not one fucking bit. if anything they make me want to smoke more, because while their overall message is true, that smoking is bad, but a lot of what they say is exaggerated or just taking one thing and calling another. like a lot of those numbers with how many ppl die every day because of cigs. im pretty sure they include all sorts of stuff in there, like if the deceased smoked in their life, if they lived with a smoker, etc. so even if someone dies who smokes, from natural causes, they proclaim it as a smoking death.

as a general rule of thumb, i tend to not believe or care to even listen what groups like that have to say. same goes for the group against drugs, d.a.r.e. and m.a.d.d.

[mrhappy333]

i give smokers dirty looks

lol, I do this all the time.

[Dooper]

just a random question for all those that have quit smoking, or tried, or want to: do the "truth" commercials on t.v.(in the US) help at all? As a non-smoker I can't decide if they're more helpful than annoying, but they do present stuff in a pretty open your eyes kind of way.

When I smoked, the anti-smoking commercials reminded me to smoke. Oh, look...a cig! Wanna cig! Usually, by the time the 30 second commercial was over, I had one in my hand. I knew perfectly well they were bad for me.

The ads might help keep someone from starting...

[Schiplt]

the compulsion to smoke comes in waves. i find that if i have a craving and i wait like 20 mins, im good. I think its worse knowing that I'm not gonna smoke again. If I knew that I could smoke in like 2 hours, I'd be good, but knowing that that satisfaction wont be coming anywhere in the near future kills me.

[drmcboy]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Allen-Carrs-Easy-Stop-Smoking/dp/0141026898/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208169462&sr= 8-1
note that out of 496 reviews, 455 gave it 5 star

QFE

as stated, ads in no way help smokers, smokers already know smoking is horrible for you and dumb, it's one of the reasons you keep smoking. They may help non smokers stay that way.

[Deuce Blue]

[Anyways, I think Schip brings up a good point about the meeting people thing. Addiction to smoking cigarette is much more than just nicotine. People get addicted to just the act of blowing smoke and the social aspect of going outside and having a smoke. There's just so many things.

I have now smoked for 20 years. I am again in the process of TRYING to quit again. I found this weird product on the internet called Njoy. Its an electronic cigerette or cigar. It's pretty cool. You get this thing that sort of looks like a cig or cigar, then you screw in this rechargable battery and smoke it like a cig. You just replace the tips ( That contain nicotine, or not, and tobacco flavoring ). So I got the damn thing and the first drag on it was CRAZY. Shit tastes like a cig, and the great part is the thing has a atomizer in it that reacts with the tips you put in and it creates a vapor mist that tastes like smoke, inhales like smoke and exhales like smoke. It looks like regular smoke. But it is like a humidifier type of smoke where it disapates right away and doesn't smell at all.

The first time I took it into a meeting at work I totally tripped everyone out. BUT, it seems like it doesn't work as well as I would like it to. You are suppose to get all this smoke every time you take a drag but the ones they keep sending me will work for a couple drags, then it won't give me any smoke unless I let it sit for like 10 minutes. PISSES me off.

So the customer service people have been great, they keep sending me new ones to try so I'm hoping I'll get one that works like it should every drag. Because I think I am at least AS addicted to the inhaling/exhaling social part of smoking then just the nicotine. Thats why I know the stupid patch would never work for me.

Anyone interested their website explains it alot better then me. But I will say it is pretty freaking cool, WHEN it works right. Just google Njoy or whatever. If I actually get one that works perfect I will be very happy, but as of now it just pisses me off.

GREAT idea, just not sure if the have it perfected yet.

[ProZachNation]

I had a buddy try dipping at a party while trashed and he puked in a stove, just opened it up and went off. Only time I seen a person actually go green in the face.


Both my parents have smoked since they were in their twentys and still smoke, they have both tried to quit so many times but after thirty years the addiction becomes part of your life it is your routine and norm. If you do not stop when you are young I think the chances of stopping later are even worse.

[ackthecat]

Wierd that this thread should show up now, I have smoked for almost 25 yrs and have been psyching(sp) myself up to quit for the last few months.
I ordered some shit called Cigarrest at the beginning of this month and told myself when it came I would quit.
It showed up this morning.

The whole package comes with vitamins, some lozenges, and some gum, all nicotine free but supposed to help with the cravings.
So far it seems to help a bit-havent killed anything yet...............

[thizzSantaCruz]

Its the weekend so I will be pretty drunk for the next couple of nites.

NO CIGS EVEN WHEN IM WASTED!!!!!!!

[bode]

ive decided its time for me to quit smoking. i tried earlier this year and only made it a week and a half. had my last one after lunch today and im going to fucking do it this time.

[thizzSantaCruz]

weekend didn't go so good. smoked around 3 or 4 probably while really wasted.

[BankItDrew]

i bought a pack on friday after trying to stop for the season on the sunday before... so 4 days without

[KoRnholio]

A lot of people who are in the process of quitting will have to replace their habit with a different behavior. Over-eating is a common one, but that's not a bad thing. Just make sure to get control over the nicotine cravings first. You can work off the extra weight afterwards.

[thizzSantaCruz]

i bought a pack on friday after trying to stop for the season on the sunday before... so 4 days without

dont buy packs!!!!


i didn't mean to start a string of failures, i meant to post so i can look at it every day and remind myself how much of a dumbass i am for failing this weekend.

to me if i can't enforce my mindpower over a pyshical and mental craving, i need to step it up.


CMON PEOPLE FUCK CIGS!

[jyms]

Smoking is so weak. Thank god I seen it from outside eyes right from the start. It just seemed stupid and not "cool". I just never saw the attraction to breathing smoke. My whole family smokes, sister, brother, parents and aunt's and uncles. Good luck with quitting. Anyone I know that has quit has done so by not trying, but just quitting. No gimmicks, no help. Just "I'm Done" and cold turkey. You can't try!

[DdMnHd]

sadly this thread has reminded me im down to my last pack.

[Schiplt]

so ive successfully gone a week now, and its ballin. Makes you feel good. To be honest i do not know what is different about this time rather than the other times ive tried to quit, but for some reason i know that this time i'm actually gonna kick the habit. I went and got plastered at the bars and really wanted one, so i was gonna cheat a little and smoke a cigar, and then i literally got bitch slapped by a dude, and i was like fine i wont do it. Its good to have support. Just dont smoke. You may say easier said than done, but it pretty much comes done to that.

[ackthecat]

Still havent had a smoke since tuesday morning. Its getting easier except for
when I first wake up I still really want one. Have just been trying to keep myself busy and not think about it. The eleptical (sp) machine at the gym
has become my best friend along with 5 or 6 mile walks daily.
Went to the neighbors and she smokes, still did not make me want one so I think this time I am going to do it.