Quitting Smoking...

[bornalittlelate]

Assuming that there have to be at least a FEW former smokers who are also Brandi fans, I thought I'd turn to my AT family for some support. I'm a day smoke-free after five years of a pack a day. It's absolutely the hardest thing I've ever done, and I'd appreciate any and all support/tips/advice/etc.

Y'all are the best. At least I have the new Brandi record to keep me company as I pace around my room.

[evolvingdodo]

I can't be helpful since I've never been a smoker, but as a smoke hater I really appreciate what you're doing and I wish you good luck!! I think one thing that would work for me would be thinking that with the money I'd saved after one year without cigarettes, I'd have my flight ticket to the States basically for free. Or the Cayamo ticket. Well this works unless flying or being seasick make you want to smoke Oh well, good luck

[bornalittlelate]

Thanks, y'all! It's day two on my end, and still smoke-free. The cravings are just god-awful, and let me tell ya something—tearing off that nicotine patch is no picnic either. Ouch! But I'm still at it.

[epowers816]

I agree with Mandypas that cold turkey is the way to go. As a former smoker, the best advice I can give is not to beat yourself up if you do slip up and have one. And no matter what, DO NOT BUY A PACK! If you really feel like you need one, bum it from another smoker. Make it as difficult as possible for yourself to relapse. Good luck!

[bendbrandifan]

I'm rooting for you. It's tough to do. I quit a few times and I always found that having a water bottle with me at all times helped. Anytime I wanted to smoke, I would sip. My belief is that you replace one habit with another and I figured water was a much better habit than smoking. I also kept really busy during the first week. If you try to be in as many nonsmoking places as you can, it's not as difficult. The first 3 days are tough and then you have a few days are aren't as tough and for some reason the second week was tough. Once you make it that far, it's not really much of an issue. You can do this.

[ClevelandRocks]

I have lapsed, and am getting ready for another run at quitting, too. It's hard, but I have to agree with others' comments - staying busy, drinking lots of water, controlled breathing / meditation, pre-planning some 10-15 minute diversions (that's usually long enough for my really acute urges to pass), and going cold-turkey.

I have tried the lozenges, patches, etc. I always get to the lowest level, then can't completely get off of them. Why prolong the 'pain'?

I hope you are still on track! I think it was Bill Engvall who said, "I tried the patch, but I couldn't keep it lit." Keep it up! The facts are in. Don't beat yourself up if you stumble. We just have to keep trying until we get there.

[bornalittlelate]

I made it about 72 hours, then stumbled/gave in and bought a pack. A terrible feeling. Not done trying though. I really want to get right back on the quit wagon, but I just feel so discouraged even three days later. But I will get there.

Good luck, Cleveland. We gotta do this!

[bendbrandifan]

That happens so often. You made it three days this time. Next time maybe it will be 5. Three days not smoking is better than none. Keep trying, it will happen. Try not to get discouraged, I think I read somewhere that the average smoker quits many times before they are completely done. Just keep trying.

[markC]

Yeah. I feel you. Been there, done that...will be going down that road, again. My record is three weeks! If your ever need more reasons WHY it's best to quit, I got a whole bunch to offer. Good luck! We'll get there.

[splashley]

I quit smoking about 7 years ago, there have been times when I will have a butt he or there with my sister when we are out, but I really think once you get through that first 2 months it's pretty easy! Also, the $ that you will save is going to be phenomenal! So every time you want to go buy a pack/ carton, put the cash in piggy bank of some sort and at the end of the month or two, with out smoking treat yourself to the most indulgent thing you can dream of and just remember how you got it!!
You can do it, the human mind is a powerful thing! Kill those cravings, Mind over Matter!!

[markC]

I made it about 72 hours, then stumbled/gave in and bought a pack. A terrible feeling. Not done trying though. I really want to get right back on the quit wagon, but I just feel so discouraged even three days later. But I will get there.

Good luck, Cleveland. We gotta do this!

Now, as we approach that time of year of resolutions, it got me thinking how you doing with your smoking?

Just a disclaimer: I'm writing this with a rollee hanging from my lip. I know. Yuck.

[ClevelandRocks]

Hey Mark, thanks for asking. I haven't done well, but I'm mentally gearing up for another try.
**** Public declaration -- my new quit date is February 2nd.

[markC]

**** Public declaration -- my new quit date is February 2nd.

Since that's Ground Hog's Day, let's hope it's not like the movie and you get stuck in a loop, 'cause that could be a tough day to re-live...over and over, again.

Although that's too early for a "quit day" for myself, I will make a "public declaration" that I will abstain from smoking [tobacco] on that day in solidarity; so if you're feeling miserable that day, know that I'll be miserable too.

[markC]

Oh, shit! Just realized that was a Saturday!

Oh, well, already committed...can't back out. Any other ATers want to commit themselves to being miserable that day...feel free to make your declaration.

[ClevelandRocks]

Haha.... if you'd like to pick a different day (yeah, I didn't realize it was a Saturday until it was too late), feel free. The support is really appreciated.

[markC]

Nah, but thanks for the offer: I've already committed myself to the "possibility" of being miserable that day. Besides, it'll make Ground Hog's Day memorable: first tobacco-free day of 2013...and, who knows, I might wake up the next day and find that there's another tobacco-free day ahead...and so on...and so on...

To be honest...I'm kinda' looking forward to it. Just remember: you're not alone.

[snobles89]

Hey Cleveland, I mean this sincerely when I try to offer advice. I haven't dealt with trying to quit, but both of my parents smoked for 30+ years and tried (and failed) to quit multiple times so I've seen their struggle. What finally worked for them was going to a support group once a week. I found out about it through a clinic where I volunteered and convinced them to go, and they haven't smoked since that program in 2009. The program was completely free, offered free medication (if so desired), measured their CO levels, etc. You may want to see if a local hospital or clinic offers something similar. Maybe that will be just what you need to finally break free. Best of luck!

Sarah


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ClevelandRocks]

Hey Sarah - Thanks for the encouragement & suggestions! My schedule is so whacked out that it's hard to commit to a schedule, but I'm trying out a web-based support system backed by the Mayo Clinic, and I hope it will be enough to do the trick. February 2nd is looming large!

[markC]

Well, now that Groundhog Day is just around the corner, I went on a practice-run to see how it would feel to be without a cigarette for three hours. It wasn’t so bad, but it was under a “controlled-environment”; i.e. I was not in any place where there was the probability of going ape-shit on any thing or anyone.

My list of things that I’ll need that day:
1. carrots and celery sticks
2. a lot of gum
3. box of toothpicks
4. water
5. something to remind me to “BREATHE”

[I think I'll see how well I can do today...as a test-run]

[JessicaMelrose]

Have you tried an e cigarette yet? They're pretty interesting.
I guess it depends if you're going cold turkey or taking your time.
I got one because I smoke shisha occasionally after dinner. It helps me digest if you know what I mean...but otherwise I try to stay healthy...
...but smoking and exercise don't mix well...and it got to the point I was smoking every night sometimes twice...

So I bought an e hookah with drops just a tiny bit of nicotine and it's been great. I'd buy the drops with less and less nicotine and now I'm at 0%
I no longer have the black lung, and I can run and jump and swim.
...and still feel like I'm smoking when I use it.

[markC]

Well, thanks, Jessica, for the suggestions! I’m going to look into those e cigarettes.

Right now, my goal is NOT to smoke any tobacco product on Groundhog Day; so I’m weaning myself from my BaliShags, this week, so as not to kill anybody that day. Although I rolled five cigarettes, yesterday, I only smoked four of them.

It’s a good thing that I’m planning ahead, ‘cause I just realized that flat toothpicks just don’t cut it: I’ve chewed the shit out of them.

[ClevelandRocks]

Thanks for the suggestions!

Well, my quit date is zooming up on me (yikes). I've been trying to get ready -- logging my cigarettes (when / what triggered / how strong the urge), coming up with strategies to cope w/ my triggers, and messing with my patterns. So far, so good. Still can't wrap my head around it, and I'm not looking forward to this.

[markC]

Last week, I bought my last pack of BaliShag [blue]. This week, in preparation for Groundhog Day, I had only smoked as many cigarettes in one week as I usually smoke in a day. That was re-e-e-eally tough!

Although my original obligation was to NOT smoke [tobacco] on THAT day...I did have the "hope" that the day would repeat itself on Sunday. Now that I've survived this week and Groundhog Day is tomorrow, I'm really feeling good about this: although I've tried quitting numerous times in my 29[!] years of smoking ...this week, in anticipation of tomorrow, I can actually visualize a life without smoking [tobacco]! For me, that's really amazing!

Can you see it, Cleveland? Are you feeling it? Good luck and Happy Groundhog Day!

[ClevelandRocks]

OK, Mark, here we go! Truth - I'm not feeling it -- seems like a particularly bad time, but there's never a good time. Take it easy & good luck tomorrow!

[JessicaMelrose]

Good luck Marc! Just remember, you're human, but anything is possible. It's one day.

My husband quit smoking another particular almost legal substance for this week and I seriously considered moving out for a bit. He's a demon from hell. I'll never get it because I've never liked this particular substance, but he's a wacko and he needs it. He's unreasonable without it but he hates that he's dependent, so I'm still here, and I love him...

But he lost it and smoked today...
The longest he ever went was 6 months...the first week or so is the absolute worst. Once you get through that you're golden...then there's peer pressure.

I feel your pain. Hang in there, Cleveland and Marc...