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bhamlaxy
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Questions about quitting cigarettes
#7679098 - 11/25/07 05:42 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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A little background first- I have been smoking cigarettes habitually for about 3 years. Recently, I've run very low on money, and this presents the perfect time to quit smoking cigarettes. My mom offered to loan me some money before I went back to school for thanksgiving, but I decided to refuse it, at least until Christmas, so I can quit. I've got about a half pack left, and I'm going to completely cease smoking when I finish it.
Although it's only been a few years, I still have some major apprehensions when I even think about quitting. Maybe some of you can explain your reasoning, or help answer these questions.
When I think about quitting, I feel like there is going to be a hole in my life. Cigarettes provide me with so much; enjoyment when with friends, a tasty treat after eating a big meal, the perfect accompaniment to alcohol, and something that I feel like I need at almost all times, whether it be waiting for a friend, driving someplace, or walking to class. How did you deal with these feelings? I just feel like I'm going to go crazy without them.
Has anyone been able to adopt a policy of smoking only once in a while after they have been habitual smokers? Have you been able to stick to exclusively smoking while you drink/smoke weed? It just sounds like a recipe for relapse, but I wondered if anyone has successfully gone from a full time to a part time smoker, or if it is just futile. I quit for about 2 months over the summer, but found myself start smoking an occasional cigarette with friends, to adopting an "only when I go hang out with friends" policy, back to a full blown addiction.
I also view cigarettes as a partial solution to stress: when I feel stressed out, I like to step outside, smoke a cigarette, and work out my thoughts. I've been hoping to find a "stress free" day to quit, although I quickly realized that I'm always going to be stressed out in one way or another. I feel like the stress is going to be very bad, combining normal life stress with the stress of quitting. Were the first few days pretty bad?
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mikeytro
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: bhamlaxy]
#7679127 - 11/25/07 05:51 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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smoking once in a while after smoking habitually has not worked for me or any of my close friends. you just end up being sucked back into it. I've found that the feeling of not having cigarettes for future occasions is basically what you said a hole in your life. you just have to accept that you cant have one and be happy with out it. harder said than done. from my experience you will never get to that point when quitting cigs where its the same feeling before you started smoking. theres always a void. just have to make the choice and live with it. get mints or something to pop in your mouth, even a toothpick. I also dont reccomend patches or gum, although it makes it easier to quit cigs you will just be a slave to them. my mom has been chewing that gum for 10+ years, extremely better than smoking but still...
atm I quit a week ago and things are going fine. the first day or two for me actually felt like the easiest, had that strong will power in place. hope this time its for good
it takes the average smoker 9 times to quit before the habit is actually kicked for good
good luck to you
-------------------- "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." - Einstein
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wrestler_az
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: bhamlaxy]
#7679147 - 11/25/07 05:58 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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the "ill quit once this pack is done" attitude has never worked for me. why not just quit now? why feel the need to finish the pack first? im not one to give advice, i smoke like a chimney... but they tell me you got to want to quit. i guess i dont, and honestly it doesnt sound like you do either.
-------------------- how's your WOW?
Edited by yageman (04/20/06 4:20 PM)
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TripleTree3
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: mikeytro]
#7679162 - 11/25/07 06:02 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I've been an off and on smoker for a few years. I recently made the decision to quit again. This time I think it might be for good. After some thinking I realized every puff is killing me, I can almost feel it. It's really more mind over matter than anything for me. I hate being told what to do and controlled so whenever I get a craving I just try and convince myself I really don't need one and i'm not a slave to anything. Plus it's getting really cold so going outside isn't even worth it
-------------------- Don't let the bad drugs bite
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Wolfgang

Registered: 11/25/07
Posts: 8,370
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: mikeytro]
#7679164 - 11/25/07 06:03 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I use to smoke weed AND cigarettes and I just really didn't like how much harm I was doing to my body, so I decided to stop. This will be about my 3rd week without having a smoke. I started gradually limiting my smoking to about 3 or 4 a day for about a week, than to 1 day for about a week and after that I only smoked a few hits if I was REALLY craving one. Imo going cold turkey will make you want to start up again, it did me. Give your body and your wallet a break bro and good luck.
90% of people that quit smoking pick it back up within a year, it's statistically harder to quite smoking than it is heroin.
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adrug

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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: bhamlaxy]
#7679174 - 11/25/07 06:07 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Cigarettes do not relieve stress. The only stress they relieve is the stress of your nicotine addiction. Your biggest problem sounds like the psychological addiction. In which case, you have to trick yourself into hating them. Like, seriously hating them. While you still have some cigarettes left, focus on the taste of each drag you take as much as possible. Hyperfocus. Focus on how it makes your lungs feel and how it tastes when you blow it out, how it stains your fingers yellow, how you have that nagging cough that just won't go away. Imagine what it would be like for a non-smoker to kiss you after taking a drag.
Its all about playing mindgames with yourself.
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bhamlaxy
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: Wolfgang]
#7679197 - 11/25/07 06:14 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
the "ill quit once this pack is done" attitude has never worked for me. why not just quit now?
Well, the thing is I've got $10 to my name, which I have sworn to myself to not buy a pack with. I spent the end of last week with friends (don't see them too much because of school) and quitting during that time would have been tough since they all chain smoke. I've got some rough assignments due tomorrow, and a half pack left, so I guess I just want to finish these up, because either way I won't have any left.
Quote:
but they tell me you got to want to quit. i guess i dont, and honestly it doesnt sound like you do either.
I'd say I want to quit, I'm just a little nervous about it. I hate how I've spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on them, smell like crap, cough a lot, and cough up nasty crap in the morning. I hate knowing that each puff gets me a tiny bit more addicted, meaning it will be harder to quit later, unless of course I just die. I want to keep smoking, but I know its bad, and that makes me want to quit. I guess I'll see what wins.
I'm nervous that this will end up just like my previous attempt- I was out of cash and just quit, and kept going great even when I got money, but when I came back to school things just started to slip. I'm hoping quitting at school now will get me immediately adjusted to the school atmosphere without cigarettes, without quitting during an easy time of my life (summer) and hoping for the best when stress comes.
Quote:
Cigarettes do not relieve stress. The only stress they relieve is the stress of your nicotine addiction. Your biggest problem sounds like the psychological addiction. In which case, you have to trick yourself into hating them. Like, seriously hating them. While you still have some cigarettes left, focus on the taste of each drag you take as much as possible. Hyperfocus. Focus on how it makes your lungs feel and how it tastes when you blow it out, how it stains your fingers yellow, how you have that nagging cough that just won't go away. Imagine what it would be like for a non-smoker to kiss you after taking a drag.
Its all about playing mindgames with yourself.
That sounds like a pretty good strategy. I've gotten so used to ignoring that constant tickle in my throat and desire to cough, I hardly realized it was there until I read your post.
Edited by bhamlaxy (11/25/07 06:16 PM)
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wrestler_az
PsiLLy BiLLy



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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: bhamlaxy]
#7679221 - 11/25/07 06:23 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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best of luck to ya man
-------------------- how's your WOW?
Edited by yageman (04/20/06 4:20 PM)
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CherryBom
Yoga Gypsy


Registered: 12/26/98
Posts: 11,177
Loc: Ontario
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: bhamlaxy]
#7679242 - 11/25/07 06:29 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
bhamlaxy said: I'd say I want to quit, I'm just a little nervous about it.
If you were going to fight some mean sonofabitch you best go into the ring with no fear. You either want to quit or you don't. If you don't want to quit you won't.
If your nervous, you don't want to quit. Develop an abusive relationship with your ciggarettes. This might take time...but it worked for me. Adrug is right, it's really all in your head. Once you figure that out, you will know what you want.
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Wolfgang

Registered: 11/25/07
Posts: 8,370
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: CherryBom]
#7679245 - 11/25/07 06:30 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
CherryBom said:
Quote:
bhamlaxy said: I'd say I want to quit, I'm just a little nervous about it.
If you were going to fight some mean sonofabitch you best go into the ring with no fear. You either want to quit or you don't. If you don't want to quit you won't.
If your nervous, you don't want to quit. Develop an abusive relationship with your ciggarettes. This might take time...but it worked for me. Adrug is right, it's really all in your head. Once you figure that out, you will know what you want.
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The_Ghost
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: Wolfgang]
#7679398 - 11/25/07 07:03 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Wolfgang said:
Quote:
CherryBom said:
Quote:
bhamlaxy said: I'd say I want to quit, I'm just a little nervous about it.
If you were going to fight some mean sonofabitch you best go into the ring with no fear. You either want to quit or you don't. If you don't want to quit you won't.
If your nervous, you don't want to quit. Develop an abusive relationship with your ciggarettes. This might take time...but it worked for me. Adrug is right, it's really all in your head. Once you figure that out, you will know what you want.
Pretty much sums it up. Theres nothing to be nervous about. If you truly want to quit, just do it and dont look back. Exercise your will.
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cube428
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: Wolfgang]
#7679448 - 11/25/07 07:16 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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yepp, Mind over matter enough said
I still smoke , But the best thing so far that has helped me to smoke less has been to treat 1 cig like its 5 cigs, or 4, whatever it may be. I take 1 or 2 nice drags and as hardd as it is I put it out and then use it later whenever I would normally be getting that 2nd cig out. It can get messy and its a pain to say the least but it has helped me to 1 pack a week compared to the pack a day i used to do =)
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Essen
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: The_Ghost]
#7679601 - 11/25/07 07:54 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I followed the 'only with my friends' rule and during the summer I would smoke like one cigarette a day over a 5-6 week period and then maybe one a week after that. Anyway, one day I was sitting at home and I accidentally took a huge rip of it like it was a joint, big enough to fill my lungs and part of my stomach. I think I had stuck the end of it into a steamroller or something retarded like that. Immediately I started to feel sick and when I tried to burp the smoke out my stomach I instantly projectile puked. And I haven't smoked a cigarette since.
I don't know if I was really even kind of addicted or not, so I don't think I can really give any valuable advice. But I never liked smoking cigarettes too much in the first place, I hated the taste and smell. I only liked the boost it gave after smoking pot, so puking might have been enough to make me stop. Maybe you should just convince yourself that you hate cigarettes, and then give it up with some kind of trauma involving cigarettes.
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Phred
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: bhamlaxy]
#7679620 - 11/25/07 07:57 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Download this and use it -- http://whyquit.com/joel/#book
It worked for me and I smoked 25 to 30 cigarettes (at least) per day for over 35 years. I tried the patch, gum, snuff, accupuncture, Zyban, hypnosis -- all with no success.
But you've got to WANT to quit. Yeah, once you get past the hump (first week or so) you'll still miss smoking from time to time, but a lot less than you think you will, and only for thirty seconds to a minute at a time. It's a lot easier than you think to say to yourself "Not right now." I thought like you... that there'd be a big hole in my life. But there wasn't. Not after the first week, anyway.
For what it's worth, I deliberately even kept smokes around (like in my pocket, even) for the first two weeks just in case I changed my mind. I still have a full carton (not a pack... a carton of 200 cigarettes) in my desk drawer. For me, weird as it sounds, having them right close at hand made it easier for me. I knew that if I absolutely HAD to smoke, I could do so without having to drive to a 24 hour convenience store at 4:00 AM. All I had to do was reach into my pocket and get one. So I never panicked... none of that "Oh my god, I've thrown out even the last cigarette butt in the house, what will I do if the urge becomes irresistable? I'll freakin' DIE, man!" kind of thinking. I knew if it got too tough I could just light one up. But because I had that security, I never needed it. It may sound weird and it might not work for a lot of people, but after reading all the stuff at the link above, I just thought I'd do better if I left myself an "out".
And I did.
Good luck with it. It's a lot better to quit after three years than after thirty-five, believe me. I've lost lung function I'll never recover, no matter how many more years I go without smoking. It's just too late in my case.
Phred
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bhamlaxy
Shroomerite


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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: Phred]
#7679738 - 11/25/07 08:18 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Thanks for the link, ill take a look at it.
Quote:
For what it's worth, I deliberately even kept smokes around (like in my pocket, even) for the first two weeks just in case I changed my mind. I still have a full carton (not a pack... a carton of 200 cigarettes) in my desk drawer. For me, weird as it sounds, having them right close at hand made it easier for me. I knew that if I absolutely HAD to smoke, I could do so without having to drive to a 24 hour convenience store at 4:00 AM. All I had to do was reach into my pocket and get one. So I never panicked... none of that "Oh my god, I've thrown out even the last cigarette butt in the house, what will I do if the urge becomes irresistable? I'll freakin' DIE, man!" kind of thinking. I knew if it got too tough I could just light one up. But because I had that security, I never needed it. It may sound weird and it might not work for a lot of people, but after reading all the stuff at the link above, I just thought I'd do better if I left myself an "out".
This sounds like a very good idea. Probably one of the worst fears I have is lying in bed, tossing and turning, thinking that I won't be able sleep unless I have a cigarette, knowing that there is not a bit of nicotine in the house. Having the security of having a few cigarettes left would sort of maintain the security I felt when I had cigarettes when I was a smoker, but allow me to exercise self control and say to myself "enough is enough!"
Thank you all for such good tips, and keep em comin! I posted this thinking I'd get minimal feedback at best, just stuff like "its bad 4 u! dont do it anymore!" but I've actually gotten some very interesting ideas that I'd never thought about before, and It's changed my entire view on the task ahead.
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D4NK
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: bhamlaxy]
#7679822 - 11/25/07 08:38 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Personally, I liked NOT having cigarettes around. My laziness is my anti drug (nicotine in this case).
A strong will is ALWAYS a good thing, but its nice to be able to know that you physically can't smoke because there are no cigarettes in the house. And fuck me if I'm going to goto the store JUST for cigarettes!
-------------------- Moderation is key "There is no god higher than truth."
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Tangerines




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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: bhamlaxy]
#7679847 - 11/25/07 08:49 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I had my first unsuccesfull quit a few weeks ago. I went a 6 days without a cig then drank some beer and relapsed. I am going to try again sometime..I just need to find the right time.
Stay strong. If you drink that will be the hardest part to quit smoking. Cigs+alcohol go hand in hand. GL
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ToTheSummit
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: bhamlaxy]
#7679892 - 11/25/07 09:02 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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"Quitting is easy. I've done it a thousand times!"
-------------------- You invented the wheel....You push the motherfucker!!
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Phred
Fred's son


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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: Tangerines]
#7682549 - 11/26/07 04:31 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Stay strong. If you drink that will be the hardest part to quit smoking. Cigs+alcohol go hand in hand.
Oh yeah... without a doubt. Especially going out with friends. It's bad enough keeping beers around the house, but going out with the gang to some clubs is a sure recipe for a relapse.
Best to eat only at home (with no alcohol in the house at all) and stay away from the bar/pub/club scene completely for at least the first two weeks. A month would be better.
Phred
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Rustifer
prestige worldwide



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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: Phred]
#7682634 - 11/26/07 04:50 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I'm going to quit, I've had the same pack for 3 days now. A few weeks ago I was smoking a pack a day.
I dunno what I'm waiting for though.
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Krystal Klear
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Re: Questions about quitting cigarettes [Re: ToTheSummit]
#7683066 - 11/26/07 07:02 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
ToTheSummit said: "Quitting is easy. I've done it a thousand times!"
-------------------- Nothing I say is meant to be taken seriously. -Krystal
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