How did you quit smoking?

[christianatl]

Alright, I've had enough. I've been smoking 2+ packs of Marlboro Mediums for a looooooong time. I'm over it, but I'm also addicted.
My range has suffered.
Not to mention my health, stamina, et.al.
Has anyone on this forum been able to quit successfully? I have proven to myself that I'm incapable of moderation, so that's not an option. I hear Chantix works well, but I can't afford it. Before anyone chimes in w/ "If you added up all the $ you spent on smokes, :blah:" it doesn't work that way; I don't buy $200 worth of smokes at a time.

Anyone? Personal experience?

Thanks in advance,

Christian

[-=Pennywise=-]

I was fortunate enough to be able to go cold turkey after doing it for 13 years. The first few months I was a bundle of nerves and wanted to punch anyone in the face if they looked at me the wrong way, but I got through. It's weird though, I can go almost weeks and sometimes months without a craving, then one day I wake up and just NEED TO FUCKING HAVE IT, then a few hours later the feeling is gone again.

I tried the "patch", and that shit did nothing but give me the most trippy nightmares of my life, lost a LOT of sleep on that attempt.

[cs0khunter82]

Wow dude. It sounds like you've got a bit of a problem on your hands. Quitting is tough, but if you really want to, you can put your mind to it and do it. I truly wish you the best of luck.

[TerrapinStation]

I'm not saying that this is an appropriate alternative, but for me to be able to quit smoking, i had to start chewing tobacco. That helped take the 'edge off', and I found it much easier to quit chewing than to quit smoking.

[Consume]

Go to Walmart and get their Nicotine Patches. It's like $18 or $19 for a box of 7 of them.

That's what I used - and I smoked 2 packs a day for well over 15 years, but I was able to quit. I used the Nicotine patches for a few weeks, and when I was through hacking and coughing up all that crap that I had been putting in my lungs via smoking - I started wearing each patch longer - so that my body started getting used to less nicotine.

After about a week of that, I just stopped wearing the patch.

I still crave a smoke every now and that, but if you do something all day long for 20 years - that's not going to be an easy habit to break, even when you aren't addicted to nicotine any longer.

:facepalm:

I just wish I had never started, but I'm definitely glad I quit!




C

[Consume]

I was fortunate enough to be able to go cold turkey after doing it for 13 years. The first few months I was a bundle of nerves and wanted to punch anyone in the face if they looked at me the wrong way, but I got through. It's weird though, I can go almost weeks and sometimes months without a craving, then one day I wake up and just NEED TO FUCKING HAVE IT, then a few hours later the feeling is gone again.

I tried the "patch", and that shit did nothing but give me the most trippy nightmares of my life, lost a LOT of sleep on that attempt.

You know, my brother had the dream thing happen to him as well, but they didn't bother me at all. What brand of patches did you use, and what dosage? Do you remember?

I got the ones from Walmart, and it was the highest dosage they had; I think it didn't bother me because it was less nicotine than I was used to, but it bothered my brother because it was a little more nicotine than he was used to....but he also used the "name" brand (whatever it was - he was like"I'm not going to use Walmart's brand.) Whatever - they help me quit smoking, that was all that mattered to me.






C

[Aiken Drum]

Alright, I've had enough. I've been smoking 2+ packs of Marlboro Mediums for a looooooong time. I'm over it, but I'm also addicted.
My range has suffered.
Not to mention my health, stamina, et.al.
Has anyone on this forum been able to quit successfully? I have proven to myself that I'm incapable of moderation, so that's not an option. I hear Chantix works well, but I can't afford it. Before anyone chimes in w/ "If you added up all the $ you spent on smokes, :blah:" it doesn't work that way; I don't buy $200 worth of smokes at a time.

Anyone? Personal experience?

Thanks in advance,

Christian

Which time? I've "quit" several times. It's hard and it sucks. There are no easy ways. However, it's worth it. I believe that the last time, I used the patches. However, I think what really did it is that I finally got pissed off. I was more pissed at my own weakness and subservience to the tobacco god that I finally found the determination to say "Hell No!" every time the cravings hit.
That last time was several years ago now.
-- Aik

[cherri]

I'm most successful quitting when I simply quit. I don't freak out about it, I know the cravings are tough.

Regarding Chantix ... that stuff can be BAD NEWS for some people. Last winter a family member was using it to quit and nearly had to be hospitalized for suicidal depression. It works great for some, but IMHO the risks are too great. There are non-pharmiceutical ways to deal with cravings ... exercise, gum, knitting, etc.

[kl285528]

I did it cold turkey last March, and have not touched one since - for me, I know it was more psychological than physical - I think the true physical addiction goes away pretty quickly - the key for me was that I finally got sick of the fact that I was doing it - also, a bandmate had a friend of his die from smoking (lung cancer) and he was only 45 (my age at the time) - and my wife hated it - I had quit several times before, but would always cheat and have just one or two, and then sure enough I was back to a pack a day - This time that I quit, I knew it was different - somehow, mentally, I really knew that I quit for good - and I have - occasionally (say two or three times a week) I will have a fleeting thought like "hmmm, I'd like a cigarette ..." but now it is quickly followed by "Wait, I don't smoke, plus it is harmful, deadly, stinky and downright stupid to do it" - I have also accepted the fact that the craving may never totally go away, but it never gnaws at me for more than 15 seconds, and is not that strong - Quit for good, and tell yourself that - you'll make it - most people don't smoke, so you can be one of them soon - It is a bitch to quit, but more of a bitch to stay addicted and get sick - Best of success

[can't remember]

I've been smoking off and on for 23 years now. Longest stretch of "off" was 8 years. At my weakest point, I sucked down a pack and a half a day. I recently went up to a pack a week, so I'm quitting cold turkey once again. It's been four days.:mad::poke::evil:

The physical cravings have always been easy for me part with but I can see how someone might wanna taper down the physical cravings with a patch.

To me, it's the "associations" with smoking that kill me. For example, eating a large meal...afterwards I feel like I need a smoke. With a beer...I need a smoke. Going to a gig...I need a smoke..on and on.

Breaking these associations is the toughest part but once you recognize them it smooths it out a little more. Using the above example, here's how I'm attacking it. After dinner, play Lego with my son. With a beer, eat sunflower seeds. Going to a gig, sunflower seeds, stick a toothpick in my mouth, hit the bar...anything but going into the smoker's section. (Suggestions welcome!).

The last little bit I'll try out Friday night at a friend's gig.
Wish me luck!!! I wish you luck as well :thu:

[Consume]

I've been smoking off and on for 23 years now. Longest stretch of "off" was 8 years. At my weakest point, I sucked down a pack and a half a day. I recently went up to a pack a week, so I'm quitting cold turkey once again. It's been four days.:mad::poke::evil:

The physical cravings have always been easy for me part with but I can see how someone might wanna taper down the physical cravings with a patch.

To me, it's the "associations" with smoking that kill me. For example, eating a large meal...afterwards I feel like I need a smoke. With a beer...I need a smoke. Going to a gig...I need a smoke..on and on.

Breaking these associations is the toughest part but once you recognize them it smooths it out a little more. Using the above example, here's how I'm attacking it. After dinner, play Lego with my son. With a beer, eat sunflower seeds. Going to a gig, sunflower seeds, stick a toothpick in my mouth, hit the bar...anything but going into the smoker's section. (Suggestions welcome!).

The last little bit I'll try out Friday night at a friend's gig.
Wish me luck!!! I wish you luck as well :thu:

Yep, that is the hardest part for me.

The worst was Coffee - I used to drink like a Gallon of coffee a day - all day long I drank coffee and smoked cigarettes.
But you know what? Coffee doesn't taste the same without a cigarette!

There are some things that help kill the craving though.

Chocolate can take care of it, ands whatever it is in Chocolate that does it, is also in dill pickles - I don't know if it is a vitamin or what it is, but there is something in both that will take care of the craving for a cigarette.



C

[Picker]

I quit using the Chantix route and it worked well for me. I understand that some Health Insurance does cover it so depending on your insurance you might be able to get it with a $15 co-pay or whatever.

If that is not an option, I also quit once on my own (for about 8 monts) by cutting back. Mostly, I would just delay my next cigarette for as long as possible until I got down to 1/2 a pack a day or less. Then, after doing that for a week or two, I quit cold turkey.

Not the most pleasant way of quitting, but really, there is no easy way. Even with the Chantix quitting sucks... It sucks less with the Chantix and it makes it a bit easier, but utimately, you have to quit.

Good luck and God bless.

[Qengho]

Another vote for cold turkey here. I quit three years ago after thirty-five years of smoking. It was hell for the first two weeks, but then it got steadily easier. I can't remember the last time I had any cravings.

I recommend the reading material at WhyQuit.com (http://whyquit.com/).

[WowieZowie]

I had to just stop.

It has been like three years and I still crave them from time to time.

I think that you really have to respect how strong they are. Then, know that you are in a big time battle. When you can see it as you against them, and you can really pour yourself into it, then you have a chance. If you pretend that it is easy, I think that you do yourself a disservice.

Good luck. If you want it badly enough, you can make it happen. That was a hard battle for me. I really did like them. Strange cause they made my stomach hurt, and all kinds of bad symptoms.

I am kinda proud of myself about getting rid of them.

[kberanek]

Move to Minnesota, you can't smoke anywhere inside and it really cold out in the winter. Social support from family and friends is a big deal too, it really help me quit. You really have to change your whole lifestyle. Oh and keep trying to quit, most people make multiple attempts before it actually sticks, it's like a learning curve. Oh yeah, lots of excercise to counter act the stress.

[Terry Allan Hall]

My 1st wife helped a lot...I came home and found out that she and her boyfriend had stolen and sold all of my gear, leaving me only with the Gibson that was currently in the repairshop!

So, to get some more gear, I gave up "herb", beer, eating out in restaurants, tobacco, and every other non-essential "cold-turkey", so as to be able to afford payments on a loan I took out to buy another PA system, Deluxe Reverb amp, Telecaster, and Rick 360-12...by the time I'd paid off the loan (a year later), I realized that excessive beer and tobacco usage just didn't seem a priority, anymore...

Wasn't fun for the 1st few months, but it got better. :)

[daddymack]

WEll, that may not work for everyone TAH :wave:

Have you considered hypnosis? I did it in a group setting years ago, and it kept me off the smokes for 5 years...until I went back to gigging in bars...and was immersed in smoke again. But I smoke a lot less now than I did then, so there was some lasting effect.

[pickabar]

I tried and failed a few times. What finally worked for me was embracing and finding a way to enjoy the cravings. Whenever I get a craving I think of all of the smug assholes who think I'll give in. Yes, spite is my motivator ;).

[cherri]

I leave today to spend a couple of days with my daughter at my parents. No one smokes at my folks, my brother's, or at the college I'm taking the tyke to check out, so I am going to do the cold turkey gig. Had my last smoke about 7:30 last night. When I get home it'll be a psychological game of resisting whenever my hubby lights up.

[StompboxMan]

I quite after I got tonsil cancer! Jesus Christ saved my life! Thank you Lord! :thu:

[Dr.Innovation]

Alright, I've had enough. I've been smoking 2+ packs of Marlboro Mediums for a looooooong time. I'm over it, but I'm also addicted.
My range has suffered.
Not to mention my health, stamina, et.al.
Has anyone on this forum been able to quit successfully? I have proven to myself that I'm incapable of moderation, so that's not an option. I hear Chantix works well, but I can't afford it. Before anyone chimes in w/ "If you added up all the $ you spent on smokes, :blah:" it doesn't work that way; I don't buy $200 worth of smokes at a time.

Anyone? Personal experience?

Thanks in advance,

Christian

Alright, how do you stop yourself from burning the hot stove burner? -You don't touch it.

How do you prevent yourself from drowning? Stay out of the pool.

How do you prevent someone dying of terminal cancer?
You don't, and you can't.


What I am basically saying is there are things in this life you can control. When you say (or IF you've ever said)

"YOU made me get mad or YOU pissed me off today, you know that????!!!!"

^^^ You must realize that NO ONE can *make* you get anything, or anywhere without your total permission.

Now, drugs, alcohol, and cigs aren't easy to quit, hell neither is ANY addiction out there. So what do YOU do?

-Here's what you do:

(this only works IF you give a shit about your family, your son or daughter, your wife, your *loved* ones)

You write down WHO you can't live without, even friends if they make the list.

Then write down WHAT kind of effect it would have on them WHEN you get diagnosed with cancer, or some other debilitating disease associated with smoking. There is this cosmic ripple effect death enthralls ALL of your closest peeps, family, what have you...Once you're gone you're gone. To your family, however you're still alive through your clothes, your smell, favorite cologne...

Except they can't hear your voice, feel your fingertips and feel your breathe touch their senses.
They'll swear they heard you say you love them, but there aren't any real responses to hear, or feel.



Basically the ripple effect your illness would have on them would be unbearable, and to what end would they suffer mentally?

Now, if you aren't in tears over the thought of losing ALL that you have (loved ones) i, and/or this vivid thought isn't enough to WANT to sustain your ideal of quitting forever, I don't know what else to tell you.......Why?

You have your life in the palm of your hand.
What to do is ENTIRELY up to you brotha.

Hopefully you find comfort in those who love you, and IF you do value that then FOCUS on them, not the urge.
Your mind will do the rest when you haven't had the conscious thought of lighting up. If you do, focus harder on your family, and how priceless you are to them...

You can do it man, I know you can.
It is ALL up to you.

-Don't hang out with people who smoke.
-If you have friends that do, you really want to reconsider them as "friends."
- Friends don't enable each other to die a slow death.

-Have a family meeting announcing your intentions, and aggressively ask for their support.

Check in with us in this thread on your progress, and DO the things that keep you busy most.:thu:

[WynnD]

You could do what my Dad did. Have a heart attack first. Keep in mind that not everyone survives their first heart attack. Dad quit cold turkey. Nearly two months later he was still thinking about it. It is ironic that lung cancer ended up killing him ten years after he quit.

[Miket156]

I was able to quit after I could see how smoking cigarettes was ruining my voice. No wind, and sounded like Joe Cocker. The thing you have to decide on is...do you want to smoke or do you want to sing? I thought about it and I decided it was more important to me to SING than SMOKE. I went cold turkey. It was REAL HARD for the first two weeks. Whenever I got a craving, I either chewed Beechnut Peppermint Gum, or Tic Tac's (also peppermint). I had read somewhere that Peppermint helps you when you have cravings, and it does.

There is no substitute for determination. I quit in 1992 and haven't smoked since. I'm now 61 years old and can still hit the notes I could hit when I was 25. I sing clearly and the same as I always have. Now, I haven't gotten BETTER, but I certainly haven't gotten worse! Seriously, you will enjoy NOT SMOKING once you break free of the addiction.

You have to change your lifestyle, at least in the first month. Coffee was a trigger for me, so I stopped drinking coffee for a few weeks. Same with alcohol. No cigarettes, no coffee, no alcohol. If it would have taken NO SEX too, I'd still be smoking! HA HA. After the cravings started to decline, I was able to start drinking some coffee again without the desire to smoke. You just have to know what your limitations are and stay away from the triggers for awhile.

If I can quit, anyone can. Go for it!

Mike T.

[rjbee]

It's easy, I've done it a million times. I quit drugs in 1983. One year later I decided to quit cigarettes. The only way was cold turkey. I must have eaten a zillion wintergreen lifesavers over the course of my time quitting and as was stated the first few weeks are the toughest. I was smoking 3 packs a day at the time, Marlboro. There is no easy way, I had tried the Schick Center, Bantron gum, all kinds of stuff but in the end it came down to "I can't see myself doing this for the rest of my life so I better just bite the bullet". I had been smoking for 20 years. It has become the single best thing I have ever done for my health and voice. I am turning 60 this year and believe it or not, I sing with a Zeppelin tribute band here in Tucson.

[Desalines]

Smoked for thirty years, sometimes three packs a day. Seriously addicted I was embarrassed by my wife into quitting after lying to her persistently and smoking in the "closet" for a long time. It sucked. You feel like such a stupid s__t when she finds the ciggys in your jacket pocket when she's looking for your keys.

Went cold turkey ten years ago and never looked back. It is dumb to smoke, considering what we know. After I quit my voice improved a whole lot but never back to where it was when I was in my twenties.. I could breathe again. It just keeps getting better.

[grace_slick]

Good for you, everyone who's managed to quit, and good luck to all those soon-to-be quitters!!

I smoked for 6 years, and never really had any desire to quit. My boss was raving about this book that helped him quit, by Allen Carr, and I had no interest. Then I saw it 2nd hand one day and thought what the hell. If I read it and it works, fine. If it doesn't, no harm done.

So I read it, and it didn't exactly "cure" me of my desire to smoke, as many people have claimed it does, it did make me feel terribly guilty, stupid and unhealthy each time I had a cigarette, and most importantly, it also gave me the motivation (for the first time ever) to actually WANT to quit.

I cut down to 2-3 a day (down from 30 or so) for the following week, and then that was it. No more. That was over 3 years ago and I have no interest in smoking still.

At first it was pretty hard. Not physically. I mean, sure for the first few days I felt restless and twitchy and fidgety, but that goes away fast, and if it wasn't for the mental stuff going on, you wouldn't even notice the physical effects.

Basically, it's really hard. But the book showed me (and this isn't necessarily what led to me quitting, but it definitely is what's made me REMAIN a non-smoker) that smoking is pointless, and the pleasant feelings we get from it are merely an illusion.

I didn't pick up a cig again after quitting because I knew there was simply no point. I STILL miss the feelings I'd get from smoking. The feelings of relaxation, indulgence, enjoyment, etc. But I know they're all "fake". They're brought on by the cigarettes. Like, the only way I'd ever get them back is to actually be addicted to cigarettes again, and I don't want that. If I smoke one cigarette right now, I won't have any of those feelings. I'll just feel a bit sick and have a bad taste in my mouth.

So...yeah. You have to make a choice. Be an addict and be unhealthy and have that constant little voice in the back of your head wondering when you'll actually quit, IF you'll ever quit, and what possible health issues may arise at any time in the future...feel like a social leper as more and more public places make smoking illegal...but you get those feelings. You'll get the feelings of relaxation and peace from each cig because your body is relieved of the nicotine withdrawal perpetuated by the last cig. That's all those pleasant feelings are.

OR you can choose to be healthy, feel more in control of your body and your life than you have in years, lose that guilty/stressful voice in the back of your mind, and know that you WILL be happy again without cigarettes. You won't miss the feelings you'd get whilst smoking most of the time. If you're not addicted, you have no withdrawal to relieve. You have no craving to satisfy. You have no void to fill. It is easier. And the money saving is just a bonus.

Anyway, sorry for that blabber-fest!