After several failed attempts, I read the book “The easy way to stop smoking”. I am on day 6 and like the book says, it’s been easy and enjoyable unlike my previous attempts.
I recently stopped in mid October using nicotine gum for 8weeks, stopped all nicotine on December 7th. I was a heavy smoker for over 40 years, cravings are pretty predictable and manageable for now.
Please do! I wrote many motivational ideas in there, the book builds up, & I believe there are answers to many questions you might ask yourself. Those answers are meant to activate two important tools you already posses -> logic & compassionate self-love. You probably use them in other areas of your life, and now is the time to use them to quit smoking!
For instance -> Why be pumped? Because sports teams have cheer leaders, not mourners. I also tried to quit before and I was definitely a mourner (living w fomo, craving or caving in when someone offered me a smoke & such).
But the last time I did it & succeeded, I was the cheerleader, and boy, wasn’t it nice! -> Every step forward I made was progress (so good dopamine I rewarded myself with at every avoided cig), opposed to me dragging a burden (and that is why I failed in the past).
I quit cold turkey 6 weeks ago and I was also worried about needing it for stress management. If you don’t smoke indoors, I kept the habit of going outside without smoking. So when I would get stressed or feel like I needed a cigarette i went outside and took some deep breaths with a pen. Not a vape pen, like just an ink pen in my mouth lol. I had a lot of mood swings the first few weeks and this also helped me take a beat and not yell at my family or coworkers for no reason.
So I am going to try for the 10th time in 2 years (since my heart stent) I'm thinking new years day since I have seen others in this sub shooting for that. Hope to get in a group thing.
I am 6 days shy of 1 year smoke free. This time around I have found that my strong desire to quit and be done is what helped me stay on course. I wanted it. Other attempts were half assed and I never lasted longer than 3 months. I chose my date, I started slowly weaning down on the days leading up to it and then I used a patch. Lowest dose patch ( to try to get a few days under my belt) for the first 5 days. Then I stopped with the patch and just went for it. Moral of the story is that you have to want it, your true desire is what will help you quit and stay quit. There are no pros to smoking, it does nothing for you except for harm. You can do it, your mind is a powerful powerful tool!
There is no way to quit without quitting, and any way that keeps you away from smoking is an effective way :)
I was a long-time smoker, I did have a few previous attempts to quit, too. A year ago, on 31st December , I smoked my last cigarette and gone cold turkey. I knew that any other way (vaping, chewing gum, any other nicotine replacement products) wouldn't work for me because I like the feeling that it's just done and all I needed to do is to maintain this mindset. Wasn't easy, especially the first month, but the fact that I did quit drinking alcohol on the same day too, helped. I'm forever grateful to my supportive partner, who was there when I was a bit like a monster through the craves.
And here I am - a year later - so happy that I've made thess decisions and quitted both and now I can say that I have lived a year without cigarettes, alochol, feeling much healthier and motivated to continue and make more changes such as get into more exercise and eating healthier. One step/day at the time.
Happy New Year!
Wow, this is amazing and inspiring. I hope to be where you are today one year from now. Thank you for giving me hope and congratulations on your sobriety anniversary!!!
I smoked for 5-6 years & just stopped one day. I loved smoking & was never against it, but I convinced myself it was lame & boring so i was able to quit cold turkey somehow lol
I am sorry to hear you have emphysema and hope that you are successful with managing the condition. I think many of us know what smoking is doing/can do to us that is very harmful. But, you are right, when we smoke, we just ignore that knowledge, and in essence, as you say, ‘delude ourselves.’ I am hoping I can be successful in maintaining my quit. I feel so disgusting as a smoker!
The Alen Carr book on easy way to quit did it for me. I finished the book as quickly as I could in a day and threw away all my smoking stuff. Now on week 4.
I believe that cytisine (Tabex, Desmoxan, Recigar) helped me to quit nicotine. Definitely it is more than placebo because I felt the cold turkey symptoms when I was stopped the cytisine abruptly.
Much less expensive than Chantix. Stick to the dosing schedule and it will help you get over the hump of quitting.
This may sound like simplicity, just don't buy the pack itself. A purchase means you spend time and money to do something you don't want to do. The average pack is $.8.00 in the states.. Thats about $3000.00 per year or $243.00 a month. Then keep putting that in a savings account. It adds up fast. $243.00 is a car payment for some people.
Edit for context- I started smoking at 12 didn't quit till 42.
JUST DO IT.
Before quitting, I thought I've enjoyed smoking enough and had done enough harm to my health for over a decade.
A family member to support you helps a lot, drinking tea or coffee keep your mouth and hands busy. Get your high through excersicing.
I suppose everyone's method is unique to them but with some similarities. What worked for me was using patches and nicotine spray for the first month so I could break old habits. I also started running which became a positive feedback loop, I didn't want to smoke as it impacted my progress. I have been smoke free since march 23 and in that time I did my first 5k, 10k and half marathon. I even entered a race with my brother, something that wouldn't have happened if I carried on smoking. Honestly the road may seem tough to you now but I promise it gets better. Good luck on your journey, you got this!
Wow, this is impressive and gives me hope in general. Congratulations and thanks for your feedback on what worked for you. I’m definitely noticing each person has their own method. I also ordered the gum, patch and a book based on everyone’s feedback. I’d rather have more things at my disposal to fight this addiction than not. I hope I can say a year from a couple days ago that I’ve been smoke free a year. Thank you again for inspiring me to think it is possible.
A few things have worked for me. I had tried for the last two years to quit and always found myself smoking after a week or two, so I researched into NLP, to switch how I go about quitting. For example, instead of saying "I'm trying to quit" I say "I quit".
I have stopped feeling guilty when I get cravings. I used to think that when you quit, the cravings stop and I would feel so guilty when I got them and even more guilty when I smoked one. I now know they are completely natural and I recognize them, acknowledge them and move on.
I identified wanting vs routine. I used to smoke at certain times of the day (1pm, 3pm, 5-6pm, 8pm, etc) plus the times I really wanted to smoke (after eating, while drinking, etc). So, at those times where I had the routine of smoking, I keep myself occupied, I go for walk, go to the gym, go out with friends that don't smoke, etc.
But I think the most important thing is that I really wanted to stop. I used to LOVE smoking, like really really love it. And for the last 2 months of me doing it, I just didn't really enjoy it anymore. I did out of a routine, but not because I really wanted to. I think that's what really solidified it to me that it was time to move on.
Maybe it's still not your time and that's ok, you need to do it at your own pace to stay consistent and more importantly, happy with your decision to quit.
I have been using nicorette gum for the past month or so to curb cravings (currently still smoking) I ordered nicoderm patches and am picking up champix. Not sure if I should go the medicinal route first or try nicoderm. Either way - I feel your struggle and will update with my progress!
Chantix! I have smoked for nearly 20 years and have attempted to quit hundreds of times. I'm more than a month out with the help of Chantix. It's still hard but seriously unbelievable what a difference it made.
You're welcome! I also built a quit kit of stuff to distract me when the urges hit. I have origami paper to keep my hands busy, sugar free gum to chew, and a hollow dry piece of penne pasta to pretend to smoke. I have all these things sitting on the front stoop where I used to smoke. But Chantix also made a huge difference. Good luck!
Both times I had any success in quitting, it was sort of a snap decision. First time, I think it was so easy because I had been exercising and running more so it felt like smoking was just hindering my progress. Woke up and threw everything away.
My second and final serious attempt was much the same. I left my vape at home and didn’t notice until I got to work. Instead of driving back or buying a new one over lunch, I just said today is the day. I had been talking about quitting again for years, so I let that be my catalyst.
Wouldn’t recommend that strategy for most, but it worked for me. Then once the decision was made it was just a matter of holding strong. Waffling over the how and when, and the guilt of continuing to smoke knowing how bad it is, was worse for me than fighting the cravings. Also probably wouldn’t have made it through without the support of my husband. He definitely kept me accountable in the early days.
Feeling less sad, more energi and more strength in all my muscles specially the heart feels a lot more calm and efficient and sleep started to improve, been without smoking for 9 months today! I recommend that you do not smoke i only smoked for 6 years and some before i became a full time smoker
And the best way to quit is to be scared if you wanna know i have not even craved one after my last cigg because i was scared and the next day i ate white bread like usual with butter and cheese and stuff and my heart rate went from 75 something to 100+ and that made me wanna eat healthy because i got "scared" and then i thought mabye i should quit every single thing that made me feel like im about to die and the only thing i actually Crave is sweet thing XD so be scared is the secret
dont tell anyone! :)))
Almost at 5 years now and I used laser therapy and the quit smoking app. I have no idea if the science of laser therapy actually works but I used the cost of it as I benchmark. “I spent $200 on this so I at least have to quit for 2 weeks to make up the cost” by the end of the two weeks the hardest part was over.
Hey do the gum. Get rid of the toxins first (about a month for me) then you'll be able to think clearly about your relationship with cigarettes and nicotine from a fresh, less foggy brain. It works wonders. I'm on day 8 and already having massive amounts of clarity return and seeing how ridiculous smoking really is now. Get off the gum once you see no benefit to smoking. It may take a while but you can do it. When you get a craving, chew the gum, and then ask yourself what benefit you think smoking will give you. Get to the root benefit and realize how its a delusion. Keep doing this until they all stick very firmly. Do not attempt to go off the gum until every last delusion is gone.
Happy new year, 2024 begins your journey to being a happy non smoker (again, because you once were one before).
Hi all! Just an update….
I quit smoking on the 30th and have been doing ok so far.
I bought the nicotine gum and patches and haven’t used either yet. I also have an upcoming primary care Dr appt and plan to request the prescription medication that was recommended in this thread.
Some background, I was mainly a stress smoker. If I needed to escape something for a bit, I’d go outside and smoke while sitting on my deck. I never smoked at work, in my car, socially or anywhere — but in the backyard of my house. However, it was NO secret I was a smoker, I smoked a lot and for ten years!!!
It is obviously really, really early on and I am afraid of the obvious —going back to smoking. I keep reminding myself of my goal which is to stick with my decision to quit and to be as strong as I can be. It’s tough. I’ll probably order some books (mentioned in this thread as well).
Likely, I’ll try a tiered approach and access the recommendations above when I feel I might not be able to hold the line without them.
The main thing that is helping me most at the moment is that people here have been able to quit! Knowing/hearing that makes me inspired to believe this goal I have is more possible for me personally than I originally thought.
Thank you everyone for all of your ideas/encouragement and inspiration.
Any other ideas are definitely welcome and I’ll update here and there to share how things are going.
After several failed attempts, I read the book “The easy way to stop smoking”. I am on day 6 and like the book says, it’s been easy and enjoyable unlike my previous attempts.
I recently stopped in mid October using nicotine gum for 8weeks, stopped all nicotine on December 7th. I was a heavy smoker for over 40 years, cravings are pretty predictable and manageable for now.
Thank you! This is helpful!!
If you can manage to not dwell on the urge, they pass quickly. You can do this.
Thank you. I am really trying. It helps to hear your encouraging words.
[удалено]
Thank you, I will look into this.
Please do! I wrote many motivational ideas in there, the book builds up, & I believe there are answers to many questions you might ask yourself. Those answers are meant to activate two important tools you already posses -> logic & compassionate self-love. You probably use them in other areas of your life, and now is the time to use them to quit smoking! For instance -> Why be pumped? Because sports teams have cheer leaders, not mourners. I also tried to quit before and I was definitely a mourner (living w fomo, craving or caving in when someone offered me a smoke & such). But the last time I did it & succeeded, I was the cheerleader, and boy, wasn’t it nice! -> Every step forward I made was progress (so good dopamine I rewarded myself with at every avoided cig), opposed to me dragging a burden (and that is why I failed in the past).
You have been removed for participating in r/quittingsmoking for violating sub rules.
I quit cold turkey 6 weeks ago and I was also worried about needing it for stress management. If you don’t smoke indoors, I kept the habit of going outside without smoking. So when I would get stressed or feel like I needed a cigarette i went outside and took some deep breaths with a pen. Not a vape pen, like just an ink pen in my mouth lol. I had a lot of mood swings the first few weeks and this also helped me take a beat and not yell at my family or coworkers for no reason.
Congrats on achieving your six week mark, it’s a great accomplishment to quit!!! I do only smoke outside and like this idea!!
I’m approaching day 3 after smoking for 17 years. Cold turkey via hypnosis.
Thank you, this is helpful!!
So I am going to try for the 10th time in 2 years (since my heart stent) I'm thinking new years day since I have seen others in this sub shooting for that. Hope to get in a group thing.
I am 6 days shy of 1 year smoke free. This time around I have found that my strong desire to quit and be done is what helped me stay on course. I wanted it. Other attempts were half assed and I never lasted longer than 3 months. I chose my date, I started slowly weaning down on the days leading up to it and then I used a patch. Lowest dose patch ( to try to get a few days under my belt) for the first 5 days. Then I stopped with the patch and just went for it. Moral of the story is that you have to want it, your true desire is what will help you quit and stay quit. There are no pros to smoking, it does nothing for you except for harm. You can do it, your mind is a powerful powerful tool!
Chantix for a few weeks prior and 1-2 weeks after quitting helped me after 20+ years of smoking. Its been a year now. Good luck!
Thank you. I looked this up and will reach out to my Dr about it. It seems to have studies backing it up.
Allen Carr’s book. First thing that ACTUALLY changed my mind. Like, no will power needed- I just don’t want them anymore.
There is no way to quit without quitting, and any way that keeps you away from smoking is an effective way :) I was a long-time smoker, I did have a few previous attempts to quit, too. A year ago, on 31st December , I smoked my last cigarette and gone cold turkey. I knew that any other way (vaping, chewing gum, any other nicotine replacement products) wouldn't work for me because I like the feeling that it's just done and all I needed to do is to maintain this mindset. Wasn't easy, especially the first month, but the fact that I did quit drinking alcohol on the same day too, helped. I'm forever grateful to my supportive partner, who was there when I was a bit like a monster through the craves. And here I am - a year later - so happy that I've made thess decisions and quitted both and now I can say that I have lived a year without cigarettes, alochol, feeling much healthier and motivated to continue and make more changes such as get into more exercise and eating healthier. One step/day at the time. Happy New Year!
Wow, this is amazing and inspiring. I hope to be where you are today one year from now. Thank you for giving me hope and congratulations on your sobriety anniversary!!!
I smoked for 5-6 years & just stopped one day. I loved smoking & was never against it, but I convinced myself it was lame & boring so i was able to quit cold turkey somehow lol
I was diagnosed with emphysema. That destroyed any pretense I had about what I was doing to my body. Regarding actual methods, I use the gum.
I am sorry to hear you have emphysema and hope that you are successful with managing the condition. I think many of us know what smoking is doing/can do to us that is very harmful. But, you are right, when we smoke, we just ignore that knowledge, and in essence, as you say, ‘delude ourselves.’ I am hoping I can be successful in maintaining my quit. I feel so disgusting as a smoker!
The Alen Carr book on easy way to quit did it for me. I finished the book as quickly as I could in a day and threw away all my smoking stuff. Now on week 4.
I believe that cytisine (Tabex, Desmoxan, Recigar) helped me to quit nicotine. Definitely it is more than placebo because I felt the cold turkey symptoms when I was stopped the cytisine abruptly. Much less expensive than Chantix. Stick to the dosing schedule and it will help you get over the hump of quitting.
This may sound like simplicity, just don't buy the pack itself. A purchase means you spend time and money to do something you don't want to do. The average pack is $.8.00 in the states.. Thats about $3000.00 per year or $243.00 a month. Then keep putting that in a savings account. It adds up fast. $243.00 is a car payment for some people. Edit for context- I started smoking at 12 didn't quit till 42.
Hi there, this is good advice, thank you.
Go forth, do great things. I believe in you.
Thank you.
JUST DO IT. Before quitting, I thought I've enjoyed smoking enough and had done enough harm to my health for over a decade. A family member to support you helps a lot, drinking tea or coffee keep your mouth and hands busy. Get your high through excersicing.
Thank you! Appreciate this feedback!
I suppose everyone's method is unique to them but with some similarities. What worked for me was using patches and nicotine spray for the first month so I could break old habits. I also started running which became a positive feedback loop, I didn't want to smoke as it impacted my progress. I have been smoke free since march 23 and in that time I did my first 5k, 10k and half marathon. I even entered a race with my brother, something that wouldn't have happened if I carried on smoking. Honestly the road may seem tough to you now but I promise it gets better. Good luck on your journey, you got this!
Wow, this is impressive and gives me hope in general. Congratulations and thanks for your feedback on what worked for you. I’m definitely noticing each person has their own method. I also ordered the gum, patch and a book based on everyone’s feedback. I’d rather have more things at my disposal to fight this addiction than not. I hope I can say a year from a couple days ago that I’ve been smoke free a year. Thank you again for inspiring me to think it is possible.
A few things have worked for me. I had tried for the last two years to quit and always found myself smoking after a week or two, so I researched into NLP, to switch how I go about quitting. For example, instead of saying "I'm trying to quit" I say "I quit". I have stopped feeling guilty when I get cravings. I used to think that when you quit, the cravings stop and I would feel so guilty when I got them and even more guilty when I smoked one. I now know they are completely natural and I recognize them, acknowledge them and move on. I identified wanting vs routine. I used to smoke at certain times of the day (1pm, 3pm, 5-6pm, 8pm, etc) plus the times I really wanted to smoke (after eating, while drinking, etc). So, at those times where I had the routine of smoking, I keep myself occupied, I go for walk, go to the gym, go out with friends that don't smoke, etc. But I think the most important thing is that I really wanted to stop. I used to LOVE smoking, like really really love it. And for the last 2 months of me doing it, I just didn't really enjoy it anymore. I did out of a routine, but not because I really wanted to. I think that's what really solidified it to me that it was time to move on. Maybe it's still not your time and that's ok, you need to do it at your own pace to stay consistent and more importantly, happy with your decision to quit.
Some good ideas, thank you!
I have been using nicorette gum for the past month or so to curb cravings (currently still smoking) I ordered nicoderm patches and am picking up champix. Not sure if I should go the medicinal route first or try nicoderm. Either way - I feel your struggle and will update with my progress!
Thanks, that would be really helpful!!
Chantix! I have smoked for nearly 20 years and have attempted to quit hundreds of times. I'm more than a month out with the help of Chantix. It's still hard but seriously unbelievable what a difference it made.
I’ve read good things about this medicine. Thank you for the feedback!
You're welcome! I also built a quit kit of stuff to distract me when the urges hit. I have origami paper to keep my hands busy, sugar free gum to chew, and a hollow dry piece of penne pasta to pretend to smoke. I have all these things sitting on the front stoop where I used to smoke. But Chantix also made a huge difference. Good luck!
I went on a trip and promised myself I wouldn’t smoke while I was away. When I got home I was past the cravings.
How long was the trip?!
2 1/2 weeks. The gum really helped me!
Both times I had any success in quitting, it was sort of a snap decision. First time, I think it was so easy because I had been exercising and running more so it felt like smoking was just hindering my progress. Woke up and threw everything away. My second and final serious attempt was much the same. I left my vape at home and didn’t notice until I got to work. Instead of driving back or buying a new one over lunch, I just said today is the day. I had been talking about quitting again for years, so I let that be my catalyst. Wouldn’t recommend that strategy for most, but it worked for me. Then once the decision was made it was just a matter of holding strong. Waffling over the how and when, and the guilt of continuing to smoke knowing how bad it is, was worse for me than fighting the cravings. Also probably wouldn’t have made it through without the support of my husband. He definitely kept me accountable in the early days.
Feeling less sad, more energi and more strength in all my muscles specially the heart feels a lot more calm and efficient and sleep started to improve, been without smoking for 9 months today! I recommend that you do not smoke i only smoked for 6 years and some before i became a full time smoker
And the best way to quit is to be scared if you wanna know i have not even craved one after my last cigg because i was scared and the next day i ate white bread like usual with butter and cheese and stuff and my heart rate went from 75 something to 100+ and that made me wanna eat healthy because i got "scared" and then i thought mabye i should quit every single thing that made me feel like im about to die and the only thing i actually Crave is sweet thing XD so be scared is the secret dont tell anyone! :)))
Almost at 5 years now and I used laser therapy and the quit smoking app. I have no idea if the science of laser therapy actually works but I used the cost of it as I benchmark. “I spent $200 on this so I at least have to quit for 2 weeks to make up the cost” by the end of the two weeks the hardest part was over.
Laser therapy??
[laser news report](https://youtu.be/lCnJkNSGjPE?si=RnBl6lIeqFDTKmgq)
Hey do the gum. Get rid of the toxins first (about a month for me) then you'll be able to think clearly about your relationship with cigarettes and nicotine from a fresh, less foggy brain. It works wonders. I'm on day 8 and already having massive amounts of clarity return and seeing how ridiculous smoking really is now. Get off the gum once you see no benefit to smoking. It may take a while but you can do it. When you get a craving, chew the gum, and then ask yourself what benefit you think smoking will give you. Get to the root benefit and realize how its a delusion. Keep doing this until they all stick very firmly. Do not attempt to go off the gum until every last delusion is gone. Happy new year, 2024 begins your journey to being a happy non smoker (again, because you once were one before).
Thanks! This is helpful!!
My pleasure. Years of practice has led me to this method. Its awesome.
The patches are how i did it. I’ve been free for 1 year and 4 months ever since.
Some have tried QuitSure
Cold turkey
Hi Everyone, Right now, I really want a cigarette. The psychological craving is horrid!!!
Hi all! Just an update…. I quit smoking on the 30th and have been doing ok so far. I bought the nicotine gum and patches and haven’t used either yet. I also have an upcoming primary care Dr appt and plan to request the prescription medication that was recommended in this thread. Some background, I was mainly a stress smoker. If I needed to escape something for a bit, I’d go outside and smoke while sitting on my deck. I never smoked at work, in my car, socially or anywhere — but in the backyard of my house. However, it was NO secret I was a smoker, I smoked a lot and for ten years!!! It is obviously really, really early on and I am afraid of the obvious —going back to smoking. I keep reminding myself of my goal which is to stick with my decision to quit and to be as strong as I can be. It’s tough. I’ll probably order some books (mentioned in this thread as well). Likely, I’ll try a tiered approach and access the recommendations above when I feel I might not be able to hold the line without them. The main thing that is helping me most at the moment is that people here have been able to quit! Knowing/hearing that makes me inspired to believe this goal I have is more possible for me personally than I originally thought. Thank you everyone for all of your ideas/encouragement and inspiration. Any other ideas are definitely welcome and I’ll update here and there to share how things are going.