Quitting Smoking cigarettes

[dp5more]

I’m not sure if this is the right section or not, but has anyone had success with quitting smoking and have any tips they could give?

 

[humpydog]

That doesn't really seem like a fun game, but as for tips:
1. Avoid people and places that are associated with your addiction, if you can.
2. Find an alternative for your fixation. Smoking is a very oral activity, so something that stimulates the mouth might help fight off cravings. It won't make them go away though, so expect to have to fight.
3. When you fall off the wagon, get back on ASAP. You're likely to have setbacks and slip-ups. If/when you do, just move on. Beating yourself up won't help. Shame tends to make addictions worse, not better. So just recommit to quitting and try again as many times as it takes.
4. Willpower is a finite resource, so anything you can do to eliminate other stresses in your life will help you conserve your willpower to fight your addiction.
5. The first month is the hardest. It still might not be easy after that, but it will start to get easier. Most of the time, at least. There will probably be times when it's really tough. Don't get discouraged. Try, try again.

Good luck!

P.S. You might want to track your eating for a little bit before you start trying to quit and for a while after so that you don't suddenly start eating a lot more than you used to. It's really common for people to gain a bunch of weight when they're quitting smoking.

 

[dp5more]

That doesn't really seem like a fun game, but as for tips:
1. Avoid people and places that are associated with your addiction, if you can.
2. Find an alternative for your fixation. Smoking is a very oral activity, so something that stimulates the mouth might help fight off cravings. It won't make them go away though, so expect to have to fight.
3. When you fall off the wagon, get back on ASAP. You're likely to have setbacks and slip-ups. If/when you do, just move on. Beating yourself up won't help. Shame tends to make addictions worse, not better. So just recommit to quitting and try again as many times as it takes.
4. Willpower is a finite resource, so anything you can do to eliminate other stresses in your life will help you conserve your willpower to fight your addiction.
5. The first month is the hardest. It still might not be easy after that, but it will start to get easier. Most of the time, at least. There will probably be times when it's really tough. Don't get discouraged. Try, try again.

Good luck!

P.S. You might want to track your eating for a little bit before you start trying to quit and for a while after so that you don't suddenly start eating a lot more than you used to. It's really common for people to gain a bunch of weight when they're quitting smoking.

I appreciate this advice! Thank you very much! It’s been a very hard road. If I could go back, it would probably be one of the biggest things I would have changed

 

[Schuppentier]

Don't buy cigarettes.

Avoid other smokers like they have the plague.

Don't buy cigarettes.

Don't buy cigarettes.

Don't buy.......

.
.
.

 

[dp5more]

Don't buy cigarettes.

Avoid other smokers like they have the plague.

Don't buy cigarettes.

Don't buy cigarettes.

Don't buy.......

.
.
.

I bought a pack today

 

[dogluver101]

Think about what's making you want to smoke. May not be much but I've noticed I smoked nearly all day just by aggrevation or simply stress with a job... I was a trucker so I started going up to 3 packs a day and had to work myself down.
Managed to get to 1 pack a day.
Not sure if you tried but you can give vaping a shot... wouldn't recommend the junk gas stations sell. Find a good vape shop (hopefully with one that knows what they're selling) and try to work with different nicotine levels till you can work yourself down.
You don't have to go crazy with a vape product. As long as it's something that can be an alternative to cigs. Plus once you've gone off it enough you can just toss the vape aside.

It may sound easier said than done. But figure out what's making you want to smoke and see what may be best to distract you... try a few small hits at least and put it out. Saying take small hits or use only half may sound weird, but if you span it out within an hour and work up you'll find you haven't went through a whole pack and you should be able to quit...
I know some will say just simply quit but I know it can't just be done that easy.

 

[Kristy]

I’m not sure if this is the right section or not, but has anyone had success with quitting smoking and have any tips they could give?

A friend of mine, an MD in general practice, tells this to patients trying to quit, because it worked for her:
- If you currently have any cigarettes, take one out and throw the rest away where you can't get to them, and smoke it.
- The next time you get a craving, go to the store, buy a pack, take one out, throw away the rest of the pack and smoke that one.
- Repeat this for EVERY craving, and you will quit.
Do I agree or disagree? I don't know. I'm not a smoker.

 

[Cressida]

For me it was the less access I had to a cigarette the easier it was to quit.

But I struggled so much and the headaches were so horrible! But I persevered and fought through it. I still get those cravings now and then... especially when I'm around someone who smokes.