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Quitting smoking

Jsteve36 profile image
8 Replies

I am trying my hardest to quit smoking.

I have smoked 1 to 2 packs a day for 23 years. I am trying my hardest to quit this nasty habit. Going on a month of between 5 to 7 a day, each time I have a cigarette I get mad at myself and discouraged.

I have nicorette gum but I am skeptical of it. I have tried to quit before with the lozenges with no success.

Is anyone else here trying to quit or have successfully quit?

I need some inspiration and possibly someone to talk to when I have cravings

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Jsteve36 profile image
Jsteve36
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8 Replies

I quit a few years ago and haven't looked back.

Used vape with high nicotine for few weeks then reduced the nicotine every 2-3 weeks until I was using nicotine free juice, I think after about 4 weeks of the free stuff I stopped completely.

Haven't touched one since.

Jsteve36 profile image
Jsteve36 in reply to

I tried the vape route, too harsh on my lungs and didn't care for the burning in my throat

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54

Why don't you join the quit smoking site on here. It's called quit.

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply to hypercat54

healthunlocked.com/quitsupport

Lazy_dog_lover profile image
Lazy_dog_lover

I never really smoked, but I have had friends and family who did. They had a very difficult time quitting. I have lost a few from cancer.

They said part of the difficulty was breaking the mental habit of lighting up and finding a replacement behavior. It was an unconscious behavior as soon as they woke up. Making conscious decisions had to happen.

My neighbor was very successful using Chantix. The security guard at one of my jobs tried the nicotine gum. He chewed it non-stop. It became unconscious. He stopped taking in all the other chemicals in cigarettes, but could not give up the nicotine.

I don't know how anyone affords cigarettes any more. I am in the US, outside Chicago. A pack is $14. That is twice the national minimum hourly pay. For you, that is $10,220-15,330. I know cost is not most people's reason for quitting, but I always seem to think about it.

Why are you quitting? What is your inspiration? Replace the behaviors and cravings with something having to do with that.

Sorry, I am tired and rambling on. I really want you to get what you want. I always want good health for others. Good luck.

Blueruth profile image
Blueruth

Good for you! Your lungs are already healing! I used a patch when they were new so many years ago. I was really disgusted with smoking so will power played a part. I had to learn to resist when I was in places like blues clubs because booze, blues and smoking used to all go together. Basically you have to suck it up sometimes. There is definitely not one single thing that will work.One motivation could be to put the equivalent $ of that pack of cigarettes away. Few ways to do that…put it in a jar so you have that visual. Put it a savings account and pull it out every time you make a mistake or as an award. Or my fav…open a Roth and put all or a portion there. I want to know how much that puppy will be worth by the time you retire :)

Hi! Thanks for sharing. I used to smoke and I remember it. This is what I would tell myself, be nice to yourself! It is natural and normal to have all feelings. Just take it easy and breathe. I remember laying on the kitchen floor just crying because I was so distraught. I really didn't know what to do with myself. Time passed somehow and I am very glad to have it over. Also it gets easier. I encourage you to be happy and healthy and safe :-). I called the quit smoking hotline many times. They were very nice to me. Hope that helps!

Kamgal5 profile image
Kamgal5

Hi! Good for you trying to quit! It was the best thing I did years ago. So…. I literally just went cold turkey- it was tough for the first week or so and I had weaned down to only about 5 a day, so it was much easier to do. I would give my husband my pack and he would hide it and only give me my allotment for the day- so it was in my control to chose when I enjoyed it most. allow yourself to have 1 at specific times of the day/ like with your breakfast coffee, after dinner.. etc… last resort- go get yourself a vape. The fillable kind. Yep- I know people may roll their eyes at that suggestion, but I’ve seen it work with people. There is something to be said about the hand/mouth fixation. Go a month with that, then go a month going down on the nicotine strength, then a month on no nicotine, then done. I know, I know… replacing one bad habit with another- but it’s worth a shot if all else fails. Good luck!

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