i want to quit but it’s so difficult

[scorpiosigns]

hi, i started smoking in quarantine as a way to cope because it was mixed in with ~other~ substance and eventually i just started smoking cigarettes and i really want to quit because i know it’s not good for me i also can’t really afford it and i tried to quit and i lasted 3 days but the withdrawal symptoms were so bad i started again and i don’t want to quit and then start smoking again so any advice on how to help with the withdrawal symptoms? i can’t go through the doctors or anything because i’m still in school and my mum doesn’t know i smoke

[mushen Valued Contributor]

Hello 😊

I'm not sure how old you are so I will assume you are under 18.

There is no magic answer to getting through the withdrawl symptoms. That's the bad news. The good news, is that it is a completely achievable goal. The key is really wanting to do it. Smoking is an all or nothing activity. It takes 3 days for nicotine to leave the body. The first 3 days of a quit are the worst. After that, you have to deal with the psychological aspects. The cravings ease and it is a case of getting through each day, 1 hour at a time if necessary. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) helps many people (patches, gum etc) but like smoking, these methods are not cheap.

If cost is a factor in quitting, then going cold turkey (just stopping) is by far the cheapest method. It's simply a case of picking day and doing it. It is hard, the cravings are hard, but they do ease with each passing day. Head over to WhyQuit.com and you will find videos that will help you through every day of the first two weeks. As you can't tell your Mum, I would advise coming on here for support. Talking to others that have been or are going through the same experience as you can be immensely helpful. Often, quitting can be a very lonely experience and you may find it helpful to feel you are not alone.

On a final note, if you are age 16 or above, you can see your doctor without your parents present. You can make and attend appointments on your own and the GP is legally obliged to keep anything you discuss private.

I hope this helps. 😊😊