Inhaletor, is this addictive in itself?

[jeannevt]

about my 100th attempt to give up smoking!! stopped in early march dont know the exact date, using patches and inhalator, have stopped the patches now and just use the inhaletor but dont know if I can stop that, seem to be addicted to that now and panic if I mislay it, will I ever got off this?

[EmJay Partner]

Hi jeannevt, everytime you make an attempt to quit smoking, the closer you are to a smokefree lifestyle, so keep up the good efforts.

Ideally, if you decide to use NRT, in your case patches and the inhalator, I would recommend that you follow the full course if possible, this may be why you feel as 'attached' to the inhalator as you do.

However, if you feel that you are happy just using the inhalator and that it is satisfying the cravings that you have then it is okay to carry this on.

Maybe think about a timeline of when to stop using the inhalator over the next month or so, gradually cutting down the number of cartridges each day.

You may feel that you become psychologically addicted and this is not necessarily a bad thing, but you will need to work on it. Keep us updated on how you are and we are more than happy to support you through is.

You need to take just one day at a time

[jeannevt]

I use less than one cartridge a day now, maybe one every 2 days and yes I do think it may be psychogical I just need to know I have it sometimes but I do tend to use it more in the situations where I used to have a cigarette, when I first get up, or when I first get in the car, with my cup of tea/coffee etc. Just really want to know whether I will ever be able to get off nicotine altogether!

Thanks for answering so quickly.

[EmJay Partner]

Hi jeannevt, of course you will be able to lead a nicotine free lifestyle, it just doesn't always happen overnight.

I remember when I first quit, I think I had stopped for about 3-4 weeks and I started to use a plastic dummy cigarette. I only had it for about a week and carried it everywhere. Then I had a call from my friend who asked me how I was getting along without it as I had left it in hers when I last visited, the week before - I hadn't even noticed. However, once she told me this, I went into a bit of a panic! I then went out to buy another one but the local pharmacist didn't have any in stock. Instead I carried a small pen around with me which worked a treat. I obviously just needed the hand to mouth action at the time.

You will get over it, but again it takes some thinking and planning... and time.

Good for you though at least your thinking about what would happen, this will allow for you to put a plan of action in place. Did you ever see yourself getting off cigarettes altogether?

[jeannevt]

No I didnt and if I am honest I still think of myself as a smoker I cant quite believe I will never again want a cigarette, but just trying not to think about it at all!

[EmJay Partner]

It really is only early days for you yet jeannevt, I would take each day slowly and try not worry too much now about it. Long term, one of the milestones of success is when a person see's themselves as a non-smoker.

Can I just ask you, what is / are your reasons for wanting to quit in the first place?

[jeannevt]

I really really like smoking, when people ask what cigarettes do you smoke but dont really enjoy, I can never answer because I really enjoy each and every one (usually 30/day, more at the weekend). my one and only reason for giving up is the money, I just cant afford it. If I was a millionaire I am sure I wouldnt even think about giving up.

so you see I need all the help I can get.

[EmJay Partner]

Thank you for your honesty. Would you know which part of smoking you actually enjoy? For example, some people say it is when they take the first puff of the cigarette in, or when they blow the smoke out. Some people say they like the way the cigarette 'catches' them in the back of the throat. What would you say it is for you?

Also, when you have stopped in the past, did you feel the same then? What is the longest time that you remained quit for?

It really is funny how nicotine addiction works it's way into your mind, please don't worry though as this is quite normal.

With regards to being a millionaire, I am sure it is of more benefit to be a healthy one!. Hopefully, someday you will become a millionaire and will lead a more healthier lifestyle to enjoy your money!

[jeannevt in reply to EmJay]

I just love the lighting up, inhaling everything about it. I think the longest I quit was for about 3 months (on the patches & inhalator) and it was curiosity (how stupid am I) that started me off again, I wanted to see if I would still like the taste, unfortunately I did and wallup I was back where I started.

[EmJay Partner in reply to jeannevt]

Curiosity is one of the biggest demons that catch a lot of people out... look at it as another strategy that the evil weed will use to 'coax' you back.

If the cost of smoking is keeping you motivated to stay quit, do you know how much you have saved so far? Have you treated yourself to anything since stopping?

We will support you all the way and hopefully will be able to help you feel that you will never miss the act of, or the taste of smoking again... it just might take a little longer for us to find a way. I'm sure it can happen though...

[jeannevt in reply to EmJay]

Thank you, I appreciate the support and I WILL do it this time for good!!

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

i am using a inhalator and find it ok. as being addictive i think there shouldnt be a problem coming off it. my hubby stopped smoking about 10 years ago, he used a inhalator for about 8 months. gradually reducing the cartridges until he didnt need any. jilly girl.

[jeannevt]

Hi thanks jillygirl, last time I gave up for any real length of time it was with the patches and inhalator combined, so have done the same this time and again I have come off the patches and I am just on the inhalator now so hoping I will be able to completely give up this time without falling by the wayside, do you find just having it in your hand helps, I panic if I havent got it but I am not necessarily using it!

[Hidden]

I havent had a cigarette for two weeks now, if I knew how easy it was for me to stop I would have done it years ago. I am using a e-cig every now and then and it really has helped. Mybe I am lucky but I have had no side affects up to now, no cough, no sore throat, no problems at all. I cant believe how well i,m doing and keep waiting for somethink negative to happen. I will wean myself off the e-cig as I did with real cigs when I am ready, there,s no hurry and I will do it in my time. Being told to quit didnt help me at all, I just woke up one morning and decided I didn,t want to smoke anymore and that was that, I wish you all good luck and you WILL STOP if you really want to.

Best wishes,

Mad.

[EmJay Partner]

Hi Mad, glad to hear you're doing so well. It really does make it a hell of a lot easier if you actually decide to and want to stop yourself rather than feel that you have to. I agree that it is less than helpful if you are being told you have to stop, especially without being signposted to somewhere for help. Hopefully with all the positive encouragement and support on here, you'll find it even easier

[Hidden]

Hi Mad, I've been (proudly) smoke free for 3 months now. I used the spray occasionally and the inhalator often and like you was worried I'd never be able to stop using it. I didn't restrict my use of it in any way but somehow in the last two weeks I've hardly used it at all. Don't ask how! The last times I used it was with a drink at nights sometimes but I don't even do that now or think about it. I'm quite amazed as I was prepared to stay on it forever rather than smoke again.

[Finley2012 30 Months Winner in reply to Hidden]

Great stuff Cathryn. I'm six weeks smoke free today and using patches (just reduced to 10mg, started on 25mg) and inhalator. I'm still using the inhalator a fair bit, but counting the cartridges I'm using can see I've reduced from the maximum 12 a day to between 4 and 5 a day. Like you, I'm prepared to stay on it forever if it means I don't smoke, but I can see from my own progress and your comments that I might even achieve a nicotine free life at some point! :o)

[Hidden in reply to Finley2012]

Well done Finley, keep it up.

[Finley2012 30 Months Winner]

Cheers Cathryn