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Give and get support around quitting

James213
Member

How to accomplish the goals

Can I get this done without the use of substitutes,and in a more natural manor 

10 Replies
Giulia
Member

Howdy and welcome.  There are many cold turkey quitters here.  (I'm one.)  And many who have used NRTs and pharmaceuticals like Chantix.  The "experts" say a three-pronged approach creates the greatest success rate (Quit Plan, NRT's, Support).  Personally I found that support was the key for me.  If you haven't yet, start reading through the material in Best of EX.  You can get there from the home page (far right widget).  Education about this addiction is your best bet.  Here's a good blog to begin with:  SMART TURKEY   My quit plan (upper right)  and attendant material here is good.  I would suggest filling out the materials and look at the videos, etc.  The better the plan, the more likely success.  This takes perseverance and a one hundred percent commitment.  Others will chime in with more info and material to view.  

Our attitude plays an enormous role in how our journey goes.  Part of the educational process here is to learn how to be the champions of our quits.  The more you know, the better prepared you'll be.  Glad you've joined us.  Have heart!

Jennifer-Quit
Member

Absolutely!  There are many successful quitters here who did not use nicotine replacement therapy or prescription meds to aid in their quit.  It really is all about making up your mind to quit and honoring that commitment.  For me reading and educating myself about nicotine addiction helped me tremendously along with the support that I received here at this site.  The Allen Carr book Easy Way To Quit Smoking  is a good read.  It helped many here develop a better attitude about quitting.  Here is a link to a blog that lists 100 things to do besides smoke. Staying busy is always helpful.

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/aztec-blog/2012/12/30/100-things-to-do-besides-smoke

Best wishes!

GyorgyiM
Member

SPOT ON Jennifer!

Allen Carr .....GREAT READ!!!......I was a "gobble gobbler" too! 

James....it CAN be done....

Miles of Smiles....

Bree19
Member

Hi James  

The short answer to your question - Ditto the 2 replies above. 

Decide, plan, educate yourself and read A LOT.  You've found the best support site, so stay close and talk to us as much as you need to. 

Cold turkey quitting is indeed possible - I'm one example of many.  

There are also many successful quitters here who used NRT or meds.  

Best

Bree

YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to our community!

The most important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Quit Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. Your local library probably has a copy, or you can find it online.

 You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmokingonline.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested in My Quit Plan http://www.becomeanex.org/my-quit-plan.php

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort.  I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another.  I do not recommend the e-cigarette for three reasons: 1) the vapor has been compared to the polluted air in Bejing on a bad day, 2) they just provide another nicotine delivery system while continuing the hand to mouth smoking motion, and 3) the batteries can spontaneously catch on fire. . But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.

You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.    Get busy!  Check out the list previously provided for ideas of things to do.  You might make a list of your favorites as a reference.

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

Strudel
Member

Great advice from all of my friends above! I also used the Carr book - it really helped to turn around my brainwashed thinking about smoking. After 40 years, I was able to decide that smoking gave me NOTHING - and I quit! You can too! Read, educate yourself, make friends here and stick around....you can do this! Welcome to the site! 

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Great Advice from those above..... I've already used alot of it ....Do prepare yourself and educate yourself on your addiction before your Quit Date. Has made all the difference in the whole world to me....this time! I've smoked 45 yrs. and do not intend to go back there ever again.... It is alot of work and challenges. You have to really want this! Looking back my previous quits were 1/2 hearted and I did not prepare myself properly. Whatever method you choose is fine. I am using a nic patch but beginning to think it is a security blanket.  ????? There have been several times I forgot to replace it and my days still unfolded and I still survivied.... Listen to the Elders...they have successfully walked this road and maintained there QUITS!!!! prairie35DOF

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Just Do It!

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elvan
Member

Welcome to EX, I was also a cold turkey quitter too...I agree with the advice of the others...I started with education...read everything that was recommended, I made a quit plan based upon the suggestions when you sign in, on the upper right hand side.  It will help you to identify your triggers so you can plan what to do instead of smoking.  It really helps...nothing is going to do this FOR you and nothing is going to make it really easy but it CAN be done.

Ellen

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