Can't seem to Stop

[heather_anne_00]

So I started Chantix almost 3 weeks ago and am down from over a pack a day to about 2 or 3. The problem is I am still obsessing about smoking and I don;'t know how to stop that. I have tried quitting so many times and have failed miserably. I want this to work this time, but am having trouble getting there.....

[courtney10]

Been there, done that. My problem seemed to be that it was all I could do to hold out for the 4 or 5 I "allowed" myself each day. Obsession is clearly the right word. I went to a hypnotist, then listened to self-hypnosis tapes for two hours every day for two weeks. Worked for me. I knew, and you know too, that eventually those few will sneak up to 10, then a pack, then I'm back to where I started. Don't give up. Find a way to get past this bump!

[heather_anne_00]

Maybe I can try hypnosis...guess it can't hurt. The difference this time tho is that I feel so terrible after smoking that I don't even want to again. But you are right about the 1 0r 2 quickly becoming 10 or 20.....I hate this....I just wish there was a way to stop without having to go through all this, but then I guess everyone would

[angel-m]

Tonight before you go to bed smoke that last cigarette and say "tomorrow is a new day in my life, I am more powerfull that a cigarette and I will refrain from smoking for good" Get rid of all cigarettes, ash trays, lighters. Stay away from smokers and the things that remind you of smoking, like that favorite seat on your patio or porch.

[Sylvia_Deitz]

Angel is right, Heather! As long as you're letting yourself have any nicotine at all, you are going to continue to crave it about every hour. Quitting has to be more important than anything. You have to put it first. This means don't tease your brain with a little nicotine here and there. Nicotine replaces the dopamine in your brain, so when you want to feel better, your brain thinks it needs a cigarette, but what it really needs is the dopamine which has stopped working because the nicotine replaced it. Once you've quit smoking for 6 months, the dopamine will come back and then you'll feel good all on your own. It takes time and being diligent and forceful with yourself...saying "no", Not One puff, Ever! You will continue to obsess or at least think about smoking most of the time for about 6 weeks or perhaps longer. Everyone is different. For me it was about that long. You have to make up your mind that no matter what you will not smoke...period!

[brian39]

Heather you have to set a quit date when your on Chantix, they suggest the 8th day after starting to take it. Chantix helps you quit. It will not make you quit on its own. Sooo set the date for lets say thursday morning and throw away all your cigs and start your quit. I used it and Im almost at a year. Its a great ad for a quit but you still have to quit, Join the Chantix group on this site and use it.

[lois2]

Heather when i was on chantix i did not quit until day 12 or 13 than i was ready they made me sick the cig.you can do it

[edith2]

Took me a long time(a few months)to stop obsessing about cigarettes. But it does stop; after you quit completely. Still smoking 2 or 3 is still feeding your addiction. Time to start your quit now.

[Susan24]

Hi Heather - I too quit by smoking less and less with Chantix. I was still smoking about a half a pack a day when I found this site and asked a very similar question in my first blog. For some reason, I was ready to let it sink in that day. I never intended to quit that morning - I decided to see if I could make it through the morning without smoking, then the afternoon and then a full day. That first step has turned into almost a month. So, tomorrow - see if you can get by with one cigarette and then none on Thursday. You are soooo ready....

[crystal12]

Quitting is never going to be easy...no matter what route you take. It is totally your mindset-you must be stronger then the addiction. I have tried to quit many times before too, one day I finally decided that I had enough. Enough of my life revolving around cigarettes! I will be smoke free for one month on Friday. I still think about it, but will never go back. You have to find it deep down within your self to beat it-you CAN do it~one day at a time. Buy some healthy snacks to munch on, and use your resources to vent!