I quit cold turkey. My father who was a smoker 30 years ago gave me this advice, and I used it. It is what sustained me through the craves.
1) Your brain will always tell you it wants a ciggarette. So tell your brain when it wants one, that you are going to go to the store in 5 minutes and buy a pack. After the 5 minutes goes by, the crave will be over. I promise.
I had to do that sometimes 5 times an hour. It really works. I understand that because of my addiction my brain will always want nicotine. Always. For the rest of my life. When I comprehended that my brain will always crave, it actually became ....well..."easy." When the triggers would happen, I didn't take it as a sign of weakness that I felt so desperate for a smoke. I took it as simply my brain wants it right now. Not ME. I had to take a moment to allow my brain to settle down, and feel it's crave.
Went to Chicago last weekend with friends to a Steelers bar for the superbowl. I live in WI but I am a huge Viking fan. Since the Packers were in the Superbowl, I wanted the Steelers to win. I partied all night, and not once did I miss smoking. Not once! I smelled people smoking and it is so empowering to know that the longer you quit, the farther removed smoking becomes.
I will die someday. Quitting smoking wont change that. But I am glad that I quit, because while I am alive....I want to breathe.
Life at it's fullist.
