Trying to stop the ciggerette addiction by cutting down

[angelstar1949]

I can not take any kind of the perscriped medcines, I refuse to buy the patch because I still will be addicted to the nicotine..I have been told the best way is to cut back slowly...looking and really need that ciggerette or is it a habit to pick one up without realizing I am doing this...Just wondered has anyone else tried this way of slowly weaning yourself off the nicotine.?  This came from some people that is has worked for.

[nicole]

I slowed for 3 days.  On those 3 days i had no more than 4 cigs...... on the first day that i had no cigs...it was a little easier cause i was thinking about it...but not like i had done the days before.  The days before i was like...ok i can smoke at this time this time and this time.  On the day that i quit... i was like no your not.  So the thinking was different.  I know that in terms of withdrawal...it takes three days for the nicotine to get out of your system.  Im not sure what would be good advice....I used the gum when i quit for 4 days.  Even with "weaning" yourself off your still having nicotine in your system...I know that the nrt's instructions say to use them for like 6 weeks....ya there was no way i was gonna use them for that long.....but thats the way that theyre suggested to use...maybe to make sure your mental addiction is broke? ? (or way for them to make more money???)     Sorry i cant be more help!!   

[danielle18]

 I thought cutting back would be the best for me, but it has been two months since I quit. I had to do it cold turkey, If not I would still be smoking today.

[Mary84]

Cutting back helped me considerably, and I highly recommend this method.  It gives you the chance to really think about the cigs you are smoking and why you are smoking--assigning a reason or emotion to it!  And, putting space around your biggest triggers is immensely helpful.    Each time you challenge the urge to smoke you weaken the addiction and your resolve to quit and the knowledge that you can resist, will give you the encouragement and strength you need to know you CAN do it.   

[christine8]

I did not do well on the medications either and I still smoked while on the patch (NOT good!) 

I used Acupuncture.  It was a group class, so I also had the added benefit of group support.  I don't think that individual acupuncture would have worked for me.  I needed someone to hold me accountable and praise my success.

Other than the needles in my ears & wrists, the Vitamin C & Herbal Tea, Relaxation EFT, and the acupressure BB's.  I would say it is almost like quitting cold turkey.  The only difference was, it seemed so much easier. 

I don't know if it was/is subconscious, but it worked.  Sure I was a little irritable for the first 2 weeks, but sticking with it was more important to me than giving up and giving in.  I think being able to calm and relax yourself makes the biggest difference.

[juan.rosario]

i've exhausted all quitting options, with the exception of cold turkey.  i think Danielle makes a good point, 4 months, congrats.  I will try that.

[ciara]

 like this option and it worked for me

[ciara]

 like this option and it worked for me

[ciara]

 like this option and it worked for me

[pat13]

I just celebrated my 13th month smoke free, and I quit cold turkey.  I didn't think I could do it, but I did and now I truly believe cold turkey is the way to go.  www.whyquit.com has tons of info on cold turkey quitting.  Congrats and good luck to all of you!

[brian39]

I think the faster you get nic out of your body the better. Cutting back just prolongs what your trying to do and makes the hard part of  your quit last so much longer. If you can't take any meds cold turkey is the way. 

[Sylvia_Deitz]

I'm with the other cold turkeyers.  I smoked for 50 years and quit cold turkey.  Sure it was hard at first, but it kept getting easier each day.  When you gradually quit, you're just postponing the inevitable.  It's been proven after a year more cold turkey quitters stay quit than any other way.  It's been 14 months for me and I will never go back to that old ball and chain!

[seg0425]

 I quit using strong mints that way it took my breath away like a cigarette did. Then I eventually just quit having the cravings. But when I had the cravings I just kept eating the mints.

[seg0425]

 I quit using strong mints that way it took my breath away like a cigarette did. Then I eventually just quit having the cravings. But when I had the cravings I just kept eating the mints.

[Susan24]

I cut back for a few weeks before I quit , but I was taking Chantix.  I found that I learned a lot about my smoking during that time.  I also learned some great coping skills that helped me after I smoked my last cigarette.  For instance, I used to smoke 3-4 cigs on my way home from work (it's a hour drive but soooo boring).  I cut back to 3, then 2 and then none.  But be careful with this technique - the cigarette becomes the "reward" and it could make it harder to actually quit.   I think that you must  truly look at fighting off the cravings as a learning/coping technique to help you when you quit.

Good Luck and check back to let us know how you are doing.

[ctm]

I could never make it work.  Here is some more info written by a world-class stop smoking counselor.  I wish you the best.

http://www.whyquit.com/joel/Joel_01_13_gradual_withdrawal.html

[JonesCarpeDiem]

The month before I had my last cigarette, I tested my abilities by saying I would wait a little longer before I would smoke. When I saw I could do that. The time between smokes became longer and longer until I knew I was ready to quit.

Cutting out a certain amount per day is denial and becomes torture the more you continue.

Qutting the way I did was empowering and I never denied myself so I never felt I was missing out on anything.

I used the patch for 10 of my first 15 days when I finally quit.

da

le

3 years soon

[jenn-c]

Cutting back never worked for me.  I quit cold turkey...68 days ago.

[finalquit]

Of all long term former smokers, 92% quit cold turkey.  Punishing yourself and causing constant withdrawal in the days approaching your final quit can cause fear and anxiety that doesn't help the quit.  Nicotine withdrawal takes 3 days, why draw it out?

[dawn4]

Angelstar!!!  The best way to quit is whatever works for YOU!

I have seen that what works for one may or may not work for another.  We're glad to offer our experiences and support to help you get free from this addiction, but if you find a way is NOT working for you.........do it again another way.  do it again until you get it right. 

quitting this drug is not easy.  but it is worth it.  You are worth it! 

[dawn4]

FinalQuit.... where'd you get that stat!!  i want it!!!  🙂