How can a person who is trying to quit smoking, quit smoking on their own without a or any support team?
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How can a person who is trying to quit smoking, quit smoking on their own without a or any support team?
So your answer is no, since you are still smoking, right?
If you are here, I am wondering why you are asking this question? You could, theoretically, just go to the various quit smoking sites (here and whyquit.com, quitsmokingonline.com, livewell.com) and read all the offerings and the blogs and responses.
If you don't want to go it alone, you are certainly welcome here!
Nancy
Keep Them Away From Your Face
I couldn't. At least not without this support group right here. I've had physical support groups of a sort before. But it was family members who have never smoked and friends who gave up 15-20 years ago and had forgotten a lot of the day to day things I was going through. So they weren't much help.
This group is ideal for me. We have long-term quitters with all kinds of wisdom, people a little ahead of me to warn me of what's just around the corner, my quit-buddies who quit about the same time and share my experience, and those just behind that I can help out. Who could ask for more in a support group?
I know of many people who have successfully quit without a support system/site. But in my experience it was much easier to do with this site and the people here to help. Hope you decide to stick around.
Read Allen Carr's book! It's on this site for free. I have been smoke free for 3 days......that book change the way I feel and think about ciggys. This book was the game changer for me. Read it and you will be a non smoker and you will never look at a person smoking with envy. Everytime I have attempted to stop smoke in the past, I have craved a ciggy for months. I read this book and now those cravings do not exist anymore.
I think perhaps the meaning of your question has come to me (doh!). You are asking if you can quit smoking by yourself without using a Nicotine Replacement Therapy? If so, please do the reading I will suggest and you will better understand your options.
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 Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. Here is a link to a free PDF version of it:
http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf
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 A good many people here have been successful going "Cold Turkey," or what we like to call "Smart Turkey." The nicotine is out of your body pretty much in a few days, and then it's just your body adjusting to life without it.
If you go the NRT (nicotine replacement) 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! Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:
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
I have quit several times in my life without any support. However I eventually relapsed with each one. But not the last time which was over 11 years ago. The reason why this one stuck, I believe, is due mostly to support. Quitting is difficult, but maintaining a quit is the trick. Support helps equally with both.
I have quit before but they never lasted. This one is the longest with support. Some do some don't some can, some won't. Are you "trying" to quit. We get rid and the try and do. There is success here.
You have a support team right here! Read, read, and read some more. Then start writing. Get all your fears and concerns out. "Better out than in!" You will find people who have been there and can help. You can do it! Stay positive and come here whenever you need to and as often as you need to.
Torrell_87 I have quit on my own more than once but like Giulia, all of those quits ended in failure. I am so happy to have found this site because I found people who have been where I have been and who are willing to spend time helping me and others to commit to a quit.
I did not use any NRT's , I got sick and I quit while I was ill, I never went back to smoking but I had been on this site in the months previous to that time, I had made a list of my triggers and how I would handle them without smoking. I had a "Quit Kit." I had read blogs and I realized how committed the people on this site were. I went to several sites but I landed here and have been here for more than 3 1/2 years...smoke free.
Let us know if you want support, if you have questions, let us know if they have been answered. I DO know of people who quit smoking without support, just like I know alcoholics who quit drinking without support. In my opinion, the support is absolutely vital to a growing quit.
Ellen
This site was a God send...stumbled upon it somehow. Knowledge and Power came from this site. Yes I had support living and breathing here with me as well, but through this site is was able to communicate much better, and clearer understanding of my needs for their support.
We're ALL here to support this great choice to quit!
Kathy 457 DOF
Only you have the control to quit. It is nice to have people to talk to who have walked in your shoes... but in the end it is YOU alone. Only you have the power to make that choice. You can do this!
I not only found support here, I found knowledge and wisdom. Could I have done it on my own? Maybe, ....but it was a lot more doable and enjoyable being among friends who understand me and share in my experience of EXer. So I can't give you advice on how to go without support. I wonder why you would want to. Aren't you making quitting harder than it has to be? Believe me, it's not easy as it is! But it is doable!
because of the people on this site I have only quit once, over 900 days ago! and I come here when I can to say THANK YOU.
Why are you quitting? and who are you quitting for? You might want to write out your reasons for quitting. Little things like your health, the pressure, expense, obnoxious habit, monkey on your back. Once you're clear as to why you are quitting and who benefits then it's all up to you. No one can quit for you. Get a grip and show your body some love.
I did it. I felf so healthy. But after three months started to to smoke again. Plain stupidity from my side. Good luck