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Just found this site while looking for aids to quit smoking. Where do I start. I feel I should go smoke just thinking about quitting- must quit! Help?
im the only one in my household who smokes and need someone to chat with
Everyone has the choice to do this any way they want. Here's how I got my head around quitting before I began without any stress or apprehension.
Laugh when you get a crave, out loud, whether you feel it or not. Hearing yourself will trigger a temporary break in your thinking. That's all it takes.
For real stubborn craves use sensory distractions read the link below.
Thank you. I think simply having a community to talk to will be a huge help. This is for my health my children and husband. No more "wait a minute while I smoke" or mouthwash and perfume before going into work.
Knowledge is key. Attitude is key.
NOT Fighting with yourself is key.
I hope you will read the links I gave you.
Long after people stop using nicotine memories and emotions that they have connected to smoking are what become the driving force behind cravings.
TIME IS THE HEALER.
Howdy and welcome. Support is what made THE difference in my quit. I think of quitting as a skill that can be learned. Just like any other skill, it takes commitment, education, dedication, and perseverance. We can assist with the education and motivation, but the commitment is entirely up to you. One area where you might spend some time reading would be the Best of EX The more you know about this addiction and your particular relationship to it, the better prepared and armed you'll be for the journey ahead. Have heart and keep your chin up! Quitting is incredibly empowering!
When I first thought about quitting, I called the quit line and when someone answered, I hung up! I then had what felt like a panic attack just thinking about quitting. That's how strong the addiction is! In order to quit, we must first accept that we're addicts and then learn how to deal with that addiction. I did eventually recall that quit line and six years ago, I put out my last cigarette.
All I can say is it's a journey and as with any journey, one must first prepare to do it. There will be lot's of reading for you to do as others come by, along with the links Dale has already given you. Do all of the studying you can! It could save your life by helping you to quit. When I quit, I used the patch. I call the patch "quitting on training wheels" because it doesn't totally take away the craves. Instead, you end up feeling them but it takes the edge off of them. This allows you to learn what it's like in the end after the last patch.
Quitting really is doable, even if it doesn't seem like it to you now. We've all felt the same fear of quitting that you're feeling now. And we've all gone through the first hard days. We'll be there with you as you fight for freedom. You won't have to feel alone at all. I wish you success and look forward to your freedom. All you have to do is get ready and take that first step.
ONWARD TO FREEDOM!!!
Chuck
Thank you. I'm struggling to figure out what my role is as I prepare for my quit date. I am reading all the info sent my way. I feel awkward smoking until my quit date. Like I need to get in all I can before "the day".
all you have to do is tell yourself to wait a little longer when you get the thought of smoking. It will get you off autopilot.
try it.
Very well said!
Welcome to our community!
I almost chain smoked up to my quit date.....so no worries about that. If you can do the delay exercises suggested here, all the better, but that just made me think about smoking all the time. May work for you, though.
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:
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You should also read the posts here and perhaps go the 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! 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
This is great stuff. I feel much more motivated! Thank you
Welcome to the community! You have been given very good advise and reading material in the previous comments so not much more that I can add - Best wishes to you!
I see that the "elders" have gotten you going - knew they would, they've been such a lifeline to me. Just so you know, there's plenty of newbies on the site as well as we struggle through the journey to freedom!
Welcome!!
Doug
Read and study and learn as much as you can. Quitting is hard but doing it is the best thing you can do for yourself. Here's more reading
Welcome to the site, you've got all kinds of information above me, please read the recommended links suggested plus read everything you can about quitting smoking and Remaining Quit because there's a wealth of information here to strengthen your resolve to quit smoking and Remain quit, stay close and prepare yourself for your 1st day of your upcoming quit because you can and will be successful one precious smoke free day at a time. Biscuit
I'm very much looking forward to that day. I have to hide my smoking from work and be sure I never smell like smoke. I will be very proud to honestly say I'm not a smoker.
It's going to happen for you Biscuit , read everything you can here which will help educate you on ways to kick the nicotine poison to the curb, stay close to this site, be willing, determined and totally committed to quitting and believe in yourself because Quitting smoking is definitely difficult but very Doable and worth it all to be FREE!
Welcome and congratulations on deciding to Quit! Be sure to check out the Carr book Nancy mentioned. And - stick around here! The support is wonderful!
Welcome to the site Biscuit you have come to the right place. I smoked for 47 years except for pregnancies and short term, failed quits. I came here and read everything that was recommended, I also came here every single morning and every single evening to blog or comment, to read what others were doing and HOW they were doing it. I will not tell you that it was easy for me because it wasn't but I will tell you that being educated about nicotine addiction and getting constant support made all the difference between this being just another failed quit and being successful for over three years. I am so happy being quit. I told EVERYONE when I quit, all of my family, all of my friends, seriously, anyone who would listen. It WORKED! It can work for you too. Please read everything that has been recommended by Youngatheart.7.4.12 as well as some blogs to help you get to know the people here.
Best,
Ellen
Hi there Biscuit! I just wanted to welcome you. Looks the crew took care of you with lots of reading material. Read read read. Blog blog blog....
Thank you!!
Welcome
What To Expect In The First Four Months