quiting smoking

Beëlzebooze

I need a kind of 'smokers anonymous' group. Are there any ex-smokers out there? what did you do in the first week of not smoking any more?

I am on my first 24 hours, and I have resisted all temptation so far, and I need to know if it is going to get easier or more difficult from here on in.

Also I decided not to use a crutch, no patches, no inhalers, chewing gum, no chocolate biscuits (allthough I might get myself a big bag of apples later on)

so how did you quit?

patch

Read Allen Carrs easyway to stop smoking. Tis your best bet.
Once you read it, you'll have no cravings.
Part of the process is that you are allowed to smoke while you read it.

I, and he, promise you that if you read it cover to cover, you'll stop smoking.

Beruthiel

Originally posted by patch
Read Allen Carrs easyway to stop smoking. Tis your best bet.

yup
my bloke read that last Nov. and hasn't smoked since

Beëlzebooze

I have it, and I have read it. it did nothing for me when I read it, but maybe I should read it again NOW to strengthen my conviction!

Thanks patch and ruthie, good idea!

Evil Phil

Use a patch or something if it gets too hard, they're better than cigarettes. Seriously they do help bring of the cravings down to a managable level. Familiarise yourself with the effects of lung cancer and if possible get that information from somebody surviving a lung cancer victim. That's what worked for me*.

The first 48 hours are the hardest what ever you do, if you've made it passed that then you're up and running. You'll start noticing your fitness improving in the next few days, eat loads of veggies and enjoy being healthy. Remember that if you do break and smoke a cigarette that's no reason to give up giving up.

And on a more personal note well done you


*Technically throat cancer but it was caused by smoking

Evil Phil

Oh, and smell people who smoke. Stand beside them and take a deep breath through you nose. You've smelled that bad for years. It's horrible.

robo

Yeh I read Allen Carrs book 3 years ago...and when i finished the book, I was deteremined, but after a few hours, I was back on them!!

but I was in a different state of mind this summer, and I finally picked it up again, this time I went for the bigger version "The Only Way To Stop Smoking" and well 13 weeks later I still don't want a cigarette!
The odd time I would like one, but the main times I want one are during good times, like when I passed my driving test and bought a new car!! They were the main times that I craved one!!!

You really need to be in the right frame of mind!!! You must really want to do it!!! And if so, read the book, but make sure that you are taking it in and it all makes sense to you. Stop reading it, if you are only reading for the sake of it. That won't do you any good.

Also I know a few people who found Allen Carr arogant and repetitive, I can see why, but I got over that and just sat back and took in the book and what he had to say!

Any way, thats what I have to say on the matter. Good luck!

One last thing, with the book, I got no withdrawls and didn't need gum or patches!

Beëlzebooze

The first 48 hours are the hardest what ever you do, if you've made it passed that then you're up and running.

I'm going to hold you to that Evil Phil

but seriously, at this very moment I'm fine, but in about an hour I will be fighting it. I might go over to the chemist later and buy something to treat myself, patches or gum or something.


by the way, do the patches give you a buzz like the first ciggy of the day would?

Evil Phil

No they don't give you a buzz but they do stop you from wanting to kick the **** out of everybody.

Imposter

I found that patches don't help at all.

What you need to do is get the isea of having a cig out of your head. Slapping a big patch on your arm is going to give you nicotine (which may reduce the cravings a little initially) but also remind you of what you're doing (or more correctly not doing).

Yavvy

there is a book called the Nicotien trick by Neil casey. Its a fancy bit of brian washing... works better than Allen Carr IMO

patch

Don't use any patches!!! At the very least, read the book first!

Your already over the worst of it, using a patch will only drag you back to square one.

Your doing great, stick with it a little longer, how you feel only lasts a matter of minutes. Once you accept that, you'll have beaten the feckin things.

Emboss

3 weeks off them today hasn't been to bad so far smoker the last 10 years 20-30 a day... after the first 4-5 days of actuall withdraw the rest seems to be just in the head stopping any habbit you have done 30 times a day for 10 years isn't going to be easy

i think the key for me so far has been taken the importance away from smoking....don't talk about not smoking try not counting the days

don't take up other habbits to replace like it like chewing gums or bitening your nails this is all given the importance back to the smoke

good luck....

and the money you save i worked it out at nearly 4k a year for me

Beëlzebooze

how you feel only lasts a matter of minutes. Once you accept that, you'll have beaten the feckin things.

I have noticed that, it's like this little "thing" is missing from my routine, like every hour go outside and have a fag. At the moment I am having the cravings about twice an hour. but they only last for a couple of minutes max.

anyway, I'll stay at it, and if I can beat the buggers, then anyone can. If I relapse I will mention it here, but I think I am in for the long haul now!

robo

Well best of luck Beëlzebooze, and let us know how it goes.

Believe me, it does get better!!! And the money in your pocket lasts longer!!!

oneweb

I know at least 3 people who have given up at different stages during the year and are still off them (months). The vital thing seems to be to avoid 'just the one' temptation. Some ppl, when they give up giving up, seem to go back on them harder, and it gets easier as time goes by.

I have to say I have noticed a change for the better in ppl I know who've stopped. Not only do they not wreak of the ciggy smell, but they seem to become more confident and generally more upbeat

To those who are still off them, I admire your attitude. To those trying, best of luck - it will be worth it.

matrim

The hardest part isn't the first 48 hours, the hardest part is the first time you go for a night out.

Imposter

Originally posted by Beëlzebooze
I have noticed that, it's like this little "thing" is missing from my routine, like every hour go outside and have a fag. At the moment I am having the cravings about twice an hour. but they only last for a couple of minutes max.

anyway, I'll stay at it, and if I can beat the buggers, then anyone can. If I relapse I will mention it here, but I think I am in for the long haul now!

Another small thing: I found staying out of smoky atmosphere's (pubs) for the first few days really helps. After them few days it's not so bad as the smell and stuff makes you wonder why you ever smoked rather than making you want to smoke.

Anyways, best of luck with it.

Paddy20

THAT damned temporary craving is the largest hurdle, at least it was {Still is!}with me. Thankfully, I learned very quickly that it- wears off- after a few minutes, although the length of time it takes to vanish seems to vary from person to person.

However, if when it hits you. Be bloody determined not to give in, WAIT FIVE MINUTES !, and the compulsion to light up should have vanished, and you will probably have forgotten the desire even raised its ugly head, and you have WON! again.

In a nutshell. Tell yourself that you are a NON-SMOKER, and that you are not going to smoke today!. Saying you have given up forever!, can feel like that is such a big deal, that it is to hard to cope with, and will raise your anxiety level, dangerous!.

If you can reduce- not smoking- to not lighting up for ONE more minute. Then your chance of beating this nicotine addiction, is greatly increased.

Thats about it. One minute at a time, leads to one day at a time, and we can only live our lives, one day at a time!.

Oh, and YES!, "IT GETS EASIER".

Good luck.

P.:cool: :ninja: Note: I am now five years off the fags and a lot wealthier and healthier, and strangely happier as well!.;)

patch

Another thing I find is that every time you crave it's for a different reason. Maybe picking up the phone, or making a cuppa or whatever.

I find that if you tell yourself you've beaten that particular scenario, and the next one.

Eventually you'll have beaten all the points at which you would have lit up!

Beëlzebooze

Another thing I find is that every time you crave it's for a different reason. Maybe picking up the phone, or making a cuppa or whatever.

yeah threads like this don't help either

Mac daddy

Just keep it up think off all the money you will save: ) I'm off the smokes since the start of july, no patches what made give them up was i woke up one morning started coughing and coughing ran to the bathroom i coughed up a lump of brown/green ****e, after seeing that i said that is it.
It is the carvings that are the killer but they only last for 2-3 minutes.
Keep it up you will get there

logic

The addicition is just psychological, hence the reason
Allen Carrs book works, telling yourself your a non-smoker
helps and the quickest way to get rid of a craving is to stop
thinking about it and go do something to take your mind off
it.

I noticed as well with myself that when I gave them up
I had a better outlook.

taiwo

My boyfriend told me that he thought it a disgusting habit, and that he doesn't like kissing an ashtray, so I quit.

That was a year and 2 months ago, and I haven't smoked since.

First 2 weeks were bad, as even just the smell of someone else smoking drives one mad, but it gets easier after a month or so.

Now the smell of someone else smoking even bothers me..

ur mentor

Waht worked for me---eventually--- was to just look at that piece of white paper wrapped around some dried leaves and refuse to let myself be persuaded that it was in charge of me.
It really does get easier.
I gave up 3 times every time I went back I smoked more per day until finally up to 60 on a daywhen I didn't go out 4 a few pints.
Boy do I hate the smell of a fag now.
stick withit. take upa spor tif u can find one and u will quickly replace the symptoms.
try to ahng out with non smokers too.

EKRIUQ

I read Allen Carrs book 4 years ago and put my giving up solely to reading the book, because its not about what your going to sacrifice but what your going to gain by being off the cigarettes

Beëlzebooze

I went for a couple of pints last night, NO FAGS!

I must say that while I was in the pub the cravings where not too bad, but on the way home it got pretty bad. But I recon that I am proud of myself, and I am not going to let myself down by starting again. So no smokes.

btw, I was in a shop today, and without sounding like an arrogant smartass, I could smell the smokers as they walked by me!

Beruthiel

Originally posted by Beëlzebooze
I went for a couple of pints last night, NO FAGS!

good for you!

robo

Originally posted by Beëlzebooze

btw, I was in a shop today, and without sounding like an arrogant smartass, I could smell the smokers as they walked by me!

Yeh know what you mean. i couldn't smell it before, but now I get it, especially if someone walks into a room just after having a smoke!

So how are you going now?

Beëlzebooze

well the weekend was ok, no major problems.

But I am back at work at the moment, and this afternoon I nearly tried to set fire to my workstation I was so desperate for a smoke!

the craving is still lingering in the background, I can feel it waiting to jump me when I am least expecting it, but so far so good.

ur mentor

u will get cravings from time to time. i had one at the weekend after some 6 years.
Can u imagine!
At this stage I can 'look at the craving' and be amazed by it.
good for you.
after a while u will have to dump alot of ur old clothes especially coats, jackets and wool stuff.
I even had to dump a wool rug in the living room once. the smell was driving me mad.
start trying to id what is in the food u eat- by smell. can be fun- unless u eat big macs- then close nose as u eat!

Lenny

I haven't had a smoke Since Saturday nite(early hours)
So I am of them about 36 hours nowmeself
This is proberly because due to the fact I had no smokes left yesterday and I stayed in and lazed around all day and today aswell.
I am not allowed to smoke in the house because its a smoke free house and its not broken in, so if yea have a smoke it lasts for days.
I'm about to go to the pub now and have a few drinks, I think I am actualy gona try stick this out. thoug i do always go for a day or two without smokes, but after reading this I might actualy give it a shot, I cna just feel the nastyness of my chough comming on, and due to it comming into winter, smokers suffer a lot from weak lungs etc.

Beëlzebooze

It is not as hard as I thought it would be, the occasional craving is easily dealt with. It's those BIG MOFO CRAVINGS, the ones on steroids that urge you to set fire to pedestrians and little children
just so you can suck up some irritants and carcinogens.

Lenny, I hope you stay off 'em.

Beëlzebooze

23:22 f*ck me, I SO want a smoke

but I'd rather slit my goddamn throat than have one and dissapoint myself!

RRRARAAAAAAAAAGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!¬!

Beëlzebooze

ahem, sorry for that!

Paddy20

If you managed to get through a "weekend" without a fag. The working week should not be any worse. Just remember, do not succumb to that craving, that is just waiting to catch you offguard.

It should now begin, to become easier!, another thing that really helped me was drinking plenty of plain water. Rather than tea or coffee.

Keep it up, a minute or day at a time, whatever it takes.

You are now an EX- Smoker right ?...

P.:ninja:

robo

Originally posted by Beëlzebooze
23:22 f*ck me, I SO want a smoke

but I'd rather slit my goddamn throat than have one and dissapoint myself!

RRRARAAAAAAAAAGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!¬!

Did you get a copy of the Allen Carr book? Seriously, that will help. Get it and it will help your mind, cos giving up the fags is mainly mind over matter!!! really go out and get it and read it! You will feel much better!

But keep it up!

Peace

Giving up smoking is the best thing you could ever do....its a truly digusting habit.

Nice one, keep going.

Beëlzebooze

I have always known it is a disgusting habit, but I started so I could engage in social interaction with 'wimin'.

now I am older and wiser, I need my health more than I need nookie.

Anyhoo, I promised myself that I will save all the euro 5.64 's a day 'till Xmas and buy myself a nice scope with it. Thats (approx 90 x 5.64) 507 euro's. My LFSO* has said that she will double the ammount I save on my health ( yes, save on my health, not fags!!) and that is the budget for my scope.


*LFSO = Lego Friendly Significant Other.

Beëlzebooze

I DON'T WANT one

and that is the god's honest truth

but my feeble brain thinks it does.

I REFUSE to give in, I know I am stronger than this, this is not even mind over matter, it is mind over fiction!

this has become a matter of principle , I, Me, will win this battle. You, nicotine, might as well give up now!

*I would light a kitten for the sensation! GAHHHHHH!!!!!!*

rubadub

micro tabs are brilliant especially if you only smoke(d) while drinking. the hit off them is almost instant and very strong. i never liked the thought of all day patches as i smoked on and off.
i only used about 6 tablets and have been off since, coming up on my 4th year. i used to carry tablets especially when hitting the pub

Paddy20

If you "DO NOT" want one, then DO NOT have one, give it- FIVE minutes- for the MADNESS to GO AWAY. IT WILL!.

P.:ninja:

WhiteWashMan

OK, i promised i wouldnt post on boards again without good reason.
and as far as im concerned, this is a great reason.


im actually very surprised this thread hasnt been spammed to death, but anyway.....

i read the allen carr book.
everyone knows this. ive told anyone that will half listen to me to read it. i preach the book like its the 3rd testament of the bible.
as far as im concenred, this book saved my life.
it also changed my life considerably in so many ways.
it is not everyones cup of tea, but i truely believe that if you dont give up after reading it, you dont want to give up.
and the only way to stop smoking, is to simply not smoke. sounds simple, but it isnt.
there is no will power way to give up. using will power insinuates that you still want to smoke, but are just depriving yourself of something.
i dont want to smoke anymore. i dont have pangs. i had no withdrawl symptons. i wasnt irritable or narky (more than usual ) i just stopped.
just like that.
i just stopped smoking.
i didnt have a 'last' smoke.
there was no ceremony. i just read the book, and half way through, i stopped smoking.

and i discovered something funny. i discovered that i became a preachy ex smoker
ok, now im not one to get on a soapbox about smoking, because i was there for 10 years. you all know what its like to listen to bloody non smokers talk about cancer etc.
so i dont preach about cancer etc. all i say is that if you want to give up, read the book and give it a go. you will give up when you want to.
but i became a preachy ex smoker in the way that i realised just how fúcking wonderful the world is when you dont have a small cigarette crutch in your life. i discovered the joy of being able to breath without using an inhaler when it got cold. of being able to play sport without wheezing and stopping every ten seconds. i found it enlightening in the morning being able to get about my business without the need to cough up several phlem balls of black/brown gunk. i stopped sneezing and coughing. i found my sense of smell and taste coming back. and i wanted to tell eveyone how wonderful it is to be a non smoker. not how great it is to be an ex smoker, but how great it is to be a non smoker. thinka bout it, theres a difference.

and to all the people who have given up smoking, i say well done. fair bloody dues to you. its wonderful to be alive!

for anyone that reads the book, i think they will all agree that they things said in it really make sense. the whole idea of the crutch, the idea that smokers feel they wont enjoy themselves without a cigarette, when non-smokers manage to do just fine
the idea of not smoking feeling like you are gicving up something. when that isnt the case.
its a case of gaining so much more.
but after 10 years of smoking, i was very cynical about it. but the book does use real brainwashing techniques
only useful if you have a brain though
and it does work, you just really want to give up smoking.

so for anyone who is thinking of giving up, if you really want to, its dead easy. just stop. rad the book. it helps. its not the reason you give up, it just points out the blaringly obvious to you. youre the only one that will make yourself stop smoking.
so good luck Beelzebooze.
its real easy mate. the actual nicotine addiction only lasts for two weeks and it isnt a strong addiction., its just the most addicitive substance in the world. one puff of a smoke will get you hooked again. thats why only one puff can make you start again. after that, its purely psychological. this where the book helps.

by the way, this is also why gum and other things dont help. you are not getting rid of the nicotine, how ar eyou going to stop?

although it has to be said, the smell of a cigarette, and the thought of lighting up in the morning actually has the physical effect of making me want to throw up.

so good luck everyone who is stopping. good luck to everyone who has stopped but went back on. keep trying. the only losers are the people who give up trying to stop.

oh, and as an incentive, i know have approximately 1800 quid a year more in my pocket. you may have to purchase bigger pants:)

Lucutus

Must buy that Carr book and have a read of it, been meaning to for quite some time, it's just that smoking gives substance to air...I'm addicted, can you tell?

Beruthiel

Originally posted by WhiteWashMan
im actually very surprised this thread hasnt been spammed to death, but anyway.....

and I would like to keep it that way everybody!
I believe this thread is very helpful for those wishing to quit/stay off the fags - so I shall be deleting anything I find not helpful in an attempt to keep this thread open for the duration

Lucutus only read the book if you have decided you wish to give up for good, I believe it would only be useful under those circumstances
I say that because otherwise you will read it and go, ya, ya, whatever and then continue to smoke
thus the book could be less helpful when the time comes for you to really need it
note - this is just my opinion
perhaps the readers of the book are of a different one?

Imposter

Originally posted by Beruthiel
Lucutus only read the book if you have decided you wish to give up for good, I believe it would only be useful under those circumstances
I say that because otherwise you will read it and go, ya, ya, whatever and then continue to smoke
thus the book could be less helpful when the time comes for you to really need it
note - this is just my opinion
perhaps the readers of the book are of a different one?

I'd agree with you here. I lent my copy to a friend, he said he read the first chapter and last I heard the book is aiding in keeping a table from rocking!

I used the book after trying patches and other gimmicks on and off for about 6 months. Stopped smoking after finishing the book and haven't looked back since.

Beëlzebooze

everything WWM has said in that post is true.

I read the alan carr book about two years ago. but it did nothing for me, I NOW accept that I didn't want to give up at that point.

Last wednesday, I went outside for a smoke, at about 10 O'clock in the morning. I haven't smoked since. That was the last one, but not like "this is going to be my last ciggy". I was a smoker up untill I finished that fag!!!! no more!

I'm starting to get a grip on the cravings, they don't bother me half as much as they did. To be honest, quiting is a hell of a lot easier than I thought. But it does only work if you want to quit.

I am not using any nicotine products, I want rid of it all together, and I am keeping a sharp eye on my eating habits. I have hards from a few people that they would eat more when they went of the fags.

motorbass

I'm off them 2 months and feel great now. First 4 weeks were an absolute killer. During the 3rd week I went to the chemist and got a nicorette inhaler cause I was cli9mbing the walls and about to buy a pack - used that for a week and then forgot about it.

Joining a gym and trying to get fit has helped - not smoking makes the gym easier.

I'm allowing myself the odd cigar at the weekend if I feel like it.

Paddy20

motorbass,

You HAVE NOT!- *stopped smoking* - If Quote; " You are allowing yourself the odd cigar at the weekend " If I feel like it"!, end quote.

There are no HALF measures with "Stopping Smoking". You either STOP completely! - and that includes the odd cigar! - or you are still a SMOKER!.

I have seen far to many people end up back on the fags "big time" because- they thought- they could enjoy the "odd cigar". It can not be done. Keep that up and I swear you will be back on the fags in no time!.

Give up properly, now.

P.:ninja:

Imposter

I have to agree with Paddy here (for a change).

Either you smoke or you don't. There's no in between. This also goes for people who only smoke when they're drinking. If they do it regularly (as opposed to a once-off time which is really a once-off, or a slight unplanned lapse) then they are smokers.

Motorbass it's your choice if you smoke or not but to call yourself a non-smoker when you smoke regularly is lying to us and most of all to yourself (if you truly believe it).

motorbass

"to call yourself a non-smoker when you smoke regularly is lying to us and most of all to yourself "

I never referred to myself a non-smoker so ease up on the preaching there nancy.