Quitting Smoking

mightynintendo · 04-30-2010, 07:06 PM

So if I manage not to smoke today this will be my third day without cigarettes.

It's not getting any easier. I have no motivation to do anything and all I do is sit around thinking about smoking. I am even spending hours of my day looking at the different varieties of cigarette Camel offers, the nicotine content of each type, reviews, etc.. Last night I even dreamed about smoking.

I'm using Swedish snus to help curb my cravings. It works pretty well but it definitely isn't as satisfying. There must be something else in cigarettes I'm addicted to because the snus has way more nicotine than cigarettes and it's not really killing my cravings completely.

I just feel weird too. I bought a pack today out of habit but haven't opened it. It's sitting in my car. I can't throw it away either because the thought of not having a pack of cigarettes nearby terrifies me for some reason. I don't know. I really hope this gets easier.

**AZ_IPA** · 04-30-2010, 07:11 PM

It gets easier. If you can make it the next three days, you'll be surprised how much better you feel.

You'll still crave it though. Just don't get sucked into the devilish mind-set of "I'll just have one to make me feel better now."

You can do it! It's hard, but it can be done. Take a walk, drink some water, read. Take a walk. But don't light up.

It will feel strange as smoking was probably a huge part of your daily routine. After I quit chew, I remember getting into my truck and panicking. Did I have my spitter, was my can full enough, did I have a bottle to rinse with, etc. And this was months after I quit.

But, you can do it. Get made that the big cigarette companies are making huge profits by destroying your health. Keep a spreadsheet of how much money you are saving by not buying 'em. Use that money for something fun. You can do it!

AZ_IPA

tobacco free since 1/16/07

mightynintendo · 04-30-2010, 07:13 PM

Thanks AZ. Really helps to hear testimonials.

Another thing I've noticed is that drinking coffee is a terrible idea when you're trying to quit.

Pilgarlic · 04-30-2010, 07:17 PM

Just know this. You CANNOT have just one. You're finished. You don't smoke anymore. There is no grey area, no "I'll just have one." I've been off cigs for over a year now. I've done it before and each time I've fallen prey to that "I'll just have one" trap. It ALWAYS leads back to addiction, at least for me. Congratulations to you. You'll never smoke another cigarette. Life really is better without them, every day.

**AZ_IPA** · 04-30-2010, 07:18 PM

buy a bag of carrots or a box of straws and chew on them. You're also going through the mental withdrawl of smoking (that'll actually last longer than the physical withdrawl).

Don't give in to the urges - and quite honestly, tonight will be hell. It usually is on the third night.

Try to avoid activities that cause you to smoke - large meals, drinking, long drives, etc. - whatever your triggers are.

Let your family and friends know you'll be on a short trigger soon, because that's what the **** does to you when you're body is withdrawing from the nicotine.

If you really, really, really want to quit - you can.

I spent several years of half-assed quiting, before I finally said enough is enough. I still wish I could have a good cigar, but I won't because my next stop would be to buy a can of chew.

Ya coffee or any excess caffeine probably isn't a good idae!

hang in there buddy.

**AZ_IPA** · 04-30-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgarlic

Just know this. You CANNOT have just one. You're finished. You don't smoke anymore. There is no grey area, no "I'll just have one." I've been off cigs for over a year now. I've done it before and each time I've fallen prey to that "I'll just have one" trap. It ALWAYS leads back to addiction, at least for me. Congratulations to you. You'll never smoke another cigarette. Life really is better without them, every day.

If you do fall into the "have one" trap - try this. Take one out of the pack and destroy the other 19 by whatever means possible so you can't smoke them. That will get financially burden some really quick!

(I did this with chew during my half-ass attempts to quit. One dip, and the rest of the can out the window)

Pilgarlic · 04-30-2010, 07:23 PM

That method wouldn't work for me. There isn't enough money in the world to hold me back on that slippery slope. The first step (down) is waaaaaaaaaaaay easier than the walk back up to smoke-free. For me, I know it's all or nothing. I simply can't manage anything in between.

**lschiavo** · 04-30-2010, 07:23 PM

Best of luck with it. I have been putting off quitting for a while now. I did quit a while back for about 6 months. Why did I ever go back?...so stupid!

A big part of cigarettes is the physical addiction but for me I think I am at least equally dependent on the ritual habit. Try to find an alternative activity you can do when you get the cravings. Anything that will take your mind off of it for a while will help.

You're off to a good start. Stick to your guns!

**AZ_IPA** · 04-30-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgarlic

That method wouldn't work for me. There isn't enough money in the world to hold me back on that slippery slope. The first step (down) is waaaaaaaaaaaay easier than the walk back up to smoke-free. For me, I know it's all or nothing. I simply can't manage anything in between.

yeah, that's why I added the ( did this with chew during my half-ass attempts to quit)

I, too, finally realized I just can't have any nicotine, unless I want to continue being an adict. So, I gave it all up cold turkey and plan to never have any again.

mightynintendo · 04-30-2010, 07:30 PM

Thanks I really don't know what my limitations on this are. I've tried to go without smoking for extended periods of time but never make it much further than a couple days at most. I just start obsessing about it. Every day this week I get up and tell myself that I'll smoke one cigarette tomorrow. It's a lot easier to not smoke in the morning than in the evening for me. So I smoked one on Monday and one on Tuesday but since then I've been able to hold off. Tonight is Friday night and I'm bringing a couple kegs of home brew to a house party where they're grilling so this will be a challenge. If i can get through this tonight without a cigarette that will be huge.

Luckily there's an ex smoker there so maybe he can help.