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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/1/2009 6:48:06 PM | Okay, I'm done with this...I really am.
But the fears are there...****iness, gaining weight, etc.
However, I was recently accepted into a program for Smoking Treatment and Anxiety Management through the local college. Well, quite frankly, I feel like a guinea pig. But, hey, if it works, I'm all for it. They offer counseling, the patches, and it's all free if you're accepted. I was.
But I have to ask. For those of you that quit, what was your biggest issue? I love the idea of counseling and I'm all for it. Boss says I'll talk their ear off in group counseling. I think it will help though.
I know some people can just quit "cold turkey" but I'm not that one. I have done it in the past but, obviously, started again.
Please tell me how you quit. What did you do differently to not think about it? | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/1/2009 7:25:04 PM | | I quit about a year and a half ago, using Zyban and the gum. The patches made me crazy and irritable, but the gum was just right. I had started working out about a year earlier, and that really helped me through it. I have gained a lot of weight, but I'm still working on it. I only started gaining after the 6th month. Crazy. That's a depressing side effect. I suspect it has as much to do with discontent about the rest of my life as quitting smoking, though. | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/1/2009 10:05:49 PM | I made sure I couldn't drive to the store to buy cigarettes...I fractured my right heel and was in a cast for 7 weeks. It was the middle of winter so walking was out of the question. No one would drive me to the store for cigarettes.
I did end up putting on about 40 pounds. But it was not only due to the cigarettes. I had problems from my time in the cast and I was off my foot with a few surgeries for a year. Eating became my friend during the recuperation time.
That weight gain boosted me up where I was a candidate for weight loss surgery. So I have taken off the initial weight gain and then some. With a new exercise program I'll have the rest off soon. | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/3/2009 8:35:46 AM |
Please tell me how you quit. What did you do differently to not think about it?
You have to change your lifestyle to some extent. Stay out of bars or social functions where people smoke, don't drink, and quit hanging out with smokers. Staying friendly is one thing, but you can't hangout with smokers and expect to not smoke when you are trying to quit.
As far as weight game... try chewing gum instead. Those times when you normally want a cigarette, do something else. Walk around the block. Hell, go running and it will show really quickly what smoking does to your lungs (if you weren't active before). | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/3/2009 2:50:30 PM | | hi.. very good for you....... seriously, I prayed with my whole heart... it wasnt like I was asking for money or a hit on ..lets say my ex, I was asking for something that was definitely in Gods Will... so in complete trust I gave it to God and one day became one week and one week became 15 yrs... many blessings for health | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/6/2009 8:34:44 PM | cannabis.
and you don't have to smoke it  | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/6/2009 8:58:13 PM |
cannabis.
and you don't have to smoke it
Yeah, but you'll gain a TON of weight from the munchies! | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/6/2009 9:34:16 PM | I really just made the decision that I didn't want to. I intentionally did not make it into a drawn out drama for myself.....I believe that the more you focus on the "I can't" part, the more you'll wish that you could.
Rather than stating that you're "quitting smoking" try seeing yourself as being "smoke-free". Sometimes it's in the terminology.
I'm probably a bit of a hypocrit, as I do occasionally still light up, (I quit for years at a time completely due to having children) but it's rare, and I have no desire to smoke full time. | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/7/2009 6:01:54 AM | I find this quite amusing and sad at the same time. Read the first two lines of the OP.
Okay, I'm done with this...I really am.
But the fears are there...****iness, gaining weight, etc.
You are afraid to stop smoking for fear of weight gain and ****iness. But you are not afraid to keep smoking for fear of serious illness and death.
I think the above is something you, and all smokers, need to look at and use as part of your motivation to quit.
Good luck on your quest to be smoke free. | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/7/2009 3:35:17 PM | Thank you all for your advice.
Optimistically Cynical, I think if you ask any smoker why they wish to quit IS the fact that we fear illness and death. | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/7/2009 3:42:05 PM | On average, the weight you gain is in the neighbourhood of 5-10 pounds...much more than that and you're trading one habit for another...and losing that kind of weight should be efforless if you join the gym maybe prior to your end date for smoking or while you're gradually cutting back?
Truthy...It’s all about the synergy | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/8/2009 8:19:01 AM | I read one of Allen Carrs books, thought it would be a load of nonsense but it worked for me.
Haven't smoked since turning the last page, didn't gain any weight & haven't missed it at all.
I just put the book down & got on with my life.
Had previously tried the gum, cold turkey & zyban methods, none of which worked for me.
Look at all the methods, one may suit you over another. | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/8/2009 12:17:24 PM | | This may sound stupid,but I made a huge "STOP SMOKING STUPID" picture in Photoshop and made it the background on the desktop on my computer. | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/9/2009 2:50:18 PM | | My best friend had bone cancer when he died I quit..Didn't do medical marijuana for a whole year after I stopped cigarettes been alittle over 5 years now smoked 33 years quit cold turkey.. | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/10/2009 7:12:04 AM | I have also been trying to figure out how to quit. I've been back and forth with having the motivation. I've tried various methods...patch, gum, zyban (made me feel 'weird') and then last year I quite for 4 mos using laser therapy. It was expensive but really helped. Then I had a crisis and smoked one. The following weekend I went to a party, drank, smoked, all down hill from there...embarrassing to admit that I was that weak! Now I'm back to square one. I think for me I need to stop drinking and going out for a while to accomplish my goal. And I think exercising helps too.
Best of luck!! Let us know how it goes. | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/10/2009 4:24:01 PM | | How's the desktop working out for ya? If you're bored with it you could always change it to 'start breathing' :) | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/10/2009 6:21:12 PM | | I quit smoking using Chantix. Its expensive but so are ciggerettes. The side effects can be a bit annoying. I had some very lucid dreams for the first week but they didnt really bother me. Some people feel suicidal, to me that is just nicotine withdrawal! I never had those thoughts while on Chantix. Chantix made the ciggs taste absolutley horrible and it blocks the nicotine receptors in your brain. So, even if you do smoke it does nothing for you, which is aggravating, but you have to deal with it. I tend to chew on straws and lots of gum, especially when driving. I also read a book by allen carr. It just opened my eyes and helped me be stronger when I quit. It isnt easy to quit but you have to find the strength to do it! Good luck! | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/10/2009 7:00:58 PM | | I have seen about 80 people quit smoking for free. All they had to do is give the guy their cigarettes. He was an acupuncturist at the time. Many people I talked to months and even a year later and they didn't go back to smoking. All need did was stick 3 small needles in each ear, it helps stops the craving. If you really want to quit you can quit this way. The first week or two is the hardest than the craving gradually goes away. This guy is a miracle workers I saw one lady who had back pain and it was gone within 5 minutes and she never had back pain again. :P | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/11/2009 10:05:22 AM | | addiction is stronger that willpower | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/11/2009 4:10:07 PM | Willpower can overcome addiction. Personally, I brainwashed my by making the decision months in advance and constantly thought about my goal to quit. I've quit twice this way. Smoked for 10 years, quit for 10, smoked 4 and now quit for 8 months. It can work but by having the mind set that the addition is stronger one is already set to fail no matter what method used....you have to take responsibility.
I also started an exercise program so am the same weigh as I was before quiting.
Good luck..... | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/11/2009 8:00:54 PM | I quit by throwing out a new pack of cigarettes out my window of my car and rolling over them.
Pretty much cold turkey because I REFUSE to be a mindless drone to cigarettes.. I have more self control and respect than to be addicted to a killer.
The hardest part has been the urge to smoke again when seeing others smoke... but then I smell them and thank god I don't smell like smoke any more.
A plus of quitting has been 4 other friends have quit with me.
They said if I didn't want to smoke, neither did they.
So maybe if you found a friend to stop smoking you can have more comfort and support? | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/12/2009 12:27:16 AM | I treat people who want to quit smoking.
I use what is called auriculotherapy which is a form of acupuncture using the reflex points in the ear and I have approximately an 80% success rate.
I was going to try to e-mail you some information, but he restrictions won't allow me to do that. So, I'm going to try to cut and paste an information sheet that I give my patience who enter my program. Hope this helps. (I hope it's readable, because the document formating will not paste)
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Smoking Cessation With Auriculotherapy
Smoking Cessation Protocol
(You must not smoke or use a nicotine patch/gum 5 - 6 hours prior to the auriculotherapy treatment)
Auriculotherapy is very effective in supporting an individual to stop smoking. But you must remember that it is only an assist, a very powerful assist, but still only an assist. The only way to guarantee success in this endeavor is for you to do your part of the treatment. Nicotine is 4 ½ times more addictive than heroine and the first 72 hrs are going to be the worst. Therefore after treatment you must:
• Take 500 mg/hr of Vitamin C for the first 8 hrs.
• Take 2000 mg/day of Vitamin C for 3 months.
o Vitamin C.
A very powerful antioxidants that also protects other antioxidants, such as vitamin E, the cells of the brain and spinal cord, which frequently and curb free radical damage, can be protected by significant amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C acts as a more potent free radical scavenger in the presence of the bioflavonoid called hespreridin.
Research has shown that a vitamin deficiency may not affect the whole body, but only specific cells. For example, those who smoke may suffer from a vitamin C deficiency, but only in the lung tissue.
In addition to its role as an antioxidant, vitamin C detoxifies many harmful substances and plays a key role in immunity. It increases the synthesis of interferon, a natural antiviral substance that produced by the body, and stimulates the activity of certain key immune cells.
Caution: diabetes medications such as chlorproamide (Diabinese) and sulfa drugs may not be as effective when taken with vitamin C. Taking high doses of vitamin C may cause a false negative reading in test for blood in the stool. If aspirin and standard vitamin C (ascorbic acid) are taken together in large doses, stomach irritation can occur, possibly leading to ulcers. If you take aspirin regularly, use and esterified form of vitamin C.
If you are pregnant, do not take more than 5000 mg of vitamin C. daily. Infants may become dependent on the supplement and develops scurvy when deprived of the custom megadoses after birth.
Avoid using chewable vitamin C supplements, as these can damage to the enamel.
• Take 500 mg/day for the first week of Licorice Root (DO NOT TAKE IF PRONE TO HYPERTENSION)
o Licorice Root
Cleanses the colon, decreases muscular spasms, increases fluidity of mucus in the lungs and bronchial tubes, and promotes adrenal gland function. Has estrogen and progesterone like effects; may change the pitch of the voice. Also stimulates the production of interferon. Beneficial for allergic disorders, asthma, chronic fatigue, depression, emphysema, fever, herpes virus infection, hypoglycemia, and inflammatory bowel does orders. Deglycyrrhivinated liquidation may stimulate natural defense mechanisms that prevent the occurrence of all sirs by increasing the amount of mucus secreting cells in the digestive tract. This improves the quality of mucus, lengthens intestinal cell life, and enhances microcirculation in the lining.
Caution: should not be used during pregnancy, or by a person with diabetes, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, severe menstrual problems, or a history of stroke. Also, should not be used on a daily basis for more than seven days in a row, as this can result in high blood pressure in a person with previously normal blood pressure.
• First thought in the morning “I AM A NON-SMOKER” (Write on a piece of paper in the bathroom if you have to)
• First thought when sensing a craving, “I AM A NON-SMOKER. What would a non-smoker do?” Then handle the craving as a “NON-SMOKER” would.
• Drink lots of water. (Not coffee, tea or soda, but water)
• Do a reward. (Save money normally spent on smoking and treat yourself)
• Booster Treatment 2 weeks after initial. (Sooner if you feel the need)
• Call us if you have any questions or problems.
WHY SHOULD CIGARETTE SMOKERS THINK ABOUT QUITTING?
One in three smokers dies early because of their smoking. They die of heart disease, stroke, cancer and emphysema. At one time smoking seemed "cool," but it has become less and less desirable.
What's more, research shows that secondhand smoke, the smoke from other people's cigarettes, can harm the health of nonsmokers. Breathing in another person's smoke can cause many breathing problems in children and cancer and heart disease in adults.
The trend now is for public places and work places to go smoke-free. This should help smokers make the move to quit and keep everyone's lungs healthier.
Cigarettes are so much a part of the American scene that many people think of them as "normal." They are easy to buy and inexpensive compared to other drugs.
But cigarettes aren't normal. They are very addictive and cause sickness and death. They are illegal to use in many places and it is illegal for minors to buy them in most parts of the U.S.
WHAT ARE SOME TIPS FOR SMOKERS WHO DECIDE TO QUIT?
Pick a good time to quit. Don't try to quit when you're under a lot of stress or around a holiday.
Be aware that smokers have different experiences when they quit. They may feel sleepy or very excited, lightheaded, nervous or irritable. Or they might crave tobacco or sweets or have headaches.
Be sure to get some exercise every day. For example, walking is a great way to reduce the stress of quitting. Exercise is a big boost toward feeling better, improving spirits, and keeping trim.
Get plenty of sleep, eat a balanced diet and drink lots of water.
Ask family, friends and co-workers to help. Having someone to take a walk with or just listen can give a needed boost.
Immediately at the time of quitting/treatment you must consider yourself a "Non-Smoker". You must not think of yourself as someone is trying to quit smoking, you are now someone who no longer smokes. This may seem like a subtle difference, but it's not. If you consider yourself as “someone who is quitting smoking”, you are telling yourself that you still desire to smoke, but you are depriving yourself. If you consider yourself a non-smoker, you are telling yourself that you do not smoke. If you get a craving you recognize that if you distract yourself and wait ten minutes, the craving will subside. You will not respond to the craving by smoking because you are a “non-smoker” and by definition, “non-smokers” do not smoke. All your decisions on how to respond to a craving must be approached from the position of a "non-smoker". When a craving hits, state to yourself that you are a non-smoker and respond to the craving/situation as a non-smoker.
Reasons to be a Non-Smoker:
• Non-smokers live longer on the average, usually with a higher quality of life, especially in the senior years.
• Decreased risk of:
o Emphysema
o Heart disease
o Heart attacks
o Strokes (which can cause paralysis of limbs and affect speech)
o Cancer of the:
Lungs
Bladder
Throat
Mouth
• Children whose parents smoke have a greater risk of cancer and asthma
• Premature wrinkling and the yellowing of the skin
• Smoking makes your:
o Breath smell bad
o Clothes smell bad
o Hair smell bad
o Car smell bad
o House smell bad
• Smoking is being considered more and more unacceptable
o Finding a place to smoke in public is becoming extremely difficult
• Smoking costs a lot of money
A Non-Smoker has better use for their money
1 pack 2 packs 3 packs
Day $3.00 $6.00
$9.00
Week $21.00
$42.00
$63.00
Month $90.30
$180.60
$270.90
Year $1,083.60
$2,167.20
$3,250.80
Quit Smoking Action Plan
A Deadly Combination: Addiction and Behavior
Nicotine is a powerful drug that raises mood, reduces anxiety, and, in those accustomed to it, increases alertness. Over time, it causes changes in smokers’ brains that make them need nicotine. Then, when they try to quit, smokers have unpleasant symptoms such as irritability, craving for cigarettes or difficulty concentrating.
An additional obstacle to quitting is the many daily behavior patterns that smokers may not even realize they have, such as morning or before-bed cigarette routines, or smoking with friends, co-workers or spouses. Each person’s smoking behavior is different, but these established patterns link smoking to many activities of daily life.
People who are fairly dependent on cigarettes need to incorporate multiple sources of help in their quitting plan to maximize their odds of success. Those who are less dependent on cigarettes may be successful by using only a few sources of help.
However, the more help you have, the better your chances of quitting and staying smoke-free.
Be a Smart Quitter!
There are many programs to help you quit smoking. The cost of these programs may vary from almost nothing to hundreds of dollars. A higher cost does not guarantee success. Many health plans and worksites provide free quit-smoking programs and some health plans cover the cost of medications to help you quit. Check with your insurance carrier or employer for more information.
Before investing your time or money in a program, ask questions such as:
Is there a cost to you?
Is the program convenient for you?
Is the staff well trained and professional?
Does the program meet your needs?
What is the success rate of this program?
A program representative should be able to answer your questions. If they can’t, keep looking. There are no tricks or magic bullets to make you stop smoking. If a program seems too easy, guarantees you will quit, or claims a success rate that sounds unrealistic, look elsewhere.
STEP #1: Preparing to Quit
What You Need to Do
1. Identify your personal reasons for quitting.
2. Set a quit date, usually within 10 days to several weeks. If you smoke mostly at work, try quitting on a weekend. If you smoke mostly when relaxing or socializing, quit on a week day.
3. Identify your barriers to quitting (such as your spouse smokes or you’ve relapsed before due to depression or weight gain).
4. Make SPECIFIC plans AHEAD OF TIME for dealing with temptations. Identify two or three coping strategies that work for you (such as taking a walk or calling a friend).
5. Get cooperation from family and friends. They can’t quit for you but they can help by not smoking around you, providing a sympathetic ear and encouragement when you need it and leaving you alone when you need some space.
STEP #2: Using Auriculotherapy
What You Need To Know
Auriculotherapy is a noninvasive microcurrent stimulation of the outer ear employed by those who practice the principle of acupuncture without the use of a penetrating needle. The use of a bipolar differential amplifier to locate the most effective points to treat, using up to 40 microamps of current at 80 Hz has had the most dramatic success in the treatment of addictions for well over 30 years. Dr. Harris Bonnette, a neurologist in Fort Myers Florida has used the technique for over 20 years. Enclosed (page 8) is a 1989 article from the "The Daily Breeze", regarding the comments from David Gilmer (Drs. Therapist). Mary Bonnette RN PhD (Board Member of ACI) is continuing to program in Fort Myers at Lee Memorial Hospital.
Auriculotherapy intercepts messages sent by the brain to the body that demands more nicotine, thereby disrupting the addictive process. You can eliminate most cravings, but not the habit. Generally the treatments reduce cravings from 20 plus/day to only 3-5/day. Auriculotherapy is very effective in supporting an individual to stop smoking. But you must remember that it is only an assist, a very powerful assist, but still only an assist. The only way to guarantee success in this endeavor is for you to do your part of the treatment. Your responsibility is to make it through those few cravings. Nicotine is 4 ½ times more addictive than heroine and the first 72 hrs are going to be the worst.
STEP #3: Staying Smoke-Free
What You Need To Remember
After quitting and getting through the first couple of weeks, staying off cigarettes is critical—and not always easy. Research indicates that continued support and encouragement from health providers, family, friends and other sources are extremely helpful.
Your friends and family won’t automatically know how to encourage you. Talk to them ahead of time about what they can do. Also, think about who you want to give you encouragement—someone who will stay positive even if you have some problems along the way.
Immediately at the time of quitting/treatment you must consider yourself a "Non-Smoker". You must not think of yourself as someone is trying to quit smoking, you are now someone who no longer smokes. This may seem like a subtle difference, but it's not. If you consider yourself as “someone who is quitting smoking”, you are telling yourself that you desire to smoke, but you are depriving yourself. If you consider yourself a non-smoker, you are telling yourself that you do not smoke. If you get a craving you recognize that if you distract yourself and wait ten minutes, the craving will subside. You will not respond to the craving by smoking because you are a “non-smoker” and by definition, “non-smokers” do not smoke. All your decisions on how to respond to a craving must be approached from the position of a "non-smoker". When a craving hits, state to yourself that you are a non-smoker and respond to the craving/situation as a non-smoker.
WHAT ABOUT SMOKERS WHO QUIT TIME AND TIME AGAIN?
The average person makes two to four attempts at quitting before they are able to stay smoke-free. If you return to smoking, it doesn’t mean you can’t quit. It just means you need to try again by figuring out what caused you to slip and improving your plan for next time.
Most smokers need to "practice" quitting several times before they make it for good.
The best advice is to keep trying! Practice helps smokers plan what to do the next time they get an urge to smoke.
Quitting smoking may seem almost impossible, but it can be done. Don't give up!
More than 45.7 million Americans have quit. Many of them tried several times before they were able to quit. They made it and quit for good. You and other smokers can also, and auriculotherapy is one of the best tools/methods available to assist you in accomplishing your goal of being a "non-smoker" and enjoying better health because of it. | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/12/2009 3:27:03 AM | | A Forum Lurker...thank you for that information. | |
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| Quitting smoking
Posted: 8/12/2009 7:19:39 PM | When I quit smoking I also gave up alcohol and caffeine. Two other addictive substances. I didn't like the kind of influence these substances had over me. To deal with the fidgeting and busy hands syndrome I chewed gum and spent a lot of time typing in forums. :-)
One trick is to understand that you do not NEED these substances to live and that they are a waste of money. Without them I have less stress and more money and I have not slept this sound in a long time. | |
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