Smoking!

[kaivalagi]

I'm a full time smoker right now and started 18 years ago now, I am planning to quit on patches soon (keep putting it off though)

I did quit for over 4 months in the past (about a year ago now), using patches, they worked well...I used patches for 6 weeks (strong to weak ones over the 6 wks) and was doing well for almost 3 months after that with no substitute.

What tripped me up was going out drinking with friends, and thinking "Hey that guy only smokes when he drinks, I bet I can do the same after not smoking for 4 months"...then I was back to square one again, I gave in proper after a few nights out drinking and smoking.

When (not if) I try with patches again I know not to fall into that trap!

I will miss the smoking for sure though, at work it is nice because I get a break from work for 5 minutes every hour or so and socialised with others I wouldn't normally meet...

Best of luck

 

[minxfishy]

Been smoking since I was 13/14yrs old, I gave up each time I was preggers, 3 times, not just because of the harm to the baby, but because the smell made me sick. Each time I started again a couple of weeks after the kids were born, the 1st two, I admit I smoked around them, in the house, in the car etc, however, with the 3rd, I dont smoke around him, I go outside, dont know why its different with him though.

I quit for 9 days xmas 2008, on christmas day, the only day of the year I have a drink, I started again, cant have a drink without a ciggie! Then I quit again a couple of months later for 11 weeks, family problems caused stress and I started again, havent stopped since, although Ive now started smoking roll ups, cheaper and I find I smoke them less.

Both my 18 and 15 yr old boys smoke, I dont like it, but Im hardly in a position to preach them not to, they are not allowed to smoke in the house because of the little one (5yrs old) and Im hoping he doesnt take it up when he grows older. Yes I should stop, I do enjoy smoking, but I know I should quit for the sake of my little one, but its my last vice, stop drinking 7 years ago, stop smoking other things 7 years ago too, I dont go out, Im home all day and night, mostly on my own, so Im clinging to the last pleasure I have in life

 

[MermaidMel]

60 cigarettes a day?! How do you find time for that!!

I smoked from age 12 in 1999 up until 2 years ago when I was 31 and I just stopped. I didn't smoke during my 2 pregnancies. After my first pregnancy ended in holding my beautiful daughter in my arms, I cut down considerably and after my 2nd pregnancy holding my beautiful son in my arms, I cut down even more. I didn't want to stink of cigarettes around my children. I also want to live long enough to meet my grandchildren and be a parent to my children for as long as possible.

 

[Booyakasha]

It's the most disgusting habit I know of, about 90% of the cost of each packet lines the pockets of the government...that's one of the reasons why I don't smoke, not to mention that it's really bad for your health.

 

[backtotropical]

I smoked for about 10 years and gave it up over 3 years ago now. I used patches for about 3 days until I realised that it wasn't any different to the times I had tried to give up with no aids. Patches are just a placebo in my opinion.

One thing I would say is that to give up successfully, you have to want to stop. Let me clarify that a bit, wanting to stop is exactly as it says, very different from willpower which is trying to make yourself give up when you don't really want to. Unless you really want to stop, you are destined to fail. I found that out many times before I actually quit.

I find the excuses that smokers use funny now as I remember using the same ones myself, and actually believing them. Lots of them have appeared here already. The favourite one is "I enjoy smoking!". I used to think I enjoyed it too, fact is I didn't but I convinced myself otherwise and used it as an excuse not to stop, just as many others do. Unfortunately, you only realise what was actually going on in your mind after you have managed to quit.

Another favourite is "It relieves stress". No, it doesn't, quite the opposite actually, it makes a stressful situation worse by adding nicotine cravings to it. The only stress it relieves is the stress of the nicotine cravings, putting you back on a level playing field with a non-smoker, only you have to smoke to get there, non-smokers don't.

I know the smokers here are going to challenge me here with something like "How do you know I don't enjoy smoking", and my answer is that you will only understand when you finally give up, and not until then. The addiction does some really weird things to your brain, tricking you into believing that you enjoy it. If you don't believe me, give up and you will see.

Anyway, I might be ranting now so I'll finish with saying that I read a book that helped a lot, 'Alan Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking'. I'd definitely recommend it.

 

[chrisbassist]

How about this one. I quit for over a year, and started because I enjoyed it.

 

[backtotropical]

Brain still tricking you, mate. It's not an overnight process.

 

[chrisbassist]

Either way, I'm wise enough to know it's not the action of smoking I enjoy.

It's the excuse it provides for 5 minutes peace and quiet. It's the social aspect of feeling like part of the group when all your friends smoke. It's going outside for 5 minutes and taking the time to myself.

That's what I enjoy. The simple action, is boring and repetitive. You can feel it doing damage in your lungs as it goes through. The smoking isn't the enjoyable part.

 

[backtotropical]

I know what you are saying, Chris, I've been there myself.

But, I can find an excuse for 5 minutes peace and quiet without smoking. I still feel like part of the group around other smokers, without smoking. I can go outside for 5 minutes and take the time to myself without smoking. All these things are things which the nicotine addiction convinces you are linked to smoking, but actually they aren't at all.

Non-smokers lives are just as fulfilled as smokers lives, and probably more so due to the health aspects, but as a smoker I couldn't see that. I thought that all these things which I associated with smoking were unique to smokers. It's almost like your brain blocks out how you felt before you started smoking.

It's a pretty powerful drug! One of the most addictive drugs in the world.

 

[Ian H]

I smoked "other stuff" for a bit, and maybe only a pack of 20 a week on top. I stopped with will power so cant really give any advice Just decided it was too much money and not good for me, think it was around the same time i started the gym too so maybe that helped as i had something else to do and felt alot better after it!

 

[chrisbassist]

I realise it's not directly linked. But you must admit that it can be easier to just say "I'm going for a smoke" than to find some other reason to leave someone else (like in laws, or even the wife) looking after your child. Without getting questions or a "you don't need to do that now".

Doesn't matter though because nothing will outweigh the benefits of quitting. The health benefits are astounding, and I notice a difference in my cardio fitness after as little as an hour after a cigarette. After 9 days or so, the chemical addiction is gone. Unfortunately you won't actually notice since the physical and mental addiction remains strong, and telling yourself you're not chemically addicted any more won't cheer you up at all.

 

[backtotropical]

Aaaaahhhhhh, an excuse for getting away from the out-laws. Back in 5, just nipping to the shops for some ciggys.

 

[walkers101]

Since we are not allowed to smoke in our offices, I got myself these electronic cigarettes (which are legal to smoke) to smoke during meetings when we do not get enough "smoke breaks".... They do help in a minor way, but is no substitute for the real thing.

Anybody else tried electronic smoking??

Is that the ones with the little bottles of liquid nicotine if so there are much stronger ones available

i now smoke rollups as its cheaper and if you only roll when you want to smoke you find yourself smoking a lot less than if they are readily available to you

 

[Ryefish]

my ex bought an electronic cigarette but i thought it was the biggest waste of money ever because he NEVER used it! the idea is good, if your actually going to use it!
I smoked for quite a few years, but gave up a year ago I just stopped. Totally cold turkey
The thing that stops me from smoking again, was my ex for one. His breath STUNK! his clothes stunk. If i feel like i need a cigarette, i go near someone that smokes and just smell them and it makes me want to vomit. I thought drinking would be the worst time, but a lot of people dont smoke now, so im not just stood around like a doofus whilst everyone else goes outside to smoke, because not many people do

 

[GAB99]

my ex bought an electronic cigarette but i thought it was the biggest waste of money ever because he NEVER used it! the idea is good, if your actually going to use it!
I smoked for quite a few years, but gave up a year ago I just stopped. Totally cold turkey
The thing that stops me from smoking again, was my ex for one. His breath STUNK! his clothes stunk. If i feel like i need a cigarette, i go near someone that smokes and just smell them and it makes me want to vomit. I thought drinking would be the worst time, but a lot of people dont smoke now, so im not just stood around like a doofus whilst everyone else goes outside to smoke, because not many people do

lol i can totally see someone run up to asmoker just to smell them hahaha