Stopping smoking

[karenjet]

Does anyone have good advice?

I’m getting desperate to stop, but have bad anxiety problems and I sort of cling on to smoking like a comfort.

I’ve got a vape and I’m sure it’s making me queasy

I’ve read the Alan Carr book, I see what he’s saying but can’t seem to apply it to myself.

Was thinking of trying hypnotism but it’s so expensive if it doesn’t help.

I don’t even mind swapping smoking for vaping, even if it’s trading one addiction for another. It’s still better for me and saving money.

 

[SunshineDreamer]

I have never smoked, but I had a friend who quit smoking last year using the Niquitin Pre Quit patches. She been trying to stop for years but these were the only things that helped.

 

[NC2020]

I read LOADS of horror stories online about dying of cancer, having lungs removed, living with COPD etc. Had half a pack left but got up the next day and just stopped. Still got that half pack in the kitchen drawer nearly 8 months later. Not sure if it was the horror stories that really did it I think I’d already made my mind up that I wasn’t going to faff around with vapes and patches etc. Sorry I know that’s not really helpful advice I just wanted to show you the possibility of just going cold turkey. Hard the first few weeks but fine after that - still get cravings when I see people smoking on TV though not in real life as I now find the smell revolting

 

[Raininvain]

I'd try the patches or the tablets from the Drs, Champix.
I smoked from 12/13- 33 and eventually managed to stop from 33ish but still had the odd one on a night out. I had the patches from the Drs and they definitely helped. The smell of cigarette smoke now makes me feel sick but it took me a long time to get here. I don't have any now and I'm glad because of the cost and health aspects.
Just keep trying OP, even if you don't manage it first time, you might then end up having less etc. That's what I did. Also look at who you are going about with and if your going round with chain smokers then look at this. I makes it miles harder to give up when your surrounded by smokers.

 

[hrh89]

I quit for 3 years and started again this year after a huge amount of stress in my life. Now I can’t stop. I feel you

 

[skvallertant]

I read LOADS of horror stories online about dying of cancer, having lungs removed, living with COPD etc. Had half a pack left but got up the next day and just stopped. Still got that half pack in the kitchen drawer nearly 8 months later. Not sure if it was the horror stories that really did it I think I’d already made my mind up that I wasn’t going to faff around with vapes and patches etc. Sorry I know that’s not really helpful advice I just wanted to show you the possibility of just going cold turkey. Hard the first few weeks but fine after that - still get cravings when I see people smoking on TV though not in real life as I now find the smell revolting

I was the same. I didn't read horror stories or anything. I just decided I didn't want to smoke anymore after years of failed attempts at quitting. I also feel a twinge of craving when I see people smoking on TV, but not in real life

I found that keeping busy helped and (not at the moment, obviously) spending time with non-smokers. I got to the point where I was really embarrassed "just nipping out" every few hours, whereas previously I hadn't been bothered about going out for a smoke. I also for the first few months, I put away the average money I would spend on cigarettes into a little jar in my kitchen and either treated myself or put it into savings at the end of each month. For example, one of my loves in life is perfume, ironically. So, I used my smoking money to save up for a really nice perfume as a treat.

I think it's one of those things where you have to be ready to make the change. Sorry for the non-advice, but I really do think that keeping busy and seeing yourself as a non-smoker make a difference. GOOD LUCK!

I’m getting desperate to stop, but have bad anxiety problems and I sort of cling on to smoking like a comfort.

I feel you there, I was in the same boat. A therapist once actually advised me to continue smoking, because the deep breathing and taking a few minutes to yourself helps . I did try giving myself a few minutes on my own and breathing deeply every once in a while, but I felt kind of silly!

Again, no real advice to offer but good luck!

 

[Hastaggifted]

Me and my partner used to smoke 20 odd a day and we decided to just stop, it was hard going and had he not been doing it with me I would have caved but after a few weeks it gets easier. Its been 10 years now I sometimes even still get a craving but the smell knocks me sick. You can do it, 1 day at a time

 

[karenjet]

Thanks everyone.

The doctor won’t give me Champix, I’ve asked before. I’ve never tried patches

I’ve changed to roll ups, mainly because I hate them and it has cut me down massively this week. I have a packet in the house because my anxiety would go mad if I had none.

I’m half way through listening to the Allen Carr book again.

 

[skvallertant]

Let us know how it goes!

I know some people who switched to roll ups and then quit on the back of not being able to roll, so...

 

[karenjet]

Let us know how it goes!

I know some people who switched to roll ups and then quit on the back of not being able to roll, so...

I can’t roll to save my life. I have a wee machine that does it lol.

I wrote a big list of 20 reasons why I want to stop. All really good reasons but I can’t seem to break the spell they have on me.

But I did my food shop as usual this morning, I always buy cigarettes when I’m there but I didn’t today. Doesn’t sound like much but that was quite a big step for me

 

[skvallertant]

I can’t roll to save my life. I have a wee machine that does it lol.

I wrote a big list of 20 reasons why I want to stop. All really good reasons but I can’t seem to break the spell they have on me.

But I did my food shop as usual this morning, I always buy cigarettes when I’m there but I didn’t today. Doesn’t sound like much but that was quite a big step for me

That's great! Really well done. Try not to think about it (kind of ironic considering the thread). Proud of you!!!

 

[Whosthatonethere]

Does anyone have good advice?

I’m getting desperate to stop, but have bad anxiety problems and I sort of cling on to smoking like a comfort.

I’ve got a vape and I’m sure it’s making me queasy

I’ve read the Alan Carr book, I see what he’s saying but can’t seem to apply it to myself.

Was thinking of trying hypnotism but it’s so expensive if it doesn’t help.

I don’t even mind swapping smoking for vaping, even if it’s trading one addiction for another. It’s still better for me and saving money.

I found when I eliminated them completely stopped buying them, chucked my lighters etc etc it got harder to make that move and give in a go buy a pack - it sounds really simple but I take someone who hates me smoking/won’t let me buy them when I go shopping and then usually it’s too big of a step for me to take to fully go out and buy them. I also think of what a waste of money it is and I also think back to bad coughs/ coughing fits I’ve had/ chest pains I got when I was smoking constantly and think I can’t do that permanently think of how tough it would be. I also try and set dates for myself and say right I’m not going to smoke for two weeks and then if I need one I can have one and by the end I usually can’t be bothered with it.

I only trip up on nights out now or occasionally when I’m stressed, hope this helped even the slightest - it’s great you’re trying to quit, recognition and wanting to stop is the first step x

 

[karenjet]

See there’s no way I could have none. It’s like diazepam. I very rarely need them but would really panic if I had none just in case. It helps me with panic attacks to know there’s something that will help if I can’t manage it any more.

I was just thinking I might put the packet I have in the shed, that’s locked and has a padlock. So they’re not easy to reach for but can get to them if I really need to.

Thanks a million for your advice everyone. I really do appreciate it

That's great! Really well done. Try not to think about it (kind of ironic considering the thread). Proud of you!!!

You honestly have me tearful saying that. I was a bit ashamed of even making this thread. Thank you a million for your kindness

 

[Redgey22]

I was a smoker from age 14-32. Me and my husband went to an Allen Carr seminar in February and haven’t touched a single cigarette since or even wanted to! I had brain fog for about a week after stopping but that was it, complete freedom. I would recommend Allen Carr method definitely.

 

[skvallertant]

See there’s no way I could have none. It’s like diazepam. I very rarely need them but would really panic if I had none just in case. It helps me with panic attacks to know there’s something that will help if I can’t manage it any more.

I was just thinking I might put the packet I have in the shed, that’s locked and has a padlock. So they’re not easy to reach for but can get to them if I really need to.

Thanks a million for your advice everyone. I really do appreciate it


You honestly have me tearful saying that. I was a bit ashamed of even making this thread. Thank you a million for your kindness

Please do keep us updated on how it's going. You can do it

 

[conrea37]

I swapped to vaping and the last time I had a (drunken) cigarette I wanted to throw up after!

 

[JodieGreen123]

Not that this is ideal advice at the moment considering everything going on in the world around us but I quit on a holiday. Having spent 11 hours on a plane unable to smoke and then 2 weeks somewhere else with no routine I found it much easier as there was no ‘I usually have a cigarette when I do this’ thing going on.

My best advice would be break your routine. If you can time it with a holiday of some sort or a period of time where you’re doing something a bit different to normal I think it’ll really help.

I also tried some godawful nicotine sweet things and they gave me terrible heartburn 24/7 which also meant I didn’t really fancy a cig!

Good luck x

 

[Chewycinema]

Change of routine helped me. I found vaping harder to give up than cigarettes. I was like puff the magic dragon with my vape
But I gave it up when I started a new job. Then I got pregnant and the thought made me feel sick! Had the occasional one when I was drinking after my daughter was born but now I've not touched one since December and even just the smell gives me a headache now

 

[Curly Top]

Allen Carr's book worked for me. It took me a few attempts though.

I broke the habit in the end because, as Allen Carr says, you continue to need more nicotine. The hit you get from the first puff of the day is never achieved later on. You are continually chasing that high all day and it just doesn't come. Once you realise this, it all seems a waste of time.

Once I was onboard with this nugget, I gave up quickly. As a strange quirk I love the smell of smoke and having someone around me puff away. I also thoroughly enjoy watching heavy smoking on TV. George Gently anyone?

 

[hrh89]

I can’t roll to save my life. I have a wee machine that does it lol.

I wrote a big list of 20 reasons why I want to stop. All really good reasons but I can’t seem to break the spell they have on me.

But I did my food shop as usual this morning, I always buy cigarettes when I’m there but I didn’t today. Doesn’t sound like much but that was quite a big step for me

omg I have a little rolling machine too I just cannot roll baccy and I’m in awe of people who do it so quick haha