Stopping smoking

[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!

 

[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.

 

[Notworthy]

Good luck. Don't beat yourself up if you fail the 1st time, just keep trying. Every time I quit I'd work out how much I'd saved so if I started back again I'd tell myself I still have that extra how ever much in my pocket and that's so many cigarettes I haven't smoked, then I'd try again another day. It might be easy for you this time, it might take a few attempts but you will manage it at some point. I'm nearly at 7 years now, I also managed 13 years previously, you'll never be a non smoker. I always tell people I'm not smoking currently.

 

[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?

 

[conrea37]

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

 

[Tree_]

Trying to revive an old thread! Anyone planning on stopping smoking for the new year? I’m going for it and scared! Determined but know my willpower is weak!

You can do it. I gave up age 29 smoked 30 a day since I was 14. It was the hardest thing I've ever done and it took years not to get the cravings when I had a drink. Just keep thinking of your lungs repairing themselves. The money. Not dieing young because of smoking related illnesses. You will not look back. You can do it!!

 

[Noseynelly19]

Change your routine. Something as simple as swapping your morning coffee to orange juice in the morning, sitting in the livingroom instead of the kitchen etc. Small changes to mix it up. Keep hands busy and you can always swap a cigarette for a small sweet or biscuit to get over initial cravings. Champix has nasty side effects and will only be prescribed if you have tried other quitting
options first.
Your body starts repairing itself 20 minutes after your last cigarette.

I really struggled but keep at it! Every attempt is a step in the right direction

 

[boatofbubbles]

I've put my stop date for Monday,
After roughly 20 years, it needs to come to an end. Main reason money if I'm honest.

 

[MyLittlePony25]

I switched to a 10 motives e-cigarette and buy the stronger strength tips online as it’s £3 cheaper a pack than in the supermarket. It’s been about 6 weeks, I was smoking 50g tobacco a week but this last pouch has lasted me nearly 4weeks.
I intend to fully switch over to E cigarettes after I’ve finished this pouch and then after a few months, start getting lower strength tips. I have two batteries so that I always have one I can use whilst the other is charging. It has been really easy so far but I haven’t put pressure on myself by saying that ‘I’m quitting on this date, at this time and I’m never going to smoke again’, it’s just been quite natural.
ive noticed such a difference in my physical health too. I don’t get out of breath easily now and I’m not coughing up crap. The nicotine stains on my fingers have gone and I just feel so much better. It’s totally worth it.
good luck @Instagram Sham

 

[YouAreHiding]

I have never smoked well properly though tried a menthol when I was 15 then a few puff’s here and there. Anyway sometimes when I smell a cigarette I think oh could really go one it’s weird. I work as a Staff Nurse in a Head and Neck Cancer ward have done for 18 years. Can count on one hand the people that come in that don’t smoke. That puts me off also it’s as hard coming off cigarettes as it is heroin maybe less physically.

Bizarre addiction as in nursed a patient who had been in an RTA severe head injury could not remember who he was or his family tho he remembered he smoked that’s how strong the addiction must be. I would let him smoke a straw well hold it he thought it was one.

One guy I knew stopped for 10 years one day he went into the shop and said a loaf of bread and 20 cigarettes and he was hardly out the door and that was him restarted. Sorry a weird contribution to this thread tho it’s really hard to stop extremely for the majority of people.

 

[Redgey22]

i've tried stopping last year and i think it went on for about a month? scared to even think about stopping it this time because of how stressful my life is atm how do you guys cope with stress other than smoking?

Try the Allen Carr method, honestly takes all of the fear and stress away. I can’t recommend it enough. I was a heavy smoker and just stopped in feb ‘19. Haven’t looked back since! You can do it!

 

[Tangent Tiger]

@karenjet how are you getting on?

I'm a stop starter, recently started again but would like to quit. Wasn't sure whether to start a new thread but this one came up on a search.

Any people's experiences would be gratefully received!

 

[conrea37]

i havent had a real fag in 6 years , but i cant give up vaping now! the fact that they say its 95 percent safer makes it harder for me to stop. I honestly would be too stressed to stop at the moment, with whats going on.

Same. I’ve been trying to but stressful stuff kept happening so sod it for now. I’m only on 3mg at least

 

[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.

 

[JodieGreen123]

Yes. They gave me awful heartburn - but it did make me not want to smoke!

 

[Gillybean42]

I've put my stop date for Monday,
After roughly 20 years, it needs to come to an end. Main reason money if I'm honest.

U can do it

 

[iloveanimals]

Same. I’ve been trying to but stressful stuff kept happening so sod it for now. I’m only on 3mg at least

yes i thought stuff it this morning and went to factory shop for some liquids. Im only on 6mg. Also the weekends coming up what if i want a glass of wine ! The worlds too hard right now and at least its not as bad as real fags for now x

 

[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

 

[JodieGreen123]

Oh my days you wasn't wrong, I tried once yuck, tried again absolutely not. Still smoke free, found it easier than I thought. Why did I waste my money on the lozenges?! If anybody reads this thread, if you feel like you can do it, then just do it without the lozenges. I'm still using the patches but that's no fail.

Ah well done! So glad it’s going well for you so far, it was years ago for me so I feel like I’ve forgotten just how bad they were!

 

[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.