Quit smoking

[redleader]

Alright, this is lame compared to other addiction threads I think compared to things like heroin or alcohol, but this thread is for those quitting or wanting to quit smoking. Smoking is still smoking poison, and is just as addictive as anything else, causing severe health problems over the long run.

 

I quit 5 days ago after pounding nearly a pack a day for 4 years. 4 years really isn't that long, compared to my friends I am a smoking infant as most of them started 10-15 years ago, so for me it actually hasn't been that bad so far. Should they follow me someday I imagine they will not do as well.

 

I am doing it because I can think of every reason to quit, and no reason to keep doing it. It has become a direct roadblock to my higher goals of better overall fitness going into my 30s, not feeling like **** constantly anymore, and frankly my cashflow is very low and I cannot afford it as every pack I smoke right now is me smoking away my future. I will never miss the mornings feeling like I have black lung, coughing up nasty stuff, and wheezing my way out the door to: smoke.

 

Make no mistake, the first 3 days were a bit hellish, even now my sleep cycle is completely screwed up thanks to the insomnia and/or weird dreams. I am testing my cravings in situations where smoking was the thing to do. All of my friends do which will be the hardest part psychologically. Even telling them was a fear that drove me not to quit among other reasons.

 

In day 5 I'm not finding it so much on the tip of my mind, as it turns out I can live life just fine without them. Despite how tired and somewhat irritable I feel, I already feel better and am breathing deeper, I know this is the right thing to do. If anything I focus more because I am not constantly taking an undeserved smoke break. I still feel my brain trying to trick me into going to the store, "just one won't hurt!" it says. Quitting smoking mostly entails telling your brain to shut its face until it forgets what Nicotine is and quits asking.

 

Here is some stuff I did to help myself do this-

 

• Got chewing sticks from Good Food Store (can be found online or most herb shops, the tea tree oil kind, the ones I have also have a little menthol), these things mimic the smoking motions well so the loss of the oral fixation is minimized. I found this to be the hardest aspect to curtail so far is the physical habit.
   
  
• Day 1, I got a big jug of 100% cranberry juice as a diuretic to help my body remove the toxic crap in cigarettes quicker. I also got club soda with it to dilute it, as replacing your habit with 1000s of calories of juice isn't good either, but for the first 3 days drink it up. After you quit your metabolism starts going down and this helps keep your blood sugar from crashing.
   
  
• Exercise: I started taking long walks at night (because I am a daywalker). Getting fresh air and moving around will take your mind off smoking, and get out some of your irritated energy. My thoughts have been runaway since I quit, which Im not sure was the smokes more than just my situations, but probably some of both. I feel better getting that out physically, and without smoking in the way I don't feel terrible, and this will continue to improve. Plus, with that slowdown in metabolism, means you might gain some weight. Since I already put on weight in 2012, I am opting to nip it in the bud right now, and will be back to the gym this week. Replace one crappy habit with a good one, which hopefully I can lose the weight and feel better than I ever have physically and mentally without toxic sludge in my lungs and brain.
  

 

I had the advantage of not being 9-5 employed, so I could stay home with my only job being not to smoke. Quitters, I would recommend taking some time away from work before attempting this. That is the reason I never quit really, that 5 minutes to myself was always just too good when working the grind. I venture the only reason I was able to actually quit now was because I quit my stressful job too. Even without any safety net I am less worried and way happier despite financial problems. Putting smoking behind me will make a better man out of me, with more energy and money to put into my new business ventures. Plus losing the weight I've gained after a year of total apathy and bulking back up will make me happy just to kill some self-confidence issues that have arisen because of it. I really don't feel very attractive these days...

 

Being called a drug addict is not attractive either. Deny all you want but all smokers are drug addicts. Try that phrase on for size, I decided I really don't like that label.

 

So, lets here it smokers and quitters, what is your story in beating (or continuing) this habit?

[Feelin Frisky]

Hi. I smoked for 15 years. I finally stopped about 20 years ago. It can be done. I didn't use any gum or whatnot. I had to change everything about my life-style because I started smoking so young--I came to forget how to live without that scourge. So I had to live a new life in which I didn't do the same things. I actually lost a ton of weight too. I would often eat and drink because of the foul tobacco taste and then I'd have to have a cigarette after I ate. It's monstrous. If you ever feel you are going to act out think about some tobacco executive making obscene money who laughs at people losing their larynxes while never touching the stuff himself.

[redleader]

Ah yes, I should also mention I also went cold-turkey. No patches or anything else. I think those supplements are crap really, how do you stop a nicotine addiction with more nicotine? The smoke doesn't matter so much as the drug being delivered. That is like beating your crack addiction by eating it instead of smoking it.

 

Can't kill the problem with the problem

 

I agree the fine folks at RJ Reynolds must think the lot of us are grade A suckers as they laugh all the way to the bank, making millions giving people cancer, which costs us all millions more in healthcare. Does one applaud or despise this kind of legal villainy?

[redleader]

Well, here it is on day 6. I definitely don't feel as agitated as I was a couple days ago, thoughts of smoking are less frequent. I have survived my friends smoking around me without caving in (though when my girl-to-be offered me one last night I internally flipped my **** for a minute, when she realized she forgot that was my M.O. now lol) Though my agitation was existing (that is why I signed up here in the first place...) before I quit, I knew when I did it would feel more extreme for a few days. One just has to accept that when quitting, as long as you are aware of it you can control it.

 

But I definitely do not miss that AM feeling like I spent all night huffing asbestos and carburator cleaner. I think I am getting a cough as my lungs have already started trying to remove all of the garbage I put into them now. Waking is getting pleasant with fresh air in my lungs.

 

I am still having problems sleeping enough as I am constantly feeling run down or sleepy. Though despite that I have been making sure to take my walks and do some physical things, trying to keep my other efforts propped up.

 

But, it does get easier... In many ways I already don't miss cigarettes at all. No stink, no wheezing, no tweaking when I run out, don't have to be a familiar at the gas station anymore, more cash in my pocket, facilitating my move to exercise more, etc etc. I still can't think of any valid good reason to smoke...

[skydiveaddict]

Ah yes, I should also mention I also went cold-turkey.

 

I'm convinced it has a lot to do with our circumstances. Every deployment I've been on, I've smoked like a chimney. Two packs/day easy; so did most of the other guys. But When I get back home, the urge goes away. That's happened to me four times now. It did for most of the other guys in my unit as well.

[todreaminblue]

I have given up a lot in the last year gave up smoking for a while but took it back up when i stressed out badly.....gave up all my meds gave up umm many things....this is the one i want now i want to quit.....i am going with grapefruit juice already took gym up three sessions a week and i do walk, night walking is wonderful i miss it when i dont go ......my personal trainer is great support as are my church friends...im going to do it.....scared but yep i will...scared im going to schiz out..deb

Edited January 10, 2013 by todreaminblue

[whichwayisup]

I want to quit. I hate smoking. Hate the smell of it on my clothes, in my hair, coat, breath, skin etc..

 

Problem is, fear. I'm scared to face life without having a cig. It's been in my life for so many years and it's like "WHO AM I" without smoking. It's been my buddy through good times and bad...Kept me company in the car, with coffee, with friends.

 

Fear of nic fits! That's a big one.

 

Fear of change. Change of dynamic between some friends, some neighbours who I regularly get together with to go for coffees and have a smoke.

 

I know all the positives outweigh the bad. I'll feel better all around.

 

I'm getting closer as it's on my mind a lot more than it used to be. I cut down, dont' rush to go have a smoke first thing in the morning. If I run out in the evening, I just go to bed earlier...Instead of going to the store to buy a pack so I could have that last smoke before bed. It helps because where I am it's winter. I only smoke outside.

 

Thanks for posting, you give me hope.

[redleader]

I'm convinced it has a lot to do with our circumstances. Every deployment I've been on, I've smoked like a chimney. Two packs/day easy; so did most of the other guys. But When I get back home, the urge goes away. That's happened to me four times now. It did for most of the other guys in my unit as well.

 

Yeah I hear ya. It was when I started doing stagehand work at the local theater and then being a deckhand for other events I started smoking really heavy. Looong stretches between sets there is absolutely nothing to do but wait or the set to be over so you can go to work. It was esspecially bad for me when the act was something I had no interest in or even hated, which was often. I would just hang out back with my other work buddies and chainsmoke pretty much all night.

 

Then every other stress in the world just didn't let me quit. Recently I quit a job and career I decided hated, where I was outside smoking probably 15 minutes of every hour to no one's knowledge, as I was basically free to roam. Im sure Im only able to do this because that is no longer an element of my life, and stage season isnt here yet Still stressed as my money situation sucks at the moment, which helps as now I can afford to smoke or pay rent right now, not both, and Im too big to fit in a cigarette pack.

[redleader]

I want to quit. I hate smoking. Hate the smell of it on my clothes, in my hair, coat, breath, skin etc..

 

Problem is, fear. I'm scared to face life without having a cig. It's been in my life for so many years and it's like "WHO AM I" without smoking. It's been my buddy through good times and bad...Kept me company in the car, with coffee, with friends.

 

Fear of nic fits! That's a big one.

 

Fear of change. Change of dynamic between some friends, some neighbours who I regularly get together with to go for coffees and have a smoke.

 

I know all the positives outweigh the bad. I'll feel better all around.

 

I'm getting closer as it's on my mind a lot more than it used to be. I cut down, dont' rush to go have a smoke first thing in the morning. If I run out in the evening, I just go to bed earlier...Instead of going to the store to buy a pack so I could have that last smoke before bed. It helps because where I am it's winter. I only smoke outside.

 

Thanks for posting, you give me hope.

 

I had these anxieties too. I have tried quitting several times before now, and found myself driving to the store a couple hours in without even thinking about it. I was a smoking zombie, zero control. If I was out my brain would quickly convince me "screw that smoking is so cool!" and Id be off to waste another $5.60 on something that will eventually kill me without it even registering.

 

I was honestly freaked out to tell all of my friends I quit, to which so far they are actually pretty indifferent so far, even agreeing that they should quit too. I make sure they know they don't have to do anything special on my accord aside doing me a favor and not offering, as they usually would if they were lighting up and I wasn't cause I was out. I do hope they see me do this and start believing it is possible before we all watch each other die of lung cancer.

 

When you quit you just have to eat the fact it is just going to suck a lot. You must accept the suck, embrace the suck, to beat the suck.

 

Right now on what is about day 7 I think, I have realized my brain is definitely not working right. I have a persistent headache, insomnia (well...increased insomnia), sore throat a bit, my thoughts are very intense and repetitive in a way that is not usual for me. I can tell you this doesnt help since the reason I signed up in the first place was over a girl who's now been looping in my thoughts for days to the point of doubting myself. I feel exhausted and crappy, mentally and physically. Id say this is the point most go back because that one smoke will make all of this go away.

 

But, my mission is higher than that. Smoking is a direct setback to my other goals, so it has to go. I will embrace this knowing that it is only temporary, and one day I will feel great, and I will barely think about cigarettes. My real goals will see real progress, to get back in shape and start up my business. Smoking makes it hard to exercise, and zaps the bank account of business funds.

 

I think something important for those wanting to quit is find a real reason to. Dig deep, what do you want to do right now that smoking makes directly impossible or very difficult?

 

It is a lot like breaking up with someone. My Wides were my best friend some nights for sure when everything else went straight to hell

 

Remember who you are is still the same person whether you are the you the smoker or just you . Just you would be a healthier, ultimately more energetic and happier you though probably.

Edited January 11, 2013 by redleader

[Mr.White]

Broke the last of my pack yesterday with friends.

 

You guys helped me stop a bad habit before it became a serious problem for me.

 

Only been constantly smoking for this past month, hopefully I do not have the urges for it!

[Austyn8100]

Totally depends on the intention to quit it.Always think positive.You might have given up before, but tell yourself that you’re really going to do it this time.I recently celebrated my one-year anniversary of quitting smoking.

[SmithWood]

it's Sounds like the healing has begun. Celebrate your new smokeless life!

[BetheButterfly]

My husband was a smoker, but he quit before we met. I think one thing that helped him was the desire to not stink like smoke and the desire to have healthy lungs. Working out in the gym is very important to him and someday he would like to be a voluntary fireman again, like he was in his native country. In order to do that, he needs to be healthy and strong. Smoking does not help one be healthy and strong, nor one's lungs.

 

Congratulations in quitting smoking!!! Your health is important!!! Also, the health of people around you is important!!!

[carhill]

Readers might find this thread about one member's personal journey to be inspiring:

 

http://www.loveshack.org/forums/mind-body-soul/addiction-recovery/206006-smoking-addiction

 

In my personal life, a long-time friend recently broke his 50 year 'habit' in the worst way possible, by having all the arteries south of his kidneys replaced due to near total blockage. Being in ICU for a week and watching a doctor remove over 200 staples must leave an impression, along with the docs uniformly offering the opinion that his smoking habit was a large contributor to the death of his arterial system.

 

I hope the 'break' sticks. His wife is a smoker too and I hope taking care of him after his surgery has caused her to re-think her habit as well. I'd prefer to have both of them around for many years to come.

[BetheButterfly]

 

In my personal life, a long-time friend recently broke his 50 year 'habit' in the worst way possible, by having all the arteries south of his kidneys replaced due to near total blockage. Being in ICU for a week and watching a doctor remove over 200 staples must leave an impression, along with the docs uniformly offering the opinion that his smoking habit was a large contributor to the death of his arterial system.

 

Scary

 

It's so important to take care of one's body!!! Thanks for sharing this Carhill.