Trying to stop smoking, and failing...

.Andrew.

I have been trying to give up smoking for a few months now, with no luck whatsoever, i can go 2-3 days without a smoke, but then i just need a cigerette..

I know this is not really an excuse to smoke, but something happened in my life last year that has really not helped my stop smoking, and i just can't get it out of my head, it was quite a major thing that i never though i'd go through, and has affected my life ever since, getting me down etc..

I have no idea where to start to stop smoking, Niquitin stuff i don't think will help, and i really don't know where to start, it's messing with my mind not being able to stop, and not having the power to not have a cigerette.

Is there anything i can try, that will work, the doctors have suggested some things, but they didn't work.

Can anyone help? I want my happyness and that back in my life without cigerettes.

:smile:

If this is a dumb thing to ask, then don't bother replying, but if you know of any ways i can stop, then please let me know

Thanks.

Reply 1

herecomestrouble

14

Throw away all of your cigarettes - get rid of any temptation. Look around the house and go through all of your pockets. Throw away any cigarettes, matches or lighters you find. It's also a good idea to get rid of ashtrays as they will only remind you of smoking.

Your withdrawal symptoms will soon get better too = the first few weeks are the worst and you will soon start to feel much better! These symptoms are a sign that your body is starting to recover…

Cravings - your brain is missing the nicotine fix, this should get better after a few weeks.
Coughing - your lungs are clearing out tar. Try having a warm drink to soothe your cough.
Hunger, diarrhoea or constipation - your body is just returning to normal, try to eat healthy snacks instead of junk food.
Dizziness - your brain is getting used to having a normal amount of oxygen. Don't worry this should only last a few days.
Trouble sleeping, bad moods - these are signs of nicotine withdrawal and shouldn't last more than two or three weeks.
Get help when you need it
It helps to speak to your family and friends. They can remind you why you are quitting and encourage you to keep it up.

Your doctor can prescribe nicotine patches or gum if you are really struggling with withdawal symptoms?.

Good luck though :hugs:

Reply 2

Fusion

20

You may aswell try the nicotene patches and stuff just to get out of the habit of lighting a fag. But I thinks its true that you'll have to go cold turkey at some point. Remember your not addicted to smoking but to nicotene.

Reply 3

Volkolak

Get yourself some zyban.

Reply 4

.Andrew.

OP

13

herecomestrouble

Throw away all of your cigarettes - get rid of any temptation. Look around the house and go through all of your pockets. Throw away any cigarettes, matches or lighters you find. It's also a good idea to get rid of ashtrays as they will only remind you of smoking.

Your withdrawal symptoms will soon get better too = the first few weeks are the worst and you will soon start to feel much better! These symptoms are a sign that your body is starting to recover…

Cravings - your brain is missing the nicotine fix, this should get better after a few weeks.
Coughing - your lungs are clearing out tar. Try having a warm drink to soothe your cough.
Hunger, diarrhoea or constipation - your body is just returning to normal, try to eat healthy snacks instead of junk food.
Dizziness - your brain is getting used to having a normal amount of oxygen. Don't worry this should only last a few days.
Trouble sleeping, bad moods - these are signs of nicotine withdrawal and shouldn't last more than two or three weeks.
Get help when you need it
It helps to speak to your family and friends. They can remind you why you are quitting and encourage you to keep it up.

Your doctor can prescribe nicotine patches or gum if you are really struggling with withdawal symptoms?.

Good luck though :hugs:

Spot on there, my head does feel a bit dizzy at times, and i do feel sick a few days without a cigerette, then feel better a day or so later. I am so going to take that advice, and chuck away my cigerettes, without even thinking of wanting another one before i do.

i've had trouble sleeping for a few days, going to bed at about 3am, and not being able to sleep till about 4-4.30am, and the slighest thing wakes me up.

I'll give the patches a go, i totally forgot about them.

Thanks herecomestrouble & Fusion :smile:

My friends are not the kind that will sit down with me and help me through this, but do try and help to an extent.

I read somewhere that hypnosis can stop you smoking, is this a safe option?!

Reply 5

.Andrew.

OP

13

Volkolak

Get yourself some zyban.

Please excuse my dumb self, but what is that?

Reply 6

SellPanta

herecomestrouble

Throw away all of your cigarettes - get rid of any temptation. Look around the house and go through all of your pockets. Throw away any cigarettes, matches or lighters you find. It's also a good idea to get rid of ashtrays as they will only remind you of smoking.

tbh i dont like the sound of that, even though i know why your saying it.

Your idea is relying on the sole idea of the cigarette packets acting as a cue for the behaviour, which is not the case i dont think. By simply throwing away the cigarettes you dont necessarily eliminate the temptation of the cigarettes because the temptation is being initiated by a desire to relieve 'emotional stress' caused by the problem mentioned by the OP. Theres nothing stopping the OP from going out and buying another packet - and wasting more money than they would have in the first place (Creating an additional problem).

My advice would be to try and slowly reduce the number of cigarettes you have each day or week by keeping a tally. Perhaps for next week aim (well, dont aim, rather be active and stick to it) to have 10 less cigarettes, and keep going until you reach 0. You also need to keep active as well to take your mind off your problems. Try taking up a sport, or try going for a mile jog twice daily, or something to keep your mind more active. I think that would work, slowly taking yourself off cigarettes instead of simply diving in at the deep end.

Reply 7

Volkolak

.Andrew.

Please excuse my dumb self, but what is that?

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/zyban/zyban.htm

Reply 8

.Andrew.

OP

13

Volkolak

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/zyban/zyban.htm

Thanks for that, ain't even heard of that until now.

Is it over the counter stuff? or can i only get it in certain places?

Ill look into it, and give it a go, when i find out where i can get it, or from my doctor.

Reply 9

Volkolak

.Andrew.

Thanks for that, ain't even heard of that until now.

Is it over the counter stuff? or can i only get it in certain places?

Ill look into it, and give it a go, when i find out where i can get it, or from my doctor.

You have to get a prescription I think, but that should be easy enough.

Reply 10

.Andrew.

OP

13

Volkolak

You have to get a prescription I think, but that should be easy enough.

I'll have a go with my doc then, thanks for that, was really healpful stuff. :smile:

Just worried about the side effects, but sure there will be them, but i want to stop the smoking :smile:

Reply 11

rosetinted

2

As a former smoker I'd say the only way to give up smoking is to really want to give it up. The only reason I managed to quit is because I spent 3 days living in very close quarters with my friends, all of whom smoked like chimneys and I want home smelling like I rolled in an ashtray and it suddenly dawned on me how disgusting it was. I did a complete about turn from "I smoke because I enjoy it" to "I find smoking repellent".

I would guess that the reason you are failing to stop smoking is because you still enjoy it and on some levels still want to smoke (that is why I carried on anyway), despite knowing it is really bad for you...etc. It's no good just changing the pattern of behaviour, you need to change the mindset too.

Reply 12

Invocation

12

Three fail proof steps to quitting:

1. Go onto Google Image
2. Search for "lung cancer"
3. Throw away cigarettes

Reply 13

.Andrew.

OP

13

Invocation

Three fail proof steps to quitting:

1. Go onto Google Image
2. Search for "lung cancer"
3. Throw away cigarettes

I researched that a few weeks back, was a nasty sight, was kind of the first incentive towards me wanting to quit.

And the fact that all my new clothes smell like an old farm. :frown:

Reply 14

Double Agent

18

I met a guy with Emphysema a while ago, and it really hits home what smoking can do to you. Good luck with giving up.

Reply 15

James

14

Well done for trying to quit, Andy. That's a lot more than many people do, and it's a great step in the right direction. :smile:

Reply 16

Jonatan

13

Keep trying. Many peopel try quite a few times before succeeding. If you can't stop right away maybe you could take it gradually. Make a plan. Figure out how much you smoke at the moment and then set goals to bring it down by a certain amount every week/month.

Also, if you often smoke in certain situations, try changing them a bit. If you smoke after having a pint, try switching to another type of drink, or maybe just have your beer at a different place. Small changes like that can help reduce the psychological addiction.

Reply 17

</gibberish>

12

Wait until after your exams, (i am) i cant imagine any of those effects would do much to help your grade?

Reply 18

.Andrew.

OP

13

James Gurung

Well done for trying to quit, Andy. That's a lot more than many people do, and it's a great step in the right direction. :smile:

Thanks, i am trying my hardest to kick the habit, and before the ban comes into play in the UK next month. And also to get my health back to it's best.

I feel so much better already, not smoking, and actually waking up fresh and awake.

Reply 19

.Andrew.

OP

13

Jonatan

Keep trying. Many peopel try quite a few times before succeeding. If you can't stop right away maybe you could take it gradually. Make a plan. Figure out how much you smoke at the moment and then set goals to bring it down by a certain amount every week/month.

Also, if you often smoke in certain situations, try changing them a bit. If you smoke after having a pint, try switching to another type of drink, or maybe just have your beer at a different place. Small changes like that can help reduce the psychological addiction.

I don't drink alcohol, but i do smoke in certain situations, my house is quite a stressful place at the moment. Not an excuse, but sometimes the stress from other people really gets me wanting a cigerette.. :frown:

I have changed to drinking just bottled water, which has helped me stop smoking when i go out, and also the fact that all of the pubs where i live are non-smoking now, helps alot, which i thought would just stress me out even more.

Trying to stop smoking, and failing...

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