Can I quit smoking?

[xhaan]

I hate the fact that I seem to be hooked on smoking. I could swear that I'm going to get cancer, if I don't have it already, I just feel it... but I seem to have no sense of self preservation.

Do you think I will be able to quit?

[Oica]

Yes, only if you truly want to. ;D

Go for it, but don't TRY to quit. QUIT!

[BadMojo]

Sure you can... :)

[Antares]

I hate the fact that I seem to be hooked on smoking. I could swear that I'm going to get cancer, if I don't have it already, I just feel it... but I seem to have no sense of self preservation.

Do you think I will be able to quit?

Of course you can. You just need to persevere, amigo! I know people who did. It's entirely possible :thumbsup:

[Caramel]

Yes, you can, but you need to have a personal motivation.

[logos]

I voted "No". You clearly lack what it takes to succeed. Prove me wrong.

[xhaan]

I voted "No". You clearly lack what it takes to succeed. Prove me wrong.

Heh. I don't know what to do with this, it's almost non sequitur.
I never did get 'reverse psychology' very well, if that's what you're trying to do. I can only think of a few possibilities:

1. You really think I can't, and say 'prove me wrong' because you are confident that I will fail.

2. You think I can't, and say 'prove me wrong' because you actually would like me to prove you wrong.

3. You think I can, but say I 'lack what it takes', as some false, confusing, misleading motivational tactic.

I have cut back a ton in the past two days though. I've smoked not even half a pack in two days, when I usually smoke a pack per day.
I think if I cut it down to where I don't smoke at all for two or three days, that will get me over most of the withdrawals. I did that when I was in the hospital for about two weeks and they wouldn't let me smoke, I had essentialy quit then, but I started back up again when I got out, just out of routine habit I guess, not from the chemical withdrawals.

[Rohsiph]

2. You think I can't, and say 'prove me wrong' because you actually would like me to prove you wrong.

This is often the opinion I hold when people I don't know make big claims. I have no evidence, nor any reason for placing blind faith, to expect success . . . but if it's something good, I'd still like to see it. The thinking that the claimer can't succeed is a measure taken to ensure I don't lose focus on things I care about--come back to me with the results, and you (or, since I'm trying to be more general, the "claimer") will have won some respect.

Good luck yourself, xhaan. You're taking up a quest I really wish my father would follow . . .

[1OFMANY]

Just stop. Its one hell of a head trip for about 3 days to quit cold turkey. That in itself was worth it IMO lol.

Once you have convinced that body that your trapped in that your spirit doesn't want to smoke anymore..its not hard at all.

[Laura_Palmer]

Yeah, cold turkey is the way to go. I quit that way 2 months ago and have no desire to smoke again. This was after years of "cutting down." Don't go for the nicotine gum either - that will only prolong the physical addiction.

[xhaan]

Yeah, cold turkey is the way to go. I quit that way 2 months ago and have no desire to smoke again. This was after years of "cutting down." Don't go for the nicotine gum either - that will only prolong the physical addiction.

I think Im working on cold turkey. It's going to be a pain. Just the idea of it makes me batshit crazy, like on that commercial where it's got the little monsters that are supposed to be the nicotine receptors in your brain, and they're going completely spazoid. :p

[Laura_Palmer]

I think Im working on cold turkey. It's going to be a pain. Just the idea of it makes me batshit crazy, like on that commercial where it's got the little monsters that are supposed to be the nicotine receptors in your brain, and they're going completely spazoid. :p

Yeah, I had a little help because I had a new boyfriend at the time who didn't smoke, so that kept me preoccupied during the withdrawal period. It worked out great!

[MetalWounds]

I hate the fact that I seem to be hooked on smoking. I could swear that I'm going to get cancer, if I don't have it already, I just feel it... but I seem to have no sense of self preservation.

Do you think I will be able to quit?

I don't know how old you are, (or where you're from for that matter) but statistically, my generation in it's entirety will not be able to collect social security, so smoke another pack, and I'll have another drink :laugh:

On a more serious note, if you give anything your complete devotion, you will be surprised at how easily some daunting tasks are completed...(I lost 50 lbs in 3 months, because I had to make weight to join the military)

[Firelie]

On a more serious note, if you give anything your complete devotion, you will be surprised at how easily some daunting tasks are completed...(I lost 50 lbs in 3 months, because I had to make weight to join the military)

(I don't mean to derail the thread, but I'm terribly curious just how hard you had to work to lose 50lbs in 3 months. That's pretty hardcore.)

But I'm of the "Only if you really want to" crowd. I know a few people who think they SHOULD quit when they don't really WANT to, so they're failing miserably when it comes to quitting cigarettes.

[xhaan]

I don't know how old you are, (or where you're from for that matter) but statistically, my generation in it's entirety will not be able to collect social security, so smoke another pack, and I'll have another drink :laugh:

On a more serious note, if you give anything your complete devotion, you will be surprised at how easily some daunting tasks are completed...(I lost 50 lbs in 3 months, because I had to make weight to join the military)

I had a highschool buddy that did similar, for the Air Force, and he's dyslexic too, or something. He had trouble with some tests at first but passed them.

Anyway, I believe I'm getting it done! I've told myself that when I 'can't handle it', drink green tea instead. Trying to convince myself that it's 'just as good'. Seems to be working too.

[MetalWounds]

(I don't mean to derail the thread, but I'm terribly curious just how hard you had to work to lose 50lbs in 3 months. That's pretty hardcore.)

But I'm of the "Only if you really want to" crowd. I know a few people who think they SHOULD quit when they don't really WANT to, so they're failing miserably when it comes to quitting cigarettes.

I will not lie, it was quite difficult, and it took all the will-power that I could muster. I played raquetball every night after work, and ran 3 miles per day before hand. I excluded all food that one would concider "junk food'' from my diet. I gained all the weight in which I lost back after I finished tech school (most of it being muscle, but a lot of fat as well) I am going to Iraq in less than 30 days, and I will more than likely lose it again, this time keeping it off will be the key...

[mitsuko]

Yes, you can... but it won't be easy. For most, it takes several attempts before you truly quit... and it still takes willpower to stay clean after that...

However, you are on the right path. Simply acknowledging the need to quit is a critical step. *Trying* is important. If you fail, try again. If completely stopping, stone cold, is difficult, take baby steps and wean yourself off of the habit.

Personal motivation is important... but it always helps to have friends who can help motivate you towards your goal (and keep your habits in check).

[karen]

I had been smoking since I was 13 (11 years) and I have been quit for 6 weeks now... its just begining to get easier. I had tried to quit before and gave in... this time I paired it with a few other things. I started working out more and dancing while quitting (that and having to set an example for my husband who quit with me). After about 2 weeks, it is easier to distance yourself from the cravings. Oh, and be careful not to take up 'grazing' while you quit or you'll gain weight. Its just a matter of deciding to quit and then doing it.

[Gloed]

i quit smoking after 9 years with the help of nicotine patches. at the end i smoked more than a pack a day. i haven't smoked in about a year and a couple of months.

the thing that helped me most was gaining an understanding of the psychology behind smoking and the physical addiction of smoking. it helped me not to panic when experiencing physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. when you know why you are feeling a certain way, what you can do to change that feeling (momentarily and in the long run) and how long it will take to completely change it, then patience is all you need.

when you smoke a pack a day, you feel bad at least every hour and a cigarette makes that feeling go away. after being quit for some time (after 2 months it became a lot easier for me), there might be moments you still crave a cigarette, which makes you feel bad. are there more moments you feel bad compared to when you still smoked though ?

[IgnoranceIsKind]

i quit smoking after 9 years with the help of nicotine patches. at the end i smoked more than a pack a day. i haven't smoked in about a year and a couple of months.



Do nicotine patches really help? I've tried it once but it seems to have no effect at all. Personally, I feel it is more a commercial scam than a real antidote to help accelerate your process of quitting.

[denaria]

I smoked from age 18 to age 33 - I was on 50+ cigarettes a day at the end. I stopped cold turkey and haven't smoked another one since (18 years off the weed). I'm not an ex-smoker - I'm a smoker who knows that if she had just one drag she'd be re-hooked. And so will you - so when you do quit, don't EVER have another.

[Gloed]

Do nicotine patches really help? I've tried it once but it seems to have no effect at all. Personally, I feel it is more a commercial scam than a real antidote to help accelerate your process of quitting.

for me personally, the patches helped soften the rather heavy physical withdrawal symptoms. i remember not being able tot concentrate, feeling restless, feeling like crying... every time i switched to a patch with a lesser amount of nicotine, i still somewhat felt those things, but i could deal with them. meanwhile, you are breaking the psychological habit of smoking : taking a cigarette when the nicotine level drops, putting it in your mouth, lighting it, playing with a cigarette in your hand, inhaling, blowing smoke out your mouth...

[Jgib5328]

I hate the fact that I seem to be hooked on smoking. I could swear that I'm going to get cancer, if I don't have it already, I just feel it... but I seem to have no sense of self preservation.

Do you think I will be able to quit?

It's up to you whether you quit or not. If you are strong, you will get off of cigarettes, if you are weak you won't. It's up to you to decide what you are, not us. Smoking is retarded. You are only shortening your life for a little bit of relaxation, it makes no sense. You are permanently damaging your health, if you were truly a rational being, you'd stop immediately unless you like suffering and being disgusting.

[IgnoranceIsKind]

for me personally, the patches helped soften the rather heavy physical withdrawal symptoms. i remember not being able tot concentrate, feeling restless, feeling like crying... every time i switched to a patch with a lesser amount of nicotine, i still somewhat felt those things, but i could deal with them. meanwhile, you are breaking the psychological habit of smoking : taking a cigarette when the nicotine level drops, putting it in your mouth, lighting it, playing with a cigarette in your hand, inhaling, blowing smoke out your mouth...

Well that suppose that could work. Somehow I just don't want to quit smoking. I really enjoy it. It's as if cigarettes complement everything - work, reading a book, after meals and such. Never gets old.

[Gloed]

Well that suppose that could work. Somehow I just don't want to quit smoking. I really enjoy it. It's as if cigarettes complement everything - work, reading a book, after meals and such. Never gets old.

animation about how nicotine affects the brain :
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i don't particularly like the style of the following link, but the "library categories" section does contain some useful information :
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[Colette]

It's up to you whether you quit or not. If you are strong, you will get off of cigarettes, if you are weak you won't. It's up to you to decide what you are, not us. Smoking is retarded. You are only shortening your life for a little bit of relaxation, it makes no sense. You are permanently damaging your health, if you were truly a rational being, you'd stop immediately unless you like suffering and being disgusting.

I don't think that sort of statement helps one jot. What he needs is support and encouragement, not judgmentalism and self-righteousness.

Have you ever smoked? Do you have any understanding of how addictive it is, or how hard to quit? I suspect not. I have been a smoker and therefore have some idea of how hard it really is.

Nicotine is more addictive than heroin, it has been well established now. Just bear that in mind next time you feel tempted to jump on your high horse..

[Jed3]

I think if your minds strong enough, you should have no trouble quitting.

[Rick]

I smoked 2 packs per day for over 22 years.

Neither hypnotism, the patch, or trying to go cold turkey worked.

About 3 weeks ago, I got a prescription for something called Chantix. It's a pill you take twice daily.

Chantix seems to be working. I have had one cigarette over the last 5 days, and that was only because I didn't throw them away when I decided to quit. That had been remedied. Chantix really does a good job of killing the cravings.

[brewmaster]

So the Chantix is working? I tried one of those back in the day, Zyban, just had to look it up. That thing messed me up bad. I was reduced to sleeping only about 3 hours a day, and the sleep I did get was so filled with ridiculously bad dreams (worse than usual), that it became not worth it. I had attributed this to the withdraws, but then read the side-effects label and realized what was going on. I wish you luck with that, though.

I'm on the gum now and am almost weaned off of it. I've only had 1.5 cigarettes in the past month and a half and the only reason was that I was drunk in a bar and just started smoking. I finally realized what I was doing and stopped that.

[Victor Tango]

I don't think that sort of statement helps one jot. What he needs is support and encouragement, not judgmentalism and self-righteousness.

Have you ever smoked? Do you have any understanding of how addictive it is, or how hard to quit? I suspect not. I have been a smoker and therefore have some idea of how hard it really is.

Nicotine is more addictive than heroin, it has been well established now. Just bear that in mind next time you feel tempted to jump on your high horse..

Whether or not that statement is helpful is irrelevant; it's accurate. Like you said, smoking is incredibly hard to quit. That's why it comes down to the power of a person's will, regardless of external factors.

Encouragement doesn't help when it's 2:goddamn 30 in the morning, your head is pounding so hard you can't see straight, you've been pacing for the last hour, buckets of tarsweat are coming out every pore, and you're snarling "ALL I WANT IS A SINGLE FUCKING DRAG, IS THAT SO MUCH TO ASK?!"

That's when you're either strong or weak. There's nothing judgmental or self-righteous about it. It's one or the other.

My dad smoked 30+ years. He tried to quit over a dozen times. We supported and encouraged him every time. When he finally quit (cold turkey) we all asked what changed to enable him to succeed. He said he never wanted it badly enough before, that he wasn't strong enough before.

Take it for what you will.

[SeaCzar]

i quit smoking after 9 years with the help of nicotine patches.


I tried quitting using those patches, but I could not get the f*&$ing things lit!!

On a more serious note, I quit cold turkey in Feb07. I went six months without a smoke, but started again. I know, its un-healthy, it stinks, etc, etc.

I read somewhere that quitting smoking was more difficult than quitting heroin. I do not doubt this for a moment. I will quit again soon, but I must say its something I enjoy.

[Rick]

So the Chantix is working? I tried one of those back in the day, Zyban, just had to look it up. That thing messed me up bad. I was reduced to sleeping only about 3 hours a day, and the sleep I did get was so filled with ridiculously bad dreams (worse than usual), that it became not worth it. I had attributed this to the withdraws, but then read the side-effects label and realized what was going on. I wish you luck with that, though.

I'm on the gum now and am almost weaned off of it. I've only had 1.5 cigarettes in the past month and a half and the only reason was that I was drunk in a bar and just started smoking. I finally realized what I was doing and stopped that.

So far, so good. One cigarette in 7 days. Tentatively I give Chantix high marks.

Funny you should mention the sleep aspect. I don't know whether it's the Chantix or the lack of cigarettes, but I feel like I'm on speed. I worked 12 hours yesterday, slept 2 hours last night, then worked 12 hours today. I'm literally running up the stairs two at a time at work. My thoughts are also moving much quicker. Dreams have been vivid and more intellectual.

[brewmaster]

So far, so good. One cigarette in 7 days. Tentatively I give Chantix high marks.

Funny you should mention the sleep aspect. I don't know whether it's the Chantix or the lack of cigarettes, but I feel like I'm on speed. I worked 12 hours yesterday, slept 2 hours last night, then worked 12 hours today. I'm literally running up the stairs two at a time at work. My thoughts are also moving much quicker. Dreams have been vivid and more intellectual.

Glad for you, I hope your success continues. I went through last weekend without smoking which was insanely hard. I intentionally put myself in a situation where I was 99% likely to smoke and was able to abstain.

Your sleep/work schedule sounds crazy. I hope for your sake it doesn't burn out.

Intellectual dreams, hmm. I wish I could have those. I can count the neutral and 'good' ones I've had throughout my life on one, maybe two hands. The rest fill volumes of bizzare horror, and unsettling overly real situations.

[Colette]

So far, so good. One cigarette in 7 days. Tentatively I give Chantix high marks.


What does Chantix do? Eliminate cravings? Reduce the enjoyment factor? How many do you take per day?

[pavman]

I'm quiting atm. Do it slowly.

I started slow, I'll finish slow. Down to 8 cigarettes a day atm (well, fell off the wagon for a couple of days here, but you get the gist).

Every 2 weeks I trim off 1 cig / day. Which means by May I should be down to about 2 or 3 and then by June I'll be down to one....which at some point I'll ask myself why bother... I did gain about 10 lbs since cutting back from a pack a day.

pavman added to this post, 2 minutes and 7 seconds later...

What does Chantix do? Eliminate cravings? Reduce the enjoyment factor? How many do you take per day?

My brother did Chantix. I think you keep smoking for a few weeks, then you stop completely while taking Chantrix for a total of about 6 months. Don't quote me on this, as he did this about 5 or 6 months ago.

It basically cuts off the desire/cravings to smoke. Worked for him. He said his dreams were more intense, but mainly just dreams about working in a cubicle, so he didn't have any violent outbursts like others had reported.

I prefer to do it the natural way, so I'm going a route I've known for years works well...

pavman added to this post, 6 minutes and 34 seconds later...

And for the non-smokers who are all about having a strong will... imagine, if you will, that smoking is like drinking water and the urge to smoke is like being thirsty. That's exactly how it seems. You get really thirsty or hungry, and you have to drink/eat.

Only with smoking, the physical addiction only lasts 3 days. The mental addiction, from what I hear, lasts the rest of your life for the most part (not sure about Chantix users tho).

I know folks who haven't smoked in 20 years, but always have a bit of temptation to go back to it. And others who have had just 1 cig after 5 years of not smoking and they are all of a sudden smoking again. Its true, the addictive properties of nicotine are worse than heroin on the brain.

[AgentofGaming]

And for the non-smokers who are all about having a strong will... imagine, if you will, that smoking is like drinking water and the urge to smoke is like being thirsty. That's exactly how it seems. You get really thirsty or hungry, and you have to drink/eat.

Only with smoking, the physical addiction only lasts 3 days. The mental addiction, from what I hear, lasts the rest of your life for the most part (not sure about Chantix users tho).

I know folks who haven't smoked in 20 years, but always have a bit of temptation to go back to it. And others who have had just 1 cig after 5 years of not smoking and they are all of a sudden smoking again. Its true, the addictive properties of nicotine are worse than heroin on the brain.

That sounds pretty painful and tormenting.
However then I'd like to question why smoke in the first place knowing that it was that addictive?

[Rick]

What does Chantix do? Eliminate cravings? Reduce the enjoyment factor? How many do you take per day?

Chantix minimizes the cravings. You begin taking it (2 pills per day, 0.5 mg each) a week before you try to quit smoking. Then, after the first week, the dose is upped to 2 pills per day, 1 mg each. My prescription was for an 8 week supply, so I'm guessing that is the normal course.

[polysylvester]

I quit twice. And the entire time I smoked I wanted to quit. One taste of chew got me hooked again! I sure have to laugh at the debate over whether tobacco is addictive. The thing I remember about the second time I quit was that something triggered me to stop "wanting to quit", and made me decide I was "going to quit". Once I made that paradigm shift it went much better. Instead of focusing on my cravings I focused on getting ten days behind me with no nicotine. I chewed gum as a distraction. I avoided my normal smoke brake activities. The thing that surprised me was that I didn't really fight a temptation to smoke again during the thoes of withdrawal. The event that made me decide to quit now was an ENT wanting to do surgery on my sinuses because of chronic sinus infections. I haven't had much trouble with that condition since I quit smoking....30 years ago.

[Colette]

Chantix minimizes the cravings. You begin taking it (2 pills per day, 0.5 mg each) a week before you try to quit smoking. Then, after the first week, the dose is upped to 2 pills per day, 1 mg each. My prescription was for an 8 week supply, so I'm guessing that is the normal course.

So what does it do to the cravings? Sorry to labor the point - I know someone who might benefit from using it? :)

[Victor Tango]

And for the non-smokers who are all about having a strong will... imagine, if you will, that smoking is like drinking water and the urge to smoke is like being thirsty. That's exactly how it seems. You get really thirsty or hungry, and you have to drink/eat.

Only with smoking, the physical addiction only lasts 3 days. The mental addiction, from what I hear, lasts the rest of your life for the most part (not sure about Chantix users tho).

I know folks who haven't smoked in 20 years, but always have a bit of temptation to go back to it. And others who have had just 1 cig after 5 years of not smoking and they are all of a sudden smoking again. Its true, the addictive properties of nicotine are worse than heroin on the brain.

Yep, it's very true. In fact, you'll hear most folks who have beaten addictions talk about this in great detail, especially alcoholics. They realize they haven't been "cured" of the addiction, only that they aren't feeding the addiction any more.

That's why you'll hear "I'm Jim, and I'm an alcoholic. I've been sober for 6 months." at AA meetings. They're sober, but they still have the addiction and the temptations that go along with it.

Hell, I was hanging out with a smoking friend last night, and I got a craving. Wasn't that strong, but it was there.

[Colette]

Yep, it's very true. In fact, you'll hear most folks who have beaten addictions talk about this in great detail, especially alcoholics. They realize they haven't been "cured" of the addiction, only that they aren't feeding the addiction any more.

That's why you'll hear "I'm Jim, and I'm an alcoholic. I've been sober for 6 months." at AA meetings. They're sober, but they still have the addiction and the temptations that go along with it.

Hell, I was hanging out with a smoking friend last night, and I got a craving. Wasn't that strong, but it was there.

That's because when a person has had an addiction, neural pathways in the brain are permanently altered, and opiate receptors permanently sensitized. That's why it isn't possible to 'cure' a person of an addiction.

[Rick]

So what does it do to the cravings? Sorry to labor the point - I know someone who might benefit from using it? :)

Colette, perhaps this will help.

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Apparently, it works by keeping nicotine from binding to key receptors in the brain.

[jwp4]

I too am trying to quit. At this point, I have have smoked for half of my life. Nicotine replacement is worthless to me - I probably get more nicotine throughout the day from the gum and lozenges than I did smoking. I was a pack a day smoker before the new year, and after failing to quit I'm pushing a pack and a half now.

I'm too type-A to quit cold turkey (or so I keep telling myself). I tried Wellbutrin and I stopped drinking and over eating, but the smoking persisted (albeit less). I'm not very fond of mood-leveling drugs. When I was taking Wellbutrin, I would just sit a stare at people - any extroverted traits I had were lost because of the meds. I might have to research and try the Chantrix.

Rick: Let me know how it goes with Chantrix. I really need to quit.

[Motor Jax]

it's never too late to quit though. if one really, really wanted to quit, then one would

[Rick]

jwp4, I'll provide updates.

I'm also on an Alaskan forum. Here is something that I saw in an Alaskan lady's signature there.

"Does this shotgun make my butt look big?"

This lady is a smoker.

Another good quote, also from the Alaska forums:

"Hunt not with a gun big enough for what you are hunting. Hunt with a gun big enough for what might be hunting you. "

[Aurelia]

Chantix minimizes the cravings. You begin taking it (2 pills per day, 0.5 mg each) a week before you try to quit smoking. Then, after the first week, the dose is upped to 2 pills per day, 1 mg each. My prescription was for an 8 week supply, so I'm guessing that is the normal course.

Be careful with the Chantix. I remember hearing about some of the adverse effects that the drug has. Here's an article from ABC News:
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[Blaze2000]

Well as someone who has smoked for 20 years and quit for 3-6 months a couple of times, I can tell you it's tough. Quiting cold turkey IMO is the best way to get past past the nicotine. Withdrawal only lasts about a week or so. The hard part for me has been finding something that will replace smoking when your stressed. I went 6 months at point and had a really, really bad, stressed out day and gave in. If you try to quit find something that will replace it as a crutch. I haven't been able to yet.

[Katie]

Sorry - voted no, thinking you were asking ME. I'd answer yes IF I could do so without resorting to food, as that family pattern was replaced by smoking.

[thegnat]

Of course you can do it.

I've actually known a couple of smokers who successfully quit smoking. It can be done.

[polysylvester]

I too am trying to quit. At this point, I have have smoked for half of my life. Nicotine replacement is worthless to me - I probably get more nicotine throughout the day from the gum and lozenges than I did smoking. I was a pack a day smoker before the new year, and after failing to quit I'm pushing a pack and a half now.

I'm too type-A to quit cold turkey (or so I keep telling myself). I tried Wellbutrin and I stopped drinking and over eating, but the smoking persisted (albeit less). I'm not very fond of mood-leveling drugs. When I was taking Wellbutrin, I would just sit a stare at people - any extroverted traits I had were lost because of the meds. I might have to research and try the Chantrix.

Rick: Let me know how it goes with Chantrix. I really need to quit.

What helped me quit was a paradigm shift from "wanting to quit" to "how am I going to cope with nicotine withdrawal (in this moment)". I didn't face the never ending temptation to go get another pack once I did that. The first 10 days were hell, but I didn't ever have to fight thoughts of getting another smoke. Instead I focused on coping with withdrawal of a chemical addiction using non-addictive methods.

[Jgib5328]

I don't think that sort of statement helps one jot. What he needs is support and encouragement, not judgmentalism and self-righteousness.

Have you ever smoked? Do you have any understanding of how addictive it is, or how hard to quit? I suspect not. I have been a smoker and therefore have some idea of how hard it really is.

Nicotine is more addictive than heroin, it has been well established now. Just bear that in mind next time you feel tempted to jump on your high horse..

Whether you can do an incredibly difficult thing or not depends on the strength of your will. If you have a weak will, then encouragement is useless, because the person will be too weak to quit, however if the person is strong enough, they will be able to quit. The weak can't quit their addiction, the strong can.

[Colette]

Whether you can do an incredibly difficult thing or not depends on the strength of your will. If you have a weak will, then encouragement is useless, because the person will be too weak to quit, however if the person is strong enough, they will be able to quit. The weak can't quit their addiction, the strong can.

Well thanks for that, Mr Knack-for-stating-the obvious :P

[Claptonian]

I'm shocked that some people are answering as if this is a legitimate question, citing that they "know people" who have quit as a reference.

If you want to quit, stop buying, lighting, and smoking cigarettes. Mission accomplished.

[Jgib5328]

Well thanks for that, Mr Knack-for-stating-the obvious :P

I'm always glad to help.

[esialb]

I hate the fact that I seem to be hooked on smoking. I could swear that I'm going to get cancer, if I don't have it already, I just feel it... but I seem to have no sense of self preservation.

Do you think I will be able to quit?

I quit cold turkey, and it wasn't hard. I was at a pack every two days, and had been smoking for something like 4 years. Apparently I am an unusual case, but I had no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. The worst part was psychological, and that wasn't too bad. You just need to relearn what to do with your hands when you are driving, at a bar, at a party, etc.

But I'll agree with others here, you have to actually want to quit. If the only reason you are quitting is because you -should- quit, then you won't quit. You need to want it. In my case, my fiancé (then girlfriend) gave me an ultimatum, and that was enough.

It's really a question of mind. If your T is strong enough to override the rest of you, you can quit.

[meaniehaha]

If you want to quit cold turkey try this. Pick a day, any day. Smoke your final cigarette after lunch so that when you wake up the next morning you don't have that long to go to have been smoke free for 24 hours.

I agree with Gloed on whyquit.com. There's some really useful info there.

[mxdntz]

Did you know that nicotine has been used as a pesticide for _____ many years!
That little fact helped me quit, well pretty much, I still have one every once and a while.

Key:
_____ = a lot!

[futureperfect5]

I hate the fact that I seem to be hooked on smoking. I could swear that I'm going to get cancer, if I don't have it already, I just feel it... but I seem to have no sense of self preservation.

Do you think I will be able to quit?
Substitute sex ... yep, that's my advice.
Create the same illusion of satisfaction in a social activity.

One of my roomies at university was a chain smoker 2-3 cartons of cigarettes a day.

Fall in love with perfume and flowers, things that you give up when you cannot smell anything but smoke -- smoking dulls your senses.

[Max T]

I smoked unfiltered roll-ups from 15 to 24 yrs before finally quitting.
To offer a little help,

... You could rationalise: count up the time lost due to smoking- the shorter lifespan and the 20 x 5 min breaks each day (25 days per year spent smoking)… and cost of course.

Or consider the upside to stopping- the more energy, greater enjoyment of food, youthful appearance etc.

Or take up a cardio sport which not only make smoking appear more illogical than before, but also the exercise flushes away the accumulated toxins from your body quicker than the usual decade to return to 'non-smoker lungs' after stopping (unless permanent damage has been done).

Or give mates who do smoke some money allowing you to have a cigarette off them only when you meet up. This stops you from carrying cigarettes on yourself and shifts you to being a social smoker and not a full time one. In essence a small but permanent step to stopping totally.

Or switch to smoking a cigar/ a pipe in private (after all it looks slightly unusual to do so in public) once a day on an evening...

I did the last three tips and it worked a treat.
By changing your lifestyle around the cigarette, you change your perception of smoking away from say “I love it but I must totally stop” to “I used to like it but now priorities have changed” so your will power doesn't have to overcome a 20-foot wall but a 10-foot one instead.