70gto 142 Posted October 17, 2018 well after many failed attempts, the worst thing I ever did was pick up a cigarette. I enjoy with coffee or dinner the rest is pure habit, any suggestions from former smokers here? I really want to stop. Please no lectures on dangers etc, I know already. thanks 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Displaced Texan 11,748 Posted October 17, 2018 Chantx. You night have some vivid dreams while you’re on it. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
InFamous 311 Posted October 17, 2018 Cold turkey. Everything else is just prolonging it. When you get a craving think/do something else for a few minutes and it goes away. I haven't smoked in 7 or 8 years and I still get cravings. I honestly didn't even want to quit, my wife wanted me to. It was mind over matter, nothing else. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diamondd817 827 Posted October 17, 2018 After smoking for 20 yrs and trying all different ways to quit, including hypnotism, I finally did it cold turkey. I just picked a day and said this is the day I'm going to quit. I sat at home that day and read a book for hours ignoring all urges and mentally blocking out all the associations and triggers. By the second day my urge to smoke was already gone. By the end of the week I felt like I never smoked. That was 13 yrs ago. I never touched a cigarette again. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grapeshot 301 Posted October 17, 2018 I tried everything: the patch, gum, hypnosis, etc. None of it worked. What finally did it for me was that my wife (who quit via hypnosis) refused to kiss me because "I smelled like an ashtray". I had to do it cold turkey, just tough it out for a few weeks. It gets easier, especially if you lay off the booze the first few weeks. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brisco 130 Posted October 17, 2018 Vape worked well for me. Smoked for 26 years- Marlboro red. Did a little research online, ordered a vape pen and some juice. Been over five years now. Still enjoy the vape when I'm having a few cocktails. I know it's not good for me, but waaaay better than smoking and I don't smell like an ashtray 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
70gto 142 Posted October 17, 2018 29 minutes ago, Displaced Texan said: Chantx. You night have some vivid dreams while you’re on it. Lmao a buddy of mine was on chaantix, he was standing in the kitchen and just took his pants off, when we were like WTF are you doing he said I dont know. lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackDaWack 2,895 Posted October 17, 2018 vaping low dosages can cut the edge off the first few weeks but you have to be committed to quitting, or you will just end up vaping. 2 minutes ago, Brisco said: Vape worked well for me. Smoked for 26 years- Marlboro red. Did a little research online, ordered a vape pen and some juice. Been over five years now. Still enjoy the vape when I'm having a few cocktails. I know it's not good for me, but waaaay better than smoking and I don't smell like an ashtray This is what worked for me. The wife was a major driving factor too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
70gto 142 Posted October 17, 2018 I got a wounded officers support group I have to goto but i promise , this is the most important post i ever wrote, i look forward to any and all advice when i get back. Thanks fellas I REALLY APRRECIATE it. Crazy thing was I didnt start smoking well into my 20's. I know stupid right I was working construction in NYC, stressed out grabbed one and that was it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatty 241 Posted October 17, 2018 I agree with the above for quitting cold turkey. Ive been cigarette free for exactly 13 months now with no turning back. After over 15 years of smoking, it was hard as hell to do but so worth it. Life changing experience and it made me feel like I could do anything. Just woke up one morning and made a strong willed decision to quit for my family. Cut the first craving, the second, third, and kept chugging until days, weeks, then months passed by. Once the first month is down, it gets easier and easier... just understand that the withdrawl symptoms can get pretty intense (migraines, anger, body aches, etc...) but remember that its temporary and worth the fight. Most important factor is not giving into any excuses your mind might be telling you to sneak a harmless smoke. All it takes is one slip up and you're back to square one. Good luck bud. You can absolutely do it. edit; ive also tried vaping (for several years) but in all honesty you're still committing yourself to the nicotine addiction and the cravings will never stop. Mind over matter. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
siderman 1,138 Posted October 17, 2018 Cold turkey. That and what worked for me also was becoming a homebound hermit for a month or so. No going out with the guys, partys, even bars and restaurants (back then you could still smoke in 'em...and get cigs out of the machine in Pathmark for 80 cents lol). Its a mind game and you have to really want it, to me the all the substitutes is slow torture. And think how much money you'll save. Seriously- add it up and use that as an incentive to reward yourself with a prize down the road. Good luck! 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nucrunner 75 Posted October 17, 2018 Quit cold turkey in 86, best decision in my life. No long story from me, just go back and read InFamous and Fatty’s posts, they hit the nail on the head. Good luck, don’t expect it to be easy, it’s the toughest battle you’re likely to ever have - your opponent being yourself.... I’d like to tell you the urge to smoke goes away in a few weeks - not true, could take at least a year. About 30 days into quitting smoking, you’ll be coughing up grey slugs of goop, that’s your lungs clearing up - it’s a good thing. Good luck (luck won’t help, this is real work). Keep us posted, come back and tell us how your making out. Be honest, again your opponent is yourself. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MartyZ 692 Posted October 17, 2018 I agree with others, cold turkey. It will be 1 year since I had my last cigarette on Nov 1. I also quit for almost 5 uears about 10 years ago. And both times, only cold turkey worked. I tried everything, patch, chantix, gum, vape, and nothing helped. And to be honest, people telling you to quit only makes it worse. The only way I have been able to quit is cold turkey, and by wanting to quit. There is a big difference between wanting to quit and thinking you want to quit because your wife, kids, friends, etc... talked you into it. You need to really want to quit! 6 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bklynracer 1,265 Posted October 17, 2018 A friends father was told to volunteer at a cancer hospital for a few hours, that made him quit cold turkey, I was never a heavy smoker, but also went cold turkey as someine else said mind over matter if you can do it.. willpower. whatever you choose best of luck and good choice. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke_WO 11 Posted October 17, 2018 Never smoked myself, but my old man was able to quit via hypnosis about 25 years ago. He says it wasn’t actually “hypnosis,” more like he went to a cigarette shrink for a few weeks and he weened himself off in the process. Has never had a craving since. As others have mentioned, hypnosis didn’t work for them, so your mileage my vary. Without personal experience to draw on, I would agree with most here that cold turkey is probably the best way to attempt it. I would think it essentially just comes down to your commitment to the cause. Whatever you decide, best of luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frank Rizzo 59 Posted October 18, 2018 Both parents were able to quit with hypnosis. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
70gto 142 Posted October 18, 2018 Man this is gonna suck, but its worth it, quit date will be tues, tues because I work that day and thats 8 hours of no smoking even if I wanted too. so a forced cold turkey head start. I promise to let you guys know even when I mess up. It will keep me honest and admitting screwing up will be harder in front of an audience. from now till then I do a pack a day thats 20. I got a few days and cut it down to 15 then cold turkey from there. I really appreciate the responses and advice. Hard part is going to be driving thats the ultimate habit, get in the car and light up. Gentlemen I know its up to me but the encouragement helps. Well at least I can put the money saved towards a truck payment. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WP22 1,558 Posted October 18, 2018 Cold turkey Quit 8 years ago (Dec, 10, 2010) after 26 years of a two pack habit. I never realized how much I stank until after I quit. My poor wife. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bklynracer 1,265 Posted October 18, 2018 10 minutes ago, 70gto said: Hard part is going to be driving thats the ultimate habit, get in the car and light up. Gentlemen I know its up to me but the encouragement helps. Keep a pack of gum in the car, grab that instead of a cig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,369 Posted October 18, 2018 6 hours ago, Displaced Texan said: Chantx. You night have some vivid dreams while you’re on it. I know a few people that had success with Chantix. More than those using patches or gum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handyman 5,682 Posted October 18, 2018 Good luck bro. Cold turkey is the way to go - studies show it has the most durable effect. It takes the average Joe about 6 tries to successfully quit. You need to get in a mindset of exerting control over cigarettes. If you can smoke one less a day, that is a start. If you can take one out, and then wait 5 minutes before smoking it, that's also good. You have to start proving to yourself that you are in control. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatty 241 Posted October 18, 2018 10 hours ago, WP22 said: I never realized how much I stank until after I quit. My poor wife. ^ This. As a smoker, you never realize how much it stinks until you're on the opposite end... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MartyZ 692 Posted October 18, 2018 15 minutes ago, fatty said: ^ This. As a smoker, you never realize how much it stinks until you're on the opposite end... I still can't get the stench out of my car completely, even after cleaning all th upholstry twice, including the headliner. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brucin 923 Posted October 18, 2018 Keep at 70gto and you'll be successful. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
70gto 142 Posted October 18, 2018 thanks fellas, quit day tues, today cut dowm by 3 by usually amount. goal is cut by 5 tomorrow until tues then 0 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shooter2269 23 Posted October 18, 2018 35 year smoker here. Tried everything so far. I know cold turkey sounds easy, but believe me it’s not. As of a month ago I have been cutting down daily. It’s a fight but sooo sick of smelling like smoke and ashes everywhere and my breathe. Not to mention the $$. Good luck brother ! It’s gonna be a battle but you can do it ! I’m engaged in the same battle as are many of us. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lambo2936 297 Posted October 18, 2018 A pack a day is half an insurance payment. Just sayin...... so thats one way to motivate yourself Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
45Doll 5,877 Posted October 18, 2018 You will not stop smoking until you want to stop smoking. When you do want to stop, for real, you will exercise your free will and simply stop. I am an ex-smoker. This was my simple analysis. Nothing and no one could make me light up the next cigarette, except me. I will say I mimicked the hand-to-mouth habit urge with swizzle sticks for a couple years. Especially at bars. Eventually that too passed. In the end I realized that my smoking was a complete habit, and not an addiction. I do not conclude it's the same for everyone else. But I suspect. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zelig 21 Posted October 18, 2018 I failed multiple times with cold turkey. After a trip to the Emergency Room with a bad asthma attack, I used patches and gum. At that time patches were on prescription so you had to see a physician who tapered you off them. I also chewed on Stimudent toothpicks. The first week was hell but succeeded (1992). I was a 2 pack a day Malboro red smoker for 25 years before that. If you can do it, it will be the best decision you will ever make!!! Also, every failed quit attempt puts you closer to succeeding. The experts will tell you this. Just don't give up whether it's Chantix, cold turkey, patches or whatever...keep on trying and will succeed. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites