Stop Smoking ( Archived) (91)

I'm certainly no expert but I did take a stop-smoking course that worked. Because I've talked with several people here who said they're trying to quit I thought a thread on how some of us quit might be of some interest.

In this course the first question they asked was why did we smoke? Answers ranged for "I like it" to "It tasts good". The instructor said "No, you smoke because you're addicted to nicotine and when the nicotine level in your body drops you feel uncomfortable and smoke to feel comfortable again." That kind of hit home for me!

The process was pretty simple - the first week we could smoke as much as we wanted of what we normally smoked. We just had to keep a little card with us that had times of day on it and put a mark by the time each time we lit up. She explained that we were going to learn when we were most vulnerable.

The next week we could smoke as much as we wanted except we had to switch brands to one with less nicotine and continue monotoring the times.

We also learned about "Triggers", things that happen to cause us to light up. For example, when the phone rings its often an unconscious trigger to smoke. When we're upset we think smoking will calm us down and make things better. Even getting to a certain intersection on the way to work.. etc.

The third week we were told to pick a "cut off date", a date after which we would be non smokers. As I recall it was about a month and a half later.

We continued using lower nicotine brands each week until the last week it was almost like smoking air. I was actually able to quit 2 days ahead of my cut off date. Another thing that was important was making myself see myself as a non smoker. I had smoked most of my life and went through 3 packs a day.

I like to say that if I can do it anybody can.

Good luck to you. I hope this helps and that others will add their experience to this thread..

Dan

Good post Dan! Thank you.

What an interesting way to do it.
Glad it worked for you!!

An excellent and helpful post. I found myself nodding in agreement as you mentioned the 'triggers'. Not sure I'm up for it yet . . . . . . . but it's got me thinking!

Thanks

Congratulations, and I'm glad it worked for you. I have invested in lobelia and a liver detox tea that contains many of the herbs recommended for quitting smoking, and am now trying to find mimosa tea locally for the mood swings. I was doing good at quitting during my last attempt until I developed an allergic reaction to the patch adhesive. Even without the patch, I was doing good on fighting the nicotine cravings and not really wanting to smoke...until I went manic. I am bipolar, but haven't had a manic episode in so long, I'd forgotten what they feel like. That derailed me. I'm seeking the herbs to deal with that so that I stop having meltdowns, and steeling myself for the emotional fallout again. I'll be giving it another go very soon. I really do want to quit, but that emotional stuff was too much.

Hi Jan...........

Congratulations Jan!

It feels great to be free of the habit doesn't it? Just being able to breath the fresh air and smell flowers in spring adds a lot to life. I sometimes have dreams where I'm smoking and wonder how that happen? I'll feel the dissapointment in myself for starting again then wake up a realize Im still a nonsmoker and feel grateful all over again..

WTG

Dan:

i will say u r so sweet and caring. i am gonna quit in mid of mayi wanna ask whether if i quit suddenly,would there be any side effects or its still ok?