Good going, Raf! Definitely a one day at a time thing, I think.
I smoked a couple packs a day for many years...when I quit, it was cold turkey. I drank a lot of water, chewed gum (regular gum), and I kept myself occupied during down times with some serious artwork.
I never gained weight.
I didn't kill anyone.
I saved a great deal of dough...and that was 28 years ago.
I did dream I smoked, tho...for about a year or so afterward.
I work with a few addicts and alcoholics and hardly any of them get it on the first go round. They seem to build up momentum (or something) over time and eventually get it after a few tries.
Don't be discouraged--everyone is still pulling for you I'm sure...
Copenhagen snuff hands down was much harder to quit than cigs. The reason was I love the taste of cope....cigs were not that good except after a meal or out drinking. Been over 10 years since I "put a pinch between my cheek and gum."
I quit in 92 after having started the fool habit in 1969 in seventh grade. I quit cold turkey three or four or six times during that entire perod, with many of my "quits" lasting between 6 months and even one and a half years.
Cold Turkey is the only way to go. and I agree with this:
quote:
These folks coming out and saying nicotine is the most addictive substance known are full of it, IMO!!
I never once had any physical symptoms of "addiction" that came even close to the time when I quit coffee cold turkey a couple of times. When I had quit coffee, I had intense headaches, unbelieveable lethargy, and then more headaches. After the third day though, All was well and fine, and the addiction was out of my system for good. Until I started to drink coffee again of course.
Now with cigs, the only thing I had to deal with was that "want to" thing. I simply wanted to smoke. But I felt no "nicotine convulsions" as one dear pal of mine refers to the "want to's", just a desire to smoke.
Now, the thing I did with my mind to cancel out the "want to's" was simply to tell myself; "Naa, why would a non smoker like me want a cigarrette?" You see, non smokers do not want cigarrettes, for they are just that, non smokers. And this is the way in which I dealt with it. Worked for me....
I will tell you that you will not quit smoking until you really want to quit smoking, and until that day really comes, why kid yourself with patches, plastic "pseudo cigs", "dial a drag" minimizer cig holders and all of the rest. Just frickin smoke and enjoy it! I imagine that the guilt and the fear is also unhealthy for you, so you may as well enjoy it until you finally make up your mind that it is OVER. And when that day comes, you will quit.
A big motivator for me was when an old ex-Way Rev friend of mine used to ridicule me about my "religious bug" rearing it's ugly head again during those time when I was trying to quit. Then, I'd finally succumb to his pressure to relax and enjoy smoking without the guilt and etc.
But finally I got really pi$$ed off that this Rev. guy didn't think I could quit and that I ought to quit being so "religious" and all of that, so I just up and never smoked again. Funny that someone mentioned dreaming about it.
Every once in awhile, I have a dream that I actually went back to smoking in the very same manner that I did go back to smoking during the years of "quitting and starting". And it seemed so real in my dream that I am thinking that I really did start again, and "I just can't believe it after all of these years of not smoking!" But then I wake up, and I realize that my resolve had held after all.
I never desire to smoke these days. The only time I smoked anything since was in a bar up in Delta Junction, Alaska. There was this really nice looking gal who was just so tough and cool, and she took a shine to me. And when she lit up a see-gar I couldn't believe it! A see-gar smoking woman! And when she offered me a drag, I was as a sheep led to the slaughter. Not only did I take a drag, I inhaled! And, I didn't cough, she thought me "cool" or whatever, and we had a nice conversation around a good number of "cold toddies".
But Raf, you can do this, if you really want to. You can join the ranks of those who have kicked the habit. It's not hard at all, when you decide that you want to, for, Why would a non smoker want to smoke a cigarrette?
I never once had any physical symptoms of "addiction" that came even close to the time when I quit coffee cold turkey a couple of times. When I had quit coffee, I had intense headaches, unbelieveable lethargy, and then more headaches. After the third day though, All was well and fine, and the addiction was out of my system for good. Until I started to drink coffee again of course.
If you *need* to go off coffee, which I do periodically, taking two then one Excedrin in the morning will taper you off the caffeine nicely without the headaches.
It was my SIXTH Birthday. My Golden Birthday. We were at a pizza joint. Both of my parents smoked. They were divorced and my Dad was in for the day. I asked if I could take a puff.
"Well, he's gotta learn at some point." one of them said.
That was it, cough cough, never agian.
My mom stopped when she got prego with my younger bro, then officailly stopped a year or two later, before going in the corpse. lol
My dad stops all the time and then starts up again.
I tried dip later when I was like 10 with some friends and that cured me of that as well. Never liked most alcohol but eventually found some red and pale beers that are decent and of course I found wine, but only the good stuff. Yes, I'm a wine snob.
Raf, heres a good trick. Everytime you want a cigarette go into the bathroom, stick your head in the toilet and give yourself a swirly. I think it might work, if not, it will be a lot of fun to read about.
Recommended Posts
Top Posters In This Topic
69
13
14
28
Popular Days
Mar 8
23
Mar 11
21
Jun 8
17
Mar 9
15
Top Posters In This Topic
Raf 69 posts
oldiesman 13 posts
Ham 14 posts
dmiller 28 posts
Popular Days
Mar 8 2005
23 posts
Mar 11 2005
21 posts
Jun 8 2005
17 posts
Mar 9 2005
15 posts
Popular Posts
Raf
For some reason that I can't quite understand, I started smoking about 18 months ago. I had a few this morning, but then... I threw out the rest of the pack... and I threw out the lighter... and I...
Raf
Maybe too soon. But I'm counting on all of you to keep the pressure on!
Sudo
Raf, You started smoking 18 months ago? Man, that is soooooo atypical. That's not the kind of thing you're wanting to hear, I know but inquiring minds want to know... how did that happen??
Galen
ChasUFarley:
".... and the company I worked for called Hooters ..."
You worked at Hooters? kewl.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
MATILDA
Good going, Raf! Definitely a one day at a time thing, I think.
I smoked a couple packs a day for many years...when I quit, it was cold turkey. I drank a lot of water, chewed gum (regular gum), and I kept myself occupied during down times with some serious artwork.
I never gained weight.
I didn't kill anyone.
I saved a great deal of dough...and that was 28 years ago.
I did dream I smoked, tho...for about a year or so afterward.
Keep up the good work!
Link to comment
Share on other sites
GeorgeStGeorge
Good work, Raf!
Hey, you could try "the cleanse." If THAT doesn't keep your mind off smoking, I don't know WHAT will!
:D-->
George
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ham
Pouring ice cold water down the front of your pants may be just as effective..
Link to comment
Share on other sites
karmicdebt
Wanted to tell someone...
three weeks today!
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Galen
karmicdebt:
Wonderful, congradulations.
:-)
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Raf
Isn't air wonderful?
I've stumbled a couple of times, truth be told, but doing okay. Been a couple of weeks since the last stumble.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Shellon
Link to comment
Share on other sites
ChasUFarley
W-OO!
W-OO!
W-OO!
GO RAF!
GIMME AN "R"!
"R!"
GIMME AN "A"!
"A!"
GIMME AN "F"!
"F!"
WHADDOES IT SPELL?!
RAF!
GGGGGooo-ooooooo-OOOOO RAF!
By the way, you smell a lot better now.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jardinero
No kidding!!!! And what's the wonderful cologne you're wearing that we can now smell? Hmmmmmmmm?
And Karmi - - - - Wonderful! Keep it up!
J.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Raf
Lately I've been flunking bad. Gonna give it another try.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
mstar1
not to worry...
I work with a few addicts and alcoholics and hardly any of them get it on the first go round. They seem to build up momentum (or something) over time and eventually get it after a few tries.
Don't be discouraged--everyone is still pulling for you I'm sure...
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Stayed Too Long
Copenhagen snuff hands down was much harder to quit than cigs. The reason was I love the taste of cope....cigs were not that good except after a meal or out drinking. Been over 10 years since I "put a pinch between my cheek and gum."
Link to comment
Share on other sites
J0nny Ling0
I quit in 92 after having started the fool habit in 1969 in seventh grade. I quit cold turkey three or four or six times during that entire perod, with many of my "quits" lasting between 6 months and even one and a half years.
Cold Turkey is the only way to go. and I agree with this:
I never once had any physical symptoms of "addiction" that came even close to the time when I quit coffee cold turkey a couple of times. When I had quit coffee, I had intense headaches, unbelieveable lethargy, and then more headaches. After the third day though, All was well and fine, and the addiction was out of my system for good. Until I started to drink coffee again of course.
Now with cigs, the only thing I had to deal with was that "want to" thing. I simply wanted to smoke. But I felt no "nicotine convulsions" as one dear pal of mine refers to the "want to's", just a desire to smoke.
Now, the thing I did with my mind to cancel out the "want to's" was simply to tell myself; "Naa, why would a non smoker like me want a cigarrette?" You see, non smokers do not want cigarrettes, for they are just that, non smokers. And this is the way in which I dealt with it. Worked for me....
I will tell you that you will not quit smoking until you really want to quit smoking, and until that day really comes, why kid yourself with patches, plastic "pseudo cigs", "dial a drag" minimizer cig holders and all of the rest. Just frickin smoke and enjoy it! I imagine that the guilt and the fear is also unhealthy for you, so you may as well enjoy it until you finally make up your mind that it is OVER. And when that day comes, you will quit.
A big motivator for me was when an old ex-Way Rev friend of mine used to ridicule me about my "religious bug" rearing it's ugly head again during those time when I was trying to quit. Then, I'd finally succumb to his pressure to relax and enjoy smoking without the guilt and etc.
But finally I got really pi$$ed off that this Rev. guy didn't think I could quit and that I ought to quit being so "religious" and all of that, so I just up and never smoked again. Funny that someone mentioned dreaming about it.
Every once in awhile, I have a dream that I actually went back to smoking in the very same manner that I did go back to smoking during the years of "quitting and starting". And it seemed so real in my dream that I am thinking that I really did start again, and "I just can't believe it after all of these years of not smoking!" But then I wake up, and I realize that my resolve had held after all.
I never desire to smoke these days. The only time I smoked anything since was in a bar up in Delta Junction, Alaska. There was this really nice looking gal who was just so tough and cool, and she took a shine to me. And when she lit up a see-gar I couldn't believe it! A see-gar smoking woman! And when she offered me a drag, I was as a sheep led to the slaughter. Not only did I take a drag, I inhaled! And, I didn't cough, she thought me "cool" or whatever, and we had a nice conversation around a good number of "cold toddies".
But Raf, you can do this, if you really want to. You can join the ranks of those who have kicked the habit. It's not hard at all, when you decide that you want to, for, Why would a non smoker want to smoke a cigarrette?
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ron G.
I gave up them nasty and expensive smokes last January.
After 43 years of smoking it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was gonna be.
I occasionally indulge in dip, now, but it's going soon.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jim
If you *need* to go off coffee, which I do periodically, taking two then one Excedrin in the morning will taper you off the caffeine nicely without the headaches.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
dmiller
Raf -- I just went an entire week without smokes, but then *flunked* as well.
I'll quit for good if you do too. Give it a go, and be accountable??
(I won't quit coffee though!)
David
Link to comment
Share on other sites
dmiller
And for those who like *snuff* -- here is a song by Robert Earl Keen --
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Steve!
Raf -
You know you can always do like you did before - make a "hey, I need a quick shot of moral support" phone call.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
oldiesman
Link to comment
Share on other sites
lindyhopper
It was my SIXTH Birthday. My Golden Birthday. We were at a pizza joint. Both of my parents smoked. They were divorced and my Dad was in for the day. I asked if I could take a puff.
"Well, he's gotta learn at some point." one of them said.
That was it, cough cough, never agian.
My mom stopped when she got prego with my younger bro, then officailly stopped a year or two later, before going in the corpse. lol
My dad stops all the time and then starts up again.
I tried dip later when I was like 10 with some friends and that cured me of that as well. Never liked most alcohol but eventually found some red and pale beers that are decent and of course I found wine, but only the good stuff. Yes, I'm a wine snob.
Raf, heres a good trick. Everytime you want a cigarette go into the bathroom, stick your head in the toilet and give yourself a swirly. I think it might work, if not, it will be a lot of fun to read about.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
lindyhopper
Kareoke on the other hand.
JUST SAY NO!
Link to comment
Share on other sites
GeorgeStGeorge
Keep it up, guys!
On the other hand, they MIGHT cure cancer before you die from it....
George
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ron G.
Just one word for dmiller and Robert Earl Keen.
BANDITS!
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.