Cigarettes

[kantor1003]

Yesterday I decided to go cold turkey after 6 years of over a pack a day smoking. 6-7 hours left of my first smoke free day since I started. But man, it's hard... hard to even imagine a life without cigaretts. But I am not weak, and I will not let some silly substance control me. I hate substance addicts, so the thought of me being addicted to anything repulses me... anyways, have you any experiences related to quitting tobacco?

 

[Grove]

I'm in the middle of it right now and yes it is hard to do and totally worth it. Keep it up and don't let yourself "rationalize" your way out of quitting. I don't recommend going cold turkey though. I'm not trying to imply that this is your thinking, but most people I know who have tried to quit cold turkey go the route because they think they have to prove something. Like they don't really need or shouldn't need the nicotine, therefore they should just be able to give it up...as if it is them vs. the drug.

I speak from experience here, it is not you vs. the drug, this is a battle with yourself. Give yourself what you need to not start smoking again. The gum works for me- the 4mg- and I chew a piece an hour. At the risk of sounding like the commercial- yeah, I still want a cigarette, but I don't need one as long as I'm chewing the gum. I also know people who used the gum, but only when the cravings got really bad and they started smoking again and again. For me, I need to keep the nicotine flow as even as possible.

This is my second time trying to quit. The first was over the summer and I made it a solid two months. I gave in on a work trip using stress as an excuse--which was exactly what it was. The second time around is easier because I know what works for me and what doesn't. Find what works for you.

 

[nickgray]

I went from pack/day to 4-5 cigs/day now, sometimes even three. Gradually I'll drop it to constant 3-4, than try smoking only two/day, and only then try to quit. I tried cold turkey a couple of times, but it doesn't seem to work, you just get insane and start smoking again. I find that slowly reducing the amount of cigarettes to zero seems to be the most optimal choice of quitting.

 

[kantor1003]

Grove: the reason why I am going cold turkey is because I don't believe in prolonging the nicotine abstinences. I don't do it because I want to prove anything, rather I do it because I think it is the easiest way. Instead of gradually decrease the nicotine intake, suffering mild withdrawal symptoms over a prolonged set of time, I'd rather get it over with as quickly as possible.

If I where to climb a mountain and I could choose two different paths; one that takes 7 hours and is fairly tiring, or one that takes 2 hours and is very draining, I'd rather pick the two hour route.

 

[Toad]

One thing to realize is that addiction doesn't go away...ever. One or maybe even 10 years from quitting, you will still feel that you want a cigarette. Especially during stressful events.

A good things to remember is that after a month, you will feel like a smoke, but once you give in you'll realize the damn thing isn't even satisfying. Your body has already broken free of the chemical dependence of nicotine but psychologically, you're still craving it. So the smoke doesn't feel as good as it used to.

Anyways, good luck man. I've been smoke free for about 3 months now. This is probably my 10th try. It seems to be going ok so far, but I still have cravings...

 

[SEPKA]

Beware of Cold Turkey are Everywhere.
I never have the experience myself but my grandfather used to be a heavy addict (he smoke 20+ perday).
His method of quiting is instantly stopping it, and purposely put cigarette everywhere around the house to test his willpower against temptation.
It worked for him, not sure if it worked for you though.

 

[Madoness]

Yesterday I decided to go cold turkey after 6 years of over a pack a day smoking. 6-7 hours left of my first smoke free day since I started. But man, it's hard... hard to even imagine a life without cigaretts. But I am not weak, and I will not let some silly substance control me. I hate substance addicts, so the thought of me being addicted to anything repulses me... anyways, have you any experiences related to quitting tobacco?

I quit smoking the first time uhmmm... about five years ago. I had one month left to be in an army. It was hard... to go on patrol for hours and not smoke. I had to get my mind off of smoking. All the free time I had, I read books, slept or when really needed, was in the gym punching boxing bags It actually helped a lot. But first month and a half were hard. After the army I became a night administrator in a local hotel, so at night time there was nothing to do and thinking about smoking still bothered me.
But.... after a year and a half being smoke free, I started again. Had dreams where I really needed one and after waking up still had this need. so I bought a pack and was back where I started.

I quit again this year in March or April. This time it was not really planned this way. Lets just say, I like to suffer. (to start smoking only to quit again). There was a lot happening at that time, so I really had no time to think about it. I quit without any real difficulties. It was more or less a spontaneous act to try. I still do see dreams where I smoke and I wake up with guilt. But hey, if I get this satisfaction from dreams, I don't mind.

 

[kantor1003]

Toad: Thanks for the disheartening post. You bastard!:P

Sepka:
Wow, what a way to quit I guess I get tested in the same way though seeing that everyone in my closest family smoke and I therefore get smoke in my face all the time.. I have a pack of cigarettes 40cm away from me as I post this.

 

[kantor1003]

Madoness: Seing that the cravings doesn't really go away...if one choose not to smoke, are you doomed to a life with cigarette cravings on a regular basis?

 

[Madoness]

Madoness: Seing that the cravings doesn't really go away...if one choose not to smoke, are you doomed to a life with cigarette cravings on a regular basis?

Not on a regular basis, maybe every once in a while.

 

[beastie]

I agree that patches prolong the agony. I "gave up" using patches, spent a fortune on them. I was on the lowest patches and almost completely through the course when I became stressed over crap in my life and took it up again. Because I was still getting nicotine, I didnt have to fully deal with why I was smoking therefore when on minimum nicotine patches everything went to shit.

 

[warryer]

Interesting that I should find a post here about quitting cigarettes. It's been on my mind now for the past month or so. I've quit several times in the past for months at a time. I've always started up again to deal with some stressful situation but, really when did cigarettes ever make a hard situation go away or even easier? I read somewhere that they actually make you more stressed due to elevated blood pressure that comes with nicotine and all the other chemicals.

The shitty part about cold turkey is that the craving comes in waves and it doesn't come gradually, it hits hard. The good thing is that after the first one the next one isn't as bad but the stress builds.

I find that having some sort of physical reminder that you attach a trigger to, to remind you of why you are quitting. That way when the wave hits you will be able to remember why you are doing this in the first place and give yourself some ammunition to defeat the 'if i only had one it would be ok' thought process.

After about 2 weeks they become much more manageable. A month? You will hardly notice the craving but it is still there no matter how small.

I am going to be finishing off my pack tonight and start the quitting process over again once its done.

 

[Toad]

I think the battle is mostly psychological. Make sure you have a damn good reason for wanting to quit. Constantly remind yourself with that reason. Put pictures, words, and reminders everywhere in your house. Every time you see it your reminders, your resolve strengthens.

 

[kantor1003]

I busted.

 

[Toad]

Did it feel good?

 

[SEPKA]

Wow I never realized cigarette can be so addictive. I only try smoking cigarette once and all I get is dizzy and chain coughing.

 

[kantor1003]

Did it feel good?

Yes, it did. But I can't feel good with myself when I do it anymore.. so I haven't really smoked more than one cigarette....but still, I fucked up.

Wow I never realized cigarette can be so addictive. I only try smoking cigarette once and all I get is dizzy and chain coughing.

I think it takes about 2-3 weeks of daily smoking before you get addicted to the nicotine levels in your body. If you check out some drug charts and look at different drugs addictive quality, you will find that nicotine/tobacco/cigarettes is very high on the list. Far more additive than a drug like ecstasy for example.. or marihuana.. lsd.. etc.

 

[The Fury]

I've never smoked but i often thought of getting myself addicted to a substance just to see if I have the will power to quit.

 

[kantor1003]

I've never smoked but i often thought of getting myself addicted to a substance just to see if I have the will power to quit.

you should start smoking and doing heroin at the same time then. After a month, you would be facing your greatest challenge yet

 

[warryer]

I think the battle is mostly psychological. Make sure you have a damn good reason for wanting to quit. Constantly remind yourself with that reason. Put pictures, words, and reminders everywhere in your house. Every time you see it your reminders, your resolve strengthens.

Surely is. I carry a small pebble in my pocket for just that reason. I attach a mental note to the action of playing around with the pebble. It's like fighting fire with fire. Whenever I start playing with the pebble the thought enters my mind of why I am doing this to counteract the desire to walk down the street to buy a pack.

Which is another idea, make it as difficult as possible to go buy a pack. Don't give yourself the oppurtunity to be at the store counter; don't physically walk half a block out of your way to buy, don't go inside the gas station pay with a credit card at the pump. Keep yourself physically distanced.

Each time you fall you will have to start all over again. what a bitch nicotine is.

I know for me all my life I told myself that addiction = weakness. I don't want to be weak anymore. I repeat this to myself, my mantra.

You could also think of it as a "loan" of sorts. What I mean is this. Each time you take light up you do so to relax. I figure that stress has to go somewhere right? When you smoke you take out a small loan against yourself. 'Hey I don't really want to feel this stress right now, how about later.' Each time you smoke you add a little bit more, and it accumulates. The bank of stress builds and builds to the point where you have to keep taking out loans more frequently to hold it at bay (interest rate?). Eventually you will start paying for the stress in terms of your personal health. In the end you have to pay. So these cravings you feel are rightfully deserved for all the stress that you put off in the past. This is my take on it anyways.

So far I'm at 20hrs since my last one, I imagine I will hit the wall soon.

 

[JUN]

This thread is jeopardizing my attempt to quit smoking, fuck.

 

[Toad]

I hate being around smokers when I'm quitting. I know if they offer me one I will take it. There is no doubt in my mind.

 

[kantor1003]

I hate being around smokers when I'm quitting. I know if they offer me one I will take it. There is no doubt in my mind.

Thats really my problem which also is part of the reason why I busted. My whole family smokes, and a cigarette is always right in front of my face. I find that if I hang around with non smokers, I can go loads of hours without even thinking of smoking at all.

 

[SEPKA]

Thats really my problem which also is part of the reason why I busted. My whole family smokes, and a cigarette is always right in front of my face. I find that if I hang around with non smokers, I can go loads of hours without even thinking of smoking at all.

Obviously, merely due to the fact that there are no cigarette around for you to smoke. By the time you get your hand on a cigarette, the crave should be over (I read somewhere that nocitine crave is only 3-5mins).
I suggest you try to tell everybody that you decided to quit smoking. Perhap they will be less likely to smoke at your present, and the guilt associated with lying will help you quit it.

 

[Vrecknidj]

So, I've never been a smoker. My mother was, and I noted that it completely controlled her. As a kid, I couldn't figure out how it made sense to pay someone else to get me addicted to breathing poison.

So, out of curiosity, since this question seems a fair tangent to the thread's main point, why does someone start? (And, if you're an INTP, do you think that the impetus to starting was motivated by unconscious forces? And, if so, do you think you were driven more by S or F concerns?)

Dave

 

[Reverse Transcriptase]

I've had friends offer me cigarettes, tell me it feels really nice. They weren't being evil or anything... they were just sharing, wanting me to share in their experience. I've tried clove cigarettes and one other cigarette one time, I didn't like it.

I think they start because friends are doing it, it's kind of a social activity to have other people stand with you while you're smoking outside. And then it turns into a habit, and then more. And if you're stressed, it works as a crutch or something.

3 of my grandparents died from smoking-related problems. A lot of my great grandparents and my grandparent's brother's or sisters died from smoking too. The ones that didn't smoke usually lived to be pretty old, in their 70s, 80s or 90s.

 

[Toad]

Seriously, I can care less if I die early or not. I just don't want to go through the pain. Fuck have you seen people dying from a lung related disease? They go through hell before they actually die.

 

[walfin]

This thread is making me want to start smoking again.

Chew gum. It helps. Others have probably told you this already. One stick of gum every time you want a stick.

 

[JUN]

Yes, I chew gum obsessively during the whole day, doesn't quite take away the need for nicotine but relieves the stress as well. It's a fairly good substitute.

 

[Yellow]

I quit smoking 2 years ago.. I had smoked for 11 years (started at 13). I quit cold-turkey. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. That was my third try quitting.. once I had quit for 3 months, the second time, 8 months.

I still really, really want a smoke. Oh my cow, I want to smoke. BUT I can detach now and realize that I don't wanna start that up again. Also.. I've decided that I am NEVER going to quit again because it is such hell. If I start smoking again, then it'll be 'till death.

Also, remember, the stress you are feeling is mostly the physical addiction. After a month or so, that anxious stressful feeling will dissipate.. and your blood pressure will go down a bit because your arteries will open and close in a more fluid way and the cardiovascular symptoms of withdrawl will go away. AND you won't stink anymore. I had no idea how badly I stunk, and I had made an effort not to smell of smoke.

EDIT: One thing that helped was my mind set. I also didn't want to be so weak as to be dependent upon a stupid cancer-stick. This idea not only helped me while I was alone, but it helped when I was around other smokers (my husband didn't quit for another 6 months). I kinda looked at myself as stronger than them, and that gave me the strength to resist... if that makes any sense. Also.. try not to look at the long term too much at this stage. I know for me, I was freaked out by the idea that I will never, ever smoke again. It unsettled me because I had been a smoker for so long. Just get through each day, then the next week, etc.

 

[twiztid]

I quit smoking without knowing it. One day I just realized, hm, I haven't had a cigarette in two months. Smoked since 12... now I'm 17, so I guess it was easy because I'm so young.

 

[Waterstiller]

I keep a pack of cloves around and have one every couple of weeks. I'll probably stop doing that because they've been banned.

But I really like smoking on occasion. I realize that's out of the question for those who have been addicted to cigarettes, but I'm a huge fan of doing things in moderation. I'm at the point where if I see someone smoking on TV or on the street I'll feel an urge to do it, and it gets stronger when I smoke more often. So when I feel it getting to be too much, I'll spread out my consumption more.

I like smoking because it's one of the few socially accepted meditation breaks. When you smoke, you're usually forced outside. I like doing it alone while playing guitar and staring at the stars.. and I don't smoke otherwise.

This article about what people enjoy about it might trigger you to smoke, but I think being conscious of why you smoke in the first place is pretty important for quitting. Maybe try dissecting the benefits and finding other ways to get them.

 

[Cavallier]

My father went cold turkey shortly after I was born. We had little to no money and one day he had to choose between some essential groceries and his cigarettes and got pissed off at himself for even considering getting the cigs instead. So he quit then and there and he's been off for close to 24 years. I think that his experience in the store made him realize that he was an addict and that he wanted to prove to himself that nothing so petty could control him.

I only ever smoke cigars and that's only every few months when I've got somebody to smoke them with.

 

[nickgray]

Maybe try dissecting the benefits and finding other ways to get them.

Are there any? It's just addiction, pure and simple.

I had a thought. Cigarettes are the ugliest form of tobacco smoking, mainly because of their extremely low quality, right? So why some people don't smoke pipes? Pipe tobacco is... it's the real tobacco. Not that crap they put in cigarettes.

 

[Murphy1d]

I had heard that INTP's have a natural addiction for cigarettes and cocaine. Both are stimulants, but both are said to have opposite effects on us, meaning they calm us down and allow us to focus (THIS IS NOT A POST ABOUT THE GOOD EFFECTS OF DRUGS).

Point being, I am still addicted to cigarettes and have quit numerous times. I have never tried coke, and don't plan to because I am afraid I will fall prey to it. It really scares me.

Good luck, and I actually do my best to quit when I go cold turkey. I last longer that way. One thing I do now is buy a pack and give it to a friend at work. Then, if it gets bad enough I bum from her instead of buying a pack (and smoking the whole pack).

But definitely stop as soon as you can. It takes about 2 weeks for the cravings to subside. I have bad heartburn from smoking and it feels like what I imagine a heart attack feeling like. Yet, now I wonder if I actually did have an attack would I pass it off as a worst-bought of heartburn ever. My friend had the same experience and was going to the ER when he (stupidly) waited it out and it went away. One wonders if it had gone the other way would it have been a sad mistake.

 

[Madoness]

I hate being around smokers when I'm quitting. I know if they offer me one I will take it. There is no doubt in my mind.

Don't you want to test yourself? Being sadomasochistic about yourself, suffering yourself.:P
Once you can say no, it becomes much easier. Twice I quit, both times had smokers around. Though I cannot guarantee that I never start again, right now though, nothing points to it.

 

[Toad]

I'm going to do it. I'm going to go buy a pack of smokes today and enjoy it.

 

[milkyway2]

The problem I have with quitting is that I love sitting outside in the morning and drinking a coffee and smoking a cig, and it's a great way to go out and have some time to myself and sit there for 10 minutes and smoke during work or school or whatevs. I guess I just don't want to quit yet.

 

[a detached retina]

I thought I'd revive this old thread since I am currently smoking the first cigarette of what will be, ostensibly, my last pack before I quit. ... again

Whenever I quit I get the same feeling I get when I'm trying to swim as far as I can underwater without taking a breath. I feel like something terribly terribly bad is going to happen to me if I don't get a breath. The feeling is overwhelming and frightening.

 

[BigApplePi]

retinal, I don't know how it worked out for kantor, but I quit 30+ years ago cold turkey, no problem. That was right for me ... and to others well let them play with it. kantor: how are you doing? I will tell the story but only if yer interested.

 

[Dimensional Transition]

Damn, smoking seems like hell. You'll never get away from the cravings?
It must be like trying to quit sex or masturbation cold turkey... forever.

I'm interested in your story, Apple Pi (:

 

[a detached retina]

at DT... yup.

 

[AlisaD]

I never managed to really quit. All my friends were agonizing about quitting, so I tried too, but my self control is non-existent really, so that really didn't work out.

A few months later, after giving up on the whole idea of quitting, I kinda forgot to smoke for a few days/weeks, and turned into a non-smoker, I guess. Now I have a few if it's one of those nights, but never really feel the need to do it.

I guess I'm really bad at quitting, but luckily, I seem to be just at bad as being addicted, so it all works out

 

[BigApplePi]

Damn, smoking seems like hell. You'll never get away from the cravings?
It must be like trying to quit sex or masturbation cold turkey... forever.

I'm interested in your story, Apple Pi (:

Well I will only address what crossed my mind in response. Smoking has two characteristics. Nicotine addiction and social-personal habits. Those are different. I once saw a table of addictions ... heroin cocaine nicotine and such. I forget how they rated these as there were several scales. Nicotine was the worst ... I think is was the addiction scale ... and I forget how they defined that.

The social-personal habits in smoking are all behavior. One can get rid of that but it's as easy or hard as any habit. The nicotine and sex is physical. Sex can't be kicked physically though one can try and ignore it ... you will feel uncomfortable unless you can find a substitution. Nicotine abstention has side-effects. Those cravings are definitely NOT permanent. Not sure how many weeks it takes but right now its been out of my system 30 years ... or whatever figure I gave in my last post. I once tried a cigar 20 years ago someone gave me and got sickish so I threw it away proving my body didn't want what it had to offer. And I used to smoke one per day.

 

[BigApplePi]

I never managed to really quit. All my friends were agonizing about quitting, so I tried too, but my self control is non-existent really, so that really didn't work out.

A few months later, after giving up on the whole idea of quitting, I kinda forgot to smoke for a few days/weeks, and turned into a non-smoker, I guess. Now I have a few if it's one of those nights, but never really feel the need to do it.

I guess I'm really bad at quitting, but luckily, I seem to be just as bad as being addicted, so it all works out

AlisaD. Question. Ever had a cold? A bad cold? How do you feel about smoking during a cold?

BTW I have to ask you another Q so be patient and bear with me. If it so grabbed me and I took up getting you drummed out of MENSA, would you fight me in court?

 

[Yet]

I thought I'd revive this old thread since I am currently smoking the first cigarette of what will be, ostensibly, my last pack before I quit. ... again

that seems a good idea ... I do not smoke a lot (a few a day) but I think I'll join ya!

hope I did not put you of now

 

[mke2686]

Yesterday I decided to go cold turkey after 6 years of over a pack a day smoking. 6-7 hours left of my first smoke free day since I started. But man, it's hard... hard to even imagine a life without cigaretts. But I am not weak, and I will not let some silly substance control me. I hate substance addicts, so the thought of me being addicted to anything repulses me... anyways, have you any experiences related to quitting tobacco?

Every time i had a craving i went for a run or lifted weights, not only did it work but it prevented me from gaining weight.

chewing gum also seemed to help.

 

[shoeless]

my nicotine addiction has evolved into a weird psychological weed addiction, because for the longest time i only smoked tobacco in joints so i craved joints, thinking it was the weed when really it was the cigarettes.
the more cigarettes i smoke, the less weed i smoke, and vice-versa. it makes quitting hard because it's like having to quit two things at once.

my goal is to really try to quit when i go back to the states. both substances are much more taboo there, and i'll have some incentive what with school. cigarettes will be hard though. you should see me on the weekends, it's just awful.

 

[AlisaD]

AlisaD. Question. Ever had a cold? A bad cold? How do you feel about smoking during a cold?

BTW I have to ask you another Q so be patient and bear with me. If it so grabbed me and I took up getting you drummed out of MENSA, would you fight me in court?

Um I don't get sick that often, I had colds I think. When I really smoked, I din't really enjoy smoking when I had a cold, but I did it anyway, I think.

Also, it may be hard to kick me out of an organization I haven't paid a membership fee to for about 10 years now. You can give it a shot, though. You could maybe pay the fee for me, add me to a list and then kick me out. I think I'd like that. I don't get kicked out of... well anywhere very often.

 

[BigApplePi]

Um I don't get sick that often, I had colds I think. When I really smoked, I din't really enjoy smoking when I had a cold, but I did it anyway, I think.

Darn. I was going to suggest stopping smoking when you have a cold. Then feeling awful from the cold would mask feeling awful from withdrawal. Obviously you have discovered a workaround.

Also, it may be hard to kick me out of an organization I haven't paid a membership fee to for about 10 years now. You can give it a shot, though. You could maybe pay the fee for me, add me to a list and then kick me out. I think I'd like that. I don't get kicked out of... well anywhere very often.

I will put your suggestion to the test and attempt to implement it. If you send me the fee I will pay it for you and proceed with whatever steps are needed to kick you out. My strategy will be to replace you with someone who smokes when they have a cold. They will probably not be smart enough to know the difference.