After Quitting Smoking

[Spitfire]

OK everyone, just want to gather a bit of opinion/experiences on this subject, so looked through the old threads and the nearest thread I could find was by Pete 2 years ago, not quite the same content, so I think it's OK to 'give this a go' as I'm sure there are a few that will have input.

I've quit smoking(first time) for a month now and it's not been the experience I was expecting. I went out one night and drank a bottle of vodka and smoked 40 cigarettes on 'loose-cannon' night out, woke up in the morning and decided it was time to quit. We all know the future repercussions of failing to control yourself here.

Firstly I was expecting the so-called 'cold turkey' craving etc but no, nothing. There were times in the first two weeks when I really wanted a cigarette but just 'popped' a mint or had a coffee etc and it wasn't a problem.

Secondly, I began to notice that it was more of a case of my mouth and fingers just being bored and having nothing to do, maybe that's the habitual bit, so it might be all just psycological. I have not used the nicotine gum or patches as the nicotine leaves your system after a couple of days I think.

Thirdly, I think you need a reason to quit, as most that smoke enjoy it(I did). That morning when I woke up I had what alcoholics call 'a moment of clarity', as recently a handful of older smokers and drinkers that were close to me have passed on and sometimes it's like a slide-show of people that I once knew that are no longer with me because of excessive lifestyles.

Fourthly, I stumbled into the problem of drinking more than usual and also getting drunk a bit quicker than I used to when I smoke, strange. My reaction to this one so far has been to stop drinking beer and vodka(both of which I love) and switch to red wine because red wine is a passion of mine, usually you don't drink it so fast but does the trick and is better than the others in a medicinal sense.

So all is good but it's not easy and have gained lot in return for it, not to mention credibility from the wife.

I think if you have a reason, keep yourself busy with hobbies/sport/walking/golf/work etc and have a bit of stamina about it then it's quite 'do-able'(no such word but gets to the point).

So, I suppose, what I'm asking is,

-Can anyone that has experience of quitting smoking/controlling lifestyles etc give comments or experience of when you did it or attempted to?
-What were the difficulties you had?
-Did you succeed?
-Anything really help you out?
-If you gave up and then started again, what happened and why? Was it events or did you just decide to start again?
-Is it easier or not to quit at the start or is there a time, like after say 6 months, when it's more difficult?

It would be great to get some other stories and experiences from others.
I know a few of you have lots of experience in this field.

All comment welcome.

[Toy]

I stopped smoking 3 years ago.
My friend recommended me to read a book.
Author Allen Carr Name EasyWay.

You just try to Google him, the book are translated to many language.

It is a stupid book, but it works. There are so many repetitions in the book so I think it is brainwashing.

After I read this book I stop smoking without any big problem.

Of course, I had the urge to smoke, but it was not so hard to push away.

You must be motivated to stop, if you do not want to stop there is nothing that works.

[baron_wastelanduk]

i gave up b4 my daughter was born she is now 10 but i have since after 7 odd years began again - got pissed in bkk one night tried one and thought hey they are cheap why not!
now back in UK at almost £6 a pack seriously considering quitting again- i have to say that giving up b4 was really no great deal but i guess once a smoker always a smoker

[Jim]

I stopped for 10 years. Lately I had become zealous in my hatred of tobacco and everything to do with it. I wanted to punch anyone who smelled of smoke. Then the cravings started to come back, I got very pissed and cagded one off a mate. I'm now back on then again and much happier and more tolerant for it. It's also much better for my non-smoking wife as she no longer has to put up with my anti-smoking vitriol.

Giving up all those years ago was easy. I had flu, the need for a fag went and never came back.

[malcolminthemiddle]

Once you have quit, the secret is to "NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF". One puff and you are back on them again as Jim and BW above testify.

[hhfarang]

I started at 17 or 18 and smoked a pack and a half a day. I watched an uncle die very slowly and miserably with infazima and I decided to quit. I was about 30 years old and it took me five and a half years to quit.

malcominthemiddle is right. I would stop for a couple of miserable months and then in a weak moment decide I could take a puff or just have one. It was a roller coaster ride until I finally stopped permanently just before I turned 36.

I had severe strep throat and every puff sent me into a painful coughing spasm and by the time I was over the illness I was also over most of the withdrawal from not smoking. Never touched one since.

[hhfarang]

Oh, and Spitfire was also right about needing something to occupy your hands and mouth. After quitting I started eating more, partly because I could taste food for the first time in fifteen years and partly because I needed something in my mouth without the cigs.... gained 20 pounds and have been getting bigger ever since!

[Toy]

Once you have quit, the secret is to "NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF". One puff and you are back on them again as Jim and BW above testify.

Yes you are right.

I tried a puff many years ago, and start smoking again, after stop for 3 year.
I will never take a Puff in my life, because then I know I start smoking again.

I always say that I am, a not smoking, smoker.

the devil is nicotine

[Vital Spark]

I gave up in March this year, before our bi-annual? (once every two years) trip back to the UK. Most of our socialising is in pubs, and we stay with non-smoking parents, so I used it as an incentive. I've got quite a small air-frame and my normal weight is around 50kg. After our trip to the UK, and back in Thailand, I had gained 10kg. I have a very small appetite and wasn't stuffing snacks to compensate, but I got fat. I also got short-tempered - which isn't really my style.

It's a sad fact of life, but I took up smoking again (3 months later) to save my sanity. I'm a much nicer person when I'm smoking (Mr.VS will agree!), and I'm back down to 50kg. I really wish that I had felt healthier when I gave up - but I didn't.

Everyone's an individual and has their own reason to kick the habit. Mr. VS has successfully done it, and I applaud anyone who has the will power to do it. I may try again (before the next tripette to the UK) on the other hand...

VS

[Randy Cornhole]

I gave up for 2 years and started again. To be honest just because I enjoyed it.

I then gave up for 14 years because it seemed like a good idea at the time. I did find it hard but turned the craving into anger at myself for being so weak. Anyway this worked for 14 years.

I went travelling about 6 years ago and started again...

Its a bit of a roller coaster ride for me, but as I see it in the last 30 years I haven't smoked for 16 of those years...

[sargeant]

It was a heart attack or 2 that caused me to pack up.

It was a heart attack or 2 that caused me to start again

No blood pumping to the vital organ stopped sex the doctor had a fit when i asked about Viagara (high blood pressure apparently)
My beer intake has been virtually stopped it screws up my heart rate pills

My doc cusses me out for smoking and so does Mrs Sarge but JEEEZ i got to have something in my life.

[lomuamart]

I've been a smoker since I was about 13 and there's hardly been a day when I havn't had at least one. I remember nicking my father's when I didn't have any money. There was even one horrible time, after he'd given up, when I rolled some pipe tobacco up (he had been using that to help him quit) in newspaper and stuck it together with sellotape. Took the dog for a walk, tried to smoke it and was nearly sick. That's desperation for you. I think there's hardly a day that's gone by when I havn't had at least one ciggie.
However, I was in San Paulo hospital for three days a number of years ago and actually didn't have one the whole time. There were occasions when I thought about sticking head out of the window for a shifty one, but didn't. I was amazed that it actually wasn't that hard to forego. As soon as I walked out the hospital, I lit up.
I can sit on an aeroplane for 12 odd hours back to the UK, go through customs etc, get on the tube to Kings Cross and never want a cigee because I can't smoke one. As soon as I have 5 minutes at the station, I'm outside on the street lighting up.
Don't know how true it is, but I recall seeing an article in The Sunday Times Supplement years ago that said a heavy smoker (30+ a day for 10 years or so) only needed the nicotine equivalent of three cigarettes a day to stem the addiction. Every other one they smoked was for a reason - habit, boredom, nerves etc etc. Basically the article was saying "identify the reasons why you smoke and you'll be half way to giving up".
As others have said, you've got to have a reason to stop. My wife smokes as well and we've discussed quitting many times, but we both know that it's no good just one of us doing it. We both have to.
One of these days I'll do it, I just don't know when.
Sorry, that isn't exactly what the OP was asking - except for the three days in hospital - but I needed the rant.
An ardent smoker.

[malcolminthemiddle]

My wife smokes as well and we've discussed quitting many times, but we both know that it's no good just one of us doing it. We both have to.
One of these days I'll do it, I just don't know when.

Procrastation recovery denial makes the next puff of toxins easier to suck down. Nicotine tells this junkie that they cannot quit until their friend or loved one quits too as they're around their smoke, smells, cigarettes, breath and ashtrays, and quitting is thus impossible. It's pure denial and often both friends or loved ones use the other as their excuse to remain enslaved. How long will you continue to destroy your body while waiting for someone else to quit with you? A lifetime? If and when they do quit with you, what will you do if they relapse? Will "love" cause you to do the same? One of you needs to stand tall, continue on and lead the way. It's okay to have hope for a loved one but you must quit for "you" or it's doomed from the very start. Why make your freedom, health or life dependent upon another person's decision. As for being around smokers, don't we all do it? Isn't it just a matter of degree? Will planet earth's 1.2 billion nicotine smokers disappear once commence recovery? Won't you still see them and smell their smoke at restaurants, as they stand around outside stores or even hospitals, or as they puff away in the car beside you? Will all the stores pull-down their cigarette displays or move them from arms reach just because you are trying to reclaim your mind and life? Don't live the lie that "I smoke for love!"

www.whyquit.com

[malcolminthemiddle]

I gave up in March this year, before our bi-annual? (once every two years) trip back to the UK. Most of our socialising is in pubs, and we stay with non-smoking parents, so I used it as an incentive. I've got quite a small air-frame and my normal weight is around 50kg. After our trip to the UK, and back in Thailand, I had gained 10kg. I have a very small appetite and wasn't stuffing snacks to compensate, but I got fat. I also got short-tempered - which isn't really my style.

It's a sad fact of life, but I took up smoking again (3 months later) to save my sanity. I'm a much nicer person when I'm smoking (Mr.VS will agree!), and I'm back down to 50kg. I really wish that I had felt healthier when I gave up - but I didn't.

Everyone's an individual and has their own reason to kick the habit. Mr. VS has successfully done it, and I applaud anyone who has the will power to do it. I may try again (before the next tripette to the UK) on the other hand...

VS

This intellectual denial pre-assumes a large weight gain and then makes an erroneous judgement regarding relative risks. Quitting does not increase our weight, eating does. Some assert that metabolic changes associated primarily with the heart not having to work as hard could account for a pound or two but as far as being " dangerous," you'd have to gain an additional one hundred pounds in order to equal the health risks associated with smoking one pack a day. Keep in mind that your general health, physical abilities and lung capacity will all improve dramatically. If patient, you will develop the physical endurance (a 30% increase in overall lung function within 90 days) and mental recovery tools (the same tools needed to take control of your addiction to nicotine) necessary to shed any extra pounds just one pound at a time. Remember, smoking was your cue that a meal had ended. Unless you develop a new healthy cue there may be fewer leftovers. Also keep in mind how easy it would be for a drug addict to use intentional weight gain to a ploy to sabotage recovery.

www.whyquit.com

[malcolminthemiddle]

JEEEZ i got to have something in my life.

Does that mean that it's better than the pleasure of having a throat to deliver fresh air and great food, two lungs with which to laugh, a healthy heart to feel love, or an undamaged mind which dreams of a wonderful tomorrow? Pleasure from your addiction or pleasure in committing slow suicide at the hands of a mind that thinks it can only live with the aid of a powerful stimulant? What do they call someone who derives pleasure from self-inflicted harm or who slowly puts themselves to death? Pick your own label! Which nicotine fix out of the last 5,000 was the one that brought you tremendous pleasure? Which cigarette out of the next 5,000 may be the one that sparks permanent damage or disease, or that carries death's eternal flame? If bad news arrives tomorrow will "pleasure" cross your mind? Your only pleasure is in postponing the challenge of the initial 72 hours that it takes to remove all nicotine from your blood.

www.whyquit.com