new to the website

[morningglory84]

HI, I am new here, I have tried many times to quit and have suceeded for a month once almost a year.... sigh why did I start back each time knowing how hard it is to quit... I am recovering from a very bad cold and have only had  maybe 4 cig in 5 days.... as I am writing this I am fighting a very strong urge to smoke... my family isnt supportive being that I have started and quit so many times... I am praying that this urge to smoke will lesson.. and hoping that I can get some advice or help here. my health is very poor.. been in and out of doctors for many different reasons... I have had over 4 surgeries... I have 2 wonderful children who want me to quit and I would love to do so.. But this urge is very strong....

[CatsRsmart]

Good Morning & Welcome. You are in the best place possible for support and information.

And congradulations are in order. The decision to stop smoking is where it starts.

I am fairly new here also. Today is Day 35 smoke free. I have been using patch and gum.Today starts no more patch, just gum.

Allen Carr's pdf is great reading. whyquit.com very good. Read, Read, Read. Share & blog. I am 52, started as a teen. numerous attempts to stop. recently found this site.

Support and information is key...once you have made the decision.....you are well on your way....

Remember you can do this...you are doing this.....we are all doing this together...kick that nicodemon to the curb...he's a liar..that nico guy...

[Laura-12-14-14]

I'm a "newbie" myself - 51 days quit- but this site has helped me immensely. The support is tremendous and there is lots of things to read. The most important aspect to Your quit will be to do it for yourself. Stay strong!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-...

[morningglory84]

Thanks it is 1pm here and by now i would have had atleast 5 cig... I took 3 puffs off one this morning and threw it out.... again after taking kids I did the same not inhaling though and threw it out... they were tasting gross.... I am having a strong urge to smoke and have 4 packs in the cabinet... I decided to get on here instead of listening to the urge but its hard.. I want to do this.. I am praying for strength,,....

[hampton]

Proove to yourself that you can stop this addiction!!! Other's will follow,eventually. It is amazing what you gain from choosing to not be addicted to a cig. Every day seems brighter,and less thoughts of the nastie's seem to disappear. We all get reminded but we really know better now.:) Congrat's to you. Reward yourself!!! Peace,Deborah.

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

If you have reduced your smoking to 5 or less a day, it is time to just quit.  Rip/wet the rest of the cigarettes and be done with it!  By doing it this way, you are keeping yourself in constant withdrawal and making yourself more uncomfortable than necessary.

The most important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. Here is a link to a free PDF version of it:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

As well, read the sections on this site, and read the blogs, responses and pages of folks you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com and quitsmokingonline.com for the good information contained there.

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different.

You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around your head alone.  Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

[morningglory84]

Thanks, I will congratulate me when I totally give them up.. these urges are so bad I feel like I could get sick..... I hate that I ever started back up.....but know if I have quit once and I can quit again but this time for good

[morningglory84]

Thanks , I have been reading up a lot on quitting, since I have decided/.... I have been doing breathing routines when a craving comes that helps... going to try some exercises which I need anyway...

[JonesCarpeDiem]

You are in Withdrawal and actually torturing yourself by smoking so few.

if you intend to use the patch, use the smallest doseage.

one cigarette delivers 1mg of nicotine. the 7 mg patych delivers the equivalent of 7 cigarettes.

they have 2mg and 4mg gum but you would be wise to base your usage on whgat you were smoking a day when you stopped smoking.

i hope you read the link i pposted earlier.

[morningglory84]

Yes I have been doing a lot of reading, I am just fighting the mental.. THinking I need one when I really dont want one.. Its like a fight going on in my head even though a very thought of a ciggerette makes my stomach knot up.. I know my body is ready for my head to be in sync with it.. I am ready to quit but my will power is so weak... but I know I can do this I keep telling myself I can do this..wasted most of day reading up on different techniques on quitting... plus looking on here.. I am still not familiar on how to use this site but I will... I started a prayer and support group on facebook I made it secret so my family cant see it and judge me...

[prjimm01]

You are my friend and I know that you will never smoke again.  You have decided that.  It is over, a done deal.  Move on with your life now!  Enjoy the benefits of being smoke free sweetheart!

[morningglory84]

I'm trying, but these cravings makes it hard to enjoy life.... So ready to be part this...