Thursday is the Great American Smokeout, a time when nicotine addicts across the country try to kick the habit.
It's not easy - but it's easier if you've got some friends.
Today the Journal-World invites you to share your stories - successful or not - of quitting cigarettes. Send your story to editor@ljworld.com. We'll put some of the stories in the paper, and all of them online.
Comments
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Pywacket (anonymous) says…
I "quit smoking" the day I moved out of my mother's toxic house at the ripe old age of 17. It wasn't hard at all--it was a huge relief to no longer stink from her second-hand smoke or to suffer the respiratory problems it causes.
My mom finally quit smoking about 7 years ago, to the amazement of all her vehemently nonsmoking children. And Dad...is dying a slow, agonizing death from emphysema, compounded by the depression of having to lug oxygen everywhere and STILL being too short of breath to carry on a conversation. It is heartbreaking to witness his decline.
When my folks started smoking, in their teens, the cigarette companies got away with blatantly lying to young folks, offering all kinds of "rewards" for buying certain brands, and selling their murderous product at very low prices. Hollywood romanticized smoking. I can understand people my parents' age having gotten addicted in their innocence.
I will NEVER understand why any young people would take up the addiction nowadays, with what we know about tobacco's addictive and poisonous properties.
No, kids, it does NOT make you look cool, sexy, or sophisticated. You're an idiot if you think otherwise. But it WILL make you look older--about the time you're wanting to look younger, your face will be turning into the wrinkled visage of a hag. And, yes--if you smoke, you stink.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…
I quit smoking 25 years ago. I made a promise to myself that if cigerettes reached $1.00 a pack I'd quit and I did. What motivated me was when I coughed up black phlem (I apologize for the graphics). So I asked a friend of mine who had quit how she got through it and this is the advice she gave me that I used and was successful at quiting.
- stop cold turkey - not wait for that last cigerette in the pack.
- drink A LOT of water constantly to flush out your system.
- Eat a lot of crunchy fruits like apples, pears and grapes.
- Stay away from foods and drinks that make you crave a cigerette OR that you've been in the habit of having a smoke after eating or drinking that certain type of food or drink.
- affirmations - i cannot stress this enough. Write down positive reinforcements and repeat them to yourself often and whenever the craving hits you. remember mind over matter. It works!!
Also, realize it takes 6 months for the craving to subside and up to one year before cravings cease and EVEN after that year a craving can flare up unexpected so always be aware of this and use your affirmations when they hit.
This worked for me. I failed after six months but went right back into this routine and really stuck to it. I haven't had or wanted a cigerette in 25 years. Being around a smoker doesn't bother me to want one, if fact I'd rather not smell it anymore. Food taste better, I smell and feel better too.
Good luck!
Calliope877 (anonymous) says…
I've heard quiting cold turkey isn't always the best way, although it seems to be how a lot of people quit. What about some of the medications out there? Is there anything out there that's been proven successful? I've heard the patch works, but like anything else, the reviews are mixed. I think it comes down to whether or not the person really wants to quit.
crazyks (anonymous) says…
I had a doctor tell me once that quitting cold turkey was a tremendous shock to your system, and you should really try cutting down first. Easier said than done, but some people swear by that method, too.
sleepylady (anonymous) says…
I quit cold turkey 14 years ago after smoking for 23 years. It was the best thing I ever did. I cheated one cigarette a month after quitting, and was horrified at how badly it burned my lungs, but that horror served to get me back on track. I must have tried to quit a dozen times before I achieved success, so even if you have tried and failed, even many times before, success is still possible.
I occasionally still have cravings, but cigarettes just stink so badly. One mental trick I used was promising myself I could start smoking again when I get to age 65. I also kept the remaining carton in the freezer for years, and finally got rid of them.
Once I had truly quit, I didn't want cigarette smoke in my life in any form, but it is difficult to avoid, especially around co-workers who smoke.
You can do it if you really want to.
jonas (anonymous) says…
Haven't had a cigarette since a week before last Sunday. Will be testing for my black belt in Tae Kwon Do early next year, and would just as soon not cough my lungs up while doing so. Of course, I've made it up to two months before, then would randomly have a strange black-out, at the end of which I was leaving a gas station with a pack or a single black and mild cigar (which I'm ashamed to admit I inhale). I'm saying it won't happen thsi time around, tho.
spammer89 (anonymous) says…
I have been trying to quit for years, talked to my Dr. and he put me on chantix it is working great he said to start taking the pill and gradually smoke lees then quit, I have set my day for Thursday of course. It is a little expensive but think about what you shell out for smokes a year and the cost of the pill is alot cheaper. Here is the link for the drug
http://www.chantix.com/
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…
My feeling is that if you seek a Doctor's help then you really don't want to quit. You have to want to really quit and do it on your own and not rely on someone else or on artificial means such as the patch or a pill. I believe in mind over matter as the strongest will to overcome addictions of any kind.
cowgomoo (anonymous) says…
I quit August 6, 1993. I used the patch. It didn't work at first because I couldn't keep the dang things lit, but luckily someone pulled me aside.
Seriously though, the patch really took the edge off and got me over the hump. I no longer dream of smokes.
I'm not a self righteous ex-smoker, but I'm not above playing the smoke card with my smoker wife..."what do you mean we can't afford my new toy, it's not like I smoke up three bucks a day....."
jonas (anonymous) says…
cowgomoo: Did you wear the patch to sleep? It really gives you amazingly vivid, bizarre dreams, which I love.
moxxie_mama (anonymous) says…
I am still smoking, although I know of one person using that Chantix and says it's really working well, so I might have to consider it. Standing outside in the bitterly cold wind always makes me seriously reconsider my habit, as does getting really sick. The longer I smoke, the harder the colds.
It's literally the most powerful thing I have ever known. I did quit smoking for 7 weeks once with zyban and gum, the patches didn't help me with the cravings, the gum at least mimicked smoking the cigarette. But then I got addicted to the gum, so I never was 100% nicotine free. Quitting smoking cold turkey aint going to happen, but with nicotine replacement it is the only way to do it.
That mouth/hand thing is very important, not only that but the psychological love for smoking. You hate it, but at the same time- those who don't smoke just don't understand how much better a drag makes you feel sometimes.
I think my biggest problem is nerves.. when I quit smoking for any length of time, I can actually FEEL my muscles getting tighter and tighter, till I'm wound so tight I feel like I'm going to blow.
First day is always just in bed all day long, every time. Breathing exercises crucial. The worst part is getting that many weeks out and STILL craving them. Not as frequently but so much more.
Mari (Mari Windermere) says…
Don't listen to sunshine noise!
Find what YOU need to quit.