I never thought I'd do it but because of their ever increasing cost coupled by the ever increasing social ostracizing, I've finally committed myself to giving up smoking cigarettes after 40 years starting tomorrow.

For any and all of you who have successfully quit, I really need your input on what its like, what to expect, how to get over the hump, etc; maybe even a bit of moral support too. TIA!

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You dig?

Congrats on making the choice to quit. "WANTING" to quit is a big part of the battle.
Are you quitting "cold turkey" or are you using any of the number of stop smoking aids?

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Growing up both my parents smoked, causing me to have chronic asthema.

I about suffocated to death one night when I was four and my dad had to rush me to the hospital.


There's a good reason...

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Kid: "Hey Smokey! Where did you get your name?"
Smokey the Bear: "Well..."
(former user jimbo612)

Martian, kudos to you for quitting!!

I can't give any advice, but you get some interplanetary Mojo heading out to the red planet.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

This is going to be one of the harder deals in your life...
I've not smoked for over ten years,and quite honestly... I could pick them up right now. Don't get me wrong quitting was one of the smarter choices that I've made!
I quit cold... no patch, no pills, no hypnotism etc. It is a mind over mater deal.

One thing I did that seemed cool, was I put my smoke money in a jar everyday. I ended up with over $600.00 before I stopped. It adds up quicker than you think.

I wish you luck my friend, I don't know you, but I will be happy to support you in time of need. I think that anyone brave enough to quit,deserves all the help one can get.

You made the right choice!

Bill

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

martian, it is absolutely vital, that you need to want to quit, Not for the reasons you listed, but because you know, without any doubt, that you must quit smoking to avoid the very real danger of dying far too young, in a very awful way. I have quit 3 times myself my friend, and i know all the ins and outs about it. You know, the old school of hard knocks. There's some kind of average out there, about smokers quiting several times before it sticks, well, i guess that's me.Most importantly of all, is that you drastically change your beliefs and rationalizations that keep you bamboozled into thinking that to remain a smoker "just a little longer, i really should quit, but not right now" Ask yourself just how many times you put off quitting till later. Now look at just how long it's been , where later never came. You are seriously addicted to nicotine. All smokers are. There's no question about it, even if you only smoke a few cigarettes a day. The addiction is so strong, that it has been compared by the surgeon general to heroin addiction. It has also had you, just like millions of others playing mind games with yourself all these years, convincing you that everything's ok, besides, i enjoy it, it relaxes me, etc, etc, etc, bla bla bla. If you can't believe that you must quit to save your health, you will never want to bad enough, and be serious enough to stay the course. The reasons that you listed for quitting are the hugest red flag ever, that you really don't want to quit for yourself, but feel badgered into it. If you won't for yourself, how can you imagine that you would do more for others. Even the fact that you chose others picking on you a your reason for quitting, strongly suggests that you aren't yet able to take the health threat of smoking seriously enough to have a real desire to quit. The odds are against you already. If you really want to quit, The patch makes it very doable. It makes the craving much more tolerable than cold turkey, or hypnotism. I did the hypnosis route the first time, and it's hell for three days, the physical withdrawals are bad. With the patch, I even did it in three weeks using the 1st through the third stage patches for 1 week only instead of the several weeks recommended for each step, because i really wanted to quit for my health. Youv'e got to want to for yourself! I wouldn't be helping you any if i were any less brutally honest here. i will be praying for you friend, Lord bless,
Dave.

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I believe in Christianity as i believe that the sun has risen. not only because i see it, but because by it, i see everything else. C.S. Lewis

Congrats on your choice, I'm 100% with you. Take any means necessary to help you. Good luck.
Claude.

[quote="bill948I quit cold... no patch, no pills, no hypnotism etc. It is a mind over mater deal.
Bill[/quote]

Bill gave it to you straight up, Martian.

People that quit smoking on New Years Day have taken the first step toward failure by making quitting so big and powerful it needs a special day. People that use a patch are just admitting that they are not strong enough to do it on their own. There is a whole industry built on convincing people that you can't do things without buying a book or taking a drug. Don't fall for that BS.

Just don't smoke. Don't fight "it". (It's a tip that you are the "it".)

You are a lot stronger than you need to be. Laugh it off and enjoy yourself.

Props to you!!!! It's better for your health and for those around you.

You just have to find a system that works for you. My uncle just quit cold turkey and never looked back. Others I knew had to go and do it step by step consulting with their doctors. Ask your doctor perhaps about a program you can do or a support you can go to.

Whatever you decide, best of luck to you! Here's to your health!

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)

Martian


Two people who used to frequent this forum were a load of help to me. AllThumbs and BigJay.

Anyways mate. My best advice is go get the Alan Carr book, the easyway to give up smoking. It's really not that difficult, but social/media stereotyping has built it up to be something it's not. After all when was the last time you woke at 3 am just to light up? You probably dont. Yet nicotine withdrawl starts to happen within 8 minutes of the last drag on a smoke. There are a few things explained in that book/dvd that make a stupid amount of sense. The method has a 80% success rate, they even tell you to keep smoking whilst you read it, their so confident. Patches and other nicotine replacement therapies have a success rate so close to zero it's untrue. The common opinion is that you have to be superman to give up using replacement therapy. It's like treating a heroin addiction by prescribing heroin. Hey whatever works though mate. Seriously like Lennon said, whatever gets you through the night, it's alright.

Truth is, it's hard for 3 days cold turkey. Then mild depression sets in for a couple of weeks. It's a battle of witts, so you got a headstart anyway.

Heres some links, beware one of these sites is like religous cult. The others is like a nazi bootcamp, theres a lot of good info and support on both though.

http://www.allencarrseasyway.com/

http://whyquit.com/ (requires you be quit atleast 3 days, before joining) Lots and lots of brilliant info, you could do your withdrawl period just reading that lot.

http://www.stopsmokingcenter.net/ Brilliant site, helped me loads. Will see you there. (very pretty medical advisors).

Go on mate, you can do it. If you want someone to shout at, email me.

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No no and no

YOU GO MARTIAN!!!!!!!!

The physical nicotine drug poison only stays in your system about 72 hours, less if you drink copious amounts of water and fruit/vegetable juices.

After that, it's psychological. Personal recommedation, think of it as freeing up $$ per day for gear, vacations, savings and treating your Heaven-granted body to a better life.

Best of fortune!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I noticed my coffee intake went right down and my water intake went right up. Funny cos cafine chases nicotine out of your system, as does alcohol (why people chain smoke when they drink). I didn't even notice not having my morning coffee.

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No no and no

Martian,

I quit for good about 5 years ago after about 20 years of smoking to varying degrees. Took me a couple of tries, but it wasn't as hard as I thought once I made a real committment. It's amazing how the sense of smell and taste comes back sometimes rather quickly. I can't believe the cost of cigs now. For some it has to be as much as a car payment each month. I hope you're successful, use the extra cash for some sweet gear!

Best of luck to you,
Hank (Kong)

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Thanks Chet. I'm going cold turkey as a means of not prolonging it.

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You dig?

I hear you.

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You dig?