i can't offer any advice since i have never smoked but i am sending positive vibes your way...congrats on your decision to quit!!!

I also used Zyban and the patch. They made it very much easier to beat the cravings and nuttiness. I see no reason not to help yourself in every way you can. I tried to quit several times, and made it on the last time! (Eleven years ago.) Good luck.

PS - Thank you for your posts and good work. They are very helpful and informative and fun.

Martian, I quit about 4 years ago so here's my tip...

Don't think of yourself as "trying to quit smoking", tell yourself that you are a non-smoker. The mental game is half the battle. If you have a craving wait it out, go do something, it'll pass.

Don't be discouraged if you do smoke again. Studies show that it can take up to 7-8 tries before it sticks and like everyone said, you have to be ready.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

I've tried a few times, but after having to give up the booze completely, spicy foods, sugar, and most of the things I liked. I convince myself this is the only pleasure I have left ( I actually enjoy a smoke) so no advice from me Martian I hope you manage to kick the habit bud

I quit cold Turkey after 20+ years. I was up to two and a half packs a day. I had a picture of my daughter in a full pack for the first week, every time I went for it, I looked at her pic and stopped. The first two weeks were brutal. Drinking coffee or beer made the cravings worst. Everyday that went by, I gave myself a pat on the back, and told myself I went this far, I can Do It !!! One day at a time, it can be done. Good luck ! dutch

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2012 American Vintage Telecaster 1958
09 Fender american deluxe strat.
97 Gibson les paul special P90's double-cut
65 Princeton reverb re-issue
2010 Guild Gad-F40e

Martian, good luck. I smoked for over 30 years. Quit cold turkey. Just keep busy. I quit a few times before until it finally stuck. What woke me up was a lot of my friends starting to have health problems and a guy I grew up that died at 39 from a massive heart attack related to smoking and another friend passing from lung cancer at 42.

You can beat it if you really want to. Good luck to you.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

Hope your doing well on day two Martian and remember your will power is stronger then that stinky cigarette. Don't let something like that beat you.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Martin,
"Congrats". I beat the dragon over 20 years ago and haven't looked back once. My trick was to go on Weight Watchers at the same time. I was more focused on eating healthy and losing weight than on the smokes. The one thing I did notice the first week was an acid stomach condition, nothing that a roll of Tums couldn't handle.
I like Niki's idea, get a jar or a shopping bag and fill that sucker with all the cash that no longer is going up in smoke (literaly) and treat yourself to the Custom Shop guitar of your dreams.

Good Luck-holler if you need us
John.E

One of the best things you can do for your health is stop smoking. I stopped Feb. 1985. My wife and I were going out to dinner for my birthday. I took a pack of Newports and threw them away. I used the rational, I wasn't born with one in my hand, don't need them. That was it. Glad I did, haven't had any since then. Not easy, but I had to do it. Go for it.

Martian, congrats on your decision. Wanting to quit is the best step. Taking that same step every morning when you get up is key. It will be 13 years for me on Sept. 9, 2010. There is no easy way to do it. You just don't. Mojo comin' at ya from the Great White North.
Best of luck.

Donn

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Donnmac

'09 American Deluxe Strat Sunburst Rosewood
'63 Les Paul Jr SG body
'80's Fender F 15 Acoustic
'09 Larrivee D 03RE
'09 Squier Affinity J Bass
'10 Martin D12X1AE
'66 Traynor YGM1 (tube)
'08 Traynor TRM30
'11 G-DEC 30 Blues
'09 Fender Rumble 15

Sounds like you've got the perfect mindset for it, Martian. Good on ya! It's the very best possible thing you can do for your health.

YOU ARE SO MUCH BETTER OFF, IN EVERY WAY, WITHOUT THEM!


You'll be fine. Just drop them like, well, like a bad habit!

Gridlok
(Last cig, 12 years ago)

I started smoking around the time I turned 15 and picked it up seriously when I reached 17. I'm pushing 20 now. (Yeah, started early. Evil tobacco companies, etc., etc.)

I'd say that, at one point, I was up to one pack a day. Now I've managed to cut back to smoking a minimum of 4 cigarettes a day.

I smoke a little more in a social setting, though. I can smoke 4 smokes during one day and be fine, but being around people makes me want to smoke more (socializing is really why I picked it up in the first place). I don't know. I tend to unwind a little better and talk more if I have one of those big ol' cancer sticks in my mouth.

It isn't impossible to let go of 'em, though. I'm probably going to quit once I'm back in school/college.

I hope you can let go of them OP.

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2006 Fender AVRI 70s Stratocaster: Natural Ash | Sovtek MIG 60 & A No Name Cabinet | Pedals & Junk

You have some real positive comments to build on. Like myself and others said before, it isn't easy. You have to do it for you. You can sneak some in at work or alone in the car, but you would be cheating on, yourself. Make it happen. Best of luck on your journey Martian.

Martian,

Some sound advice already given here so Good luck mate!

I have every confidence that your enlarged Martian-like cranium will over come this!

Sending major mojo your way!

Andy

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Pending Greatness

Once again, thank you all for your widespread support. Truly, it makes a difference.

I'm in a numb state of mind right now. Ironically, the cravings aren't as bad as I thought they'd be. I feel like there's a significant part of my personality stripped away and I honestly don't know what to do about it. I do feel a bit depressed yet I do not feel sorry for myself. I'm a bit anxious too. I guess that's the outright withdrawal symptoms.

I've read all the literature, links and personal testimonies you all have sent me. Here too, my profound thanks. At this early stage of the game, I'm still weighing my options in terms of if any medical assistance is necessary. As I have said, I'm still somewhat mentally numb so I can only let time play it out for me. I am keeping busy though.

I have every intention of beating this the first time!

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