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BTS HAS to quit smoking.. He has to do this with the stents in his heart - he will die if he keeps smoking - ismoking promotes blood clots. I am trying really hard to quit - we had planned to quit together (someday) the day just came last Monday. I could not lie to him and told him I had been sneaking 3-5 cigs a day. I am bad - very very bad. I need help!!! Anyone with heroin addiction recovery could maybe help me :-5 .

NV, the most important thing is attitude. Don't say you have to quit. Say you quit. Call yourself a non-smoker.

*Get rid of the cigs, ashtrays, lighters, everything.

*Go through your house and open it up, if weather permits, to air it out. Febreze everything.

*Make signs - no smoking, or congrats for not smoking, something like that - and put them all over the places you usually smoke.

*Change your routines. This is vital. If you light up after eating, sex, whatever, make a concious decision to do something else, like shower or something.

*Don't harp on it. Don't let your friends discuss smoking, quitting smoking, the difficulty of quitting, you're so strong for quitting, none of that! It only reminds you of smoking. Leave it behind without another word.

***** Most important: never have that first smoke in the morning! That's what starts it.



I posted this in another thread. I hope it helps. I now dub thee: Non-Smoker.



Accountable wrote: I come from a family of smokers. Some of us quit; some of us haven't. A smoker needs 2 things to quit:

1. The desire to quit.

2. The belief that one can quit.

Neither of these things can possibly come from the outside. Smoking is a behavior. The addiction is not. Lots of steps involved in smoking, especially if there are none in the house. One possible scenario of many:



1. Get dressed.

2. Find the keys.

3. Walk to the car.

4. Enter the car.

5. Start the car.

6. Leave the house.

7. Drive to the store (numerous substeps involved here).

8. Park the car.

9. Get out of the car.

10. Enter the store.

11. Approach the cashier.

12. Take a breath of sweet, clean, nicotine-free air.

13. Ask for a pack of cigarettes.

14. Pay for the cigarettes (possible substeps here).

15. Exit the store.

16. Tamp the pack (we used to call it 'pack' but I'm trying to avoid confusion).

17. Open the pack (several substeps here).

18. Remove a cigarette.

19. Place the cigarette in the mouth.

20. Find fire (undoubtedly many substeps involved).

21. Light the cigarette.



Every one of these steps and substeps involved a decision toward behavior. Each of these decisions is an opportunity to behave differently.

Smoking is a decision to behave. Stopping smoking is likewise a decision to behave. It's not an easy decision, but the responsibility lies completely and absolutely with the individual - no one else.

I stopped smokeing for about 6 months then had a couple of bad days and started again!!!

The doctor told me that it takes at least five attempts to succeed so my advice is to keep trying and good luck

:-6

lou-lou wrote: I stopped smokeing for about 6 months then had a couple of bad days and started again!!!

The doctor told me that it takes at least five attempts to succeed so my advice is to keep trying and good luck

:-6
If you listen to him, he just gave you permission to give up & re-start 4 times.

Accountable wrote: NV, the most important thing is attitude. Don't say you have to quit. Say you quit. Call yourself a non-smoker.

*Get rid of the cigs, ashtrays, lighters, everything.

*Go through your house and open it up, if weather permits, to air it out. Febreze everything.

*Make signs - no smoking, or congrats for not smoking, something like that - and put them all over the places you usually smoke.

*Change your routines. This is vital. If you light up after eating, sex, whatever, make a concious decision to do something else, like shower or something.

*Don't harp on it. Don't let your friends discuss smoking, quitting smoking, the difficulty of quitting, you're so strong for quitting, none of that! It only reminds you of smoking. Leave it behind without another word.

***** Most important: never have that first smoke in the morning! That's what starts it.

I posted this in another thread. I hope it helps. I now dub thee: Non-Smoker.


I did all that and more...found out last january that I have high blood pressure....i have no wish to die....with help from the 'quit smoking ' clinic...patches and that stuff...i gave up totally for 5 months. A few weeks ago my will power went to pot and i am smoking 10 a day....you're right , the mind set is wrong. we think we are ex-smokers when it should be non-smokers. This is the 3rd time I've tried to give up ....I am so p****d off with myself. ....I will do it !

We should keep this thread going as encouragement to each other....group therapy if you like....what do you think....smokers need HELP

nvalleyvee wrote: BTS HAS to quit smoking.. He has to do this with the stents in his heart - he will die if he keeps smoking - ismoking promotes blood clots. I am trying really hard to quit - we had planned to quit together (someday) the day just came last Monday. I could not lie to him and told him I had been sneaking 3-5 cigs a day. I am bad - very very bad. I need help!!! Anyone with heroin addiction recovery could maybe help me :-5 .


I have started smoking again after 5 months giving up....it is unbeleivably hard....i really want to stop....we could encourage each other and be there for each other when the going gets tough. I used patches and went to the 'quit smoking' nurse on a weekly basis for 12 weeks. I think that kept me going because since then my will power has wavered. I have posted my reasons for giving up previously. Lets keep the thread going and helping each other on this one. I bet there are loads of members in the same boat...good luck

Well I've never smoked before so I don't know what it's like for ya Bez, but I'm sure it is really tough on you. The only advice I can give is to try and stay positive and keep believing that you will give up, and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Good luck

Bez wrote: I have started smoking again after 5 months giving up....it is unbeleivably hard....i really want to stop....we could encourage each other and be there for each other when the going gets tough. I used patches and went to the 'quit smoking' nurse on a weekly basis for 12 weeks. I think that kept me going because since then my will power has wavered. I have posted my reasons for giving up previously. Lets keep the thread going and helping each other on this one. I bet there are loads of members in the same boat...good luck
Bez, you know I'm fond of you. Don't use the patches and don't depend on willpower. Willpower is a myth. Form good new habits to replace the old baddies. Find babies and hang out with them. Nobody smokes around babies anymore. Go anywhere smoking isn't permitted and stay there. But don't stay there because there's no smoking (time will stand still); stay there because you enjoy it (time will fly). Attitude, attitude, attitude.



And if you need someone to beat you up for not doing what you yourself say you're going to do, I'm here for ya! :yh_hugs

Accountable wrote: Bez, you know I'm fond of you. Don't use the patches and don't depend on willpower. Willpower is a myth. Form good new habits to replace the old baddies. Find babies and hang out with them. Nobody smokes around babies anymore. Go anywhere smoking isn't permitted and stay there. But don't stay there because there's no smoking (time will stand still); stay there because you enjoy it (time will fly). Attitude, attitude, attitude.



And if you need someone to beat you up for not doing what you yourself say you're going to do, I'm here for ya! :yh_hugs


I don't know what to say ACC...I'm overwhelmed that anyone should care so much...thank you , thank you....just these few words from you have given me a deeper resolve...you're the best..xxxx



About the babies....I have a new grandchild due in October...little does he/she know that he will be part of a new healthier nanny...

Originally Posted by Accountable

I come from a family of smokers. Some of us quit; some of us haven't. A smoker needs 2 things to quit:

1. The desire to quit.

2. The belief that one can quit.

Neither of these things can possibly come from the outside. Smoking is a behavior. The addiction is not. Lots of steps involved in smoking, especially if there are none in the house. One possible scenario of many:



1. Get dressed.

2. Find the keys.

3. Walk to the car.

4. Enter the car.

5. Start the car.

6. Leave the house.

7. Drive to the store (numerous substeps involved here).

8. Park the car.

9. Get out of the car.

10. Enter the store.

11. Approach the cashier.

12. Take a breath of sweet, clean, nicotine-free air.

13. Ask for a pack of cigarettes.

14. Pay for the cigarettes (possible substeps here).

15. Exit the store.

16. Tamp the pack (we used to call it 'pack' but I'm trying to avoid confusion).

17. Open the pack (several substeps here).

18. Remove a cigarette.

19. Place the cigarette in the mouth.

20. Find fire (undoubtedly many substeps involved).

21. Light the cigarette.



Every one of these steps and substeps involved a decision toward behavior. Each of these decisions is an opportunity to behave differently.

Smoking is a decision to behave. Stopping smoking is likewise a decision to behave. It's not an easy decision, but the responsibility lies completely and absolutely with the individual - no one else.



I've printed 6 copies of this....One to take everywhere I go and the rest stuck up round the house...I already KNOW I'm going to beat this.

nvalleyvee....take note of ACCs posts....this has been the best motivation I have had so far ....why...because he really cares.

I'm right there with you!!! I had quit about 7 years ago and then got stressed out and started again, although I'm not smoking nearly as much as I was. It takes me about three days to get through a pack....at one time, right after college, I was smoking a pack a day, sometimes more. I was in the restaurant business, and at least at that time, EVERYONE I knew in the biz smoked because of the stress.

My big place to smoke is in the car if I am on a long trip if I am traveling alone. I will not smoke with my kids in the car....I'm rabid about not smoking around them and I will not let anyone else smoke around them or in my home....I don't even smoke in my house!

One trick that worked for me "way back when" was to use a drinking straw in place of the cigarette....yes, it looks silly, but it helped. I still had the hand to mouth action, but not the smoke. Gum helps sometimes too.

My quit date is coming up soon so I have a plan of attack. I am going to give myself little rewards for each milestone I make. My biggest one is to get my teeth whitened at the dentist.

Good Luck!

What I really hate is being able to tell the difference in my lungs after just a couple of days :rolleyes: . It would be much easier to keep smoking if that had not happened. :wah: I didn't smoke at all yesterday but I was working so I didn't have much free time.

Keep it up ladies! I don't understand the quit date, though. It's not like you're going on a holiday. I'm more impulsive, though. My "quit day" kind of presented itself.



March 25, 1990. I was in the Air Force and we were on our way to RAF Greenham Common, UK, for a new assignment. That morning we were in New York to catch the flight to England. I woke up, noticed I only had 3 or 4 cigs left, stared at them maybe 30 seconds (hours!) and crushed them & tossed them in the trash. When we got to the ticketing agent she asked "smoking or non-smoking?" I said non-smoking so quickly my wife was shocked. I honestly figured there would be a seat in the smoking section if I needed a smoke (good plan, eh?).



I didn't smoke the whole flight. I never told anyone in England I was trying to quit. I just didn't mention it. The smokers all figured I was a non-smoker & stayed away from me when they smoked. All my routines were new, so I just never incorporated smoking into them. I was scared to drink the first 3 or 4 months because smoking & drinking go so well together. But I eventually managed . The first real craving didn't come until the New Year's party, 9 months later! I handled it.



I was lucky. Not many people can change continents to stop smoking. Plus, I'm a cheap ba$tard! If that pack had been full, even half, I might still be smoking today. :wah:

Guilty - ****ing guilty - that is how I feel about BTS smoking again today. I cannot offer any smilies for it - I feel really bad.

If I cannot give up my addiction - I will kill my husband.

nvalleyvee wrote: BTS HAS to quit smoking.. He has to do this with the stents in his heart - he will die if he keeps smoking - ismoking promotes blood clots. I am trying really hard to quit - we had planned to quit together (someday) the day just came last Monday. I could not lie to him and told him I had been sneaking 3-5 cigs a day. I am bad - very very bad. I need help!!! Anyone with heroin addiction recovery could maybe help me :-5 .


Well...I'm a smoker and I'm quiting. I'm going through a process to stop smoking and so far it is working just fine for me....

Smoking isn't just addictive but it is also a habit. I've tried stopping before but I found it difficult....So I started doing this:

I would only hsve my first ciggarette after 12 in the afternoon. I know this sounds tough, but once you get to work, you have other things on your mind and before you know it, it's 12 o clock. After 12 I smoked as much as I wanted.

After about 1 month I got so used to only smoking after 12 that I hardly ever craved up until then anyway. So then I only started smoking after 1 in the afternoon.........and so on....

Yestreday I moved on to 2 o clock.

By doing this, you get your body used to not having a dose of nicotine until a certain time....This not only helps you break the HABIT of smoking, but the cravings too.

I know it will take a long time to stop but at least you stop.....eventually.



Give it a try and see how you find it!! :yh_peace

Cigarette addiction is like any other addiction, just harder, because you dont see the results until your wallet becomes heavier :p

The first thing to do, for me, was on my first week of quitting, to put the money i would usually spend on cig's into a jar, and watch it grow over a week. It's surprising how it all add's up. Then, at the end of the week, i would take all this money and go on a shopping spree, buy some DVD's, a new pair of jeans or whatever. I've not touched a cigarette now for 4 years, and have no desire to do so, i even feel a little ill when i'm inside a smoke filled pub :-2

Well I just started, it took me a while, as I used to get dizzy, I hadn't smoked for 23 years, now I smoke three to four a day. I seem to feel really good when I have a smoke and less stressed.

I know I shouldn't as everyone is trying to quit, but I seem to enjoy it.

Bumping this thread because it's a new year.





How are we doing with the quitting?

Accountable wrote: Bumping this thread because it's a new year.





How are we doing with the quitting?


Nottttttt TOOOOOOO dad burn GOOD buddy......



I smoke about 2/3 less than I did......... but not all the way quitted.......LOL

(libertarians are TOO honest eh?)

Still addicted to the LAST drug of my choice.....Nicotine........ Shuckies:-6

BTS wrote: Nottttttt TOOOOOOO dad burn GOOD buddy......



I smoke about 2/3 less than I did......... but not all the way quitted.......LOL

(libertarians are TOO honest eh?)

Still addicted to the LAST drug of my choice.....Nicotine........ Shuckies:-6If you don't smoke that first one in the morning, you won't want the second. Come to think of it, you can't have the second one!

Accountable wrote: If you don't smoke that first one in the morning, you won't want the second. Come to think of it, you can't have the second one!


Yippers.......ACC...... I know and I do not have that first one. It is about 2:30 or so before I start craving a friggin rush from the nicotine.....

WHY?

I do not know but I just do. I suppose it is tamped in my mind "Hey we did good until now so you earned a ciggy"



I need to (and will) change this "STINKIN THINKIN" also think I can or will die......... Nice choice huh.

EXCERCIZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! when i go walking, i dont want a cig for a few hours afterwards. So everytime you want a cig go for a brisk walk.... then your body will retrain itsself.... maybe..... i dont know i still smoke... but i think it will help

BTS wrote: Yippers.......ACC...... I know and I do not have that first one. It is about 2:30 or so before I start craving a friggin rush from the nicotine.....

WHY?

I do not know but I just do. I suppose it is tamped in my mind "Hey we did good until now so you earned a ciggy"



I need to (and will) change this "STINKIN THINKIN" also think I can or will die......... Nice choice huh.


Two years ago I began smoking again after 11 months of quitting.

You can be like me and and lug oxygen around or worry if your insurance will cover it or what you do when you have no insurance.

I also have a machine......I generally have it at night.....but gee, I get re evaluated for it the middle of this month, I hope I still will get it.

Patches do help take the edge off.....I guess we all should maybe get a support group going here. Ask me anything you want to know about them.....does your insurance cover a cessation class?

TenneseeGirl wrote: EXCERCIZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! when i go walking, i dont want a cig for a few hours afterwards. So everytime you want a cig go for a brisk walk.... then your body will retrain itsself.... maybe..... i dont know i still smoke... but i think it will help
"Haven't been there myself, but I think it's thataway." I keed! I keed!



Wanna quit?

If'n they ain't there, ya can't smoke 'em.

TenneseeGirl wrote: EXCERCIZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! when i go walking, i dont want a cig for a few hours afterwards. So everytime you want a cig go for a brisk walk.... then your body will retrain itsself.... maybe..... i dont know i still smoke... but i think it will help


Walking is probably the number one thing they will tell you to do, besides stop smoking.:-2

I gave up for 5 months last year...started again about september.

Had last ciggy about 12 hours ago. I just keep repeating loads of stuff that ACC posted about smoking some months back..... have packed away ashtrays and warned kids not to come near me with a cigarette.

I'll take it a few hours at a time....see you back here in 12 hours..and we can compare notes.....

Ex smokers....Please post any advice that you think may be useful.

ArnoldLayne wrote: I only have a cigarette after I eat.

I'm down to 20 meals a day now
my hero

Bez wrote: I gave up for 5 months last year...started again about september.

Had last ciggy about 12 hours ago. I just keep repeating loads of stuff that ACC posted about smoking some months back..... have packed away ashtrays and warned kids not to come near me with a cigarette.

I'll take it a few hours at a time....see you back here in 12 hours..and we can compare notes.....

Ex smokers....Please post any advice that you think may be useful.


Bez, I have only checked out the first one, I see a U.K. one as well.........try one of these ......I'm going to try the first one.......I'm going to start Wednesday..... Let me know what you find



here is a page from Google

http://www.google.com/search?q=stop+smoking++on+line



:) good luck!

I thought you quit smoking years ago?

ahh, just read the other bit. If you can do it once, you can do it again. I'm going to my doctor on Friday to ask him (again) to prescribe zyban

Well I will have to dissapoint all you trying to stop smoking people.

I'm off out in the brilliant sunshine to go for a nice relaxing cup of coffee and a fag and enjoy some sun.

See you all later

Well i tried to give up again it lasted a week this time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have no willpower and put on half a stone in that week!:-2

So will try again but not till i've lost the weight i've gotta loose:(

NV; I'm in the same boat, but different at the same time. The hubby and I have to quit smoking too. I e-mailed family and friends for prayer to give me strength to stop, they will pray of course but they also gave advice.

This is from a cousin:

1. There is a self help program called the Cooper Clayton Method.

You can get a free self help kit, call 1-877-44U-QUIT.

2. Try cutting some straws cigarette length and use them like

cigarettes.

This is from my dad:

1. Try Church, prayer, e-mailing, when you go to wanting a

cigarette, thank the LORD for sending His Son to die for

you, so you would NOT have to smoke!

2. Check with the VFD and see what you can do for

them, as an associate member/ non-firefighter. You can

probably help them in a number of ways at any time of day or

night!

3. When your house and yard are clean, start over and clean

house and yard again. (Use this if you are desperate for

something to do!)



Nicotine is a drug (the drug nicotine was no match for my

GOD 29 years ago, and I'd be willing to bet my life it isn't

any match for Him today, either!), I've known that for a

long time now, having withdrawal problems like I'm going to

die or go out of my mind if I don't get that nicotine.



This is from my mom:

you can do ALL things through Christ who will give YOU strength.

okay here goes, daddy quit smoking and when he smoked, he SMOKED!!!! the room would be full of smoke and you couldn't breathe, it was absolutely AWFUL!!!!!!!!

anyway, he gave his life to God and he honored Him by quitting smoking, it was very hard on him, if he could do it, i KNOW you can. he put his cigarettes in the freezer behind some food and when he wanted one, he had to dig to get it, that gave him time to rethink the situation and if he truly wanted one or if he wanted to honor his commitment to God. God won, and as you know, daddy hasn't smoked in years.

he had been smoking for more years than you, i will pray for you, just like i did your dad. you are right, nicotine is an addictive drug, if anyone doesn't believe that, then they just fooling theirselves. it takes a YEAR for the nicotine to leave your body completely. nicotine and tar and the additives cause cancer, emphysema, bad breath, stinky hair, stinky clothes, stinky houses and are messy, to boot!!!!

the craving is the drug telling you that it wants you so you'll have to be the boss here and tell the craving you're not giving in to it, it's a poison and you want to hang around to see your boys grown and living aterrific lives. didn't understand the greedy part, duh, i'm dense!

She also told me if she could she'd kidnap the boys and I so that we'd have some people to support me.

My sister in law used to smoke and she ended up quitting by chewing on a toothbrush, :-2 .

I'm far from quitting, but I try. I always say my nerves are too shot or I'm too stressed out to quit, but those are excuses. Good luck to you NV.

The Red One wrote:

I'm far from quitting, but I try. I always say my nerves are too shot or I'm too stressed out to quit, but those are excuses. Good luck to you NV.Red,

Print your words in big-ass letters, lots of copies, and put them in your cig pack, ash tray, wrapped around your lighter, on the bathroom mirror, any place it will be a hemorrhoid to you. Shame yourself out of excuses. :yh_flower

May I suggest the American Lung Association Freedom From Smoking Program. It is on line, it is free and there is support and help. I did it last year and quit for 8 months, then my daughter-in-law left her cigs and I thought I could smoke just ONE! WRONG! Anyway there are modules that you have to do and a forum you can post on with people in the same situation. You then have the support of those who already quit to help you get through the rough times. I personally took a week off from work to quit and that really helped. I slept alot. If you (we) all did the FFS together, we would be able to support one another and add a forum here... What do you think. Check out ALA FFS (American Lung Association/Freedom From Smoking) Good Luck and my thoughts are with you. Been there Done That:-5

Mookey1229 wrote: [...]quit for 8 months, then my daughter-in-law left her cigs and I thought I could smoke just ONE! WRONG! [...]:yh_rotfl Same here! I quit for 6 months, then one day after a trip to the dentist, I wondered what it would feel like to hold a cig with dead lips. Twelve years later, I finally quit again. :wah: