From a smoker, to a Non

15 years ago

great job on your first day. make everyday your first day. they say it gets easier with time and by the sound of it your young, so you can kick it fairly easier.
me, i am old. lol i quit quitting along time ago.

Thanks
1 reply

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Ken 15 years ago

Pretty good conversation going on over here.
http://www.warriorforum.com/off-topi...nted-quit.html
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Darla

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Pragun

Hello warriors,

Once again (for like, the 100th time), I've taken the resolve to give up smoking. Only this time, I've managed to hold on to it for more than a day.

My second smoke free day is over, and I've seen a lot of ups and downs over the last 48 hours. The best bit is, I'm currently in the middle of my college exams which is a time when I smoke close to a pack a day. Otherwise, I'm used to smoking anywhere around 10-12 cigarettes a day and have been doing so for about an year.

I'm going to try and take this chance to share my experiences with you warriors here for the off chance that my thread will help someone else quit. (or maybe even help me stay on track, for the fear of admitting failure to quite so openly).

Anyhow, feel free to share your quitting stories and hopefully, we'll inspire someone!

Cheers,

~Pragun

Well Done!!! I am not a smoker, but I am always encouraging smokers to kick the habit. But its much easier said than done, so you did GREAT. Keep making baby steps, and soon one day will become 2 days, and then 2 weeks and then 2 months. before you know it, it will be 2 years since you lit up for the last time! Good for you!!!

Thanks

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StevNite

15 years ago

Good job mr.!!
I hate smoking and also against it.
It will take time but I sure you will be succeed, All the best.

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craigcdz

15 years ago

Well reading your post i was hit upon by a quotation.... that is

"quitting smoking is very easy.... I have done it a hundred times"

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DireStraits

15 years ago

Congrats.

I've smoked for years, but never really considered myself a "real smoker" (an addict, that is) until recently. Not because I'm in denial; just because I'd only smoke when I was out drinking and/or in a social setting.

But for a while, the frequency of my being in those settings increased, and, therefore, so too did my smoking.

I've managed to go from smoking 10/12 per day for months on end to smoking none for a week or fortnight or more, without so much as experiencing what I'd consider to be "serious withdrawl", or any sort of cravings; I didn't really experience any agitation, or miss it at all.

But more recently, over the past couple of weeks, I've begun smoking like a chimney. I have 4 empty (smoked) packs of 20 cigarettes just in my jacket pocket from the last 3/4 days, that I haven't yet got around to throwing in the bin.

Perhaps the next time I go without, I'll finally feel the withdrawl symptoms and cravings everyone talks about.

Nothing like a good bout of depression for driving you to substance dependency, haha.

Good luck in quitting, anyway.

Thanks
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Joshua Gonzalez 15 years ago

Originally Posted by DireStraits

...the frequency of my being in those settings increased, and, therefore, so too did my smoking.

Sounds all too familiar...

Except I'd highly recommend for anyone not to actually - physically - remove themselves from such "settings" completely, as I did.

Although, in due time, especially when it comes to smoking (perhaps the drink and drugs aswell). You'll most likely have acquired a supreme will and smoke whenever you please without that need being in control.

That's a personal liberty I like to indulge but at a cost. To be honest, there's a part of me that would still prefer to be in those "settings". It was fun but I'm still quite young.

Not every "I quit smoking" story has a silver lining, I'm afraid.

All the best, anyway!
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- Ride_the_lightning Banned 15 years ago
  
  [DELETED]
  
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  DireStraits 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Ride_the_lightning
  
  Guys, may be there is something to help us, I mean electronic cigarette.I don't know how does It work, but....... who knows:rolleyes:
  
  I've been meaning to try one for a long time, because I enjoy the smoke sensation and taste, but all that tar and nicotine (I'd probably get the low/no nicotine cartridges) is obviously no good.
  
  I might finally order one this week, and see what they're like.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Leather 15 years ago
  
  I have heard a lot of people who just can't quit physically switching to these and being very happy. I thought they were all rebill scams but there seems to be a few good ones out there like megacig
  
  Thanks
  
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  Bradley J Anderson 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Ride_the_lightning
  
  Guys, may be there is something to help us, I mean electronic cigarette.I don't know how does It work, but....... who knows:rolleyes:
  
  A quick explanation of how the electronic cigarettes work:
  
  http://ecigs-today.com/?p=11
  
  Thanks
  
  Signature
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FabianSmith

15 years ago

Good job buddy !!!!!

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usualwork17

15 years ago

Great job and good news for you..

You did a good choice on gradually stopping you smoking habit.

It's just a waste of money and time to smoke ..

Be healthy as always..

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rosesmark

15 years ago

Good Job Buddy.You taking the good step

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Kay King

15 years ago

I smoked for many years. I resisted the idea of quitting for a long time because I felt people were telling me what to do.

When the tobacco trials were in full swing years ago I realized how many lies the tobacco companies had been telling for years - how much info they'd been covering up - and the lengths taken to keep users addicted.

That ticked me off. I quit for two years - started again and for about three years I quit and started again on and off.

Then I got serious - and just quit. I was a heavy smoker and within a few days my smoker's cough was gone, bad breath was gone, my allergies almost disappeared (maybe I was allergic to cigarettes?).

I enjoyed smoking - or that's what I told myself anyway. The truth is if you stick it out for 3-4 days - the nicotine is out of your body. From then on, you will find the cravings become shorter in duration and milder and gradually disappear.

I read a comment several years ago that made an impression on me. It might help you stick with it.

Tobacco has only one purpose - to create a need in the user for more tobacco.

kay

Thanks
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DireStraits

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

I smoked for many years. I resisted the idea of quitting for a long time because I felt people were telling me what to do.

When the tobacco trials were in full swing years ago I realized how many lies the tobacco companies had been telling for years - how much info they'd been covering up - and the lengths taken to keep users addicted.

That ticked me off. I quit for two years - started again and for about three years I quit and started again on and off.

Then I got serious - and just quit. I was a heavy smoker and within a few days my smoker's cough was gone, bad breath was gone, my allergies almost disappeared (maybe I was allergic to cigarettes?).

I enjoyed smoking - or that's what I told myself anyway. The truth is if you stick it out for 3-4 days - the nicotine is out of your body. From then on, you will find the cravings become shorter in duration and milder and gradually disappear.

I read a comment several years ago that made an impression on me. It might help you stick with it.

Tobacco has only one purpose - to create a need in the user for more tobacco.

kay

Approximately a week and a half ago, I was smoking 10-15 cigarettes per day, but - out of the blue - suddenly started to despise the taste of them.

So after a night out and wayyyy too much alcohol, I decided to use the 2-3 days I knew I was going to feel like crap to detox. Essentially, I made myself too ill to smoke and leave the house to buy any cigarettes, giving myself the time to detox.

Well, after about 3 days, the physical withdrawal started to diminish. I didn't feel so dizzy, lethargic, tired and moody anymore, but I still had the occasional sudden cravings (still do), though progressively shorter in duration, and less frequent.

Thing is, I do actually like smoking. I love the smell, taste and sensation of smoking cigars but smoked cigarettes day-to-day just because they're cheaper. Stupid of me to ever "progress" onto cigarettes to begin with, really. So instead I've bought myself a pipe and am determined this time to smoke only in moderation - for pleasure only and never anything else.

So will see how that goes. And if worst comes to the worst, I can always get severely hungover and cold turkey myself again, LOL.

Thanks

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focused

15 years ago

Hey, you sound like the guy who quits smoking every night before going to sleep.
And then reverts the next day.

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hireava

15 years ago

Congrats Pragun! Great job! Continue inspiring people who still smoke.

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Dennis Gaskill

15 years ago

Good job, Pragun. If you have a relapse just climb right back on that pony and ride it again, but I think you can make it. In another day or two it actually starts getting easier. It did for me anyway.

I started smoking when I was about 12, and by the time I was around 28 or so I had a two pack a day habit and a nasty cough. One day I decided to quit. I did. Cold turkey. Haven't had a cigarette since then and that was about 27 or 28 years ago. After about three days it started getting easier. After about a week I knew I'd won. Your thoughts will determine if you win.

Just.do.it.

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serena85

15 years ago

Do not give up hang in there because in the end the satisfaction will be HUGE. I also manage to give up smoking and it is not a simple process especially with no help of other drugs.

But I am telling you that you will fill much better after your body will be completely detox.

Thanks
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vampiro 15 years ago

Hi! I am an Health advocate and has been campaigning for the No Use or minimizing cigarette for its health and safety concerns...

I have talked to several individuals and indeed the shift of stopping to smoke requires self discipline and lots of sacrifices. Some have experienced down syndrome due to the absence of nicotine intake of the body and instead take some menthol candy.

I wish you luck and all the members of this forum if they stop to smoke. There is still some time for a change. You will not only help yourself in the process but you help the people around you as well.
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Hamon

Banned 15 years ago

Great job dude..

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Jenn1986

15 years ago

Congrats!!! I had a friend that smoked. After 2 weeks of being clean (it was hard) he seemed cured! Hasn't smoked in years now.

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CED59

15 years ago

look into Chantix... makes it really easy!

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sweetloleypop

15 years ago

sounds like a great thread i should ask my boyfriend to read this thread.How i wish this can help for him.

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focused

15 years ago

Perhaps, you can try one of those nicotine patches. They can be quite effective.

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Dean Jackson 15 years ago

I'd just like to chime in and recommend you to at least give e-cigs a try... last year, Michael Fortin, a well renowned copywriter wrote a blog post about "greensmoke" and how it helped him quit after 20 or so years of pack a day smoking.

... I was a smoker myself, and decided it couldn't hurt... so I ordered. It felt very close to a real cig and I had completely rid myself of that garbage within a month.

The health benefits, time saved, money saved... I am disgusted that I could even breathe that sh*t into my lungs before.

Anyway, congrats on your decision and all the best!

Dean
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- Frank Donovan 15 years ago
  
  Oops. When I first read the heading, I thought it said "From a smoker to a Nun".
  
  But that would have just been moving from one habit to another...
  
  Frank
  
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rubertnrubert

15 years ago

Smoking is very dangerous for health. Passive smoking is also very dangerous. For quit smoking you have to be strong from your mind. Do not think about to smoke. Take proper sleep. Eat healthy diet, If you thirsty then turn yourself on other work. Stay away from smokers.

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dagaul101

15 years ago

Congrats on making the leap, that would mean less of us are now chokers, as they say "One out of three people smoke...the other two choke"

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AdWorkMedia

15 years ago

In order to quit you always got to take on that most challenging step which is always the first! You should try some patches or those new electric cigarettes from blu, I heard they are a good way to ween your cravings and cut back on all the smoke and toxicity. I don't think cold turkey has the best success rate, but cutting back little by little might be the key to your success.

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Goldenboy

15 years ago

Congrats on that leap Pragun, by the way, I am not a smoker myself but I also want to encourage other people who smoke to quit that habit as it not only destroys their health but also the health of the people around him/her. My father is a smoker and I could see the effect of smoking to him. It may be very hard for smokers to quit on their habit, but it is worth the try to live a healthy life not just for you but for the people who cares for you.
Smokers can't just quit smoking on the next day, they should try to neutralize their smoking habit on a gradual basis like if their normal intake of smoke per day would be 15 sticks, the following week, they should cut down their consumption from 15 to 12 or 13. Then for the following week, cuts down the number of sticks to 10 until they have adjusted their system that can normally function without looking for smoke.
Think of the people who cares for you, quitting of your habit of smoking will not kill you, but will make you live longer to see your children and grandchildren grow. I salute you Pragun, keep it up and let us try to encourage others to also quit on their habit.

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Patrician

15 years ago

I have hated this COMPULSION to smoke for a long time. I hate everything about it but I don't stop.

Nothing works - patch makes me smoke more and act like I am on speed (plus you can have a heart attack if you smoke while wearing one -- overdose of nicotine) -

eCig is wonderful, smells good, tastes good (unlike cigarettes), is way cheaper, and actually has more nicotine than the additive free ultra lights I smoke.

But I am sitting there with my eCig craving a cigarette. A real burning, carbon monoxide cigarette. (incidentally this is the only difference as PureSmoke has NO chemicals - just nicotine.

(So much for the fallacy of nicotine addiction - I have long thought I would need to get good and scared and that is the only thing that would work).

Last week I had another health issue. As part of the check up for that they took my blood pressure - I have always been complimented on my perfect blood pressure and asked how I maintain it - 120/80

Well my BP was freaking 148/90 - and again @ 143/90 - That is Stage 1 hypertension - Stage 2 (150) can be stroke time.

I know I was stressed about the other issue and that can make your blood pressure spike but the doctor of course mentioned my smoking and told me to 'watch my BP' for 2 weeks.

I ceremoniously threw a $6.75 pack of cigs in the garbage in front of the doctor. I said 'look at this' - this is how scared I am right now.

Long story it took a few days of hardly smoking and no coffee for my BP to go down - it is still not normal but it is in the 130's and even lower at times.

The problem is as my blood pressure went down so did my FEAR and at some point 24 hours later I bought another pack; however my new game is I leave it in my car so I don't feel the panic of having no cigarettes -- BUT I don't chain smoke since I have to go outside to get each cigarette. I was doing really good at only smoking 3-5 a day which is WAY better than 20-30 a day I have smoked for years.

So now I am not as scared and the number of times I am smoking is increasing again.

So no BS I am going back down to 3 a day and going to pray it will be the proverbial 'last pack' - I really think I can beat this if I just stick to 3 - it is not far to go from 3 to 0.

Thanks for listening -- I am scared to death right now - no pun intended. I hope I make it out of this stinky prison.

There are not too many things in life that are as bad as having seriously messed up health or being trapped in a body that doesn't work anymore.

Good luck and prayers to anyone who is trying to make a break. I hope you will pray for me too.

Thanks
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DireStraits

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Patrician

I have hated this COMPULSION to smoke for a long time. I hate everything about it but I don't stop.

[...]

Good luck and prayers to anyone who is trying to make a break. I hope you will pray for me too.

Hey,

I know this sounds really stupid, but is there anything you can do to induce "illness" for a few days? Vomiting, stomach pain, dizzyness - anything that leaves you feeling so crap and tired that you just can't pry yourself out of bed?

Either that or tranquilize yourself for a few days (ask your doctor for a short course of Librium or something? Not sure if they'd be allowed to prescribe it for that purpose or not, like they can to aid with alcohol abstinence ... ?)

Sounds drastic, I know ... but if you're that concerned, maybe anything is justified.

I kicked my nicotine addiction - relatively short-lived though I considered it to be, anyway (I'd only been smoking routinely for a few months; prior to that, it was only really when I went for a night out, to complement the alcohol

) - by unintentionally causing myself to be bedridden for several days.

See, I wasn't to smoke indoors, and yet I was feeling so crap (alcohol poisoning and a big-ass lump on my head where I'd fallen and smacked it) that not only did the nicotine withdrawl drown in the sea of other symptoms I was experiencing, but I simply couldn't bring myself to sit/stand up long enough to light a cigarette. Actually, I did try at one point, but it made me feel sick to my stomach so I snubbed it out.

Seriously ... the physical effects, so far as I could tell, peaked at about 48 hours and began to tail off from there. By the end of the third day, I didn't feel particularly shaky - just slightly empty/depressed ... almost mournful. But that's easy to live with if you keep yourself busy/distracted for a further few days or just put yourself in a position where you're physically or financially unable to obtain cigarettes.

In any case, what I'm saying is that once the physical dependency is broken, the rest is much easier to deal with. Unfortunately, the more activities during which you're used to smoking now (e.g. whilst watching TV, walking, before/after eating, when drinking alcohol, while talking on the phone, or whatever), the more "links"/triggers you have to break, and thus the harder time you have breaking the mental aspect of the habit.

But I'm convinced that it only takes engaging in each associative activity, - WITHOUT SMOKING - a couple of times, for a relatively short duration. You really begin to adjust that quickly.

I will confess that I'm not 100% smoke-free, but I could be. I just don't want to be. I actually enjoy cigars and my tobacco pipe occasionally, but cigarettes I'd begun to despise, and I hate the notion of having no control over my actions (or feeling like that). The most important thing is that I'm no longer addicted. Haven't smoked at all for about 2 weeks, and for many weeks prior to that I'd only smoked a small amount whilst consuming alcohol, very infrequently.

Anyway ... if the usual avenues aren't working for you, think a little beyond the box. I was never in a situation where I was smoking over 15/day or I'd received warnings from my GP, but it was gradually going up and I knew where it was headed and that it was a problem, because I had an awful nagging sense of guilt each time I sparked up.

If you feel guilty and anxious, it's because you don't want to do it. So just stop, one way or another. Relinquish any and all responsibilities/obligations you might have to give yourself time to "heal", and just let your body do its work.

Just my thoughts, anyway.

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sylviad

15 years ago

Congrats on your decision and wish you success.

I quite smoking in 1975 and never turned back. I'd smoked for about 23 years then. It took several tries before I finally succeeded.

What I learned is that you have to really want to quit. Not that you want to "try" to quit, but have an excellent reason that you will not deny yourself.

For me, it was to get my breathing back in shape so I could go for my Red Cross Lifesaving Certificate. When I tried, I was shocked that I couldn't swim one length, never mind the 4 lengths that were required. At that moment, I decided that I absolutely hated being unfit. So I quit... for the last time.

Find yourself a similar reason.

And then, don't think about it as a lifelong event. Take it in small steps. For me, what worked was to keep "putting it off" for an hour. I'd get busy, forget, and before long, I'd gone all day. And then, I'd say... "I've lasted 15 hours, I can last another hour", and went to bed. Next morning... "Wow, I've now gone 2 days without a cigarette."

Sipping on water when the urge strikes helped a lot too.

And then I realized it really only takes 14 days to quit and begin to feel like a non-smoker. That's about how long it takes for all the nicotine to dissipate from your body, and the cravings dissipate.

Hope this helps. Keep up the good work... and if you feel you're slipping, find a great reason to quit that is all yours - not because your girlfriend wants you to quit. It has to be something YOU truly want. Put into a jar the money you save by not buying a pack. Plan to reward yourself every week or two weeks or whatever with that savings. Buy something you really want or like, see a concert, a movie, join a club and HAVE FUN!

Sylvia

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Daniel Evans

15 years ago

Do you know what's wrong with the world and this addition?

The indoctrination that it's so difficult to quit. That same indoctrination imposed upon us by those people who want us to smoke and those people who make overpriced quitting contraptions.

Make the problem SMALL.

...and then overcome it.

I done it after 13 years of smoking. I don't seek praise for it neither (another indoctrination of the world). We don't stab ourselves in the face to be praised when we fix a wound.

Good luck. You can do it.

Thanks

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design2convert

15 years ago

Well job, nice thread, i really like and appreciate your effort from smoker to non smoker. Surely you will get rid from it only thing which you have to do just concentrate on your efforts and have to pass from difficult time which is surely not so easy but it can be done.