? for the ex smokers

[Unicorn Jeff]

This thread just reaffirms the good decision I made when I chose not to start smoking. Listening to what y'all are saying it sounds like it really blows.

x2 I might have one or two if I'm drunk as fuck at a party. And I maybe party hard once or twice a month.

[STRONGNUFF]

Thanks for everyone's input and experiences. I quit back in 1997 for 6 month's using the patch,but still cheated every now and then.

This time I just wanted to do it straight up cold turkey as the Patch or e-cig still gives you Nicotine (might as well smoke), just find that it is kicking my ass during the times I get the intense cravings. Told my wife earlier "this must be what crack heads feel when their craving the rock"

For those of you that dont smoke, NEVER take up the habit !!!! Its alot tougher than you can EVER imagine, but I keep telling myself, "I'm not trying to quit, I HAVE QUIT" Gotta get that little devil off my shoulder

[txsr20de]

I'm going to be in the same boat soon as well. I just accepted a job offer at a smoke free company. I've still got a week or two while the background check clears, so I'm enjoying my last few packs this week, and I am gonna try and ween off this weekend. I think it will be a little bit easier when my livelihood depends on it.

I was able to quit drinking and using drugs recreationally cold turkey a couple of years ago, so I already know what its like to need willpower. It won't be a walk in the park, but I know that I can do it, you just have to man up. I haven't really ever had a good reason to quit in the past, so I never did.

[racrguy]

This thread just reaffirms the good decision I made when I chose not to start smoking. Listening to what y'all are saying it sounds like it really blows.

[347Mike]

Menthols are 100 times harder in my opinion.

When I smoked Marlboro Lights or Camels, I could quit (if you want to call it that) for 2+ weeks with no problem when I really wanted to stop, but as Matt said, drinking and old habbits easily took over.

Since I have switched to Marlboro Smooth's I am 100% addicted. I tried quitting for 1 day and couldn't do it, easily. The cravings are 100 times stronger in my opinion and I get 100 times more antsy without them.

I still want to quit but haven't determined how exactly I am going to get over it.

[Rotortrash]

First off, congrats on the attempt. Its a hard decision to make.

Cravings will subside as time goes on, dealing with them is different for everybody as you've seen. For me, I had to find out what triggered the craving. Had to quit drinking beer for a while, and cut WAY back on coffee. Try to hang out with non smokers, and in non smoking areas. After a meal, do somthing different than you normally do, just to change up the routine and try to keep the after dinner craving to a minimum. Once you figure out when and why you smoke, you can do somthing to stop it. The nicotine is already out of your system, now its the physical addiction you're fighting

I've been smoke free for almost 7 years now, and it was tough. The desire to quit gets you through. Just go pick up that baby girl of yours, that should be a good motivator!

Good Luck Andre!

Jeff

[Lason]

Oh let me add I quit drinking about 8 months before I quit smoking. Stay away from the bar scenes untill your strong enough.

[mstng86]

Just don't start.

[Leah]

That was my main thought the whole time too. When I wanted one I would question why it has so much power over me and then ask myself if I was that weak.

I will say the hardest part about quitting was throwing away that last pack. I had half a pack left and I kept it on me for almost a week before throwing it in the trash.

When I quit (both times), I had just found out I was pregnant. I was the opposite-I kept a pack in my glove box so I was able to make the choice to not smoke. If I didn't have any, I panicked and wanted one even more, but if it was there and I CHOSE not to smoke it, then I was in control.

Weird, I know, but it worked.

However, once the kids were about a year old, I started going back out with friends and drinking, then it all went down hill. Well, the second time I had quit, but Chili and I started dating and he smoked so it's all his fault.

[SlowLX]

Gum and beef jerky for cravings. Every time I've considered relapsing recently I go for a run or bike ride and stop to realize just how much easier I can breath now.

[Racewerx]

It hurts when you quit smoking. I have been smoke free for 7 years and don't miss it it one damn bit. Don't be a pussy about it just stay focused on your goal.

[mustang_revival]

I quit cold turkey 1.5 years ago.

the 2nd week SUUUUUUUCKED. Also for 2 months after everytime i drank i got cravings.

What helped was distancing myself from other smokers. Also I started to take small walks/5-10 minutes of meditation during my work day to get that same "break" away from stuff.

For what it is worth the cravings dont go away too quick. I still want a cig every now and then.

[BERNIE MOSFET]

That's a big key. Getting rid of all access to cigarettes, and telling yourself you won't buy anymore.

I just stopped going inside of gas stations, and only paid at the pump, just to keep the old habit of picking up a couple of packs with gas from happening.

I've quit a few times. I could smoke OPCs any time I wanted, but the day I bought a pack - justifying it to myself as "just once", thinking I could handle it -was the day I was back on.

[Silverback]

I will say the hardest part about quitting was throwing away that last pack. I had half a pack left and I kept it on me for almost a week before throwing it in the trash.

That's a big key. Getting rid of all access to cigarettes, and telling yourself you won't buy anymore.

I just stopped going inside of gas stations, and only paid at the pump, just to keep the old habit of picking up a couple of packs with gas from happening.

[Lason]

Since you did it cold turkey - it's straight up willpower from here on out. Are you going to let something like that rule your life, or are you stronger than that?

That was my main thought the whole time too. When I wanted one I would question why it has so much power over me and then ask myself if I was that weak.

I will say the hardest part about quitting was throwing away that last pack. I had half a pack left and I kept it on me for almost a week before throwing it in the trash.