I've GOT to give up smoking

notechno

Wow, thanks for all your helpful replies and suggestions.

I currently have 2 cigarettes left, which I intend to finish tonight, so I can start afresh tomorrow. My friend gave me some patches a few months ago. I didn't think I'd be able to use them as they're Step 2, 14mg, but as Step 1, 21mg, give the same dose of nicotine as 20 cigs, and I smoke less than 10, maybe Step 2 will be okay?

Not looking forward to that empty feeling first thing in the morning when I can't light up first thing, or in the car on the way to work. But once I'm at my desk it should get easier - I can't have one then, whether I like it or not! I didn't go out for my afternoon break (only partly to cut down, more so because I was mad busy) but my colleague went out as usual and yes, I did notice the stink when he came back in

It really struck home what people were saying about giving up for someone you love. My son's always begging me to give up. And last night, after I'd received a worse diagnosis medically than I first thought, my mum was in tears asking me to stop.

ADVANTAGES TO STOPPING

Not dying earlier than I should
Not worrying my family
Not having to nip to a shop at some daft hr to get more tobacco / papers / filters
Not having to sit up making rollies for the next day when I really want to relax/be in bed
Not stinking
Not having something control my life

But I know it's not going to be easy. I'll keep updating, let you all know how I get on

xxx

jackieb

My dad is so addicted. He's 80 and has smoked since he was 8. Yes, 8! He has fluid in his lungs, yet he still smokes. He sometimes can barely breathe and he has to hold on to the sink. He then goes up to the hospital. Gets put on the nebuliser. Gets prescribed more antibiotics and steroids. Comes home and the first thing he does is go for a smoke. He's tried many times to stop. Seeing my dad like he is, is one of the reasons my husband decided to stop. It's horrible watching someone you love be addicted to something that is so debilitating.

But your son and your mum won't have to worry much longer, because you are going to do this! Good luck. xx

diable

I went to a hypnotherapist after thinking about it for 6 months talking to people who have tried it etc etc etc

£190, 5 years ago 40 a day smoker weekdays more on a night out and it worked for me, haven't touched a ciggie since and the best thing was that 2 months afterwards I met my girlfriend who hates the smell of smoke and have been happy ever since.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

notechno wrote: »

I currently have 2 cigarettes left, which I intend to finish tonight, so I can start afresh tomorrow. My friend gave me some patches a few months ago. I didn't think I'd be able to use them as they're Step 2, 14mg, but as Step 1, 21mg, give the same dose of nicotine as 20 cigs, and I smoke less than 10, maybe Step 2 will be okay?

Give it a go and see - most places use step 2s for lighter smokers anyway.

notechno wrote: »

Not looking forward to that empty feeling first thing in the morning when I can't light up first thing

If you bung the patch on as soon as you open your eyes, it doesn't occur to you that you haven't had one

notechno wrote: »

, or in the car on the way to work.

You'll be a better driver. And calmer without them spiking your blood pressure.

notechno wrote: »

But once I'm at my desk it should get easier - I can't have one then, whether I like it or not! I didn't go out for my afternoon break (only partly to cut down, more so because I was mad busy) but my colleague went out as usual and yes, I did notice the stink when he came back in

Try the cold glass of water break instead.

covlass

I am on week 3 of giving up and going cold turkey by choice. Over the years my smoking had increased rapidly. I went from being able to go hours with out smoking for smoking a couple every hour. I got yet another cold and could feel it going to my chest my daughter said to me "mum what will happen to us if you go into hospital again & but don't come out " I laughed it off at the time but it did get me thinking.

My husband stopped the day before me using patches, I decided not to use any thing as I told my self by using Nicotine replacements I am prolonging the time to detox my body of Nicotine !! No idea if it is true but I keep telling my self that lol

I have not had a cup of coffee since stopping as coffee and fag went hand in hand for me !!
I have 7 ciggs left in my box and I count them every morning ! May sound silly but if I do not have them in the house I know I will panic and rush out and buy some.
When I feel like I am going to crack I tell mt self I am weak and have a argument with myself lol
My eating habits are better i no longer replace meals with ciggs and coffee!!
It is hard but ever one is different, I AM going to do this for my health and so i can watch my children grow up !!

Take each day as it comes and tell yourself you can d this you will do this !!!

suegoo

I gave up last year and the thing that really helped was candy sticks. They used to call them sweet cigarettes.
I found that just holding one and sucking the end was calming when it all got too difficult.
My sister gave up too and she carried a packet of them around in her pocket instead of her cigs, it was quite funny to see her sitting outside the pub with her smoking mates sucking a candy stick instead, but they got her through the hardest bit.

margaretclare

You've been given excellent advice by all the other posters, and I can't add a thing. Except that I lived with a smoker for many years, and he too had been told to stop, for medical reasons i.e. he had a coronary at age 38 when he was a young dad, had coronary bypass surgery a couple of years later (when it was still very new in the UK) and started having strokes in his 50s, dying eventually at age 58.

If he didn't have the best possible incentive and medical reasons for stopping I don't know who had, yet even in the last year of his life he still smoked when I'd gone to work, although by then he never smoked in my presence.

You say you'll make excuses. Yes, addicts do. They make excuses and then more excuses. The fact that you have a 12 year old whom you presumably want to see grow up should be incentive enough.

You are in charge of your own body. It's your choice whether you do your best to maintain good health or to wreck that health for what is only a transitory pleasure.

Take the advice others have given you. There's a lot of help out there - grab it with both hands! Life is precious and we only have the one life.

DUKE

notecho - I was the same as you a few years ago, I smoked roll-ups & had to give up for health reasons. Now I'd previously stopped smoking for 6 months with the gum & patches but I craved a fag (& wanted to kill people :eek:) every day of that 6 months. So I started smoking again. Then I was diagnozed with breast cancer & gave up within a week by using the inhalators. That was over 2 years ago & I know I'll never smoke again. I never thought that I could stop smoking & if I can do it then so can you - Good luck!

Must not forget the very supportive Giving Up Smoking Thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2957492

summerday

Not having ever smoked , I'm not really qualified myself to give advice, although food especially chocolate is my vice and I'm overweight because of it.

My sister gave up smoking using Allen Carr's book and said it was amazing.

My Dad used to smoke when I was a kid. I used to hate the smell (back in the 80s I guess it was still pretty normal for people to smoke in houses, even with kids), and when I learned at school about the health effects of smoking I wrote my Dad a note saying something along the lines of 'for my birthday the only thing I'd like from you is to stop smoking so I'll always have a daddy and you won't die of heart disease'. This was just before my birthday (8th I think), and when Dad read it he got a bit choked up and poured his baccy down the toilet in front of me and since then has been a non smoker.

Sorry, this won't be particulary helpful for you I guess, but perhaps your kid could be the best source of motivation, so that you'll be around for longer to support them in adulthood for longer and in better health, also I'm sure I've seen data that shows kids of smokers are far more likely to take up the habit themselves.

Good luck to you, it may not be easy but it'll be worth it.

scottish_lassy

notechno wrote: »

And last night, after I'd received a worse diagnosis medically than I first thought, my mum was in tears asking me to stop.

xxx

Your poor mother. Imagine if that was your son who was ill and he could help himself by doing something. Love yourself as much as your mother does.

One hint that helped me ............ change in to PJ's as soon as you are in the house ........... then you would have to be really desparate to get dressed and go out to buy some tobacco (usually craving doesn't last that long or laziness takes over!)

Also, don't believe those who say you always have the cravings - you don't. I hardly think of cigs any more and I was a fervent smoker! There is life after smoking .... and more of it!