So, i've been a heavy smoker for 12 years (almost a pack a day), and i've come to the conclusion that smoking is stupid... yes i know it took me a while to figure that out. The problem is that I LOVE SMOKING, but it's gotten to the point where i'm constantly getting sick because my immune system is shot to shit, and i'm constantly broke because i spend $11 a day on my pack of smokes... I'm basically working to buy cigarettes! Anyway, so i set the day SUNDAY MARCH 2nd, and so today's the day that will hopefully change my life. I woke up this morning dreading to get my ass out of bed because i didn't want to face the cravings of a cigarette after i had my morning coffee. I'm actually VERY scared to drive, because I ALWAYS smoke when i drive and i really don't think i'll be able to bite the bullet without cracking in the car.

So fellow TA's, i beg of you... any tips... any suggestions... any words of wisdom?

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"You don't know if it's fear or desire, danger the drug that takes you higher..."

1. So you know, it'll take approx. five years or more for your cancer risk to drop to that of a non-smoker.
2. I know your aim is not to smoke at all but if a situation were to arise wherein you started thinking 'Well, if I cut down my smoking by about 50% or 75% that will help!' do not put that thought into action: you will, essentially, do your body little to no good by simply cutting down how much you smoke.
3. If memory serves me correctly, a new stop smoking medication was just approved within Canada (about 6 or 8 months ago)--perhaps you'll want to look into it.
4. If you want some solid, research-based tips/advice--as opposed to the opinions of lay people--on how to quit, go visit a place like CAMH (33 Russel St. in Toronto); it's an addiction research centre and hospital and it can definitely help you succeed in your goal to quit.

I'm trying this "cold-turkey"... i just think that smoking is all in the head and i can beat the cravings (or so i hope)! I'm going to try and avoid meds and addiction centres.
But thanks!

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"You don't know if it's fear or desire, danger the drug that takes you higher..."

chewing gum helps me when I'm fiending. Iuno I've notice cutting down helps a lot I went from almost a pack a day since 14 to about 5 cigarettes a day sometimes 2 but when I'm at a club drinking then it goes to like a half pack.

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Just some info for anybody who uses the nicotine gum:

This gum is not supposed to be chewed like 'regular' gum. Rather, the most effective method is to chew a few times, place the gum against your cheek for ten seconds, chew some more, place the gum against your cheek for another ten seconds, and so on. The membranes on the inside of your mouth/cheeks allow the ingredients in the gum to be absorbed into the blood (if I recall accurately).

Heh that's funny because today is my quit day too. I'm also a big car smoker

What I'm using to help me quit and stay motivated is http://www.smokershelpline.ca/ as a few ex-smokers I know have used it and been successful. There's a ton of tips, forums, etc. You make your own personal profile and based on that they help you out.

There's also the added bonus of the 800 number which is open 24hrs a day.

Good luck!

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Whatever it may take I keep on trying.

good luck man, that will be the hardest thing in your life. i wish you all the best.

p.s. my frinds mom did that laser dealio and she didnt have a smoke in over 4 months. shes been smoking for over 30 years

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i wanna wipe my ass with mona lisa !!!

allen carr
"the easy way"



worked for me

quote:

Originally posted by Xavier Moriarty good luck man, that will be the hardest thing in your life. i wish you all the best. p.s. my frinds mom did that laser dealio and she didnt have a smoke in over 4 months. shes been smoking for over 30 years

Thanks... I've heard that Hypnosis works wonders on smokers. The problem is that it's not a one-time session and it costs an arm and a leg. But the results are incomparable.

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"You don't know if it's fear or desire, danger the drug that takes you higher..."

quote:

Originally posted by italarmo Thanks... I've heard that Hypnosis works wonders on smokers.

only works cuz people believe its gonna work... dont waste ur money

Good Luck though!

Suck it up and deal with the cravings. If you really want to quit, you won't smoke. You don't NEED to smoke.

you have to want it. i was told by many friends who studied medicine that giving up vices in excess by 25 allows your body to return to the same state by 30 that it would have been had you done none at all and for some reason that stuck in my head as my deadline. i tried to quit several times before then due to a lung infection and other such health issues but never really wanted to quit so it lasted at most 2 months. when i hit 25 I went cold turkey at midnight on my birthday and a year later i'm still on the wagon, mainly because years previously i set it as something that i had to do and committed to it stubbornly. i smoked for over 10 yrs and was at a pack a day leading up to the quit point though slowed down to maybe half a pack in the last couple of weeks pre-emptively.

i agree with you that it's in the head, obviously there are various physically addictive factors and for some people medication can help, but to me overcoming the mental factors make these pale in comparison. from time to time i bum a smoke when having a drink (though not everytime i drink) but i didn't commit myself to never smoking again, only stopping being a regular smoker. i knew i'd probably have a smoke from time to time and had no intention of making myself feel guilty about the occassional indulgence, though that policy may not be for everyone i am at peace with it.

the best thing i can say is not to delude yourself. if you're serious about quitting you can make it happen but if it's half-hearted you'll probably not succeed. being honest to yourself, realistic about your self-restraint and finding ways to focus your motivation will help get the job done.