Becoming Nicotine Free

[mike c]

Yes it will save the lungs but kill the liver.

unfortunately, i don't drink anymore as well (except for the half cup of wine or bailey's every now and then - rare too)

 

[Halon451]

Whew, best of luck to you in this endeavor - I've been a smoker now for a long time, and worse than the actual chemical addiction is all of the psychological triggers that get me. I've quit on several occasions, but I'm a victim of my own external trigger factors when it comes to this, and often light up without even thinking about it when one of those factors comes into play. As someone mentioned of course, alcohol is also a big trigger, but I really don't drink much anymore anyway - giving that up (at least temporarily) wouldn't upset the balance so much as not having that cigarette with my first morning cup of coffee on the way to work!

Tried the patch, tried Zyban, back when it was around - just too stubborn I guess. Let me know how it goes my friend, it may just inspire me to give it another shot!

 

[Alex2507]

unfortunately, i don't drink anymore as well (except for the half cup of wine or bailey's every now and then - rare too)

You and I are geared a little differently. Through out the majority of my life I have not enjoyed much self control or moderation. The only thing that I haven't had any trouble with is gambling.

Good luck in Vegas.

Halon,

The thing that really is getting me is that after I get a cold my cough takes months to go away. It's embarrassing and at night a wheeze has shown up in my breathing. About 5 days into it and the hack and wheeze are 90% gone. Good luck to both of us on this score.

-Alex

 

[annunaki]

I had to put the angry face up there as a goof.

I'm on day 4 of being smoke free. I'm on the 14 mg dose of the 'patch'. I plan to do the 14 mg dose for a couple of weeks and then the 7 mg dose for another two weeks before going completely nicotine free.

Any suggestions, insights and related links to the subject matter would be appreciated.

TIA,
Alex

From some of the studies I have seen, the strictly physical addiction to nicotine is only 7-10 days. Past that it all about will power and "thinking" you need it.

The brain is very powerful and we can "believe what we want to believe". I smoked for approximately 4-5 yrs. 2-3 packs a week (light smoker). I quit cold turkey, especially after knowing that my body would only crave it for 7-10 days, past that it was a choice.

Just my experience and $.02

 

[annunaki]

Nice job buddy good for you. I need to quit as well darnit.........

Needing to quit and wanting/believeing you can are two entirely different things.

 

[annunaki]

Alex, what worked for me was keeping myself busy(okay my 2 children made sure of that)and I chewed a lot of gum. The hardest part IMO is breaking yourself of the habit! For me that was driving to work and my early morning coffee. Once I got past that, it simply became mind over matter for me, even with those long lingering craving they became a lot easier.
FWIW, it does get easier with each passing day, now if I could only break my wife of the habit, I'll be a happy man.

Good luck, Bill

Great points Bill.

Habits, good or bad, typically are formed over 30 days. Breaking them (i.e. starting a new healthy habit) will take about the same.

 

[Halon451]

Halon,

The thing that really is getting me is that after I get a cold my cough takes months to go away. It's embarrassing and at night a wheeze has shown up in my breathing. About 5 days into it and the hack and wheeze are 90% gone. Good luck to both of us on this score.

Indeed. The thing about me that is ironic in all this is I'm an avid exerciser, and often go running, 3, 4, 5 miles a pop, lift weights, eat healthy, etc. So the smoking stands in stark contradiction to my otherwise very healthy way of life - even my doctor hasn't been able to tell me if this is helps or hurts more - obviously his advice is that I need to quit. But I've noticed a steady decline in my overall sense of feeling "good" - some of it could be attributed to age, which I can accept, but I'm sure a large portion of that is due to smoking. I've developed a sinus issue that has plagued me now for a few years - that's one thing, and I've read all the literature there is on the harmful effects of smoking and the risk factors involved (cancer, emphysema, etc.). I can't figure out why my brain refuses to come around to the idea, but I guess that's the nature of addiction - it removes the common sense section of your mind. I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, and it's not like I don't believe that bad things can happen - just believe that I'll be able to quit before it does. The biggest hurdle is convincing yourself that it's finally time and sticking with it - otherwise promises are just words. I know, I've been through it several times now.

 

[jliedeka]

Good luck, Alex, I hope you stick with it. I've been smoking for over 20 years. I've quit a few times but couldn't stay with it.

I'm thinking it's time to try again.

Jim

 

[A/VUSMCSGT]

Glad to hear you've stopped. I don't have much advice because I've never smoked in my life, not even 1 puff!

My mom has had 5 strokes, a heart attack, and countless other medical problems due to smoking and she could go any day.

Just remember that tobacco products are the only products in the world that, when used as directed, WILL KILL YOU!!! Not to mention the second hand smoke that others are forced to breath in because of YOUR habit.

But you're quitting, so keep it up!!! We're rootin' for ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Davemcc]

Keep it up Alex. I need to quit smoking myself. I'll be looking to you for inspiration.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You bunch of quitters!!!!!!!!

Hang in there man!

 

[Alex2507]

I'll be looking to you for inspiration.

It's a little early for me to start preaching. I will say the more the merrier and any trip I have ever taken was made better by good company so jump in any time. The water's fine.

I've already had a few thoughts about what I could get with the extra $200/month the girl and I would normally spend on smokes.

I know, in Canada that's what you spend per week.

 

[majorloser]

I wish you all the luck in the world!

 

[Davemcc]

I know, in Canada that's what you spend per week.

My wife and I go through a carton a week between us, which is $74. That's still good money up in smoke by any account.

 

[MidnightSensi]

Keep it up Alex, I've been out of town so I haven't been able to wish you well on this!

One thing to be careful of is not finding a unhealthy replacement addiction. One of the biggest things with drug withdrawals is we tend to find something else to take its place, some people eat a bunch, some people drink more, or get a massive caffeine habit, etc. I honestly think its impossible to not have a replacement when quitting a drug, but you can choose something healthy. When I got clean (and quit smoking cigarettes also) I choose exercise and going to the gym, but it could be anything. I don't want to scare you, I just want you to be aware of this because I think its not talked about too much. When you are nicotine free, I think you'll really enjoy life free of stimulants.

 

[Alex2507]

Day 6:

I removed the patch last night to sleep for the first time. I'm a little edgy this morning. Gotta get a fresh patch on before I snap. I noticed that I can leave a single patch on for almost 48 hours if I sleep with it. I am looking forward to reducing the dosage to 7mg and then finally going through the business of nicotine withdrawal. If I just up and quit right now I don't think I would make it. I figure the main thing at the moment is to not smoke.

I may trap some rats so that I can bite their heads off when the real withdrawal symptoms kick in. If it's gotta suck for me I wanna make something else suffer too. My monkey ain't diggin' this.

ARGHHHHHH !!! ... or however you spell that.

 

[Alex2507]

I think you'll really enjoy life free of stimulants.

That made me think of free stimulants.

 

[Adam]

Just try to keep your eye on the prize, man. Think about how much more money (ummm, A/V gear) you'll have in a year from now because you aren't buying smokes. Think about how much better you'll be breathing.

If that doesn't work, try thinking about something else that's worse to make the withdrawal pains seem trivial. Like, hey at least I'm not starving as I sit in a half-destroyed building in the remnants of my home city where several people are roaming the streets looking to kill me.

If that doesn't work, try a swift punch to the acorns. At least you won't be thinking about smoking. You might be thinking about hunting me down, though.

 

[Rickster71]

I have an aversion to pharmaceuticals. The side effects of the patch are creepy enough.

That's because you're not supposed to chew the patch...
All kidding aside my friend; stick with it Alex and just do it one day at a time.

I think the fact that you started this thread shows commitment, and it's also a great place to come to for encouragement.

Your house and car will smell better. Friends of mine that quit, tell me that food starts to taste better too.

God Luck!
Rick

 

[Alex2507]

The house and car have always been off limits. I haven't been out on my balcony in this weather since I went to OK on Dec. 20th 2008. I'm not much on telling lies and it would really suck to need to come clean about lighting up again. So this thread does have a built in motivator.

The support is appreciated as well.

Edit: I may have to change my user name to Pork Chop.