RIracer
07-30-2005, 12:31 AM
I am 20 years old and have been smoking for a little over a year now. I smoke a pack a day now and I want to quit but I can't. I have tried a couple times but after a day or so I need a smoke and go buy a pack. I feel like when I wake up, am on break at work, after I eat, when im driving, whenever...I feel like I need a smoke. Alot of the people I am around smoke so that is not too good for me trying to quit. One of my friends was able to quit using the patch. Maybe something like the patch or gum can help me out. I really want to quit, I have no money because of it, cough too much, and do not have the stamina that I used to have. Someone please enlighten me on what is the best method of quitting. Thanks alot!
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Deda
07-30-2005, 01:27 AM
Hi RIRacer,
Well, you sound like a very smart young guy! I sure wish I HAD quit when I was only 20, as most of us older quitters do. I think the number 1. most important tool you need to quit, is 100% determination to quit. No matter what it may take...staying away from your smoking friends for a while might have to be the first sacrifice...but if you really want to quit, you won't mind. Patches and gum, and other forms of nicotene replacement therapy DO help, but not if you are lacking that strong determination and motivation. Yes, the first week is the toughest, as most people here will say. Be prepared with a plan,...what you're going to do to stay busy, to distract yourself. What are you going to do about going out with your friends the first month (or maybe longer) when you will be the most vulnerable to a relapse?
I quit 22 months ago, after smoking for 30 years, and at least 10 attempts to quit in the past. My husband quit 28 months ago, after at least 35+ years. We both use nic gum. (I first quit with the patches) They really help, a lot. There's also a prescription drug you can ask your Dr. about, called Zyban/Welbutrin. It helps take away the cravings.
It's funny that a person can be so addicted after only one year of smoking, but I do remember at that point, being terribly hooked already. I think the first time I tried to quit was about 18 months after I started smoking. It only last about 3 weeks. It was too hard to quit with a husband that smoked. I wish now that I had just quit anyway.
You are so smart to know that you should do this now. Don't wait till you get older like most of us, do it now! I know you can!! :) And do be aware, the cravings become much more minimal over time. Today, I rarely think about wanting a cig!
GOOD LUCK!!!
Deda
Well, you sound like a very smart young guy! I sure wish I HAD quit when I was only 20, as most of us older quitters do. I think the number 1. most important tool you need to quit, is 100% determination to quit. No matter what it may take...staying away from your smoking friends for a while might have to be the first sacrifice...but if you really want to quit, you won't mind. Patches and gum, and other forms of nicotene replacement therapy DO help, but not if you are lacking that strong determination and motivation. Yes, the first week is the toughest, as most people here will say. Be prepared with a plan,...what you're going to do to stay busy, to distract yourself. What are you going to do about going out with your friends the first month (or maybe longer) when you will be the most vulnerable to a relapse?
I quit 22 months ago, after smoking for 30 years, and at least 10 attempts to quit in the past. My husband quit 28 months ago, after at least 35+ years. We both use nic gum. (I first quit with the patches) They really help, a lot. There's also a prescription drug you can ask your Dr. about, called Zyban/Welbutrin. It helps take away the cravings.
It's funny that a person can be so addicted after only one year of smoking, but I do remember at that point, being terribly hooked already. I think the first time I tried to quit was about 18 months after I started smoking. It only last about 3 weeks. It was too hard to quit with a husband that smoked. I wish now that I had just quit anyway.
You are so smart to know that you should do this now. Don't wait till you get older like most of us, do it now! I know you can!! :) And do be aware, the cravings become much more minimal over time. Today, I rarely think about wanting a cig!
GOOD LUCK!!!
Deda
Bharat2005
07-30-2005, 01:54 AM
most important tool you need to quit, is 100% determination to quit. Deda
Extactly. Nothing will really help in the long term unless you are determined to QUIT.
Quitting now when your addiction is fairly new will be much easier than quitting after a decade... I did the trick with patches, it worked fine for me. Two months now.. I get occassional cravings, but they are very feeble compared to what it used to be in the first week of quitting...
Best of Luck
Extactly. Nothing will really help in the long term unless you are determined to QUIT.
Quitting now when your addiction is fairly new will be much easier than quitting after a decade... I did the trick with patches, it worked fine for me. Two months now.. I get occassional cravings, but they are very feeble compared to what it used to be in the first week of quitting...
Best of Luck
sixx788
08-02-2005, 07:34 PM
I would have to agree with the patches. I think it's the easiest way. I have tried Zyban....which works too. But it makes you feel weird and I got really crazy dreams on it. It's ok. The gum was so gross I don't know how anyone quits with that. ACK! To me, it's nasty tasting! Just my 2 cents worth!
mcds03
08-13-2005, 11:06 AM
The thing that helps the most is that instead of saying you can't quit, you should really say that you CAN quit....if you have any doubt in yourself at all you will go back no matter what medications you are taking to help. So the best thing is the positive attitude, i started smoking when i was 15 and quit 45 days ago ( i am 23 now) it really helps to look at cigarettes for what they really are, killers!!! They do no good for the body inside and out, my dad has been smoking for 40 years and the one thing he hates the most is the massive amounts of wrinkles (smoker's face) i wish the best of luck to you, you can do this!!!
notronaj
08-13-2005, 05:55 PM
I am glad you are quitting. It can be done. Personally I used the lozenges and they did the job for me. I smoked for 47 years, quit 20 months ago and it was my first and only quit. Determination is 99% of the quit. You will be very glad you quit.
bevann26
08-29-2005, 11:24 PM
Riracer...you are so young, do this for yourself now. i am 55 and still smoking and have bad health too. i've used patches and gum,commit lozenges, hypnosis, cold turkey. i am a very nervous person and smoke heavily. the times i have quit 4 mos ea time, was cold turkey and patch. my doc put me on valium to help me sleep. i want to quit sooo bad, am hoping to when i get back to florida next wk. you must get out of old habits with cigs, need to change lifestyle too. not have caffeine in the begining helped me, not talking on phone much, watching tv, reading. i had a hard time staying out of bed, felt real tired or wanted to be in mourning for myself maybe, hell, sometimes they don't even taste good, i wheeze at nite, i must be crazy! definitey need to stop real soon! any help or advice i can get here would be great! best of luck to all....bevann