Need help.. anyone - Smoking Cessation Message Board

Portchop_kid · 08-20-2005, 12:30 AM

Hi i am an 18 year old male.. and ive been smoking since i was 15.. i know its only been three years compared to some on here who have been smoking for 20+ years.. but its hard to quit none the less.. i am still finishing high school now going on my last year.. sapposed to be done but i failed classes.. anyways.. i always though i wouldnt bother to quit until i finished school.. because its to much temptation for a smoke at school when almost all my friends smoke.. but lately ive noticed i cant breath half as good as i could when i started high school.. and i met a friend of my dads with a little buzzer thing to talk because he had to get his voice box taken due to cancer because of his smoking.. and i thought to myself.. i really dont want to ever end up that way.. and althought u can get cancer of the throat, lungs, mouth wihtout being a smoker.. i still want to quit because i know it like doubles your chances.. plus heart conditions run in my family.. anyways i want to quit now.. and ive been thinking about it all month but never did anything about it.. and i dont want to cut back then quit i want to go at it hard and just stop.. i know it will be hard.. and ive been told the first weeks the worste.. so im gonna start after tomorow (gotta come up with a plan for the first 2 weeks to take my mind off of smoking) and tomorow i was hoping to pick up either the patch or the gum.. and now my question is.. whats the best way to quit.. like whats a good thing u would recomend me take up.. ie. walking.. and whats better for a person my age whos been smoking for the ammount of time i have.. and wants to quit "cold turkey".. the gum or patch or any other method i might not know about..? if someone could help me out id be very gratefull..

Deda · 08-20-2005, 01:20 AM

Porkchop Kid--

Hi there...you sound like a pretty sharp guy, for someone so young!

I sure wish I had had that kind of common sense when *I* was in high school! I was just getting ready to go to bed, I'm so sleepy and tired tonight, but just read your message out loud to my hubby, and we both agreed you deserve all the help anyone has to offer. If I could, I'd send you a donation towards your first box of NRT, I really would!
You are very informed about the dangers of smoking, so I don't need to go there with you. As for the best form of treatment to quit, I think the patches work fantastic! That's how I quit smoking, 23 months ago, after 30+ years of smoking. My husband used nic gum after smoking for around 38 years, and he's smoke free for 2.5 years now. But just to let you know, we both had a very strong determination to quit, which without that, nothing would've "worked". If I were you, I'd try the patch, as (I think, and know) it's easier to wean off from than the gum. If you smoke a pack or more per day, start with the 21 mg. patch, and the directions usually come in a CD in the box. Start walking, biking, or some other form of exercise. Now the difficult part will probably be hanging around with your old smoking buddies from school, and I know that is hard to avoid your friends at your age. Maybe tell them you are going to keep a low profile for a few weeks until the edge starts fading a little. Read a lot of messages here on the board, kid, they really help to inspire you. Hang out in non smoking places more than you do now...like the library, movies, well, depends on where you live..but here in CA, it's just about everywhere, except for Bingo halls and casinos!
I admire your good sense, (intelligence), and your courage. Most of us older quitters wish we had quit long ago, while we were still young like you!

Good luck, and please keep in touch and let us know how you do!
Deda