[pugndolly]

What is the best method to quit smoking?

I need to know.

Thank you!

[kittygilchrist]

I posted a thread under support groups a few months ago when I wanted to quit: reasons to quit smoking. Many people offered encouragement and help. The best I can offer is that there is a heavenly God who wants the best for you.
Praying for you to have strength and wisdom how to quit.
Kitty

[CFrance]

Do you have a doctor? If so, I would ask him/her to go over the options with you.

[Janet & Carl]

The desire to quit and lots of prayers. Took me 3 times to quit after 30 years of smoking. As of November 2013 I have been smoke free for 13 years.
Best of luck to you,
Janet

[tippyclubb]

I quit two years ago using the electronic cigarette. Like the patch you are still getting nicotine without the tar and 3,000 nasty chemicals. My doctor approves of me using the e-cig.

[Fourpar]

Toss your cigarettes in the trash. Then start praying that you can stay strong enough to not allow them to come back and run your life......And make that prayer every time you think you need one. Eventually you can get there. But it isn't an easy trip, regardless of all the "aids".
Good luck, it is a trip you (and those who love you) will be glad you had the guts to take.

[kaydee]

I was told by a hairdresser that there is a clinic/doctor of some sort that does, are ya ready for this, laser treatment. Her husband had 3 treatments and last I knew was smoke free. Personally I had never heard of such a thing. I've thought about researching myself but just haven't done so yet. I'm told this facility is located on 441 North of 42 on the left. In that same strip is a chiropractor by the name of Dr Aiken. Hope this helps and I wish you luck. Honestly, I sympathize with you as I am a smoker as well and I must admit I need to quit but sadly I have not taken the next step yet.

[mjdollard]

Cold turkey

Set a date - something like a birthday, a special event, first of the month - whatever. If you decide to make it sudden, like tomorrow, you might not make it as you need to get your mind prepared for the change.

Smoke up to the chosen day as you normally would. When you wake up on the chosen day you have gone 8 hours without a cigarette. The only thing you have to do is keep adding hours.

The first few days are tough but after about 72 hours is gets easier - it takes about that long to flush nicotine out of the system, after that point it is memory not the body looking for nicotine. Because of that I feel nicotine reduction programs just prolong the misery.

A few things to avoid for a few days - alcohol (reduces power to say no), coffee (ok to have but the norm is a cup and a cigarette, stick to just the coffee). One odd thing is sharp cheeses in the first few days - somehow they mimic nicotine to the taste buds.

After the first few days it gets easier but keep telling yourself that one puff and the smoke free journey ends, and that isn't your goal.

Quitting smoking is said to be harder that quitting heroin - smoking is legal, it is easy to obtain cigarettes and (somewhat) socially acceptable.

Good luck, you WILL feel better

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by mjdollard

Cold turkey

Set a date - something like a birthday, a special event, first of the month - whatever. If you decide to make it sudden, like tomorrow, you might not make it as you need to get your mind prepared for the change.

Smoke up to the chosen day as you normally would. When you wake up on the chosen day you have gone 8 hours without a cigarette. The only thing you have to do is keep adding hours.

The first few days are tough but after about 72 hours is gets easier - it takes about that long to flush nicotine out of the system, after that point it is memory not the body looking for nicotine. Because of that I feel nicotine reduction programs just prolong the misery.

A few things to avoid for a few days - alcohol (reduces power to say no), coffee (ok to have but the norm is a cup and a cigarette, stick to just the coffee). One odd thing is sharp cheeses in the first few days - somehow they mimic nicotine to the taste buds.

After the first few days it gets easier but keep telling yourself that one puff and the smoke free journey ends, and that isn't your goal.

Quitting smoking is said to be harder that quitting heroin - smoking is legal, it is easy to obtain cigarettes and (somewhat) socially acceptable.

Good luck, you WILL feel better

This is the best way. And you have to WANT to quit. Can't be for anything other than you want to.

[CFrance]

I tried cold turkey, and it didn't last for more than nine months. Then I tried it again, and it lasted for five months. Then I tried patches, and quit for two years. But the iresistable urge came back. Then the fourth (and thankfully the last) time, the patches were available over the counter. When the urge returned after two years, I slapped on the lowest level patch for a couple weeks, and bingo. Have never had a problem since, and it's been close to 15 years. I was the poster child for the slogan Don't Quit Quitting!

I found using the patches to be way less stressful than quitting cold turkey. My nicotine fits with cold turkey did not go away for weeks--months. Everyone has their own story of what worked for them, but cold turkey was just horrible for me.

Hopefully you will find your own way. We can only offer you our own stories. You have to try something and see if it works for you. Just start something. The best part about quitting is not worrying constantly about what you're doing to your health. Good luck!

[jblum315]

Chantix works for some people.

[twinklesweep]

Originally Posted by mjdollard

Cold turkey

Set a date - something like a birthday, a special event, first of the month - whatever. If you decide to make it sudden, like tomorrow, you might not make it as you need to get your mind prepared for the change.

Smoke up to the chosen day as you normally would. When you wake up on the chosen day you have gone 8 hours without a cigarette. The only thing you have to do is keep adding hours.

The first few days are tough but after about 72 hours is gets easier - it takes about that long to flush nicotine out of the system, after that point it is memory not the body looking for nicotine. Because of that I feel nicotine reduction programs just prolong the misery.

A few things to avoid for a few days - alcohol (reduces power to say no), coffee (ok to have but the norm is a cup and a cigarette, stick to just the coffee). One odd thing is sharp cheeses in the first few days - somehow they mimic nicotine to the taste buds.

After the first few days it gets easier but keep telling yourself that one puff and the smoke free journey ends, and that isn't your goal.

Quitting smoking is said to be harder that quitting heroin - smoking is legal, it is easy to obtain cigarettes and (somewhat) socially acceptable.

Good luck, you WILL feel better

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

This is the best way. And you have to WANT to quit. Can't be for anything other than you want to.

Cold turkey worked for me, but I had to be absolutely honest with myself in terms of Jayhawk's comment about MY wanting to quit for MYSELF. It would not work if I had done it based on someone else's wish or demand or that society around us thinks it's a good idea to quit. Knowing the health hazards was a strong motivator too.

Also, I found it extremely helpful to have people I could call on for support at times that I was ready to chew plaster out of the walls. Sharing the challenge at difficult moments with someone who's "been there and done that" is a huge help. Form your own support group among people who clearly care about you and will not consider it an imposition to listen to you.

Using aids available on the market can be a huge help too. Just pick a date and go for it!

[Blessed2BNTV]

For many years I tried what I thought was everything, including hypnosis.

Finally got down on my knees and asked God to help rid me of the awful habit.

I don't remember the date or even year I quit but it has been over 5 years.

I will pray for you.

[Cedwards38]

Oftentimes doctors will prescribe the use of a mild antidepressant that will take the edge off cravings in the initial weeks of quitting. That helped me when I quit 9 years ago. I used Bupropion and only needed it for about a month. Best of luck to you in your quit.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by jblum315

Chantix works for some people.

Chantix worked for me 20 months ago. The dreams were great too! Drink lots of water to wash your system. Take long walks and enjoy the fresh air in your lungs. Notice how you DON'T smell bad! Freedom!!!