Giving up smoking

[yellowfish]

I know this is not political- so i hope the mods wont mind.
i am planning to give up the fags from today (once my shift has finished) I will be off for 2 days so that should help, i have tried and failed before (smoked for 24 years now) But this time i realy whant to do it.
Any x smokers out their with tips or advice? nicotene withdrawal therapy or cold turkey? How did you stop going Back?
anyone else planning to pack in the filthy weed?

edit- it may just be my work comp- but if anyone else is picking up links in the above text, their not mine- its been going on since the team leader played online poker.

[owenfeehan]

I'm not too sure I can help with the smoking, but if you want to try to get rid of the links problem you might consider downloading and running Ad-Aware

[The OD]

I know this is not political- so i hope the mods wont mind.
i am planning to give up the fags from today (once my shift has finished) I will be off for 2 days so that should help, i have tried and failed before (smoked for 24 years now) But this time i realy whant to do it.
Any x smokers out their with tips or advice? nicotene withdrawal therapy or cold turkey? How did you stop going Back?
anyone else planning to pack in the filthy weed?

edit- it may just be my work comp- but if anyone else is picking up links in the above text, their not mine- its been going on since the team leader played online poker.

I dont know about that - I think the issue of smoking and your efforts at giving then up could be described as fundamentally political.

Or not of course?

Anyway, best of luck - the only advice I can offer (and I am a smoker, alas) is that which you probably already know, namely:

Make a date and stick with it.
Drink lots of water - apparently its really helpful in flushing your system out?
Chew gum and avoid eating sweets.
Try and lay off the nicorette etc unless really needed.
Keep busy.

I have been trying for years with no success so you have my sympathy and support here.

Ultimately, it comes down to willpower and your motivation - ask your wife/girlfriend/partner to put a sanction in place such as no nookie/footie on TV/pints with the lads if you are caught smoking?

Best of luck!

[amontillado]

If it's any help, a friend of mine who gave up found breaking his established routines really helpful. He tended to have his first one on a teabreak, but he took a walk instead.

Say, if you're used to having your first cig with a coffee/tea from x place, you could go somewhere else/ walk a different way to work.. anything to shake up the routine.

There's no shame in a back-up, either. He found the gum pretty good.

Best of luck!

[The OD]

I'm not too sure I can help with the smoking, but if you want to try to get rid of the links problem you might consider downloading and running Ad-Aware

Spybottoo!

[Johnny]

This is based on my own experience:

Cold turkey is the best. Stay clear of that auld chewing gum and nicotine pens codology, as you really need to break the psychological link with smoking.

Put the amount you normally spend on cigarrettes away and spend it on some luxury or other at the end of the week. I spent mine on taxis home from work most days of the week. It helps when you can see a concrete financial benefit of not smoking.

Bare in mind that after the first few days ar so you'll feel great, but then you'll probably feel woeful for about three to four weeks as the full withdrawal kicks in. This is the time that really tests the willpower. Feel the pain, soak it up, endure it and enjoy it - it's all positive.

The goo for a smoke never really leaves you, so always be on your guard, and if you slip off the wagon, don't be disheartened and just try again.

The very best of luck to you, mo chara.

What I wouldn't give for 20 of these right now....

[hiker]

This is based on my own experience:

Cold turkey is the best. Stay clear of that auld chewing gum and nicotine pens codology, as you really need to break the psychological link with smoking.

Put the amount you normally spend on cigarrettes away and spend it on some luxury or other at the end of the week. I spent mine on taxis home from work most days of the week. It helps when you can see a concrete financial benefit of not smoking.

Bare in mind that after the first few days ar so you'll feel great, but then you'll probably feel woeful for about three to four weeks as the full withdrawal kicks in. This is the time that really tests the willpower. Feel the pain, soak it up, endure it and enjoy it - it's all positive.

The goo for a smoke never really leaves you, so always be on your guard, and if you slip off the wagon, don't be disheartened and just try again.

The very best of luck to you, mo chara.

What I wouldn't give for 20 of these right now....

johnny has the right approach to the withdrawel.

A positive mental attitude goes a long way. Dont look at withdrawel as pain but as victory over the drug.
If its of any help avoid the pub like the plague. Its always difficult to stay off them after a couple of pints of painkiller :wink:

[yellowfish]

Thanks everyone, i will go cold turkey,
i truly believe this is the time, as the man said im to old for this s**t.
Im off work for a couple of days-so no computer. Thanks again, and allso for the debugging advice.

[WyldeOne]

You may also have developed a subconsious oral fixation. (NO JOKE!) You might find that you need to take something from your hand and put it in your mouth, which is why many quitters gain weight. I agree with Johnny. He's right in saying you'll crave them for some time. It's been about 14 years since I quit and when times have been extremely trying I find my fingers twitching for a drag, just one drag! Then, I make myself too busy to have the time to go to the store, buy a pack, and light up.

Best of luck.

[Jippo]

DO NOT GO COLD TURKEY!!!

Allen Carr's Easy Method... busy now, talk later.