Quitting Smoking
 

Im 23 and have been smoking since I was 20. Im sick of it and Im looking for some clever ways to quit. I said I wasnt going to smoke anymore and even told my two roommates that if they caught me smoking I would give them $75 each time. Ive already snuck outside for one and its 10am. I am weak! Help me OOT please...

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

Nicotine patches + read Allen Carr. I'm 46 hours without a cigarette right now. Usually smoke 15+ a day, been smoking four years. Kind of managing.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

Keep it up man. Sounds like we've got pretty similar cig stories.

Allen Car? Im on it.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

I have one of his books called "The little book of Quitting"

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Quitti...7577&sr=8-2

Basically it unpicks all the lies you tell yourself to keep on smoking. As a smoker, you'll hate it; as someone genuinely wanting to give up, it's the best thing you'll ever read. I have it in my pocket, and hope I'll reach for it next time I'm tempted to buy a pack.

I haven't been to a bar/club or been drunk yet, though, and it's those social situations which will be harder.

I also think starting to exercise a lot more should really help. If you spend all day in front of a computer and don't exercise - like me at the moment - it'll be harder.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

PATCH!! Its so worth every penny you pay for it. Dont torture yourself with cold turkey.
I smoked 10 years, and was up to just about 2 packs.
13 months 24 days without a ciggarette

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

There are *some* social advantages to smoking, at least here in the UK where in bars and clubs a lot of young people still smoke (though even that's soon to be banned).

Smoking gives you an instant way to start a conversation with any other smoker. Such an easy way to start talking to a girl. It's so much harder as a non-smoker.

However, have I ever got laid just because I smoked? No.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

I'd say the gum, but then again I didn't really quit so...

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

The patch.

The gum is expensive and doesn't last long. I've used every method available save for Zyban and the patch is the only thing that works. Now if only I could not pick up that cigarette 6 months down the line, I'd quit for good.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

Anyone here tried hypnosis?

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

By the way did anyone here notice that nicotine patches stop you sleeping deeply and give you really strange trippy dreams? Kinda fun.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

[ QUOTE ]
The patch.

The gum is expensive and doesn't last long. I've used every method available save for Zyban and the patch is the only thing that works. Now if only I could not pick up that cigarette 6 months down the line, I'd quit for good.

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Zyban didn't work for me... it made cigarettes taste kind of gross, it gave me cottonmouth and I was kind of angry all the time (probably just as a result of the first two symptoms). As a truly degenerate smoker I just stopped taking it, told my doctor it didn't work. He put me on some potent antidepressants or something, Lexapro... that stuff was a trip, fun for a little bit (had zero effect on my smoking, but it made me happy all day) and then I stopped taking that too, got really depressed, etc. Pills suck for this sort of thing, Zyban = Wellbutrin, which is marketed as an anti-anxiety drug. Any sort of SSRI or anything like that (not sure exactly what Zyban/Wellbutrin is, maybe a MAOI or something?) is going to mess you up more than it's worth. Plus you can't drink on it, sex is no fun/takes forever, etc etc.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

I smoked for 20 years and just up and quit one day cause I ran out and didn't want to go to the store. That was a little over 1 year ago and I haven't had a single cig since. I started smoking more weed instead.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

[ QUOTE ]
I smoked for 20 years and just up and quit one day cause I ran out and didn't want to go to the store. That was a little over 1 year ago and I haven't had a single cig since. I started freebasing instead.

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

[ QUOTE ]
There are *some* social advantages to smoking, at least here in the UK where in bars and clubs a lot of young people still smoke (though even that's soon to be banned).

Smoking gives you an instant way to start a conversation with any other smoker. Such an easy way to start talking to a girl. It's so much harder as a non-smoker.

However, have I ever got laid just because I smoked? No.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have. I have had a girl approach me for a light, and the next night we had sex. I think a lot of girls will tell you that guys smoking looks cool (though some find it a turn off of course). 90% of smokers probably started for the image.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

I've always wondered why it's so hard to quit. I've never been addicted to anything in my life. I'm sure there is a reason millions of people can't quit, but I'm reminded of the South Park episode where Randy joins AA and insists he can't quit drinking because he has a "disease". The whole episode, Stan is saying "it's very simple, Dad. All you have to do is not drink. That's it."

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

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Smoking gives you an instant way to start a conversation with any other smoker. Such an easy way to start talking to a girl. It's so much harder as a non-smoker.

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It's not harder as a non-smoker. It just requires a bit of effort.

What are you going to talk about? How you are both giving yourself cancer? Wow that is uber cool.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
There are *some* social advantages to smoking, at least here in the UK where in bars and clubs a lot of young people still smoke (though even that's soon to be banned).

Smoking gives you an instant way to start a conversation with any other smoker. Such an easy way to start talking to a girl. It's so much harder as a non-smoker.

However, have I ever got laid just because I smoked? No.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have. I have had a girl approach me for a light, and the next night we had sex. I think a lot of girls will tell you that guys smoking looks cool (though some find it a turn off of course). 90% of smokers probably started for the image.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are willing to have sex with a stranger after one day, you might as well smoke as much as you want.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

"Hi, have you got a light?" is just so easy. I suppose non-smokers could be "Wow, that's a really nice top you're wearing" or whatever else you might say, I don't know. It requires a lot more effort.



[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Smoking gives you an instant way to start a conversation with any other smoker. Such an easy way to start talking to a girl. It's so much harder as a non-smoker.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's not harder as a non-smoker. It just requires a bit of effort.

What are you going to talk about? How you are both giving yourself cancer? Wow that is uber cool.

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
There are *some* social advantages to smoking, at least here in the UK where in bars and clubs a lot of young people still smoke (though even that's soon to be banned).

Smoking gives you an instant way to start a conversation with any other smoker. Such an easy way to start talking to a girl. It's so much harder as a non-smoker.

However, have I ever got laid just because I smoked? No.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have. I have had a girl approach me for a light, and the next night we had sex. I think a lot of girls will tell you that guys smoking looks cool (though some find it a turn off of course). 90% of smokers probably started for the image.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are willing to have sex with a stranger after one day, you might as well smoke as much as you want.

[/ QUOTE ]

Right, because protected sex is basically the same as a cancer-inducing agent like cigarettes. OOT is getting lame.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
There are *some* social advantages to smoking, at least here in the UK where in bars and clubs a lot of young people still smoke (though even that's soon to be banned).

Smoking gives you an instant way to start a conversation with any other smoker. Such an easy way to start talking to a girl. It's so much harder as a non-smoker.

However, have I ever got laid just because I smoked? No.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have. I have had a girl approach me for a light, and the next night we had sex. I think a lot of girls will tell you that guys smoking looks cool (though some find it a turn off of course). 90% of smokers probably started for the image.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are willing to have sex with a stranger after one day, you might as well smoke as much as you want.

[/ QUOTE ]

Right, because protected sex is basically the same as a cancer-inducing agent like cigarettes. OOT is getting lame.

[/ QUOTE ]

Protected sex doesn't stop all STD's. But hey it's your schlong, not mine.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've always wondered why it's so hard to quit. I've never been addicted to anything in my life. I'm sure there is a reason millions of people can't quit, but I'm reminded of the South Park episode where Randy joins AA and insists he can't quit drinking because he has a "disease". The whole episode, Stan is saying "it's very simple, Dad. All you have to do is not drink. That's it."

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It is that simple really, I mean you don't die from stopping smoking or anything and I don't take the "I have a disease" thing to heart. The only way I could compare it to anything is like, say you're trying to stay up all night (for whatever reason), you can want to do this really badly, but you're going to get tired anyway, and the later you stay up the less you care about the reason you were trying to stay up in the first place and you just think "well [censored] it I'll just take a nap for a few minutes" and the next thing you know it's 5pm. That's a weird analogy but it's the closest I can come to describing the thought process, I mean I know I can physically stop smoking, but mentally it gets to a point where I'm agitated/uncomfortable enough that I stop being objective about it (smoking will give me cancer in the long run) and start thinking about right now (I want a cigarette).

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
There are *some* social advantages to smoking, at least here in the UK where in bars and clubs a lot of young people still smoke (though even that's soon to be banned).

Smoking gives you an instant way to start a conversation with any other smoker. Such an easy way to start talking to a girl. It's so much harder as a non-smoker.

However, have I ever got laid just because I smoked? No.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have. I have had a girl approach me for a light, and the next night we had sex. I think a lot of girls will tell you that guys smoking looks cool (though some find it a turn off of course). 90% of smokers probably started for the image.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are willing to have sex with a stranger after one day, you might as well smoke as much as you want.

[/ QUOTE ]

Right, because protected sex is basically the same as a cancer-inducing agent like cigarettes. OOT is getting lame.

[/ QUOTE ]

Protected sex doesn't stop all STD's. But hey it's your schlong, not mine.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you ever have trouble differentiating between mine and yours, btw, mine's the one occasionally inside of a female.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
There are *some* social advantages to smoking, at least here in the UK where in bars and clubs a lot of young people still smoke (though even that's soon to be banned).

Smoking gives you an instant way to start a conversation with any other smoker. Such an easy way to start talking to a girl. It's so much harder as a non-smoker.

However, have I ever got laid just because I smoked? No.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have. I have had a girl approach me for a light, and the next night we had sex. I think a lot of girls will tell you that guys smoking looks cool (though some find it a turn off of course). 90% of smokers probably started for the image.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are willing to have sex with a stranger after one day, you might as well smoke as much as you want.

[/ QUOTE ]


Actually my threshold's around the 2-minute mark. I guess you and I don't hang around at the same titty bars...

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

No tips for you. I was a casual smoker in college but didn't have any trouble quitting. I only smoked a pack a week, if that. So I don't think that really counts anyway.

Good luck though. Any drug addiction is tough to beat.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

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What are you going to talk about? How you are both giving yourself cancer? Wow that is uber cool.

[/ QUOTE ]

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If you are willing to have sex with a stranger after one day, you might as well smoke as much as you want.

[/ QUOTE ]

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Protected sex doesn't stop all STD's. But hey it's your schlong, not mine.

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Take it easy, reverend.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

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By the way did anyone here notice that nicotine patches stop you sleeping deeply and give you really strange trippy dreams? Kinda fun.

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I tried using the patch for awhile. I had to take it off before I went to sleep because I'd be freaked out for the first 5 hrs I'd wake up trying to either remember or forget the vivid dream I had.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
There are *some* social advantages to smoking, at least here in the UK where in bars and clubs a lot of young people still smoke (though even that's soon to be banned).

Smoking gives you an instant way to start a conversation with any other smoker. Such an easy way to start talking to a girl. It's so much harder as a non-smoker.

However, have I ever got laid just because I smoked? No.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have. I have had a girl approach me for a light, and the next night we had sex. I think a lot of girls will tell you that guys smoking looks cool (though some find it a turn off of course). 90% of smokers probably started for the image.

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bold part is qft, i have quit smoking cigs for good and weed too but relapsed into that. i've told my friends while high and drunk and wanting to quit, that the only reason i smoke is to look cool.

Advice for op: get some extasy, have a party with some friends and drop a pill, you will chain smoke like never before. when the high of the ex wears off you will feel like gutter trash. that is your incentive to quit. from there on you can ween yourself off by having a cig or two for the first few days and then cutting it out completely. don't forget to drink a lot of water, break the stupid "spark a cigarette" habit, and start a little exercise (walking/stairs etc.). good luck

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

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Advice for op: get some extasy...

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Any advice starting with "get some E" is bad advice...

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

I always keep a pack of cigs and a light on me, i rarely smoke though, if im super stressed and just need a break (which is rare), or if Im at a bar I might have one or two. I dont even go through a pack a week, maybe half of one, so I dont know what true addiction is like. A couple of my friends have had the procedure where they shock your ears, and they all quit cold turkey after smoking a pack+ a day. I cant remember what the name is of the procedure.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

I've quit as of Saturday. Only cracked once so far just to have a puff off a cigar and thats it so im pretty pleased with myself.

I've never had all that much trouble quitting smoking before although I always end up smoking again. I think it basically comes down to me having to quit drinking for a month as well because when I drink its basically gameover.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

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I've quit as of Saturday. Only cracked once so far just to have a puff off a cigar and thats it so im pretty pleased with myself.

I've never had all that much trouble quitting smoking before although I always end up smoking again. I think it basically comes down to me having to quit drinking for a month as well because when I drink its basically gameover.

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Re: Quitting Smoking
 

Regarding the various nicotine replacement products:
if you are going to try the patch, go straight to the 21 mg. The others simply don't release enough nicotine into your system. The gum may be a better choice, since you can determine how much nicotine you get. You can release more nicotine into your system by chewing more.

I don't have much in terms of clever tricks. How about making your car a no-smoking zone?

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

[ QUOTE ]
I always keep a pack of cigs and a light on me, i rarely smoke though, if im super stressed and just need a break (which is rare), or if Im at a bar I might have one or two. I dont even go through a pack a week, maybe half of one, so I dont know what true addiction is like. A couple of my friends have had the procedure where they shock your ears, and they all quit cold turkey after smoking a pack+ a day. I cant remember what the name is of the procedure.

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I have friends that can smoke on and off like this. I can't. It's all or nothing with me.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

I went for a little over two weeks around January. After a night of heavy drinking, I can go almost all day without a square for some reason. So that day I decided to go ahead and quit cold turkey. The first couple of days were rough, but it got easier. I didnt drink either because I knew I would relapse.

Alas, I finally really wanted to get drunk and ironically enough I was watching Thank You For Smoking. I bought a pack afterwards. Im come to the conclusion that the only way I can quit smoking is if I dont go to a bar or get drunk for at least three weeks. My definite stopping point is before im 25 years old.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

I hate the term "cold turkey". It makes that way of quiting sound dumb. I prefer this way because you actually see how dependant you were, and you actually feel your body healing. it really sucks for about 3 days after that you feel better, once you hit 2 weeks your golden.

it took me a little while of thinking about it before I actually quit. I would just remind myself everyday how dumb it was until i got tired of being a smoker. Its kind of a lifestyle change. don't think "I'm just gonna quit". Think "I'm not a smoker and I don't want to be"

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

For the first time in my life I am going to try to quit today. I just smoked my last cig in my pack and was actually like "wow I should just quit" and found this thread.

Bad news is I am going out tonight, but the chick I am hanging out with is a non smoker so it shouldnt be too tough. We'll see how I am when I get home and drunk.

Edit: I started out socially smoking in college, I'm 29. I never smoked during work, maybe 4-5 packs a week. but I would light up as soon as left the office. Since I quit my job it's been really downhill, at least a pack a day.


Edit 2: I really feel like a smoke.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

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By the way did anyone here notice that nicotine patches stop you sleeping deeply and give you really strange trippy dreams? Kinda fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

I tried using the patch for awhile. I had to take it off before I went to sleep because I'd be freaked out for the first 5 hrs I'd wake up trying to either remember or forget the vivid dream I had.

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Yeah - I've worn the patch for the last three nights and I can't sleep. I lie awake for two-three hours trying to sleep but unable to. Then I sleep lightly with really intense lucid screwed-up dreams. I wake up every hour or two, before returning to the weird dreams. I think the patches stop you from reaching the deepest stage of sleep.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

[ QUOTE ]
Advice for op: get some extasy, have a party with some friends and drop a pill, you will chain smoke like never before. when the high of the ex wears off you will feel like gutter trash. that is your incentive to quit.

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That's probably going to make him want a cigarette.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

Wife and I quit 8 days ago after a pack a day for ~13 years. Started taking Wellbutrin for a week before we quit, but I stopped taking it a few days ago because the new pills were too big.

Just went to the bar last night and had to leave a little early cause I knew if I stayed I was gonna cheat.

Re: Quitting Smoking
 

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Nicotine patches + read Allen Carr. I'm 46 hours without a cigarette right now. Usually smoke 15+ a day, been smoking four years. Kind of managing.

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I don't think you read Carr quite close enough. He advocates zero nicotine replacement because, as he says, using nicotine to get over nicotine doesn't make a lot of sense (there are other reasons not to use nicotine replacement, but that one is the easy soundbite).

But I definitely reccomend his book. It'll help change your mindset on smoking. Quitting doesn't seem so hard afterward.

I smoked for over 10 years and am now a nonsmoker.