Ex-smokers, how did you quit?

[AlexandNessa]

Hi there! Need help. BF wants help quitting smoking. How did you do it?

He's tried cold turkey -- didn't work because he wanted to smoke as soon as he relaxed with a few beers --a problem since we have a few upcoming vacations.

He's tried the patch and nicotine gum -- he hated the taste of the gum, and the patch wasn't enough to help his cravings.

Tempted to get him Smoke Away, but not sure he'll have the discipline to follow a regimented pill program -- anyone out there do that? What's it like?

It's time to call in the big guns, especially since (health reasons aside) I would LOVE to change our room ressie at the Hard Rock from a smoking room to a non-smoking room!

What worked for you? Let's hear it!

Thanks!

 

[Nagle]

Cold Turkey on my second attempt. After 18 months the first time, I felt I could handle a couple of smokes while out on a Friday or Saturday night. I was wrong. I am not one of those folks who can have a couple here and there and still manage to stay off them 99% of the time. I either smoke or I don't at all.

Good Luck

John
PS- It will be 13 years this October.

 

[caitycaity]

He's tried cold turkey -- didn't work because he wanted to smoke as soon as he relaxed with a few beers --a problem since we have a few upcoming vacations.

i quit cold turkey. i also had a boyfriend (now dh) who had a chain smoking mom who screwed up his health. he told me how much it bothered him and that he wished i would quit, so i did.

however, more than 3 years later, i still have cravings to smoke whenever i am drinking. i have some friends who have not smoked for more than 10 years who say those cravings when you are drinking never go away.

most of the time when i smell second hand-smoke it makes me ill. but some of the time it smells good to me. my best advice is to take it one day at a time and have the support of someone you love. it also helps when you go out drinking (or anytime) with friends who smoke to let them know upfront not to let you bum any because you are trying to quit.

 

[philaround]

First of all let me say it is your mind set when you say that you're going to quit that counts the most. Over many years I tried everything to quit.
1. gum
2. patch
3. hypnotism [twice]
4. smoke enders class
5. a plastic filter, cigarette holder that was supposed to let you step down.

Three months ago I said this is it, I've had enough. I called my doctor and got a perscription for Zyban [Wellbutrin]. I started the pills on Friday May 9th and one week later smoked my last cigarette. I then bought my first box of the new Commit lozenge [nicotine lozenge] and have been smoke free since May 16th. It was not, and still is not, easy. I am still using the lozenge to get me thru but everytime I want a cigarette I think of the $100+ I am saving every week. The lozenges are costing me $42.99 every other week. The extra money I have is going into my WDW vacation fund. Just to know that next September when I bring my DD, DSIL, & DGS to WDW that it will be all payed for ahead of time keeps me going strong.

I had reserved rooms for our May trip to WDW this year as smoking rooms. The feeling I got when I checked in and said "Please change my room to non-smoking" was absolutely fabulous.

Good luck to you and your BF. Tell him that if an old geezer like me who was smoking 3+ packs a day for 40 years could do it any one can.

 

[pumba]

years.......hubby and I both quit cold turkey on a New Years Day morning.......I was a heavy smoker too.....sometimes two or three packs a day and quitting was the hardest thing I have ever done......my husband says we are non smokers temporarily on the wagon and that is true....some times we are out and I can smell my brand if I am in that area......also nothing like the smell of a match when someone lites up......so it is hard and IF YOU want to quit is the big question......in order to get this stuff to work you have TO WANT TO QUIT>......

 

[RobinMarie]

Like the others, I tried various methods before finally going to Zyban (generic: Wellbutrin) and I was shocked at how well it worked for me. I would encourage someone who has not had success elsewhere to try Zyban.

Also, I was afraid to drink because of what the other responses include. I did not drink at all the first year and to this day still limit myself due to that desire. It's been 2.5 years now. I can't believe it's been that long!

 

[winniedapooh]

11 years Oct. 6th-almost died on the OR table and when I finally was breathing again, the resident said"see I told you cigarettes were no good for you". I held on to 1 cigarette for almost a month, it was crushed by the time I threw it out-lol. Anyhow I did it real cold turkey! I still have cravings now and then. DS quit using Welbutirn as others did, said it worked great!

 

[cgcw]

Cold turkey just about 14 years ago at this time. Brushed my teeth alot -- every time I got the urge to have a cigarette.

It's strange. Sometimes, the smell of a cigarette is just overbearing to me. At others, it still can give me a craving for one. I suppose it will never entirely go away.

DH never told me hold much he hated that I smoked until I quit. Now he threatens me with divorce if I ever go back again. Somedays, that doesn't sound like such a bad option (just kidding ).

 

[Kitty 34]

Acupuncture. Worked like a charm!

 

[Bichon Barb]

I got tired of spending days before every ob/gyn appt worrying that my pap would show cancerous cells or the doc would find a lump somewhere -- LOL! So after many attempts (I even quit for over three years when I had my kids), I just decided it was time to grow up, stop feeling sorry for myself, stop making excuses and take the plunge.

I, too, seemed to have the hardest time when beer or wine was involved, so I used Nicorette's. It was just enough to take the edge off -- especially when the kids were driving me up a wall. I have decided that this time it is for real. No sneaking drags when I'm out with my smoking friends. I've been smober for (silkquit.org):

One year, two weeks, three days, 11 hours, 30 minutes and 47 seconds. 5737 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,534.70. Life saved: 2 weeks, 5 days, 22 hours, 5 minutes.

 

[Nuts4Disney]

Cold turkey, too.

I hated the smell.
I hated the smoke.
I hated the taste.
I hated the price.
I hated the ashtrays.
I hated the mess.

It wasn't that hard...like the others said...it's the mindset.

Come to think of it, it might've been harder on the folks who had to deal with me while I was quitting.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Cold turkey, 31 years ago. After many attempts over the years, that one worked.

Try and remove himself from those things or activities that he associated with smoking. If it is having a few beers, tough it out, skip the beers for a few weeks. All depends if he is mentally set for the challenge. It is tough, but can be done. Take it not even day-by-day, by morning-afternoon-by evening. Get through 4 hours at a time.

He can do it, my best for him.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I used the patch almost 2 years ago. It worked really well for me. I'm a lot like Caity. A lit cigarette still smells good to me. Like others, drinking alcoholic beverages still creates a craving for me. When I first quit, I didn't drink for months. I have since bummed the occassional cig while drinking. The last time I did that it tasted really nasty. I won't go back, because I Just won't shell out that $4.00 for a pack.

While quitting I often wished for a "buddy" or SOMEONE to talk to on a daily basis about it. I was totally surprised when my brain seemed to go on a mini vacation. I just couldn't concentrate. I was way more forgetful that usual. So I think support is important, too. Support from someone who knows the drill.

Much luck to him Let us know what happens.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I suppose I will chime in as I have been quit since June 3rd of this year. 73 days....

I quit cold turkey. I call myself a RECOVERING CIGAHOLIC. I have quit once before for 3yrs.

I want a cigarette when I drink, with my coffee, when I am stressed (a hard day), a movie where they are smoking, when my dh/others are smoking, etc.......You get the picture. For me it will never go away. I accept that.

I make the choice not to smoke. I want a cigarette always.

Anyway that is my story.

 

[luvndisney358]

I smoked, as did DH for a long time, luckily for me, I've never been what I would call truly addicted to it. I decided after getting sick one time, and realizing the stench was awful, that being here for my kids and maybe grandchildren ~hopefully!!!~ was way more important than puffing. So I just stopped. Wasn't easy and I still get a craving now and then, especially when I have a glass of wine or a cocktail, but I feel sooooo much better and I know my lungs are doing a Happy Dance too!

 

[AlexandNessa]

I'm enjoying everyone's success stories. Thanks for the help and advice.

 

[Adrianna]

Well no one can 'try to quit' and make it successful. You must make the decision and stick to it no matter what. I quit cold turkey about 7-8 years ago. I had started doing aerobics and my chest started to hurt b/c I was also smoking. One day it hurt bad, and I got scared. I made the decision right then to stop, and I even remember the last cigarette I ever had. I'm not one with a great amount of willpower, trust me. That's the first thing I've ever been strong enough to get through without screwing it up. And I smoked probably close to 15 years. Just do it, never look back - yes, it will be hard the first month or two, but be strong and get through it and after that it's not so bad. I can't even imagine smoking now. A couple years ago when I was splitting with the ex, I broke down and and bought a pack. I lit up the first one and nearly threw up, made me feel awful. So I know I'll never do it again.

Good luck!

 

[AlexandNessa]

Just curious if anyone has tried Smoke Away, or know anyone who has?

 

[isyne4u]

I'm not a smoker but my grandmother was. She tried to quit smoking a few times and they didn't work. But she had her last cig on Feb. 14, 1989. That is the day that she had a massive heart attack and had to be revived 4 times. The dr. said her 2-3 pack a day habit was the leading cause.
Fast forward to Nov. 2002, she was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer and given 4 weeks to live. She did chemo and was miserable for the 3 months she did it. Was given a good ct report in May that the cancer was gone. Went through radiation and developed pnemonia (?sp), last week we found out the cancer is back and many times worse than it was in Nove. She is in the hospital now with a chest tube and hooked up to enough morphine to make her really loopy. We don't know how much time she has left, but what we do know is that the time left is going to be miserable for her, just pain and suffering.

Please tell your SO that he needs to quit not only for himself, but for those around him that love him. This is a horrendous way to die and I would not wish it on my worst enemy. So good luck to both of you and I hope he is able to kick this habit!!

tara
ps. sorry to be so full of doom and gloom, but I am sad and angry at the whole situation here at my house.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I quite cold turkey on Smoke Out day! But that wasn't what got me to do it. I quit when DH said...let's quit. I quit and he didn't. Plus back then was the first time I had a really strong, slow heart beat that scared me to death...probably anxiety! But that's what got me to do it. That was about 17 years ago.