Faced with reality.......... help with quitting smoking

[preb]

Since you asked for some tips...I attended a 2 part stop smoking program. The first meeting was two weeks before you planned to quit and they suggested:

- If you normally smoke with your right hand, switch to your left.
- If you smoke menthol, switch to regular or vice versa
- Only smoke outside
- Only smoke standing up
- Don't do anything else while you're smoking (talk on the phone, drink coffee)
- If you smoke regular, switch to lights. If you smoke lights, switch to ultra lights
- Only smoke 1/2 a cigarette at a time
- Pace your smoking - limit to one an hour (or at least half of what you would normally smoke)

The idea is to take the pleasure and habit out of smoking. This is good to try while you're taking the Zyban and preparing to quit.

Best of luck and good for you!

 

[Deb in IA]

I've never smoked, Laura, so I can't give you any first hand advice.

The only one in our immediate family who smoked was my mother-in-law. Now, she quit smoking with each of her pregnancies (she had 6!), but went right back after each baby was born. Finally, when my DH (her #2) was in high school, she was diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma. She had a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-ophorectomy (removal of the Fallopian tubes and ovaries). That did it. She never smoked after that. That was over 20 years ago. And yes, she still gets cravings, but has not succumbed.

She found that she needed to keep her hands busy after quitting. She is a gifted needlecrafter, and began knitting/crocheting/needlepointing/etc. like crazy!! She still is always working on some project, and the house is covered in afghans!!


Anyway, best of luck to you, Laura. I personally believe the biggest factor in determining success in quitting is your DETERMINATION to quit.

 

[Jenn]

My Mom just quit 4 weeks ago and she is using the patch. She only smoked about 2 packs a week, so she started on the step 2 patch instead of the step 1. So far, so good.

 

[DisOrBust]

Per research, although I don't know if its the latest, the highest sucess rates are using the patch with Zyban and "councelling. I highly reccomend the patch, it helps.

My DH threw our beloved cigs away on our 3 wk trip to europe w/0 any patch etc..We about killed each other during that trip and started up 3months later. At the ripe old age of 34 my DH had a heartattack that was what finally made us do it. It was hell! But, it was worth it!

You will have some hellish times but hang in there it will get better. Besides...you probably can fund a wdw trip if you quit aftera year!!