My mom quit smoking today - need advice

[Cinderellafifi]

My 67 year old mom gave up smoking today - hooray!! She has smoked for over 40 years and hung on as long as she could. Her health has finally gotten the better of her.

I bought her the patch on the advice the doctor and black licorice sticks at her request. I would appreciate any other tips those of you who have quit may have to offer to help me help her tackle this. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Suggest that she break the day into sections, morning, afternoon, evening. Just look to be smoke-free through that short time period, makes it a bit easier than even thinking of being smoke-free for a day. My very best wishes to her, what a great decision on her part!!!! That's great!!!!

 

[buzzlady]

No advice but a big CONGRATULATIONS to your mom.

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

Just be there and understand how hard it is. I think it was the HARDEST thing I ever did and I only smoked for about 10 years. Its definitely NOT easy.

 

[Leota]

I agree with Dizzy-Debbie - Quitting smoking was the hardest thing I ever did. She's bound to be pretty emotional....
I couldn't even break up the day as Dan said - I would just have to get myself thru Minutes when the cravings hit.
I found that light exercise during the worst parts helped. Jumping Jacks, crunches, a fast walk, going up & down the stairs a few times.....
I drank alot of water too, to flush the nicotine out of my system. (I don't know if it really does or not, but I rold myself it did )

Good Luck to Mom & Congrats on beginning a new & better smoke-free life!

 

[preb]

Maybe plan some fun outings to places where you can't smoke, like the mall, the movies, a museum. Keeping busy might help.

 

[Cinderellafifi]

I appreciate your replies!! She did great today - she said she did not have severe cravings and was able to even go sit in her "smoking" chair on the patio. I am proud of her.

 

[dcentity2000]

Well done!

Never, ever, ever, stand anywhere near smoke - my brother tells me it's torture for him (he gave up 6 days ago). The craving subsides after the first couple of days, after which willpower is needed just to maintain her new healthy habit.

One tip I heard of was to put some cigarettes into a glass of water and let them soak overnight - the top of the glass should be covered in cling film. Should you get the urge to smoke, take the cling film off and inhale - the stench will put you off for the rest of the day



Rich::

 

[Cinderellafifi]

Originally posted by dcentity2000
One tip I heard of was to put some cigarettes into a glass of water and let them soak overnight - the top of the glass should be covered in cling film. Should you get the urge to smoke, take the cling film off and inhale - the stench will put you off for the rest of the day

Yikes!! I would think so!! I've never heard of that, but I'll tell her tomorrow. She'll be amused at what her fellow Brits are doing to kick the habit.

 

[SandraM]

Try to get your Mom to change her habits as much as she can, smoking is not just an addiction but a serious habit. The addiction part is largely dealt with in the first 2/3 weeks, after that the habit part makes it difficult to keep off the cigarettes. If you can persuade your Mom to take up something that will use both her hands, knitting, pottery, baking (let others eat the results, though!) and that sort of thing, it will help her break the habit. What is difficult in breaking a habit is finding a replacement habit that is more healthy than the old one.
I wish your Mom the best of luck.

 

[Kallison]

Tell your Mom we are all rooting for her -- hooray MOM! I watched both my grandfathers die hooked up to oxygen, I will never, ever smoke and my kids better not either. I have no advice, just sending my prayers her way and hoping she can do it one day at a time.

 

[ripleysmom]

Good for your mom!! My mom died last October from smoking. She was 66 and towards the end spent her days trying to get enough breath to go to the bathroom.


Remind her that if she smokes a cigarette now she will have to start over.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

At work we give people a 188# they can call for free counseling, the number is for people trying to quit smoking. Would you like to have that number?

 

[luvdisney81]

One other thing to remember, I'm not sure how true it is for someone who has smoked for so long but it was true for me, I smoked for about 6 years, and other i knew who had smoked longer. Smoking causes the senses to deaden in intensity. You don't smell or taste as well, but upon quitting they start to come back! A big perk! Food taste better, flowers are nicer and babies smell sweeter. But perfumes are much stronger and some taste may be a little overwhelming.

 

[luvdisney81]

Ooh an idea! Make a happy goal...put the money she would be spending on cigarettes towards a Disney fund! Upgrade in hotels or stay an extra day as a reward. Make it on a 6 or 12 month celebration of smoke free!