I'm trying to quit smoking...I need some encouragement

Stinkfoot

Hi all,

I'm in my second day of cold turkey after 17 years of smoking cigarettes and cannabis every single day.

I'm struggling. But the fact that I actually have made it through the first night without having either has given me a real lift. As well as more of a fear that I am REALLY DOING THIS!!

My wife (who quit smoking when she got pregnant with our daughter 7 years ago and has never started again) is so proud of me that I CANNOT fail her and it's really scaring me.

My daughter has never seen me smoking weed but she has seen me smoking cigarettes and has even made a comment once about how she wants to smoke when she is older because I do...it crushed me and I have to do this not only for MY health but for hers. I want more than anything to tell her that I no longer smoke because even though I have made it clear to her how bad it is I was a hypocrite and still doing it. I also don't want to still be getting high as she gets older and end up some sad fucking middle aged man sneaking into the back garden to smoke a joint because I don't want my teenage daughter seeing me....

The reason I wanted to write about this on here is to get some support from you guys obviously, but the main thing I am struggling with is Pearl Jam related (and seems quite bizarre but is definitely a problem for me). For all these years and years when I would smoke I would sit listening to my boots on headphones and reading a book and now I fear that because I relate listening to my favourite music so closely with getting high that by not smoking anymore I will not want to listen to any music....I don't know. Is my subconscious grasping at straws to try and keep me smoking?

Anyway...two days and I'm still clean of the evil weed(s)

Stinkfoot

...I should add as well that I am away for the next week so I will read any replies when I can but probably won't be able to post so don't worry, Ive not topped myself or anything

dunkman

pjfan31

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxpOUDkibzo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YjrkBYD ... re=related

Good luck

markymark550

Good luck to you. I know it can be hard to quit smoking cigarettes. I smoked for about 5 years before quitting cold turkey. Took me 3 attempts at quitting before I was finally able to do it. For me, the worst of it were on days 4-6. That was when I experienced the worst of the nicotine fits. After that, they gradually decreased until I knew I didn't need or want another cigarette. I started chewing gum like crazy at first and I think that helped me a little. Might be different for you...just got to find something to help you deal with the cravings. Keep leaning on your wife for motivation and support.

As for the weed, I never had any problems with that. Most of my first two years of college were spent in a cannabis-induced haze and I didn't have any problems giving it up when I needed to. I don't think you'll have a problem with the music part of it. There were some songs that I would listen to while high and I still listen to them without feeling depressed about not being high.

I will say that I don't ever feel like smoking a cigarette, but every once in a while I have the thought that I'd like to smoke a joint.

Again, good luck to you and keep us posted on how it goes.

Jukee

Best of luck to you

I quit on January 1st. I'll admit, I cheated a few times when I really, really, really felt like I needed one and I would take a few puffs just to remind myself how awful it tastes and how dizzy and sick it made me feel after not smoking for so long. It honestly helped me to quit to do that every once in awhile. Now I have no desire to smoke. Sure, I get cravings every once in awhile (especially when having a few drinks) but I use my willpower and get through it and it gets easier and easier.

You can do it!!!!

81

it's all in your head....

enjoy the anger that is about to come your way.

i quit on new years eve...at midnight. my process was cold turkey, but i would allow myself to smoke on future new years eve.

first couple of days were rough, than it gets worse. make it thru a month and you'll feel pretty good.

at my one year mark, i had a smoke. it was nasty, and that was the last time i've picked up a smoke. can't stand the smell of them now.

best of luck. be mentally strong. wanting to be smoke free is the battle. as long as you want it, you will be fine. and stay out of bars

LloydXmas

They show these videos during Yankee games all the time. NY has some crazy ads

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHeokDUD ... ata_player

pandora

Congratulations...first few days are the hardest.

You have a great reason to quit...for your daughter.
Parents influence children more than they realize, at the time, with their actions.
You never want her to smoke ....

It is just a habit that is all...

try to replace it with something else... exercise or a hobby using your hands


I quit smoking cigs

I did it by using a cinnamon stick in place of the cig. Did the same action as though it was a cig,
looked stupid but was rather enjoyable, smelled, tasted good and it worked!

I tied up my extra available cash that I would have spent on cigs
by putting clothes on layaway and taking the money weekly to pay it down.

You could do the same purchase something as a reward and pay it down...
or plan a family trip like Disney for your daughter
put the cig money away daily/ weekly in the family 'trip pig'

You can not disappoint ... so it will give you the strength to keep going.

You do this for yourself but mostly for those who love you.

Good Luck! :thumbup: We are rootin for ya!

Claireack

Good luck.

I'm still smoking, but hope that it goes really well for you.

keeponrockin

Best of luck to you!

twisted thoughts

Smoke free since March 19, 2010. Havent cheated once, tho I have tried on a few drunken occasions, to be cigg blocked by my ever loving boyfriend

Read this book:
http://www.theeasywaytostopsmoking.com/Books.aspx

My bf did some research to help me quit (he's a non smoker) and this book came most highly recommended. I laughed when he got me the book, but told him I would read it and try. It seemed so stupid. Even reading the book you feel like, I know all this stuff already...but seriously.... read the book.

Funny thing is...I had quit...for three days...when the boyfriend came home with the book and a few packs of smokes. The author actually encourages you to continue smoking while reading the book...and to quit when you finish... but if you feel good about your head start, you dont have to start back up...

Its all in your mind. Once upon a time you brainwashed yourself to think that smoking isnt so bad. Now, you must do the opposite. Brainwash yourself to realize that ciggs are the devil.

And really...they're just too damned expensive these days.

I do have to say tho... You may end up smoking more weed than before (I didnt think that was possible...for me at least, but it is )

Good luck. And don't fall victim to the e-ciggs. Nicotine is the drug...and the e-ciggs still deliver that. Sure...its "safer" and "better" for your lungs...but in the end its just a lame replacement.

Read the book!!! Buy it used from amazon. The updated versions are pretty much the same as the original, so dont fret over that.

RKCNDY

I cannot give you tips on quitting smoking..I'm a social smoker, only smoke when I go out to the bar/clubs.

Many of my friends quit smoking the green so they wouldn't be a hypocrite when they told their kids 'don't do drugs', or they'd hide their smoking. Now their kids are teenagers, (16+) and a few of them let their kids smoke in the house, or just know that their kids smoke, and started smoking the herb again.

BTW: marajuana is not 'evil'
http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/conte ... ing-Cancer

peacegirl

Best of luck to you! You can do it!

I quit about 4-1/2 yrs ago after smoking for about 10yrs and it is the best thing I have ever done for myself.

I don't have many tips because I seem to be the rare case that had no problem quitting. I used the patch for a few days and went cold turkey from there. Never slipped and never really have the urge to smoke anymore. Mostly I found it was breaking the habit of having a cig after meals, in the car, etc.

I did motivate myself by buying myself an expensive watch that I wanted with the money I was saving on the cigarettes.

The Waiting Trophy Man

By using the word "trying" you're already setting yourself up for failure. Do, or do not; there is no try.

SENROCK

Stinkfoot wrote:

Hi all,

I'm in my second day of cold turkey after 17 years of smoking cigarettes and cannabis every single day.

I'm struggling. But the fact that I actually have made it through the first night without having either has given me a real lift. As well as more of a fear that I am REALLY DOING THIS!!

My wife (who quit smoking when she got pregnant with our daughter 7 years ago and has never started again) is so proud of me that I CANNOT fail her and it's really scaring me.

My daughter has never seen me smoking weed but she has seen me smoking cigarettes and has even made a comment once about how she wants to smoke when she is older because I do...it crushed me and I have to do this not only for MY health but for hers. I want more than anything to tell her that I no longer smoke because even though I have made it clear to her how bad it is I was a hypocrite and still doing it. I also don't want to still be getting high as she gets older and end up some sad fucking middle aged man sneaking into the back garden to smoke a joint because I don't want my teenage daughter seeing me....

The reason I wanted to write about this on here is to get some support from you guys obviously, but the main thing I am struggling with is Pearl Jam related (and seems quite bizarre but is definitely a problem for me). For all these years and years when I would smoke I would sit listening to my boots on headphones and reading a book and now I fear that because I relate listening to my favourite music so closely with getting high that by not smoking anymore I will not want to listen to any music....I don't know. Is my subconscious grasping at straws to try and keep me smoking?

Anyway...two days and I'm still clean of the evil weed(s)

Hey big bro! :wave: Its good to see you trying to change a habit for the better. As i once told a good friend from here-later on in life, your kids will appreciate you quitting because you will live to see them tell you. I cant imagine Nyema standing without her daddy. You can do it! In words YOU will understand......if The Master can quit all his habits.....SO CAN YOU!!!

SVRDhand13

Your daughter should be encouragement alone. Sorry to be harsh, but words from a stranger should do nothing compared to her.

mikalina

I wish you all the best - please quit smoking -

JaneNY

Its super hard, I know. I tried smoking (my YOUNGER sister (14) gave me a couple when I was 16) and I never liked it or did it again, but it killed my mother. My daughters lost their grandmother when they were 7 months, and 4 years. You are giving your daughter and future grandchildren the gift of having you around. There are SO MANY times I've wished my mother was still around to talk to......And its pretty horrible watching your loved one die a slow death. Looking at your mother looking like a skeleton with death on her face. That's what smoking did to my mother.

My husband quit cold turkey. He's religious and went on pilgrimage. He made the decision that when he entered the place of his pilgrimage he would not smoke again, and 11 years later he has stuck to that. He is free and I still have my husband.

Is there a smokers' anonymous like AA? Seems like that would be a great idea to have meetings and reinforce each others' resolve.

Best of luck!

samjam

I'm lucky to still have my dad- he smoked from his teen years until he was in his early 40s, when my sister was born and when I was 4. He could have easily developed major complications from all that smoking, and I'm lucky that he didn't. Do it for your kid. I don't know where I'd be without my father!

pinkbutterfly

I can't stop biting my nails, so I can't even imagine how hard it is to stop smoking. Anyhow, you are doing great ~ keep up the good work! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

d1witdafunk

The Waiting Trophy Man wrote:

By using the word "trying" you're already setting yourself up for failure. Do, or do not; there is no try.

I agree with this.....another trick i used when i quit the ciggs is when people ask if you want a smoke instead of saying " i quit" simply say "I don't smoke" helps to make it concrete in your mind....stay strong it gets easier!

he.who.forgets

good on ya stinkfoot. i just got the flu and have had a terrible cough and aching chest. I havent had a cig for about 2 days now so i'm going to try and quit myself.

PearlOfAGirl

Stinkfoot wrote:

...I should add as well that I am away for the next week so I will read any replies when I can but probably won't be able to post so don't worry, Ive not topped myself or anything

I just found the "Stop Smoking Thread"... it helped me and others to quit... It will be 3 years for me this coming September... Good Luck!!!

JonnyPistachio

Not sure what to tell you, but GOOD LUCK!

maybe its good to think you'll likely be around much longer to see your daughter grow if you quit now!

Alswo, I see my father and my aunt have severe helth issues in their late 50's after smoking most of their lives.
My aunt cannot climb stairs anymore.

Also, I quit after my first cigarette.

jmurray

Good luck! Hang in there, it's so worth quitting.

Green Circle

know this...

No more smelling badly...
Your lungs start to heal immediately after stopping.
and You'll be around a lot longer to hit more Pearl Jam shows and hear more Music
and not talk through a hole in your throat.

Good luck and keep up the good work!!

snow_board_rider

If you really want to quit then you HAVE quit. Congratulations and don't quit being a quitter

Loulou

Well done! I quit smoking about 6 years ago now but it was sooooooo hard! My tips are:

1. Clean your mouth super clean and fresh so you won't want it to be full of smoke.
2. Keep a big bottle of water to sip on.
3. If you get so desperate that you feel your definately going to smoke, grab a pencil and pretend to smoke on it,(lots of people reckon it's the action your addicted to as well as the nicotine)

GOOD LUCK

Bathgate66

If I could quit, anyone can quit !
I quit almost 12 years now, cold turkey.
I used alot of chewing gum, and surprisingly, salted Davids Pumpkin seeds.
The Hand-mouth fixation was toned down that way !
You can do it !

Keep up the battle, youll feel better as time goes by and youll be so glad you shook the habit !

Best Of luck !

:thumbup:

Thief of Silence

I guess it's not so much encouragement, but just know that smoking is not the worst addiction/habit that's out there. Keep going with the progress you've made - the first days of any fight are always the hardest since that's when you've got to truly decide what's important.