can't quite quit

[sean]

I have been trying to quit all summer.  It took a little while to realize that I needed to change my life more than just quitting.  I was a 2 pack a day smoker at that point.  I began volunteering and  tried to pick up new hobbies such as sketching and clay modeling.  I got down to a pack a day.  However I just cant seem to get any lower than this.  I need help to do this and I am having a hard time finding it.  So this site is my next step.  Any advice on what to do would be a greatly appreciated.

[Whispers]

2 packs to 1 pack is better for your lungs but if you want to quit just one puff is too much. What you need to do is start educating yourself about addiction and nicotine addiction .

 

 

This is a great book that many have used  https://www.theeasywaytostopsmoking.com/Book

[jillar]

Welcome Sean, you really only have to WANT to quit MORE than you want to smoke. I thought of it as something I had outgrown like other things in life. I used to dirt bike ride, go on amusement park rides and smoke. Now I don't. 

Although I quit cold turkey more because I needed to than wanted to, some of us find using NRT's the way to go and have been very successful using them. Maybe this is something you want to look into?

If not than you just need to toughen up and go through that first few days/weeks saying NOPE. You'll find that each time you don't give in you get stronger and the craves get weaker. I promise  

[Martian5]

Welcome Sean, hopefully coming here will help you to take the leap to fully quitting.  The best advice I can give, besides just tossing the smokes away, is to research this site and educate yourself about this addiction.  You can overcome this, after 44 years I was able to quit -- not easy but at 8 and 1/2 months I am doing so much better..

[Mee]

Sean, this is a good start - finding this site.   There is so much information and support.  Start watching the videos, reading the posts and become apart of this awesome group of people.  You will find that you have the power to do this. 

[notsmokinjo]

Welcome Sean. So we have all tried different was and had success with different methods... Some have gone the champix road, some gave fold turkied, and dome have used net patches or gum...there is no quick fix, they all have their pros and cons, they all need you to commit to not putting a smoke in your mouth and smoking it. Only you can control if you smoke or not, you are the only one who can put a smoke in your mouth light it and smoke. Lots have had success with the Alan Carr book... Not sure if that is the book whispers gave you the link to above. There is a thread with the YouTube link that I will bump for you.

 

So me, I used NRT gum to ease the early days... It was still frickin hard but it took the edge off. That said, if I had the time over I would go cold turkey because I think still drip feeding my body nicotine with the gum prolonged big parts if the journey and when I did stop completely it was a backwards step for a bit with craves and fogginess.

 

My other key thing is that I accepted I was a hunky addict and in a way I would always be a smoker...I was just choosing not to smoke...its the same as an alcoholic always being an alcoholic even if they don't drink. So I quit every morning for 24 hours. I know I can go 24hrs without a smoke, I did it yesterday, I only have to ho one day that's all I'm promising myself. Then the next morning I just make the promise again, just for the day, I can do 24 hours.

 

The other tip us write 2 lists, list one why you don't want to smoke. List 2 everything you hate about smoking...read these to keep you on track.

[Sazerac]

Hello Sean,

Welcome to our merry little band of successful quitters !  So glad you found us.

You may find this post helpful 10 Ways To Effectively Use This Forum To Help Yourself Quit Smoking

 

As  @jillar  said, you must want to quit more than you want to smoke.

It is all in the mindset.  We all know quitting smoking is possible, you just need to make a commitment to yourself.

 

As per your cutting back...

our friend, Joel, has a few words about this

 

Almost five years ago, I quit cold turkey on a whim.  It was the best decision I have ever made in my life.  You will love the freedom, Sean.  Let us know when you are ready !

[Reciprocity]

Welcome Sean and we all understand your passion for wanting to quit smoking. Not only is it a big negative for your health and pocket book but, smoking actually makes you a slave to nicotine! That's right .... nicotine is running your life right now. Tells you when it needs to be fed and you have to figure out when and how to do that many times a day. Wouldn't you just love to be able to go to a family function and not have to sneak away every hour or so to feed your addiction?

 

It's all possible if you really want it! You will have to do the heavy lifting but that applies to all of us and everyone here has had to do the same so make that unwavering commitment to yourself and let's get this done  

 

This place has a wealth of information and support for you once you commit to the quit! 

[TobacNO]

Hi Sean,  I was in almost the identical situation myself until very recently. I am only 3 days into my quit using nicotine patches but I feel like I'm going to make it.

 

 I smoked about 1 1/2 packs a day since 1978 or 79 (the exact year escapes me) and have wanted to quit for years but I was always convinced I would fail and I could always find some excuse, No matter how thin it might be to keep on smoking.

 

 This past week I finally made up my mind to take the plunge. I ordered the patches from Amazon, stocked up on gum, hard candies.fruit juice, pretzels etc. Threw away the ash tray I kept on the back deck and didn't buy any more cigarettes.

 

 My last day as a smoker I nervously counted down the remaining cigs in my last pack and I admit to having mild panic attacks at the thought of running out of smokes.

 

  Finally, That night I smoked the last remaining cancer stick in the pack. I immediately walked back in the house, Took a shower and brushed my teeth to get the smell and taste of the cursed things off me and put on a patch. I went to bed early that night because I feel like the time I'm asleep It's an 8 hour or so vacation from the quitting process.  I'm not saying it's easy but I know it can be done.

 

  I can do this and so can you Sean. Read the stories that folks have posted on this site and decide on your own best strategy and go for it!

 

[Reciprocity]

^^^  Nice one TobacNo!! See, you are giving back already to others looking for inspiration to quit and you know what? That will actually help solidify your own quit too - you'll see  

Edited September 20, 2018 by reciprocity

[Doreensfree]

Welcome Sean....

My advice is read everything you can about this addiction...

On the main discussion board you will find tons of great information.... And lots of videos....

Cutting down is a great step ...but why prolong.......by keeping smoking a few...you are keeping the monster alive...

We have a saying here...Never stick anything in your mouth and set fire to it ...this is the only way to quit and stay quit....

Believe in yourself....you can do it....you just need to want it bad enough....

Stay around a while...read all you can ...your seat on the train will be here ,when you are ready ...

[Kdad]

You can do it Sean!!!!

 

Edited September 21, 2018 by Kdad

[MwBenson]

Great job cutting back already thats wonderful! I use the patches to get through the worst of the withdrawals i whent from a pack and a half a day to a 21mg patch! Everyones different some prefer the cold turkey method it is all what works for you. Like some other people here already said though I have found alot of the videos and articles and posts here that educate on cigarette and nicotine addiction very helpful! 

Keep it up

[JB 883]

On Oct 2nd 2017, I tried to just quit quit. That lasted four hours. So I decided that i would just take a few hits when I really craved.

I basically went from 30 to 3 overnight. The three that I allowed myself - it was just when i really needed a smoke that I would take a few hits.

I decided though, "I still need to quit this" so I decided that Friday would be my dead last smoking day. It would be the weekend so i could be miserable in peace.

 

Friday, Oct 6th, 2017 at 5:30 AM, I smoked the last stump of a cigarette.  I have not had any sort of tobacco/nicotine since.

 

I think cutting down before quitting CAN help one quit but you need some kind of a plan and NEED to stick to it. Once the day and hour comes that you decide you no longer will smoke, stick to it.

 

I am an advocate of the "cut back" method. That way you can kind of get used to the withdrawals but it is not as big a shock as immediate cold turkey.

[c9jane29]

Set a quit date (circle it on your calander)

Make your quit plan (how do escape "craves")

Get your quit supplies ready.

Get your mind right. Start now, "I'm going to quit smoking on ______." "I am going to be a non-smoker."

Learn and read about nicotine addiction and the changes it made in you mind and body to help rationalize and understand the quit process.

Understand there is no middle ground after you quit...NOPE.

One=all.

 

I hope you commit to your quit! It really is a wonderful, life changing process that grows with you everyday. 

Edited September 21, 2018 by c9jane29

[Lin-quitting]

Hi Sean.

 

It's possible to quit. I was like you, a 2-pack-a-day addict at the time of my quit. And after 42 years of smoking those sunsabitches, which were killing me.....I have success. I've been clean for over 18 mos. and I'm telling you: (1) you CAN do this; and (2) it's worth whatever you have to go through to get here.

 

Make up your mind to do the thing and know that it IS possible to succeed at it. Use the resources available here. Read read and then read some more. Commit.

 

DO IT.

 

 

 

 

[Sazerac]

How are you feeling, Sean ?

[Boo]

I couldn't get it together and quit either.  Until I did.

 

Quitting looks like an insurmountable goal if you stand back from it and make it out to be bigger than it is.

 

When you commit to the quit and make forward progress everyday, the fear ceases and you realize that freedom from smoking is attainable.

 

Commitment.  Education.  Resolve.  Proceed.

 

Good luck Sean.