Has anyone tried given up smoking here? If so, how successful were you? - Page 2

FordFan86 · 21-06-2005, 11:19 PM

It's a bad habit to get into, fair enough all the 30+ year olds who are on it today, but the amount of young adults and teens who take up smoking are just a bit screwed up knowing what the causes are due to the years of study and TV commercials. I have had a few cigarettes, most of them after a few to drink, i don't see what people get out of it, just hurts the hell out of your throat, you stink, your clothes stink.

I've been told once your off the cravings never go away, my workmate has been off for years now and admits he still get's craving, but will never touch them again. I hope you can do it Jac, Good Luck

**Grunter** · 22-06-2005, 11:16 AM

I smoked from 15yo through to 31yo, averaging a pack a day.

Strangly enough I wasn't planning on giving up, but one day in between inning (Indoor Cricket) I went for the usual quick smoke, took a puff and decided right then that I didn't want to smoke anymore. Have not had a puff since.

I found the only way you will give up is if you really want to give up for your reasons. Not the reasons of others.

I also made a point of rewarding myself by putting the $50+ per week I spent on smokes towards the purchase of a jetski, that I wouldn't have been able to afford if I were still smoking. ;)

EA2BA · 22-06-2005, 11:37 AM

Well apart from the cravings i am told bought on by stress at my wifes work, 2 of her brothers smoke, her mother smokes, her farther smokes, her grandmother smokes, her step-mother smokes all these people are nearly chain smokers, her work friends smoke, so all in all despite my threats of smoke and it will be over, i will be extremely dissapointed in you and all the rest, the end result is too much temptation, all she did was hide it from me (i knew but felt she would quit so kept quiet), had enough and said why you smoking again, she admitted it, so have given up and now dont care, there is only so much you can do.

She doesnt smoke inside and doesnt smoke in her car, thats about all I can be happy about.

Marlin_Girl · 22-06-2005, 11:49 AM

i try to get my bf to quit ... but i know that he could only do it if HE wanted to himself!! My parents smoke too, theyve been trying to quit for years ... so i know that there has to be a huge amount of motivation inside oneself to do it. And sadly i don't think he has any. He enjoys it, and admits that openly. Has the "Oh well, gotta die of something, may as well be something i enjoy aye!" attitude.

Good luck Jac and Conordec!!!

TheSneakiness · 22-06-2005, 12:04 PM

My parents and younger brother do.

It makes me sick. I can't stand the smell of that sh*t. At least the folks tried to give it up, but that lasted about 2 weeks. I told them face-to-face, how they could go 2 weeks without one, then all of a sudden start up again. I really fired up, they couldn't believe what was coming out my mouth.

Jac, for the goodness of your health, and your kids, give it up. Believe in yourself.

zhodak · 22-06-2005, 01:41 PM

Three and half years now and still going strong. I gave up cold turkey, didn't use any drugs, patches, gum etc.

I started when I was 14 and gave up at 31. I took up going to the gym instead and playing with my car. Also my dad passed away last year from lung cancer.

Good luck and stick with it.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 22-06-2005, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nak351

my wife still smokes and the smell annoys me. how hypocritical is that

Nah, don't worry, it's not just you, I've heard it called the "annoying ex-smoker syndrome" - some say we're the worst kind of non-smokers. I try not to complain about it, I'm sure that when the time is right, there will no longer be any smokers in this house, and me complaining about it isn't going to make that time arrive any faster, quite possibly the opposite.

I started smoking when I was 15, quit a few times (cold turkey), but always started again within a short while, until a bit over a year ago (I'm 27 now).

I think it varies from person to person, I didn't find I got that much in the way of cravings, for me it was more of a physical habit, the whole "doing something with your hands" bit.

Good luck with it, to all those who still smoke and are considering or trying to kick the habit!

JG3282 · 22-06-2005, 03:36 PM

I gave up not long after being born... My mum smoked [among other things] while I was in the womb and I guess thats the only time I've smoked except for a flirtation with "smoking pipes" in my teens

:

The MaDDeSTMaN · 22-06-2005, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ONGAS

I gave up not long after being born... My mum smoked [among other things] while I was in the womb and I guess thats the only time I've smoked except for a flirtation with "smoking pipes" in my teens

:

Reminds me of my mother, to celebrate my birth my father handed her a joint just after I was born, so in the photograph for the local newspaper, my mother was quite obviously stoned...

I'm the only one in my immediate family who doesn't smoke cigarettes these days.

RSgerry · 22-06-2005, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grunter

I found the only way you will give up is if you really want to give up for your reasons. Not the reasons of others.

spot on mate. i gave up for three years because other people wanted me to. i took it up again. about 3 years ago, i found that i wasnt enjoying it any more and that i was smoking too much at work. nobody said anything to my face, but it was obvious i was going out for a smoke every hour. i went to the doctor, asked for Zyban, collected my tablets and have never looked back. i dont have any cravings at all for the things.

good luck with giving them up.

**Captain Stubing** · 22-06-2005, 09:40 PM

I think it's been said many times, it's easy to give up if you want to. I know it's not as easy to do it for someone else.

When you're in the first few weeks, you get the cravings... shortness of temper, funny feelings in you mouth/taste buds...

If you're giving up for someone else, it's easy to convince yourself that to have one puff will take that annoying feeling away.

If you're giving up for yourself, it's easy to say... that's just the nicotine trying to draw me back to smoking, and so it's easier to turn your back (or willpower) on.

Psycho Chicken · 22-06-2005, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MaDDeSTMaN

I'm the only one in my immediate family who doesn't smoke cigarettes these days.

No mention of funny stuff there! Left yourself open for that! :P

fordel · 22-06-2005, 10:03 PM

I had a puff of one once when i was about 4-5 when mum used to smoke and that was it, never had the urge to have one ever again !.

Yes thats a true story albeit a short one !

Good luck with it Jac !

Chris

XR200utility · 22-06-2005, 10:04 PM

I enjoy it too much to give up! everyone else can give up, i wont, i wanna be different! :nutsycuck

Dave_au · 22-06-2005, 10:10 PM

There is a great book to buy if your trying to quit smoking - its called Allen Carr's easyway to stop smoking. 5 of my mates has sucessfully stopped smoking from reading this book without the use of patches etc.

I only got through half the book and I stopped smoking too.

http://www.dymocks.com.au/ContentDyn...SBN=0140277633
http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/pro...40277633&db=au
Amazon review: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

oneredED · 23-06-2005, 01:51 AM

I've been smoking for about 1.5 to 2 years now (do not flame me as to why i started with all the ads on tv now etc etc...), but i'm keeping it under control somewhat. For me it started only whilst drinking all the time, and a couple of other influential reasons i won't go into.
I do know though that when i smoke i'll create certain associations. For example, pulling over during a long drive for a toilet break, i'll whip out a ciggie. Now, it's become habbit. I've learnt from this, not to associate smoking with other things. I have also set myself boundaries as to when i can and can't smoke. I cannot smoke in the house, or in the car. I also cannot smoke in front of family. Suprisingly this means i don't smoke that often, probably around 4 ciggies a day.

I am very slowly reducing the number i have, very gradually, as i used to be around 7-8 per day about 2 months ago. For me, that seems to be the way it is working for me. I can go for a couple of days without (not trying to quit) and then i'll get back on 'em as usual. I don't seem to get cravings when i'm going without, i can't really explain why i end up having a couple again. I can get moody though, just ask my poor housemates hahaha.

mcflux · 23-06-2005, 04:34 PM

Ultimately there are two things that shuold be considered:

1) Self-belief. If you believe you can quit, then you can!
2) Define "quit".

For me, I went cold turkey in an attempt to get my ex to give up, as she was smoking more & more. I thought setting an example would help, but it didn't. We used to go "halves" in smokes but when I quit she'd just have the whole one instead and in effect doubled her habit. So that backfired.

Anyhoo going cold turkey was easy for me. No withdrawls, except for one time a while later after mowing the lawns on a hot day and sitting on the verandah with a beer in one hand... Would've been nice to have one then.

Since that moment, I started to think about "jeez, quitting actually means full-on quitting!". I can't imagine how difficult it would be for an alcoholic to give up entirely.

So, since I've "quit" from what I'd call regular smoking, I've had probably two smokes since October (excluding two nights ago, LOL!), but neither of those times were due to cravings, just the time & the place and a "why not?" attitude. Two nights ago I had a big one with the boys from uni and went thru a pack of Superking Virginias :gren:

Despite that, I don't feel like any now, and doubt I'll have any more smokes until the next end of semester night out. I think some people are naturally (personality or genetics) inclined to deal with addictive things easier. Then again, I'm online at the moment and should be working!

Fordforums = my smokes I spose :P

XRChic and others, all you can do is give it a go. If you "quit" and then go back to smoking again, just think that you had stopped smoking for a period of time, giving your health a break and your wallet too! You have scored a small victory in that way. The only way you have truly "quit" is by waiting it out until you die. Which seems a bit excessive to me!

Live life how you want it. If you want to quit, then quit. Best of luck to you too!

-Dave-

XRchic · 24-06-2005, 12:55 AM

Well, still going ok! Its been two weeks and 4 days since I had one, or even a puff. Still no patches, no gum and no grumpy either. Would still like one, at certain times of the day, in certain situations but its nothing too bad, and nothing I cant handle. I think the worst is over.

Im glad Im giving up before we move into our house in a week and a bit. I didnt want to smoke in it of course, but I didnt really wanna smoke outside either, because it always drifts in.

EA2BA · 24-06-2005, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRchic

Well, still going ok! Its been two weeks and 4 days since I had one, or even a puff. Still no patches, no gum and no grumpy either. Would still like one, at certain times of the day, in certain situations but its nothing too bad, and nothing I cant handle. I think the worst is over.

Im glad Im giving up before we move into our house in a week and a bit. I didnt want to smoke in it of course, but I didnt really wanna smoke outside either, because it always drifts in.

Well so far you going well, keep it up and be honest talk to someone anyone if yuo fee like a ciggy and the reasons why, then hopefully with support you will decide not to have one.

Stick with the rules no smoking in the car, and no smoking in the house at least if you fall off the wagon so to speak, it might provide motivation to not fall off or get straight back on

Angry Beaver · 24-06-2005, 09:27 AM

Not successful basically because i am a stay at home mother who is bored with doing just housework all the time so i tend to have a lot of down moments. secondly raising a child like dayton is extremely stressful and among other things my life is one big stressball and those things take to much time to mention.

EA2BA · 24-06-2005, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrs casper

Not successful basically because i am a stay at home mother who is bored with doing just housework all the time so i tend to have a lot of down moments. secondly raising a child like dayton is extremely stressful and among other things my life is one big stressball and those things take to much time to mention.

Yes that is the downside of the smokes, they are addictive, and it doesnt take much to be back in the full swing of smoking again, as I have witnessed several times.

FNQracing · 24-06-2005, 11:27 AM

I'd love to give up, been smoking for about 12 years, I'm now 32. But to be perfectly honest, I really enjoy a smoke. Giving up will be extremely hard, as I smoke as a stress releif, a reward, when I'm bored, after driving, before driving, after a meal, after well - you get the idea.

For all those younger people who say they only smoke occasionally, or they have it under control, well I remember those days too! Stop before they become a major part of your life.

For me, I get stressed when I know I'm running low on smokes, and if I ever did run out (which I have a few times) well that is the end of the world.

They are truly evil, and will suck you in.

The nicotine is the easy bit to give up - its the physical and mental habit of kicking back and having a smoke.

When it does come time for me to quit, I'll be looking at Hypnotherapy, which my doc reackons is very beneficial for people like me.

XRchic · 24-06-2005, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrs casper

Not successful basically because i am a stay at home mother who is bored with doing just housework all the time so i tend to have a lot of down moments. secondly raising a child like dayton is extremely stressful and among other things my life is one big stressball and those things take to much time to mention.

Hi Mrs Casper

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean! I only have two kids but they have had their moments. I have had them on my own as a studying/working single parent for nearly 8 years. My daughter has ADD and is dyslexic and my son has ADD and is gifted. There were times, after my ex left, when I was studying full time AND working full time AND my son was under a year old and my daughter was 4, that I was smoking more than a pack of 40 a day! I nearly dropped out of uni heaps of times I was that stressed and I had pneumonia 4 times in 3 years - probably attributable to smoking so much and getting no sleep, etc.

Even these days, now they are 7 and 11, and with my really nasty, stressful job as well as doing all the normal parent stuff like housework, running them around to their sports, seeing their teachers all the time about their issues, taking them to their specialists and now with sorting out all the financial stuff to do with the home loan and the sale of my block - just when work is getting really busy - doing 50 hour weeks at the moment (tax time).... I can tell you, I am busting for a smoke tonight!!!! I wasnt too bad yesterday but tonight BOY I could do with one!!!

So yes Mrs Casper, I agree, I reckon it is really hard for parents to give up, especially if you have a bunch of children who are full on and stressful - probably why so many parents smoke!

FRDGAL · 24-06-2005, 10:34 PM

Seems everyone around me is quitting. For example, hanging out with the ex tonight, it hit me after a couple of hours that he hadn't lit up a smoke at all. Anyway, he was a heavy smoker and gave up a few days ago using patches. My cousin also was a heavy smoker and about 4 weeks ago gave up cold turkey and she's doing really well.

I've tried and failed and I don't feel bad at all about failing. Just wasn't the right time for me to do it - I will though, one day

Stupid thing is though I lost my dad to lung cancer - you'd think that would give me incentive to quit :togo:

Jamie XR6 · 24-06-2005, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairmont_Krissy

Seems everyone around me is quitting. For example, hanging out with the ex tonight, it hit me after a couple of hours that he hadn't lit up a smoke at all. Anyway, he was a heavy smoker and gave up a few days ago using patches. My cousin also was a heavy smoker and about 4 weeks ago gave up cold turkey and she's doing really well.

I've tried and failed and I don't feel bad at all about failing. Just wasn't the right time for me to do it - I will though, one day

Stupid thing is though I lost my dad to lung cancer - you'd think that would give me incentive to quit :togo:

The worse thing to can do to a smoker is to try and make them give up. Being a smoker for many years, I know this only too well.

You shouldn't feel bad about failing to give up as it's bloody hard work. When you are ready though, give up using the patches. They will help you quit.

gtfpv · 24-06-2005, 11:22 PM

do i see people starting to offer hardship as an excuse for smoking dont justify it . i know how you must feel but many people have hardship and stress and dont smoke.its an addiction . mental and chemical . not something you do because your stressed or bored . i get bored all the time and i dont think . gee i'm bored i might take up smoking , that will make my feel better.

The MaDDeSTMaN · 24-06-2005, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

No mention of funny stuff there! Left yourself open for that! :P

Hahaha, yes I did

:

What I meant is that I am the only one in my immediate family who doesn't smoke anything (ok, ok, occasionally I might fry some tyres, but it's not something I'm addicted to, I could stop any time I want to, I swear) , while other family members smoke all sorts of various things (cigarettes, tyres, marijuana, etc.), that better? :P

Maybe we should organise a FFAU quit day or something? A day when all those who are members here and smoke, but want to quit, all try on the same day? Maybe knowing that you're not the only one trying on that day might help?

FRDGAL · 25-06-2005, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

do i see people starting to offer hardship as an excuse for smoking dont justify it . i know how you must feel but many people have hardship and stress and dont smoke.its an addiction . mental and chemical . not something you do because your stressed or bored . i get bored all the time and i dont think . gee i'm bored i might take up smoking , that will make my feel better.

Yes many people do have hardship and stress and don't smoke BUT a SMOKER will light up as a result of stress - that is a fact! It is the way that most SMOKER'S deal with it. So ofcourse a non-smoker will not start up smoking to deal with stress and a non-smoker will not light up to deal with hardship but YES a person who is a smoker WILL.

Sorry I'm not trying to be rude (really I'm not) but I find your "I get bored all the time and i dont think gee i'm bored i might take up smoking that will make my feel better" comment a bit silly really. No-one is saying "if you stress start up smoking" What is being said though is "smokers smoke when stressed" There's a difference!

Also, it's about 'habit' aswell. Smokers have the 'habit' of putting a cigarette to mouth. Ever watched a movie or show and seen someone put an unlit cigarette to their mouth?? Think about it...

gtfpv · 25-06-2005, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairmont_Krissy

Yes many people do have hardship and stress and don't smoke BUT a SMOKER will light up as a result of stress - that is a fact! It is the way that most SMOKER'S deal with it. So ofcourse a non-smoker will not start up smoking to deal with stress and a non-smoker will not light up to deal with hardship but YES a person who is a smoker WILL.

Sorry I'm not trying to be rude (really I'm not) but I find your "I get bored all the time and i dont think gee i'm bored i might take up smoking that will make my feel better" comment a bit silly really. No-one is saying "if you stress start up smoking" What is being said though is "smokers smoke when stressed" There's a difference!

Also, it's about 'habit' aswell. Smokers have the 'habit' of putting a cigarette to mouth. Ever watched a movie or show and seen someone put an unlit cigarette to their mouth?? Think about it...

yep fair enough fiarmont chrissie i just want people to give up smoking if they feel they are not doing themselves any favours . me being a non smoker can only imagine how hard it must be , but i don't always think sympathy is going to make someone quit. seeing it through someone elses other than a smoker just may help. i don't think it is easy for people to quit . they are going to have to think about it as disgusting in every aspect 1st. and if they know that a lot of people think it is absolutely stupid and derogatory to smoke it just may make a differance . i dont look down on any one that smokes . each to there own but if they want to know what i think about smoking it sux . and if they give up i'm very happy for them.it wont be because i sympathise with them.

FRDGAL · 25-06-2005, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

yep fair enough fiarmont chrissie i just want people to give up smoking if they feel they are not doing themselves any favours . me being a non smoker can only imagine how hard it must be , but i don't always think sympathy is going to make someone quit. seeing it through someone elses other than a smoker just may help. i don't think it is easy for people to quit . they are going to have to think about it as disgusting in every aspect 1st. and if they know that a lot of people think it is absolutely stupid and derogatory to smoke it just may make a differance . i dont look down on any one that smokes . each to there own but if they want to know what i think about smoking it sux . and if they give up i'm very happy for them.it wont be because i sympathise with them.

It's all good mate

And hey, as a smoker myself I also think it sux. I really envy those that have quit the habit. It takes alot of will power which is something I lack at the moment. But anyways "good luck" to all that are trying and for those that have already quit "well done!"